Portugal, Spain, Panama, and Costa Rica are often considered the easiest countries for Canadians to retire to, offering straightforward residency visas, lower costs of living, and, in many cases, excellent healthcare systems. Portugal is highly recommended for its D7 visa, welcoming culture, and affordable lifestyle, while Panama offers a simple pensionado program.
What is the easiest country for Canadian retirees to move to? Portugal and Spain have the most straightforward visa processes for foreigners seeking retirement status. Both countries make it easy for retirees to enter their society and become residents, as long as they show proof of income or savings.
What Are the Easiest Countries to Move to From Canada?
Here are 10 countries that pay you to move there.
The city of Cumberland, Maryland, offers a relocation package of up to $20,000 (cash plus renovation/down payment match) to attract new residents, especially remote workers, to revitalize the area. While not a state, this specific city program within Maryland provides significant incentives, matching $10,000 cash with up to $10,000 for home improvements or new construction for those moving from outside Allegany County and committing to residency.
Because CPP is a "member-contributed plan" it will always be yours, regardless of where you live in the world. If you paid in at least 1 CPP contribution, you are entitled to a benefit.
Quebec: Canada's Happiest Province
Though Ontario dominated the city rankings, Quebec took the crown as the happiest province, with an impressive score of 72.4. Factors include affordable housing, strong social programs, and cultural pride.
Canadians travelling extensively, living or working abroad may still have to pay Canadian and provincial or territorial income taxes.
The most affordable countries among the safest in the world are Latvia, Chile, Costa Rica, Slovakia, and Lithuania. The cost of living in these states varies from $1,000 to $1,100 per month.
Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru deliver some of the lowest costs of living and most accessible pension visas in Latin America, where a typical $2,000 monthly Social Security check can comfortably cover housing, healthcare, and everyday expenses.
Most Popular Provinces 2025:
Alberta once again led all provinces for net in-migration. British Columbia followed Alberta at the provincial level, and Manitoba recorded one of the most significant year-over-year changes, moving from a net loss to a net gain.
Leaving or returning to Canada
Your Old Age Security (and Guaranteed Income Supplement) may stop if you're away for more than 6 months and don't qualify for receiving your payments while outside Canada.
Canada's 90% rule helps non-residents and recent immigrants claim full federal tax credits (like the Basic Personal Amount) if 90% or more of their net worldwide income for the relevant tax year is from Canadian sources; otherwise, credits are prorated (reduced) based on their Canadian residency period, ensuring fairness for those who weren't residents all year.
As a Canadian expat living, working or traveling overseas, you will not have access to many government-funded healthcare services. Therefore, you need extra health care insurance to bridge the gap. A comprehensive global health plan can help you get access to these medical services.
As a Canadian citizen, you can get a Canadian passport. You can travel abroad for as long as you like and you will not lose your citizenship status, unlike Permanent Residents (PR).
If you have Social Security credits in both the United States and Canada, you may be eligible for benefits from one or both countries. If you meet all the basic requirements under one country's system, you will get a regular benefit from that country.
The $1,200 payment is a one-time direct deposit issued by the Canada Revenue Agency for seniors classified as low income based on their most recent tax return. The payment is not a loan, does not need to be repaid and does not replace existing monthly benefits.
Your payments won't stop just because you leave the country. CPP Disability is a federal benefit, and Service Canada continues paying it even when you're abroad.