How Many UK Pensioners Live Abroad? 2026 DWP Statistics & Countries
Over 1.3 million British pensioners receive the UK State Pension overseas. Here is the full DWP breakdown by country, trends since Brexit, why they move, and what it means for your retirement planning.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) November 2025 statistics, 1.07 million UK State Pension recipients live outside the United Kingdom — a figure that has risen steadily for two decades despite Brexit. When you include British-born retirees who no longer receive the UK State Pension (because they accrued full entitlements in their new country, or because their pensions are paid by other providers), the true number of UK pensioners living abroad exceeds 1.3 million.
How many UK pensioners are abroad by country?
The DWP publishes an annual breakdown of overseas State Pension recipients. The latest figures (November 2025) show:
| Country | UK State Pension Recipients |
|---|---|
| Australia | ~221,000 |
| Canada | ~102,000 |
| United States | ~88,000 |
| Ireland | ~80,000 |
| Spain | ~72,000 |
| New Zealand | ~58,000 |
| South Africa | ~43,000 |
| France | ~37,000 |
| Germany | ~34,000 |
| Portugal | ~27,000 |
| Cyprus | ~19,000 |
| Italy | ~14,000 |
| Thailand | ~12,000 |
| Netherlands | ~11,000 |
| All other countries | ~169,000 |
| Total overseas | ~1.07 million |
Note: figures are rounded and represent State Pension recipients only. Many British nationals abroad do not receive the State Pension (either they haven't reached UK pension age, receive it into a UK account, or draw only private or workplace pensions).
Which countries have the most UK retirees?
Australia hosts the largest single group of UK pensioners overseas — roughly 221,000 State Pension recipients — despite the UK–Australia frozen pension policy, which means the State Pension does not increase for residents of Australia. Many of these pensioners moved decades ago when Australian immigration was freer, and their pensions are frozen at the level they first claimed.
Canada is second (102,000), also a frozen-pension country. The large UK-Canadian community reflects post-war emigration patterns.
The United States (88,000) benefits from a reciprocal agreement — the UK State Pension is uprated annually for US residents, making it more financially attractive than Australia or Canada for new retirees.
Ireland (80,000) is popular partly because no visa is required for UK citizens under the Common Travel Area, and partly because the State Pension is uprated (Ireland is in the EEA).
Spain (72,000) is the largest EU destination after Ireland, and one of the fastest-growing since Brexit normalised the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa pathway for UK citizens.
Is the number growing or shrinking?
The total number of overseas UK pensioners has grown in 18 of the last 20 years. Post-Brexit, there was a brief slowdown in EU movements (2020–2022) as visa pathways were established, but numbers resumed growing from 2023 onwards. Spain, Portugal and Cyprus have all seen the fastest growth among European destinations.
What does this mean for you?
If you are considering retiring abroad, the statistics suggest you will be joining an established community wherever you go. Key considerations:
Frozen vs uprated pension: Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Thailand all freeze the State Pension. The EU, Switzerland, Gibraltar and the USA uprate it annually. Over 20 years, the difference on a full new State Pension can exceed £60,000 in cumulative payments.
Community support: Spain (72k), France (37k) and Portugal (27k) all have established British communities, English-language services and expat networks. Cyprus (19k) has the highest per-capita British community given its population size.
Healthcare: EU destinations offer S1-eligible public healthcare. Australia and Canada have strong public systems but not free at point of use for UK pensioners without reciprocal arrangements.
Frequently asked questions
How many British pensioners are in Europe specifically?
Roughly 300,000–320,000 UK State Pension recipients live across the EU27 and remaining EEA countries, with Spain, France, Germany, Portugal and Cyprus being the most popular.
Has Brexit reduced the number of UK pensioners in Europe?
Temporarily — there was a slowdown from 2020–2022 as the new EU visa pathways were established. From 2023, numbers resumed growing. The total number of UK pensioners in Spain, Portugal and Cyprus is now higher than pre-Brexit.
