Retirement Question: Foreign Country Health System

Thailand

I second Thailand. Costs are so low- for doctor visits and prescriptions, that insurance is not needed. Plenty of English speaking health care facilities. One of the top three for cosmetic procedures in the world as well. Great quality.

Yes on Thailand. Also yes on Panama, which is definitely trying to attract American retirees. A lot of countries are - Ecuador is another that's said to be full of American retirees. Try Internationalliving.com

Very interesting thread. I’ve wondered about this too. There is no way I’d be able to afford retiring [b]and[/b] continue living in the USA. Still a few years off for me, but eager to read some of the (sane) responses.

Here's a link: Spain is #1 overall. Mexico at # 5 is the highest rated non-europeans destination. Thailand s #7

Spain is quite expensive though. Thailand is a lot cheaper, most people speak English and health care is really good. You can get a big house or nice apartment in Thailand for less than $500. Full meal/lunch for $3. I bet some freaks here also have the prices for random sex, rent boys, paid companions (or personal sex slaves).

OP, do you look like the guy in the photo you posted? If so, I'll go into retirement with you. ;)

Ghana ? are you fucking kidding me?

Spain and Portugal?

Spain would require probably a non-lucrative visa in your case, showing that you can support yourself to a certain standard from resources you have in hand or as a demonstrable income stream. Further you woul have to supply proof of private health insurance from a Spanish vendor equivalent to the national health service (full coverage, with €0 co-pays, and full Rx coverage); this however is quite cheap and easily available. Existing conditions exemptions may throw a wrench for some people but often there solutions to this stumbling block. After one year if there should be any problem securing insurance you can get it directly through the Spanish health service, again at very reasonable cost.

Portugal is generally similar to Spain on these points. It offers greater tax advantages and incentives to moving there and has programs to encourage.

Both countries have golden visa programs with similar requirements to invest €500,000 (or €350,000 for some urban areas in Portugal) in real estate; the Portugal program has an option to acquire citizenship in 5 years (Spain does not, but you could apply for citizenship after 10 years of residency).

Residency permits are relatively easy in either country provided you have a proper visa.

Thailand? No thank you.

100% humidity. fuck that!

Costa Rica, Portugal. Cape Town maybe ? (Kinda far from everything)

R10 The north; Chang Mai and Chang Rai are cooler and in the mountains

I think you're mistaken R2. I just read an article about mostly elderly Danes who move to Thailand but don't have money for health insurance. They then find themselves fucked when they get chronic illnesses and need hospital care. Some of them are stranded in Thailand, and have to battle their illnesses at home with the help of friends/relatives, if they're lucky.

These are not rich people by any means but most of them have pensions.

That Robin dude liked it in Thailand.

Mexicocity

I believe Thailand requires expat retirees to buy insurance now.

A good starting point for information for potential expats that covers health care systems, residency requirements, citizenship, financial issues for many countries is Expatica.com. Their homepage for Health Care in Spain is shown at link.

[QUOTE] My goal is to be near desperate and low-priced rent boys.

Fixed that for you.

Belinda Carlisle and her husband moved to Thailand.