Retiring abroad

[Likely Fox]

Rip-off Britain...

Moved to Portugal 11 years ago & do not regret it ☀️🌤️

Everything is cheaper 

[pazzerfox]

On 08/08/2026 at 14:44, FoxesDeb said:

We moved to Spain in 2020 and have never looked back. I'm working as still nowhere near retirement age, so we are entitled to free healthcare paid for by my taxes, but you can pay around €65 a month for it, and when you reach UK pension age it's paid for by the UK.

 

Our annual council tax equivalent is €180 a year, and we pay €120 in local tax a year, this cover things like the bins, but they are emptied every single day year round. Our water bill is around 20 a month, and electricity 40 a month, this is all the power we use for everything, no gas. Fast fibre internet and 2 unlimited data mobile lines €30 a month. 

 

Glass of wine out around 3-4, decent wine by the bottle from the supermarket can be cheaper than milk. Fuel is slightly cheaper and supermarket shopping the same. Fresher and better quality too, but less choice.

 

Second hand cars are very expensive compared to the UK. It gets cold in the winter! Bureaucracy can be a nightmare, and you do need to know the language, or at least a bit. The people are lovely, very warm and family orientated. We love it here and would never return to the UK. We might consider somewhere else in the future, but not the UK. 

That sounds great. Where abouts in Spain are you?

[FoxesDeb]

On 12/08/2026 at 21:45, pazzerfox said:

That sounds great. Where abouts in Spain are you?

Bit late sorry, but Mojácar in Almería province, south eastern Spain. 

[FoyleFox]

I'd edit that to be more vague @FoxesDeb or you might have a dozen foxes turning up and wanting to retire abroad at yours 😂

 

I'm happy to come over and guard the house while you're off cruising 😁

[HighPeakFox]

On 18/08/2026 at 16:28, FoxesDeb said:

Bit late sorry, but Mojácar in Almería province, south eastern Spain. 

Loved it there when I visited ever since you posted it in the noughties.