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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider PH is world's best place to retire, says Retirement Abroad Index 2026

PH is world's best place to retire, says Retirement Abroad Index 2026

Published Jun 19, 2026 03:14 pm
(Philippine Retirement Authority)
(Philippine Retirement Authority)
The Philippines has just been recognized as the best place for expatriates to spend their retirement years.
The Retirement Abroad Index 2026 of the Expatriate Group, which ranked 20 different countries based on their healthcare services, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living, and expat community and integration, has given the Philippines a winning score of 78 out of 100.
The country scored high on visa accessibility (17), cost of living (18), and expat community and integration (16), while garnering mid-range scores for healthcare quality (12) and healthcare insurance requirements (15).
The index cited the country's Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV), which it lauded as "among the most accessible retirement programmes we assessed." Applicants aged 50 and over who receive a pension are qualified for a retiree's visa with a fixed deposit of USD15,000 (around £11,000), and successful applicants get to enjoy long-term residency without having to worry about annual visa renewals. Processing times for the SRRV only range from four to eight weeks.
Retirees who want to live an affordable lifestyle can do so in the Philippines because of its low cost of living. "Affordability remains one of the country’s biggest strengths," the index said. "A retired couple can typically live comfortably on around £750 – £1,000 per month, although costs are generally higher in Manila than in the smaller cities and coastal communities."
At the same time, expatriates can feel right at home in the Philippines as most of the residents can converse with them in English.
"English is widely spoken and is one of the country’s official languages, which removes a common barrier to integration for UK retirees. Combined with a well-established expat population across Manila, Cebu, and popular island destinations, this makes the transition to life overseas much easier than in many competing retirement destinations," it added.
On the flip side, the index found that healthcare in the country can vary based on location, as there is a "significant gap" between urban and rural areas. "The major cities such as Manila and Cebu City offer access to modern private hospitals, internationally accredited facilities, and English-speaking medical professionals. However, healthcare standards can vary considerably outside of these urban centres, so location is an important consideration for retirees," it noted.
Coming in after the Philippines in the Retirement Abroad Index 2026 is Thailand (with a close score of 77), Colombia (73), Portugal (71), South Africa (69), and Sri Lanka (69).
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