Retiring outside Canada

If you are looking to retire outside of Canada, it is important to prepare carefully. Tax laws, medical care, and management of your affairs back in Canada can quickly become a preoccupation when you live in another country. You should also consider the steps you will need to take if you wish to return to Canada after an extended stay outside of the country.

Remember: it is important to regularly stay in touch with your family and friends in Canada to let them know that all is well with you.

On this page

• Planning your move
• Securing your finances
• Health insurance and medical planning
• Preparing for end of life

Planning your move

Before you retire outside Canada, whether it be on a full-time basis or for a shorter period, plan carefully:

• check with the foreign government office in Canada of your destination country to get information on the regulations, tax implications and required documents for obtaining residency permissions (see List of foreign government offices accredited to Canada)
• research the destination country thoroughly and read our Travel advice and advisories page to determine if the country meets your security and health care needs
• if you are a dual citizen, make sure you understand and meet the requirements of dual citizenship for the destination country
• give yourself a trial period to explore whether the desired destination is compatible with your expectations for long-term residency
• check to make sure that you have the travel documents (passports, visas, etc.) you need to go abroad and to retire in your destination country
  • some countries may have different requirements depending on whether you plan to stay for a few months, a longer period, or full-time
• sign up for the Registration of Canadians Abroad service so that the Government of Canada can contact and assist you in case of an emergency abroad
  • through this service, the Government of Canada can also help your family or friends reach you in case of a personal emergency at home
• make note of the contact information for the nearest Canadian office serving the destination country to access consular services (see Embassies, consulates and offices by destination)
  • for emergencies, you can contact the Government of Canada’s 24/7 Emergency Watch and Response Centre

Recognition of Canadian legal documents abroad

Before they can be accepted in your retirement destination, documents issued in Canada like birth or marriage certificates and tax documents may need to be:

• issued an international authentication certificate known as an apostille
• legalized by the foreign government office in Canada of your destination country

Find out whether your Canadian documents need an apostille or to be legalized, consult the List of the foreign government offices accredited to Canada and contact the office for your destination country.

Note that Canadian power of attorney (POA) and advance directives, including do not resuscitate (DNR) documents, may not be legally recognized or enforceable abroad even if they have an apostille or are legalized by the foreign government office in Canada of your destination country. Medical providers in some countries may be unfamiliar with DNR instructions or operate under laws that do not recognize them.

Seek legal advice in your destination country to confirm whether Canadian legal documents like the POA and DNR are valid and what steps you need to take to ensure your preferences are honoured. Canadian government offices accredited to your destination country may be able to provide a list of local legal practitioners you can consult at your own cost.

Learn more about obtaining an apostille.

Securing your finances

Before you move to your destination country, plan your finances:

• speak to a financial planner and look at the Government of Canada’s Benefits for Canadians living abroad page, which includes information about employment insurance, pensions and taxes
  • if you have lived or worked in Canada and in another country, or are the survivor of someone who has, find out if you are eligible for pensions and benefits from Canada and/or from the other country because of a social security agreement.
  • find out if you qualify to receive Old Age Security pension payments if you're retiring outside of Canada
• find out if you should file a tax return and what your tax obligations would be whether you are planning to leave Canada on a full-time or part-time basis
• read up on the taxes on pensions and benefits for those outside Canada
  • note that Canada Pension Plan and Old Age Security benefits could be subject to two different taxes: Non-resident Tax and Old Age Security Recovery Tax
  • the rate and any exemptions will depend on the country of residence and on your net world income
• designate a trusted person with a power of attorney to manage financial and property matters in your absence from Canada
  • if you have significant estates abroad, you may also wish to establish a power of attorney in that country as well

What every older Canadian should know about: Powers of attorney (for financial matters and property) and joint bank accounts.

Learn more about taxation for Canadians travelling, living or working outside Canada.

Quebec residents

For Quebec residents, consulting a notary may be useful for a will and for a power of attorney. For more information, consult the Chambre des notaires.

Other useful resources:

About the protection mandate (mandate in case of incapacity)

Revenu Québec: Income Earned Outside Québec

Health insurance and medical planning

Ensuring you have the appropriate health coverage and planning for the unexpected is essential before moving abroad. You should also carry a summary of your medical history and current prescriptions, ideally translated into the local language.

Understanding your coverage limits

Most provincial and territorial health insurance plans offer little or no coverage for medical expenses incurred outside of Canada. Even when you have emergency coverage, it typically caps reimbursement at the rate you would pay for the same service in Canada. This amount is often significantly lower than the actual cost of care abroad. This means that if you live or retire outside Canada, you may face substantial out-of-pocket expenses without supplemental insurance.

Purchasing private health insurance

If you are planning to retire or live abroad, obtaining comprehensive private health insurance or expatriate medical coverage is advisable.

This can help offset significant out-of-pocket expenses, such as:

• emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
• medical evacuation or repatriation to Canada
• outpatient services and specialist care
• costs for prescription medication
• accommodation and transportation related to medical care

Maintaining provincial health coverage (if applicable)

If you plan to live abroad part-time and keep your provincial or territorial health plan, most jurisdictions require that you be physically present in your home province for at least 182 days per calendar year. Requirements vary, so it's important to check directly with your health ministry before making long-term relocation plans (see Provincial and Territorial Health Ministries).

Preparing for end of life

Planning for the future, including the possibility of death, is an important aspect of retiring abroad. Since Canadian legal documents may or may not be recognized in your destination country for retirement, you may want to have them attested or reissued locally.

Consult the List of foreign government offices accredited to Canada or a legal practitioner of your destination country for more information.

Here are some steps to help ensure your family members are taken care of:

• Create a will: Ensure you have a legally valid will that specifies how your assets should be distributed. Understand the inheritance laws in your destination country, as they can differ significantly from those in Canada.
• Power of attorney (POA): Designate a trusted person with power of attorney to manage your affairs if you become unable to do so. This can include financial and healthcare decisions. If your destination country does not recognize Canadian legal documents:
  • research local legal requirements to establish a valid power of attorney in your destination country
  • consider appointing a local legal representative if needed
• Health care directives: Prepare advance health care directives, such as a living will, to outline your wishes about medical treatment in case you can’t communicate them yourself.
  • discuss these directives with trusted family or contacts before moving
• Funeral arrangements: Pre-plan your funeral arrangements to ease the burden on your family.
  • This can include:
    • choosing a funeral home in your destination country
    • specifying your wishes for the service
    • setting aside funds to cover the costs
• Financial planning: Work with a financial advisor to manage your assets and ensure your beneficiaries can easily access them. Consider the tax implications of transferring assets internationally.
• Legal advice: Consult with a lawyer who specializes in international estate planning to navigate the complexities of different legal systems and ensure your plans are legally sound.
• Communication: Keep your family informed about your plans and where important documents like your original long form birth and marriage certificates are stored. This can help them act quickly and efficiently when needed.

More information about death abroad.

More information about preparing for end of life.

Related links

• Benefits for Canadians living abroad
• Canada Pension Plan
• Death outside Canada
• If you become sick or injured while travelling outside Canada or after your return
• Old Age Security pension
• Older travellers
• Powers of attorney and joint bank accounts