French retirees still love Portugal
The The 2019 list of the best countries in which to retire, compiled by retraite sans frontières. While Portugal seems unchallenged, there are a few surprises in the top 10.
For the fifth year running, Portugal tops the list of foreign retirement paradises. Followed by neighboring Spain. Then come three non-European countries: Morocco, Thailand and Mauritius.
The advantages of Portugal for senior citizens," notes Paul Delahoutre, head of this website specializing in retirement abroad. "In addition to its mild climate, it's easily accessible from France, poses no particular security concerns and is culturally close to France.
Without on the RNH status (non-habitual resident), which, since 2013, allows European retirees to settle in Portugal and benefit from preferential treatment. Ten years' tax exemption on their pensions, if paid by private pension schemes.
Ranking of countries where it's good to retire for French retirees
| RANK | COUNTRY | OUR SUR 100 | HIGHLIGHTS | WEAKNESSES | PROGRESSION |
| 1 | PORTUGAL | 65.25 | ACCESSIBILITY AND SAFETY | PROPERTY PRICES | |
| 2 | SPAIN | 63.6 | ACCESSIBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE | COST OF LIVING AND PROPERTY PRICES | +2 |
| 3 | MOROCCO | 63.4 | CLIMATE AND ACCESSIBILITY | SAFETY AND MEDICAL CARE | -1 |
| 4 | THAILAND | 63.15 | REAL ESTATE PRICES AND COST OF LIVING | ACCESSIBILITY AND CLIMATE | -1 |
| 5 | MAURICE | 61.75 | SAFETY AND NATURAL HERITAGE | ACCESSIBILITY AND INFRASTRUCTURE | |
| 6 | GREECE | 61.55 | CULTURAL HERITAGE AND LEISURE | COST OF LIVING AND INTEGRATION | +1 |
| 7 | ITALY | 61.35 | INFRASTRUCTURE AND ACCESSIBILITY | REAL ESTATE PRICES AND COST OF LIVING | -1 |
Italy, beware of the trap
Nor is Italy one of the countries for French retirees, especially those looking to save money. "The cost of living there is barely lower than in France," notes Paul Delahoutre. The country has certainly been much in the news at the start of 2019. This is due to a new tax measure designed to attract foreign retirees. A tax on pensions of 7 %.
Make no mistake, under the terms of the bilateral tax treaty signed with Italy, pensions paid by compulsory French pension schemes remain taxed by France, not by Italy, so they are not affected by these 7 %". In the end, Italy comes in seventh place only in this ranking, which has existed since 2011.
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