Why do so many UK pensioners live in Australia if the pension is frozen?
Most moved to Australia decades ago when immigration was easier (the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, aka 'Ten Pound Poms', ran 1945–1972). Their pensions are frozen, but many have Australian Superannuation alongside, and the lifestyle is a powerful draw. New retirees are more likely to choose EU destinations to avoid the freeze.
Why do so many UK pensioners live in Australia if the pension is frozen?
Most moved to Australia decades ago when immigration was easier (the Assisted Passage Migration Scheme, aka 'Ten Pound Poms', ran 1945–1972). Their pensions are frozen, but many have Australian Superannuation alongside, and the lifestyle is a powerful draw. New retirees are more likely to choose EU destinations to avoid the freeze.
Why Do UK Pensioners Retire Abroad?
Understanding why over a million British retirees live abroad helps future retirees make informed decisions. The DWP and various academic studies point to several consistent motivators:
1. Cost of living
For many UK pensioners on the full new State Pension (£11,973/year = ~£998/month), affording a comfortable retirement in the UK is challenging — particularly in London and the South East where housing costs are high. Countries like Portugal, Cyprus, Greece, Turkey and Thailand offer significantly lower costs of living where the same pension buys a comfortable lifestyle.
Monthly cost comparison for a couple (2026 estimates):
| Destination | Rent (2-bed) | Food & utilities | Healthcare | Total est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK average | £1,200–£1,800 | £600–£800 | NHS free | £1,800–£2,600 |
| Lisbon area | £700–£1,100 | £400–£500 | S1 (free) | £1,100–£1,600 |
| Algarve | £650–£950 | £350–£450 | S1 (free) | £1,000–£1,400 |
| Costa Blanca | £600–£900 | £400–£500 | S1 (free) | £1,000–£1,400 |
| Paphos, Cyprus | £550–£800 | £350–£450 | S1 (free) | £900–£1,250 |
| Crete, Greece | £500–£750 | £350–£450 | S1 (free) | £850–£1,200 |
| Chiang Mai, Thailand | £300–£500 | £250–£350 | Private insurance | £750–£1,050 |
| Antalya, Turkey | £250–£450 | £200–£300 | Private insurance | £650–£950 |
2. Climate
Cold, wet UK winters are a consistent motivation. Spain received 72,000 UK pension recipients partly because the Costa Blanca and Costa del Sol offer 300+ sunny days per year. Cyprus averages 320 sunny days annually and January temperatures of 17°C. This climate advantage is particularly valued by those with arthritis, respiratory conditions, and other conditions improved by warmer, drier weather.
3. Established communities
The large numbers already living abroad create self-reinforcing expat communities. Spain's 72,000 pension recipients (out of a larger British-born resident population of ~293,000 including working-age) have created English-language newspapers, clubs, churches, sports associations and healthcare providers. Moving to an established community significantly reduces the cultural adaptation required.
4. Lifestyle quality
For many retirees, the decision is qualitative — better food, culture, pace of life. Italy and France score consistently highest for lifestyle quality in surveys of British retirees. The Mediterranean lifestyle — outdoor living, Mediterranean diet, unhurried pace — is a consistent draw.
5. Property value
British pensioners who owned property in London or the South East before significant price rises can sell and buy outright in most European retirement destinations, eliminating mortgage costs and leaving capital available for income generation.
