Retirement visas in 2026, ranked by income requirement
Where you can retire abroad on a pension, rentals, or investment income — ranked from the lowest income bar up, with what each country asks for and whether it leads to permanent residency.
All 24 programs checked against official government sources · July 2026
Ranked — lowest monthly-income requirement first
| # | Country & program | Requirement | Leads to |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 🇳🇮NicaraguaResidente Pensionado | $600/mo income | Citizenship in ~4 yrs |
| 2 | 🇨🇾CyprusCategory F Residence Permit | $870/mo income | Citizenship in ~7 yrs |
| 3 | 🇹🇷TurkeyShort-term residence permit (retirement) | $900/mo income | Citizenship in ~5 yrs |
| 4 | 🇵🇹PortugalD7 Passive Income / Retirement Visa | $990/mo income | Citizenship in ~10 yrs |
| 5 | 🇨🇷Costa RicaPensionado Visa | $1,000/mo income | Citizenship in ~7 yrs |
| 6 | 🇵🇦PanamaPensionado Visa | $1,000/mo income | Citizenship in ~5 yrs |
| 7 | 🇵🇪PeruRentista visa | $1,000/mo income | Citizenship in ~2 yrs |
| 8 | 🇲🇾MalaysiaMalaysia My Second Home (MM2H) — Silver | $1,070/mo income | Temporary residency |
| 9 | 🇨🇴ColombiaM-Pensionado (Retirement) Visa | $1,200/mo income | Citizenship in ~10 yrs |
| 10 | 🇬🇹GuatemalaRentista / Pensionado residency | $1,250/mo income | Path to permanent residency |
| 11 | 🇵🇾ParaguayResidency by independent means | $1,300/mo income | Citizenship in ~3 yrs |
| 12 | 🇪🇨EcuadorPensioner (Jubilado) Visa | $1,446/mo income | Citizenship in ~3 yrs |
| 13 | 🇩🇴Dominican RepublicPensionado residency | $1,500/mo income | Citizenship in ~2 yrs |
| 14 | 🇭🇳HondurasPensionado residency | $1,500/mo income | Citizenship in ~3 yrs |
| 15 | 🇫🇷FranceLong-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS «visiteur») | $1,596/mo income | Citizenship in ~5 yrs |
| 16 | 🇧🇿BelizeQualified Retirement Program (QRP) | $2,000/mo income | Temporary residency |
| 17 | 🇹🇭ThailandNon-Immigrant O-A Retirement Visa | $2,150/mo income | Temporary residency |
| 18 | 🇿🇦South AfricaRetired Person's Visa | $2,270/mo income | Path to permanent residency |
| 19 | 🇪🇸SpainNon-Lucrative Visa | $2,600/mo income | Citizenship in ~10 yrs |
| 20 | 🇮🇹ItalyElective Residence Visa | $2,800/mo income | Citizenship in ~10 yrs |
| 21 | 🇬🇷GreeceFinancially Independent Person (FIP) Visa | $3,750/mo income | Citizenship in ~7 yrs |
| 22 | 🇲🇽MexicoTemporary Resident Visa (Retirement) | $4,400/mo income | Citizenship in ~5 yrs |
| 23 | 🇵🇭PhilippinesSpecial Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV) | $20,000 deposit | Path to permanent residency |
| 24 | 🇳🇿New ZealandTemporary Retirement Visitor Visa | $449,000 deposit | Temporary residency |
Figures are 2026 USD-equivalents and move with exchange rates and annual resets — confirm the current requirement with each program's official source before applying.
Every retirement & passive-income visas, in detail
Residente Pensionado
Residente Pensionado requires min. age 45 and US$600/mo pension income (Rentista variant: US$750/mo from passive sources), approved by INTUR. Independent-means visas give a 3-year path to permanent residency and ~4-year path to citizenship. You must reside roughly 6 months/year to retain status.
