Top 25 Countries for Retiree Travel in 2026

Japan has topped the ranking of the best countries for retiree travel in 2026. Find out which other countries made the top 25 and why Slovenia turned out to be the biggest surprise

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Firebird Tours analyzes dozens of destinations every year to work out where older travelers can get around most comfortably and safely. In its new survey, "Where 60 Beats 20," the company's experts assessed 100 countries worldwide across seven criteria – from the share of the population aged 65+ to the quality of healthcare and how walkable a place is. The result turned out fairly unexpected: alongside the usual suspects like Switzerland and Germany, the list of best countries for retiree travel includes a country rarely discussed in this context at all. Let's look at who tops the ranking and why.

Also read about how pensions are calculated in Germany, the Netherlands and other EU countries in 2026, what accrual models exist, and what payout you can realistically expect after your career ends.

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Japan – the ranking's unexpected leader

Japan took first place in the survey, and it's no accident. The country has the largest share of people aged 65 and over in the world – nearly 30% – so its society has spent decades adapting to the needs of older generations. The Tokyo National Museum, one of the most visited in Asia, lets visitors over 70 in for free year-round. The capital scored a perfect rating for walkability, and the country's healthcare system ranks among the top twenty in the world. Add to that 26 UNESCO World Heritage sites and more than 350 Michelin-starred restaurants, and it's easy to see why Japan edged out the traditional European favorites.

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Europe holds onto the lead among destinations for older travelers

Despite Japan's win, the overall picture is still European: eight Old World countries made the top ten, and 18 made the top 25. Germany came second, thanks to its BahnCard program, which offers up to 50% off transport – and, importantly, visitors can use it too, not just residents. Spain took third place, with free entry to the Prado Museum for older visitors and perfect walkability in Madrid, though its transport discount is limited to residents. The ranking's real surprise was Slovenia, which overtook Switzerland, France and Italy to claim fourth place, despite barely being mentioned as a retiree travel destination. According to Firebird Tours, Ljubljana offers one of the safest atmospheres in Europe along with favorable conditions for visitors from abroad.

Switzerland rounds out the top five with its GA TravelCard, which gives visitors a 50% transport discount, plus a perfect walkability score for its cities. Next come Austria, Denmark, Finland and the Netherlands – each with its own standout feature: Vienna's Belvedere with its senior discount, Copenhagen's Pensioner Card Scheme offering a record 70% transport discount, Finland's third-place global ranking for healthcare quality, and Amsterdam's perfect walkability.

The top countries to retire to in 2026 can be found here.

Full ranking of the top 25 countries for retirees

Japan

Germany

Spain

Slovenia

Switzerland

Austria

Denmark

Finland

Netherlands

Canada

Italy

Czechia

Hungary

Croatia

Poland

Australia

Portugal

Belgium

Greece

USA

Bulgaria

Thailand

Sweden

France

Singapore

South Korea

Canada is the only North American country in the top ten: 22 UNESCO sites, fourth place globally for healthcare quality, and a transport discount of over 30% via the PRESTO card, available to visitors too.

Countries where a retirement visa grants tax benefits, along with the participation requirements for each program, can be found via the link.

Where to find the best discounts for older travelers

The survey's authors specifically noted that not all "senior discounts" are equally accessible to travelers. Croatia, Portugal and Australia formally offer 100% transport discounts, but only residents can use them – visitors pay full fare. Countries where the discount genuinely applies to older foreign visitors look like this: Hungary (100%), Denmark (70%), Germany, Slovenia, Switzerland and Austria (50% each), Canada (over 31%), and Sweden (10%). In other words, Budapest, despite ranking 13th overall, could be one of the most budget-friendly options when it comes to getting around.

The picture is similar for museums: Japan, Australia and Spain offer completely free entry to their main museums for older visitors, while Portugal, Greece, Poland, the United States and Slovenia offer discounts in the 25-50% range.

Also read: Europe is launching a new budget airline project, Fly2Galicia, connecting Spain's Santiago de Compostela with cities in Spain, Italy, Belgium, Germany and Czechia.

Safety and cultural heritage as decisive factors

According to the researchers, safety is the single strongest factor influencing a country's final position in the ranking. The five most peaceful countries are led by New Zealand, followed by Switzerland, Slovenia, Ireland and Finland. Interestingly, New Zealand itself only placed 29th overall – a high peace score didn't make up for the lack of discounts for visiting retirees. A similar story plays out with cultural wealth: France leads the world in Michelin-starred restaurants (641), and Italy leads in UNESCO sites (61), yet both countries fell outside the top 10 specifically because of lower safety scores. Japan proved the exception, combining cultural depth with high marks for safety and care for older people – and it's this balance, the study's authors say, that pushed the country to first place.

Why it's worth arranging insurance before your trip

Wherever your next trip takes you – the quiet streets of Ljubljana or the museums of Tokyo – planning should start not just with the route, but with protection against the unexpected.

Get travel insurance before booking your tickets. Travel always carries a bit of uncertainty: a flight can be delayed, luggage can go missing, and your health can let you down at the least convenient moment. A travel insurance policy lets you stop worrying about the financial fallout of situations like these and focus on the trip itself. You can arrange it online in just a few minutes, choosing coverage that matches your specific route and length of stay.

Choose a travel insurance policy with Visit World and set off prepared.

A reminder! Where in the world offers the best conditions for life after retirement? A new global ranking takes into account not just income levels, but also healthcare, safety, the environment and economic stability. We've already covered the TOP 25 countries where retirement can genuinely become a comfortable stage of life.

Photo – generated by Gemini