Thailand has been named the second-best country in the world for retirement in 2026, according to the Retirement Abroad Index 2026 published by Expatriate Group. The ranking places Thailand behind the Philippines and ahead of destinations including Colombia, Portugal, Spain and France, highlighting the country’s continued appeal to international retirees. Get today's headlines by email The index assessed 20 countries across five key areas: healthcare quality, visa accessibility, health insurance requirements, cost of living, and expat community and integration. The findings were compiled by Expatriate Group, a specialist provider of international health insurance serving expatriates and retirees in more than 180 countries. Thailand secured second place thanks largely to its healthcare system, achieving the joint-highest healthcare score in the index alongside Spain and France. Major destinations including Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Phuket were recognised for their internationally recognised private hospital networks. The country also received the maximum score of 20 out of 20 for health insurance requirements. According to the report, Thailand’s Non-Immigrant O-A Visa requires applicants to hold health insurance cover, as a condition of the retirement visa. The report comes as growing numbers of retirees consider overseas destinations offering lower living costs, warmer climates and access to quality healthcare. Expatriate Group director Lee Gerry said many prospective retirees often overlook important factors such as healthcare access, visa options and day-to-day living expenses when planning a move abroad. He stated: “Retiring abroad has never been more achievable, but the decisions that matter most, healthcare access, visa routes, and the reality of day-to-day costs, are often the least well understood.” Thailand was surpassed only by the Philippines, which topped the index due to strong scores for affordability, visa accessibility and expat integration. The Philippines’ Special Resident Retiree’s Visa requires a fixed deposit of approximately GBP11,000 for pension holders. Other countries ranked highly included Colombia in third place, Portugal in fourth, while Sri Lanka and South Africa shared fifth position. Malaysia and the United Arab Emirates tied for sixth place, with Spain and Indonesia sharing eighth place. Panama ranked ninth and Qatar completed the top ten. The Daily Mall reported that Thailand is expected to remain a leading retirement destination due to its established healthcare infrastructure, retirement visa programmes and strong expatriate communities. The latest ranking may further strengthen its reputation among overseas retirees seeking a long-term base in Southeast Asia. Picture courtesy of The Daily Mall Join the discussion? Already a member? Adapted by ASEAN Now Dailymail 12 June 2026
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