A new study has named the best place for Brits to retire, and you might be surprised by where it is. It is not a traditional choice, such as Spain, Portugal, or France. Rather, it is in the Middle East and took the top spot because of its healthcare, sunshine hours, cost of living, and a number of other factors. The study was conducted by relocation service provider Gibraltar Residency and named the United Arab Emirates as its top pick.
The study took into consideration the strength of the country’s healthcare system, personal tax rates, cost of living, sunshine hours, visa options and English language proficiency. The United Arab Emirates has become a thriving visitor destination with cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and many Brits have decided to move there over the years. The first three factors (healthcare, tax rates and cost of living) each counted for 25% of the final score, while the last three factors made up the final 25%. “It’s easy to see why the UAE is steadily becoming one of the most attractive places for Brits to retire to.”
The study pointed out the Middle Eastern country’s government-funded healthcare system, its 0% tax rates, and its considerable amount of sunshine all year round. Additionally, around 75% of the population speaks English.
The cost of living is high in the country, but significant savings are made on taxes. Plus, the country gets more than 3,000 sunshine hours per year on average.
The top 10 best places for Brits to retire (according to the study):
- United Arab Emirates
- Thailand
- Malaysia
- Mexico
- Gibraltar
- Philippines
- Czech Republic
- Brazil
- Indonesia
The study described Thailand as a place where Brits can enjoy luxury on a tighter budget, pointing out a mix of low taxes and accessible accommodation.
Malaysia also stood out as a low-cost country with friendly tax rules. Additionally, it has affordable and decent healthcare, and a significant portion of the country’s population speaks English.
With scenic beaches and warm weather, Malaysia offers “an appealing blend of comfort, culture and affordability”.
A flight from the UK to the United Arab Emirates will typically take around seven hours. Multiple UK airports offer direct flights to Dubai, such as as London Heathrow, London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Glasgow.
According to the latest statistics, there are more than 200,000 Brits living in the United Arab Emirates.