UK Pensioners Abroad: Trends and Projections
Historical trend
The number of UK State Pension recipients abroad has grown in 18 of the last 20 years:
| Year | Overseas UK pensioners (est.) |
|---|---|
| 2005 | ~780,000 |
| 2010 | ~880,000 |
| 2015 | ~960,000 |
| 2020 | ~1,010,000 |
| 2025 | ~1,070,000 |
Post-Brexit impact
Brexit had a measurable but limited impact. The immediate post-Brexit years (2020–2022) saw a slowdown in EU movement as visa pathways were established. However:
- Pre-existing UK residents in EU countries retained their rights under the Withdrawal Agreement
- New EU visa routes (Spain NLV, Portugal D7, France VLS-TS, Cyprus Category F, etc.) became established and well-understood
- EU destinations resumed growing from 2023
Growing destinations 2023–2026
The fastest-growing destinations for UK pensioners in recent years:
- Portugal: D7 visa take-up among UK citizens has increased by an estimated 35% since 2022
- Cyprus: Category F visa applications from UK nationals up approximately 28% since 2022
- Greece: FIP visa introduction in 2021 opened a new pathway previously unavailable
- Turkey: Despite frozen pension status, affordable costs attract retirees accepting the financial trade-off
Declining destinations
- Australia: The frozen pension deterrent, combined with stricter immigration rules, means fewer new UK retirees are choosing Australia
- Canada: Similar frozen pension issue; numbers are growing slowly only because of family reunification
The Economic Impact of UK Pensioners Abroad
UK pensioners living abroad have a significant economic footprint both in the UK and in their destination countries.
For the UK economy
- Reduces pressure on UK housing, healthcare (NHS) and social care
- Continues to contribute to UK pension pot outflows (£16.4bn in overseas pension payments in 2024/25)
- Many maintain UK savings accounts, investments and property
For destination economies
UK pensioners are net importers of pension income — they bring British pension pounds into local economies. In regions like the Algarve, Costa Blanca or Paphos, British retirees contribute significantly to local retail, healthcare, services and property markets.
Spain received an estimated €2.1 billion from UK pension and investment income flows in 2024. For smaller economies like Cyprus and Malta, UK retiree income is a meaningful percentage of the service sector GDP.
What the Statistics Mean for Your Retirement Planning
If you are considering retiring abroad, the DWP statistics offer several practical insights:
1. You are not alone — communities exist
Every major destination in the top 15 has an established British expat community with support networks, English-language services and shared experience. You are not pioneering.
2. The frozen pension is a major financial risk in the most popular destinations
Australia, Canada and New Zealand — which collectively account for ~380,000 UK pensioners — all freeze the State Pension. Most of those residents moved decades ago when this was less understood. With the triple lock, the cumulative loss from a frozen pension over 20 years can exceed £100,000. Choose your destination with this in mind.
3. Spain and Portugal are accelerating
Post-Brexit, Spain and Portugal have seen the strongest growth in new UK retiree arrivals. The visa pathways are now well-established, and the communities are large enough to provide strong support.
4. Non-EU options require careful healthcare planning
Thailand, Mexico and Panama — which together host ~23,000 UK pension recipients — require private health insurance. This adds £1,200–£5,000/year to living costs depending on age and coverage level.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does DWP count UK pensioners abroad?
A: The DWP counts individuals whose UK State Pension is paid to a non-UK address (whether a foreign bank account or a UK account with a foreign address). This is an undercount of the true number — many British pensioners abroad retain UK bank accounts or receive private pensions only.
Q: What proportion of all UK State Pension recipients live abroad?
A: Approximately 6.5% of all UK State Pension recipients live abroad. The total number of UK State Pension recipients in 2025/26 is approximately 12.5 million UK residents + 1.07 million overseas = 13.57 million total.
Q: Are the numbers expected to grow?
A: Yes — projections suggest the overseas total will reach approximately 1.1–1.15 million by 2030, driven by continued interest in EU retirement destinations (now accessible via established visa routes) and from the large post-war baby boomer cohort reaching retirement age.
Q: Which EU country has seen the biggest recent growth in UK retirees?
A: Portugal and Greece have seen the fastest percentage growth since 2022. Portugal's D7 visa and the Algarve's large established British community make it consistently attractive. Greece's 7% flat tax on foreign pension income (the FIP programme) attracted significant interest from British retirees from 2021 onwards.
*Last reviewed: June 2026. Statistics sourced from DWP November 2025 publication "State Pension: Number of Benefit Recipients" and ONS international migration estimates.*
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