Spain is famously one of the UK’s favourite holiday spots and thousands of British expats have also chosen to make this sunny country their home. However, a continuous anti-tourism movement from some of the more popular regions of the country have left Brits wondering if there might be better places to relocate to.
Experts at John Mason International, a global moving company, have revealed three destinations which offer similar benefits to Spain but are growing in popularity among Brits – and offer relocation benefits. The first of these is Panama where summer temperatures creep up to 34C in July and Brits can experience the hustle and bustle of a city like Barcelona, without the crowds. Home to over 4.5 million residents, located at the southern end of Central America, the country has been a point of European interest since the Spanish first made port in the 1500s.
John Mason’s executive director Simon Hood says that Panama also offers benefits for British citizens looking to move permanently.
He said: “Relocation has never been easier. Countries looking for inward investment are increasingly turning to Residency Through Incorporation, and without a doubt it has been a huge success in Panama.”
The scheme Simon refers to is the ‘Friendly Nations Visa’. One of the simplest residency programs in the world, it remains open to Brits and all you have to do is prove financial ties to Panama, normally $5,000 USD in a local bank, and after a couple of years you can obtain permanent residency.
Second on the list is Mexico, offering a popular route for Brits looking to relocate.
Since, 2018 John Mason has seen a close to 100% spike in moves from the UK. Part of this is because moving there is so simple. Simon also highlights their relaxed visa system for permanent stays in the country: “We’ve helped a lot of people through Mexico’s Temporary Resident Visa, largely because of how easy it is.
“All you need is either a $2,000 a month income, or $35,000 in savings to qualify, you can take the paperwork to the consulate, and you get four years to stay, that’s really as complicated as it is.”
The third and final popular location that Brits are flocking to is Costa Rica. According to Numbero, while some imports can set you a bit, transport, monthly bills, childcare, and rent are far cheaper than in the UK. Preschool in Costa Rica is a third of what some parents pay in England, coming in at £440 a month and the weather is certainly a lot better.
In the summer temperatures reach up to 30C, and there are benefits for older Brits who want a place in the sun to retire too.
Simon said: “Both the Pensionado and Rentista visas make for good options for moving. With a £1,000 a month pension, retirees can achieve a great quality of life for much cheaper than the UK, whilst working professionals need to make a little over double that to qualify. At John Mason we predict these schemes will continue to attract inquires for years to come.”