(Lebanon, NH – January 5, 2026) – More than one in three travelers are thinking about retiring outside their home country, according to the latest Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey. The results show strong curiosity about international retirement among younger and higher-income respondents, with only about half of all travelers saying they plan to retire domestically.

“Travel often sparks more than just short-term adventure—it opens people’s eyes to what life could look like elsewhere,” said Dan Richards, CEO of The Global Rescue Companies and a member of the US Travel and Tourism Advisory Board at the US Department of Commerce. “For many, the idea of retiring abroad represents freedom, affordability and access to new experiences.”

Younger Travelers More Open to the Idea

Interest in retiring abroad was highest among travelers under 55, particularly those between 35 and 54 years old. While the majority of survey respondents are over 55, the data indicate that a new generation of travelers is beginning to link their travel ambitions with long-term lifestyle planning.

“People who started traveling globally in their 30s and 40s are now thinking about how they could make that lifestyle permanent,” Richards said. “They’ve seen firsthand how different cultures live—and they’re considering how that could fit into their future.”

Income Plays a Major Role

Wealthier travelers are leading the retirement-abroad trend. Respondents with household incomes above $150,000 were the most likely to consider living overseas, with interest tapering among those earning less than $100,000. Nearly one in ten travelers (9%) reported annual incomes above $500,000, a group particularly drawn to international retirement options.

“Financial flexibility is often a deciding factor,” Richards noted. “The more exposure travelers have to global destinations—and the means to plan accordingly—the more comfortable they are with the idea of retiring somewhere new.”

Gender Similarities in Retirement Outlook

Men (38%) and women (35%) were nearly identical in their interest in retiring abroad. Just over half of all respondents (51%) said they intend to remain in their home country, while 13% are undecided.

“These numbers reflect growing openness to global living,” Richards said. “Even if travelers don’t ultimately move abroad, the fact that one-third are seriously thinking about it shows a significant cultural shift in how people view retirement.”

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For more information, contact:

Bill McIntyre | Email: bmcintyre@globalrescue.com | Phone: +1 202.560.1195

About the Global Rescue Traveler Sentiment and Safety Survey

Global Rescue, the leading travel risk and crisis response provider, surveyed more than 1,600 current and former members between October 7–13, 2025. The respondents revealed a variety of behaviors, attitudes and preferences regarding current and future travel.

About Global Rescue

Global Rescue is the world’s leading provider of medical, security, evacuation and travel risk management services to enterprises, governments and individuals. Founded in 2004, Global Rescue has exclusive relationships with the Johns Hopkins Emergency Medicine Division of Special Operations and Elite Medical Group. Global Rescue provides best-in-class services that identify, monitor and respond to client medical and security crises. Global Rescue has supported Fortune 500 companies, governments and academic institutions during every globally significant crisis of the last two decades. For more information, visit www.globalrescue.com.