The same for Japanese.

Obviously EU people are in the best situation.

For those interested in alternatives to Thailand and/or a Plan B exit plan, Romania is another option.

It's more expansive than Bulgaria but more affordable than western Europe.

Remarkably Romanian is a romance language, the only one that exists east of Italy.

The vocabulary is about 75 percent Romance and 25 percent Slavic, given the location.

Yes is da.

Romania doesn't have a retirement visa but there are ways around that (a business probably with a passive investment acceptable.) Social security is not taxed and otherwise the tax rates are reasonable. A more natural fit would be for digital nomads or people wanting to commit to a new life in Europe.

There is five year path to permanent residency and then citizenship is an option but you need to pass a language test.
Amazing fact -- in Bucharest and other areas English is very widely spoken and the fluency level is high especially among younger Romanians.

So you wouldn't really need to learn Romanian besides elementary stuff to not be rude.

Translators or lawyers are needed to deal with immigration.

Reportedly because Romania is less popular with westerners (it's very popular with Ukainians) the immigration system is welcoming.

A link if you want to explore this some more:

The Easiest EU Residency for Americans & Canadians—Why Romania is Your Best Option - Door To Romania

www.doortoromania.com/the-easiest-eu-residency-for-americans-canadians-why-romania-is-your-best-option/

Introduction: When Opportunity Meets Strategy

For Americans and Canadians seeking a strategic foothold in Europe, residency is more than a visa—it’s a gateway to global mobility, financial diversification, and lifestyle transformation. While popular destinations like Spain and Portugal once seemed like obvious choices, changing regulations, rising income thresholds, and mounting bureaucracy have rendered them increasingly inaccessible. Enter Romania: the EU’s most underrated, yet legally robust, shortcut to residency—and ultimately, citizenship.

Romania is not just an alternative. It is, in 2025, the most efficient, cost-effective, and flexible pathway to EU residency for U.S. and Canadian nationals. And unlike other programs, Romania’s business residency model requires no passive income, no real estate purchases, and no convoluted tax filings—just a properly structured company and a compliant application.

Edited May 17May 17 by Jingthing

It's clear you post about your interest/potential quest for a residencey path for your future and I am intrigued as to why you might consider Romania or suggest to others, particularly as this an Asian forum with most on this forum having escaped to Asia.

I appreciate you might be looking for feedback, but unless, for the residency test after 5 years, one is a linguist or a potential one, at an age when one might be seeking alternative residency, I find it very hard to understand why anyone on here would choose Romania...Young couples or those with young children seeking a new, alternative and or cheaper life maybe might find the country attractive. It's almost a tiktok trend for Brits to be documenting a more relaxed lifestyle in Bulgaria building homesteads for example.

Would you not consider Israel for residency, is that not an option? Perhaps waiting for a calmer period...?

Perhaps you could highlight the importance of residency to you and the reasons why you are seeking it. It might help others on here in their quest too. I'm sure you may have posted similar in the past, but a more up to date version could be helpful...........................

Sabbatical's YT is attached, he enjoyed his time there. He includes an encounter with a local youth at 3 mins for clicks. It paints an interesting picture of the country and he summarises it, in part 'as one of my new favourite countries'.........................

Edited May 17May 17 by Off Piste
Forgot video..!

8 minutes ago, Off Piste said:

It's clear you post about your interest/potential quest for a residencey path for your future and I am intrigued as to why you might consider Romania or suggest to others, particularly as this an Asian forum with most on this forum having escaped to Asia.

I appreciate you might be looking for feedback, but unless, for the residency test after 5 years, one is a linguist or a potential one, at an age when one might be seeking alternative residency, I find it very hard to understand why anyone on here would choose Romania...Young couples or those with young children seeking a new, alternative and or cheaper life maybe might find the country attractive. It's almost a tiktok trend for Brits to be documenting a more relaxed lifestyle in Bulgaria building homesteads for example.

Would you not consider Israel for residency, is that not an option? Perhaps waiting for a calmer period...?

Perhaps you could highlight the importance of residency to you and the reasons why you are seeking it. It might help others on here in their quest too. I'm sure you may have posted similar in the past, but a more up to date version could be helpful...........................

Sabbatical's YT is attached, he enjoyed his time there. He includes an encounter with a local youth at 3 mins for clicks. It paints an interesting picture of the country and he summarises it, in part 'as one of my new favourite countries'.........................

That's a lot.

I'm on retirement status.

Already posted Romania is of more general interest more likely to younger.

But I do think retirement is possible there though.

People move between regions all the time.

For example there is at least one company in Paraguay explicitly tailored to market to expats in Thailand.

Many people shop the world for expat options. No need to limit to one region.

Romania topic fits on US Canada forum because of preferential.polilicy.

I have posted for many years about the major downside of Thailand retirement status being no.resiidency security.

Romanian perm residency is very good in itself even without optional citizenship. I agree becoming fluent in a new language is especially hard for elders.

No interest in moving to Israel. Without even getting into war and politics it's way too expensive. Good beaches and Ethiopian food though.

I'm a big fan of the Sabbatical youtube channel.

Edited May 17May 17 by Jingthing

16 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That's a lot.

I'm on retirement status.

Already posted Romania is of more general interest more likely to younger.

But I do think retirement is possible there though.

People move between regions all the time.

For example there is at least one company in Paraguay explicitly tailored to market to expats in Thailand.

Many people shop the world for expat options. No need to limit to one region.

Romania topic fits on US Canada forum because of preferential.polilicy.

I have posted for many years about the major downside of Thailand retirement status being no.resiidency security.

Romanian perm residency is very good in itself even without optional citizenship. I agree becoming fluent in a new language is especially hard for elders.

No interest in moving to Israel. Without even getting into war and politics it's way too expensive. Good beaches and Ethiopian food though.

I'm a big fan of the Sabbatical youtube channel.

I agree, I slept on Eilat beach for a couple of nights in '83 on a getaway from Tel Aviv. With rusksack strapped to my wrist inside my sleepng back as according to others there were midnight thieves. Surreal with the planes flying in overhead and the clanking noise of ships in the night adjacent in Jordan..................

9 minutes ago, Off Piste said:

I agree, I slept on Eilat beach for a couple of nights in '83 on a getaway from Tel Aviv. With rusksack strapped to my wrist inside my sleepng back as according to others there were midnight thieves. Surreal with the planes flying in overhead and the clanking noise of ships in the night adjacent in Jordan..................

Had a month in Aquaba, then 2 weeks in Eilat (90s) ........ didn't notice any planes or ships, except the ones I was on. Good sightseeing in both places though, En Gedi, Dead Sea, Jerusalem, Bethlehem then on the other side Petra, King's Highway, Dead Sea. Wouldn't want to live in either of those .... too dry and arid!

Please this is not an Israel topic - we've got more than enough of those!

Douze Points!

Edited May 17May 17 by Jingthing