Official source →Category F Residence Permit
Low bar: ~€9,568/yr passive income (+€4,613 per dependent). Immediate PR-type status; visit once every 2 years. Foreign pensions taxed at a favorable flat 5% option.
Official source →Short-term residence permit (retirement)
Turkey has no dedicated 'retirement visa'; retirees use the short-term residence permit on an income basis. You must show regular monthly foreign-currency income into a Turkish bank of about the net minimum wage — ~28,075 TRY/mo in 2026 (~$900); a lump-sum balance without monthly inflow is NOT accepted. Note post-2022 tightening: some districts (parts of Antalya/Izmir) are closed to new foreign residents, so approval is province-dependent. Valid 1-2 yrs, renewable; long-term residence after 8 yrs, citizenship after 5. 183+ days = tax residency.
Official source →D7 Passive Income / Retirement Visa
Low bar: ~€920/mo passive income (+50% spouse, +30% per child). PR after 5 years; 2026 reform moved citizenship to ~10 years. ~183 days/yr presence; worldwide income taxable once resident.
Official source →Pensionado Visa
$1,000/mo lifetime pension (covers the whole family). PR after 3 years, citizenship after 7. Foreign income untaxed. Must convert income through a local bank.
Official source →Pensionado Visa
$1,000/mo lifetime pension (+$250 per dependent). Permanent residency immediately + famous retiree discounts (25–50% off). Territorial tax; foreign income exempt.
Official source →Rentista visa
Rentista ('persona de renta permanente') requires min. US$1,000/mo from a pension/social security, plus US$500/mo per dependent, received via a recognized Peruvian financial institution (Decreto Supremo 002-2021-IN). Since Aug 2021 consulates abroad no longer process it — most applicants change status in-country at Migraciones. Citizenship possible after ~2 years of residency.
Official source →Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) — Silver
Silver tier (age 50+): ~$32,000 fixed deposit + ~$1,070/mo offshore income. A renewable long-stay pass, not PR. Higher tiers grant longer validity; some tiers require a property purchase.
Official source →M-Pensionado (Retirement) Visa
Pension of ~3x the Colombian minimum wage (~$1,200/mo). Up to 3 years, renewable; R-visa after 5 years, citizenship in ~8–10 years total. Very low cost of living.
Official source →Rentista / Pensionado residency
Rentista/Pensionado residency (via IGM) requires min. US$1,250/mo from a foreign-source pension, rentals, or investments (+US$300/mo per dependent); US Social Security qualifies. Provides an immediate path to permanent residency; income must be re-proven every 5 years. Citizenship generally requires ~5 years residency (Central American nationals get a faster track).
Official source →Residency by independent means
Since Law 6984/22 there is NO statutory minimum income or bank deposit for residency; applicants show 'real and regular' lawful income — practitioners advise demonstrating ~US$1,300/mo (plus extra per dependent). Temporary residency (renewable) converts to permanent after ~21-24 months; citizenship after 3 years of permanent residency. Territorial tax = 0% on foreign income; no minimum physical-presence requirement.
Official source →Pensioner (Jubilado) Visa
$1,446/mo pension (+$250/mo per dependent); most US Social Security recipients qualify. PR after 21 months. USD economy; citizenship after ~3 years.
Official source →Pensionado residency
Pensionado residency requires a pension of min. US$1,500/mo (+US$250/mo per dependent) from a government or private source. The Rentista (passive-income) variant requires US$2,000/mo. Grants fast-track residency renewable indefinitely; eligible to apply for citizenship after ~2 years. The DR has no dedicated digital-nomad visa.
Official source →Pensionado residency
Pensionado requires min. US$1,500/mo from a guaranteed pension (+US$150/mo per dependent), received into a local bank account. The Rentista (non-pension passive income) variant requires US$2,500/mo. Permit valid 4 years, renewable indefinitely; eligible for citizenship after 3 years (Spanish + civics exam). Foreign-source income is not taxed.
