4 things you should know before retiring abroad

Leaving France and retiring abroad is an idea that has already won over more than a million French nationals. Today, it’s increasingly common to see young retirees leave France to enjoy life abroad.
But before making this crucial decision, there are a number of factors to consider:

In making the final choice, three main criteria come into play: proximity to France, the local healthcare system and the cost of living.
Choosing the right country is therefore crucial if you are to have a relaxing and carefree retirement. The latest fashionable destinations are Portugal, Morocco and Thailand.

Learning foreign languages ​​is much more difficult after a certain age. The language can therefore very quickly reduce the ability to enjoy everyday life. An estimated 20% of retirees believe the language is too great a barrier for them.

It is important to make careful calculations before leaving France. On the face of it, going to live abroad could help reduce your tax bill. In reality, you need to take the time to study the tax agreements that may exist between France and your future destination.
Some of them are genuinely beneficial, such as the one introduced by Portugal which allows any European pensioner who has lived in the country for less than 5 years to retire there with no tax payable on their pension.

Obviously, pensioners who leave France do so largely for financial reasons.
One study shows that the average income of expatriate pensioners is €221 per month (compared with €621 for those still living in France). However, it’s important to take into account that, once abroad, there are additional costs, including any return flights to France, or healthcare costs which are often higher than in France. All this can mean an increase in the initially-planned budget.