Cyprus took 14th place in the Global Retirement Report 2025, published by the research platform Global Citizen Solutions. The island scored a total of 85.73 points, surpassing many popular destinations and reaffirming its reputation as one of the most attractive places in the world for a peaceful and comfortable life after retirement.
Strengths and Challenges: Tax Advantages and Economic Realities
According to the report, Cyprus performs exceptionally well in tax optimization, ranking 2nd among 44 countries included in the study.
It also ranks 15th in ease of obtaining citizenship, 13th in mobility, and 21st in quality of life.
However, in the “Procedures” category, Cyprus ranks 33rd, and 27th in economic performance, indicating room for improvement in reducing bureaucracy and stimulating economic growth.
Despite these challenges, analysts emphasize that Cyprus remains highly attractive for retirees thanks to its mild climate, low taxes, safety, and stable financial system.
How Countries Were Ranked: Methodology of the Global Retirement Report 2025
The Global Retirement Report 2025 evaluated 44 countries that offer visas for investors, passive-income earners, and retirees.
The research was based on 20 indicators grouped into six key categories:
- Procedures
- Citizenship and Mobility
- Economy
- Tax Optimization
- Quality of Life
- Safety and Integration
Each indicator carried a specific weight in the final score, ensuring balance between administrative, financial, and social aspects.
For the safety and integration assessment, researchers used external indices such as the Global Peace Index, the Gallup Migrant Acceptance Index, and the EF English Proficiency Index.
Global Leaders: Europe and Island Nations at the Top
Portugal, Mauritius, and Spain lead the top three global retirement destinations for 2025, followed by Uruguay and Austria.
More than 36% of retirement visa programs are located in the Americas, while nearly 32% are in Europe.
Interestingly, about 93% of the countries in the ranking offer clear pathways to citizenship, and 61% provide tax benefits for retirees, including exemptions from foreign pension taxes.
Over 70% of the countries also show strong performance in healthcare, environmental quality, and general well-being.
Europe Maintains Its Leadership: Comfort, Climate, and Safety
According to researcher Dr. Laura Madrid, Europe continues to dominate the ranking:
“With 32% of all global retirement visa programs, Europe leads in healthcare quality, safety, and social integration. Southern countries like Portugal, Spain, and Greece combine a mild climate, reasonable living costs, and accessible visas for passive-income holders.”
Southern Europe remains particularly attractive thanks to friendly tax regimes and a high quality of life — and Cyprus stands out as one of the region’s leading examples.
Thanks to its tax policies, security, medical standards, and international accessibility, the island continues to secure its position in global rankings as one of the most desirable relocation destinations.
Cyprus in 2025: Stability, Investment, and a “Second Home” by the Sea
Experts note that Cyprus is becoming increasingly popular not only among retirees but also among digital nomads, investors, and families seeking a safe lifestyle in Europe.
The combination of low taxes, a mild climate, widespread use of English in business, and high-quality healthcare makes the island one of the best places in the world for retirement living.
According to analysts, in the coming years, Cyprus could enter the global top 10 retirement destinations.