Official source →Long-stay visitor visa (VLS-TS «visiteur»)
France's passive-income route: prove stable resources at about the French minimum wage (~€1,478/mo net) plus private health cover, and sign that you won't work for a French employer. Renewable yearly with no cap, and a 2026 rule now allows remote work for a foreign employer. Long-term residence and naturalisation open after about five years.
Official source →Qualified Retirement Program (QRP)
Qualified Retirement Program (QRP), run by the Belize Tourism Board: age 40+, proof of US$2,000/mo (US$24,000/yr) from a source outside Belize in an approved currency. Requires only 30 consecutive days/year in-country. Grants QRP resident status (duty-free import perks) but is NOT a path to permanent residency/citizenship — those need the separate standard residency track.
Official source →Non-Immigrant O-A Retirement Visa
Age 50+: ~$2,150/mo income OR ~$24,000 in a Thai bank (or a combination). Renewable annually; mandatory Thai health insurance. Not a PR route; spouse needs a separate visa.
Official source →Retired Person's Visa
The Retired Person's Visa requires guaranteed income of ZAR 37,000/month (~$2,270/mo), OR a capital/asset sum, or a combination. No minimum age currently. Income must be passive (pension, annuity, rental, dividends) — active salary/consulting does NOT qualify. Valid 4 years, renewable, and a recognized stepping-stone to permanent residence. CAVEAT: an April-2026 Revised White Paper proposes a minimum age of 55 and higher thresholds — not yet law but pending.
Official source →Non-Lucrative Visa
~€2,400/mo passive income (+€600/mo per dependent); no working. PR after 5 years, citizenship after 10 (2 for Ibero-Americans). 183+ days/yr makes you a Spanish tax resident.
Official source →Elective Residence Visa
~€31k/yr passive income (doubled per family member); working prohibited. PR after 5 years, citizenship after 10. A 7% flat tax exists for retirees in some southern towns.
Official source →Financially Independent Person (FIP) Visa
~€3,500/mo passive income (+20% spouse, +15% per child). PR after 5 years, citizenship after 7. A 7% flat tax on foreign income for 15 years for foreign retirees.
Official source →Temporary Resident Visa (Retirement)
~$4,400/mo income (6 mo) OR ~$74,000 savings (12 mo) — the savings route suits retirees. Renewable to 4 years then PR; citizenship after 5.
Official source →Special Resident Retiree's Visa (SRRV)
Deposit-based: SRRV Smile needs a $20,000 deposit (age 35+) for indefinite, permanent, multiple-entry residency with no renewals. A Classic variant ($10k deposit + $800/mo pension) also exists.
Official source →Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa
The Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa requires ALL of: age 66+; NZD 750,000 (~$449,000) invested in acceptable NZ investments for the 2-year term (NOT a home/boat/car); an additional NZD 500,000 (~$300k) maintenance funds; AND annual income of NZD 60,000+ (~$3,000/mo). Valid up to 2 years; reapplication for further 2-year terms is possible but it does NOT lead to permanent residence. A partner may be included; dependent children may NOT accompany.
Official source →Ready to actually make the move?
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Information only, not legal advice — we never file anything with any government. Requirements change; verify with the official source or a licensed immigration advisor before you apply.
Retirement visas: FAQ
How much income do I need for a retirement visa in 2026?
Across the 24 programs here, the income bar ranges from about $600 to $4,400 per month. The most accessible is the Nicaragua Residente Pensionado at roughly $600/month.
Which retirement & passive-income visas lead to permanent residency?
20 of these 24 routes have a defined path to permanent residency, including Nicaragua, Cyprus, Turkey, Portugal. A few also open a route to citizenship over time — each card notes which.
Are these requirements official?
Every program links its official government source, and the figures are 2026 USD-equivalents that drift with exchange rates and annual resets. Treat them as "verify at application" — this is information, not legal advice.