Retirement abroad requires careful planning.

Check visa requirements 

Laws on immigration and residency are very different from place to place:

• Read our Destination Information pages to learn about traveling to a destination.
• Research immigration or retirement visas on the website for the Embassy or Consulate of your destination in the United States. They will explain if you need a visa to visit or live there.
• Read our information on dual nationality if relevant to you.

Know the local laws

Seek professional legal advice before settling abroad:

• Check the nearest U.S. embassy website for a list of local English-speaking lawyers.
• Find out if your trust, will, and powers of attorney will work in your destination. They may or may not be enforceable there.
• Review local traffic laws. Also, review the license requirements if you want to drive.
• Find out what rights and responsibilities you will have as a foreign resident.
• Become familiar with the local laws for obtaining a work permit if you plan to work.

Prepare your finances

• Expect exchange rate fluctuations.
• Consider whether you should open a local bank account.
• Consider consulting with a financial advisor

Research medical care and costs

• Medicare is the U.S. government health plan for people age 65 and over. Medicare does not cover health care costs abroad.
• Many countries have national health systems. Investigate eligibility, availability, and quality beforehand.
• We highly recommend that you get health insurance. It should cover private medical treatment. It should also cover medical evacuation to the United States, just in case.
• The environment at your destination may affect your health. This is especially true if you are sensitive to altitude, air pollution, humidity, or other conditions. For more tips related to health issues, visit our Health Website.
• Find more health information here: CDC Travelers’ Health.

Understand your social security benefits

For information on receiving your social security benefits overseas, check the Social Security Administration's Office of International Operations website.

Pay your taxes

Leaving the United States does not exempt U.S. citizens from their U.S. tax obligations:

• Consult with a tax advisor that specializes in foreign residency.
• If you retire abroad, you must also obey the tax laws of your new country.
• For more information, check Tax information for residents and U.S. citizens living abroad.

Research accessibility and accommodations

• Read our page on Traveling with Disabilities.

Absentee voting while abroad

For more information, check the following resources: 

• Voting abroad
• Federal Voting Assistance Program

Beware of scams

• Beware of romance, friendship or financial scams.
• Scammers work mostly via the Internet, email, and phone. 
• For more information, please review our information on International Financial Scams.

Prepare for emergencies

Make sure your U.S. passport is valid in case you need to travel back to the United States quickly. You can renew your passport at any U.S. embassy or consulate.

• Leave emergency contact information and a copy of your passport's biographic data page with your family or trusted friends.
• Always carry emergency contact information with you. Also write it in the emergency contact section of your passport.
• Know the contact information for the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Give it to your family and friends.
• Emergencies can happen overseas. These could include unrest or natural disasters. If there is an emergency, contact your family and friends as soon as possible. This will prevent worry.

Stay connected

• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This will allow you to receive important safety and security alerts from the U.S. embassy or consulate as well as information like Travel Advisory updates and upcoming town halls for U.S. citizen residents. By enrolling, it also makes it easier for the U.S. embassy or consulate to reach you or your emergency contact in an emergency.