Brexit really did us dirty—there’s no denying that. We’re not going to go into politics and bore everyone, but if you had plans to move abroad (mainly to the EU), those plans quickly got swiped away if you did nothing about it before the EU exit.
Still, fear not; all is not lost. There are still some countries you can retire in without needing a visa.
Read on to find out more.
Gibraltar
Gibraltar, located at the southernmost tip of Spain, is a quaint yet fascinating British Overseas Territory perfect for retirement—retirement in Gibraltar is bliss. As a British citizen, you can easily settle down in Gibraltar without a visa. What you get is a place that offers a unique mix of British culture and Mediterranean beauty.
The Process: Moving to Gibraltar is simple. There is no red tape for relocating British citizens. As long as you can prove financial self-sufficiency, like income or savings, you can easily settle down without getting a visa. For UK citizens, there are no restrictions on property ownership, which makes renting or purchasing straightforward.
Documents Required:
- A valid British passport
- Proof of financial self-sufficiency (e.g., pension statements, bank statements)
- Evidence of health insurance (optional but recommended for private healthcare access)
- A signed rental agreement or proof of property ownership
Gibraltar has an excellent free healthcare system that aligns with UK standards (but is better), and there are exceptional private options. There is no language barrier, as English is the primary language spoken, and the currency is pound sterling. It’s a seamless integration into a sunnier life.
Ireland
With its warm pubs and rolling green hills, Ireland is an excellent choice for British retirees. Citizens of the UK can live, work, and retire here without the need for a visa, which has been facilitated thanks to the Common Travel Area (CTA). This system was preserved after Brexit, ensuring that the relationship between Ireland and the UK stays intact.
The Process: The conditions you must follow to retire in Ireland are quite simple. Primarily, there are no residency or visa-related requirements underneath the CTA. The only thing that is required is to register for long-term account services, which includes opening a bank account along with registering for public services like healthcare and taxation.
Documents Required:
- A valid British passport
- Address proof in Ireland, like a rental agreement or property deed.
- Proof of stable finances, like pension or savings statements.
- PPS number application for access to public services.
Retirees can access the public healthcare system of Ireland. However, most people prefer to select private health insurance to reduce the average wait times—the country suffers like the NHS. Regardless of whichever side you anchored towards, Ireland positioned itself perfectly in the middle for ‘city folks’ wanting to live in Dublin and ‘rural folks’ wanting Galway.
Isle of Man
This Isle of Man is stunning—we wouldn’t blame you for wanting to retire there. Sitting in the middle of the Irish Sea, it’s only a stone’s throw from the UK yet feels like a completely different world. It’s a fabulous place for the older generation of British citizens. With its improved lifestyle, lack of crime, unparalleled nature, and several tax benefits, it is certainly an appealing destination for British and Irish citizens. British citizens can also move here without any issues thanks to the Crown Dependency.
The Process: Britons wanting to live their life on the Isle of Man need to prove where their financial support is coming from and show it is self-sustaining, alongside proof of accommodation. Unlike relocating to other nations, migration documents are not necessary, but retirees need to inform authorities of their settlement and register themselves for healthcare and tax benefits.
Documents Required:
- A valid British passport
- Pension or other investment income
- Rental or property ownership documents
- Registered with the Manx healthcare system
Retirees can expect high-quality health services based on the British healthcare model (again, but better) in return for their investment. The bustling yet friendly environment surrounding the Isle, along with its quiet internal places, makes it absolutely perfect for retirement.
UK citizens can easily live out their golden years abroad. And even if you don’t fancy these, there are so many options; the only issue is you’ll have to go through the visa application process. All you need to do is understand what is required of you before you move and do plenty of your own research. So why wait? You can start making your plans now, and whatever place you choose, we’re sure it’ll be perfect.
