Safest Countries to Retire Abroad for Americans
Safety is one of the most common questions American retirees ask about moving abroad — and one of the most misunderstood. A national safety score does not tell you whether the specific neighborhood you are considering is comfortable to walk at night. This guide covers which countries score highest on the Golden Horizons safety index, what those scores mean in practice, and what tools you should use to verify current conditions.
The following scores are from Golden Horizons’ editorial ranking of destinations for American retirees. Scores are on a 1–5 scale and reflect general conditions for expat retirees based on our editorial assessment. They are not official crime statistics. Conditions vary significantly within countries and change over time.
| Country | Safety Score | Overall Rank | Est. Monthly Budget |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | 5/5 — Excellent | #1 | ~$1,750/mo |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | 5/5 — Excellent | #4 | ~$1,870/mo |
| 🇳🇿 New Zealand | 5/5 — Excellent | #14 | ~$2,460/mo |
| 🇲🇹 Malta | 5/5 — Excellent | #16 | ~$1,620/mo |
| 🇵🇹 Portugal — Azores | 5/5 — Excellent | #15 | ~$1,260/mo |
| 🇨🇷 Costa Rica | 4/5 — Very Good | #3 | ~$1,610/mo |
| 🇹🇭 Thailand | 4/5 — Very Good | #6 | ~$940/mo |
| 🇲🇾 Malaysia | 4/5 — Very Good | #8 | ~$960/mo |
| 🇬🇷 Greece | 4/5 — Very Good | #9 | ~$1,340/mo |
| 🇻🇳 Vietnam | 4/5 — Very Good | #11 | ~$805/mo |
| 🇮🇹 Italy | 4/5 — Very Good | #12 | ~$1,710/mo |
| 🇫🇷 France | 4/5 — Very Good | #13 | ~$2,120/mo |
A 5/5 national safety score does not mean every street in every city is comfortable to walk at midnight. Portugal’s Lisbon, for example, scores very high overall — but like any city, it has neighborhoods with higher petty theft risk, particularly in high-tourist areas. The score reflects the general experience for retirees living in typical residential areas.
When evaluating safety, consider your specific lifestyle. A retiree who prefers quiet beach towns in Thailand faces a very different day-to-day reality than someone living in a large Thai city. A retiree in a well-established expat neighborhood of Colombia’s Medellín (safety score 3/5 nationally) may feel as safe as someone in a small Portuguese town.
Golden Horizons’ safety scores should be treated as a starting point — not a final judgment. Spend time in expat forums specific to your target city. Ask people who live there now, not people who visited as tourists three years ago.
Relying on a country’s tourism reputation for safety information.A country can be heavily marketed to tourists while carrying real risks for long-term residents. Tourist-area safety differs from residential-area safety. Research what daily life is like for people who actually live there — not what it looks like on a vacation.
Not checking for recent political instability. Countries change. A destination that was stable and peaceful several years ago may be dealing with new political tensions today. The US State Department travel advisories are updated regularly — check them before every trip home and back.
Choosing a location based on cost and ignoring the safety tradeoff.The cheapest countries are not always the safest. Vietnam and Argentina are affordable and score 4/5 and 3/5 respectively for safety — but conditions in major cities differ considerably. A meaningful cost premium may be worth it for meaningfully better safety.
Not registering with the US Embassy. The STEP program (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) at step.state.gov is free and takes five minutes. It allows the US government to reach you in case of an emergency or evacuation and provides you with current security alerts for your country of residence.
Which countries are safest for American retirees abroad?
In Golden Horizons' destination rankings, Portugal, Spain, New Zealand, and Malta each score 5/5 for safety — the highest rating in the index. Costa Rica, Thailand, Malaysia, Greece, Vietnam, Italy, and France each score 4/5. Safety scores reflect general conditions for expat retirees and represent Golden Horizons' editorial assessment rather than official crime statistics. Always verify current safety conditions through the US State Department travel advisories at travel.state.gov.
Is it safe for Americans to retire in Latin America?
Parts of Latin America are considered quite safe for American retirees; others are not. Costa Rica and Panama are among the most popular retirement destinations in the region and are generally considered safe, particularly in areas with established expat communities. Mexico varies significantly by region — some areas are very safe for retirees; others are not. Colombia's safety picture has improved significantly in major cities like Medellín, but risks remain and neighborhood-level research is essential. Ecuador falls in a middle range. Check US State Department advisories for specific countries and regions before planning.
How do I check current safety conditions for a retirement destination?
The US State Department publishes country-level travel advisories at travel.state.gov, ranging from Level 1 (Exercise Normal Precautions) to Level 4 (Do Not Travel). These are updated regularly and are the most authoritative US government source. Beyond the overall country rating, advisories often identify specific regions within a country that carry different risk levels. Supplement official advisories with current reports from active expat communities in your specific target city — conditions at the neighborhood level can differ significantly from the national average.
What does safety mean day-to-day as a retiree abroad?
For retirees, practical safety generally means: low petty theft risk, walkable neighborhoods without significant personal security concerns, a functional emergency response system, political stability, and a local culture that is welcoming to foreigners. Countries with high safety scores tend to have low violent crime rates, stable governments, and established expat communities that make the transition easier. 'Safety' as a single score does not capture neighborhood-level variation — a country with a 5/5 score can still have unsafe areas, and a 3/5 country can have very safe expat neighborhoods.
Is the safety situation in a country likely to change?
Yes. Safety conditions change over time — sometimes improving, sometimes deteriorating. A country that was considered very safe five years ago may face new political instability today, and vice versa. For this reason, it is important to stay informed throughout your time abroad, not just before you move. Register with the US Embassy (through STEP — the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program at step.state.gov) so you can receive official safety alerts for your country of residence.
“Safety abroad is rarely black and white. The question is not whether a country is safe — it is whether the specific life you plan to live is safe.”
— The Golden Horizons Editors
