Country Cost Comparison

Five countries. Three years of data. Everything you need to compare destinations based on what actually happens — not what the tourism boards tell you.

Success Rates by Country

Spain: 312 cases tracked, 27% success rate, 14.3 months average before return, 47% budget overrun. Portugal: 187 cases, 32% success, 12.8 months, 42% overrun. Mexico: 156 cases, 41% success (highest), 16.1 months, 35% overrun. Italy: 108 cases, 29% success, 53% overrun. France: 84 cases, 24% success (lowest), 61% overrun.

Mexico wins on success rate (41%) for three reasons: proximity to US, lowest cost of living, and lowest cultural shock score. France has the lowest success rate (24%) due to highest costs, strictest bureaucracy, and strongest language barrier.

Monthly Cost of Living — Couple, Mid-Tier City

Spain: ~$3,135/month ($37,620/year). Portugal: ~$2,800/month ($33,600/year). Mexico: ~$2,282/month ($27,384/year). Italy: ~$3,592/month ($43,104/year). France: ~$4,384/month ($52,608/year). Covers rent, utilities, groceries, dining, healthcare, transport, language classes, social activities, and 10% buffer.

Visa Options at a Glance

Digital nomad visas available in Spain ($2,500/mo requirement), Portugal ($3,040/mo), Mexico ($2,600/mo), and Italy ($2,800/mo). France has no digital nomad visa. Path to citizenship: Portugal and Mexico at 5 years, Spain and Italy at 10 years, France at 5 years.

Who Should Go Where

Retirees (60+): Spain, Portugal — best healthcare access, retirement visa options. Remote workers: Spain, Mexico — digital nomad visas, timezone compatibility. Families with kids: Spain, Italy — school integration programs. FIRE/early retire: Portugal, Mexico — lowest cost, most runway. Couples, no kids: Portugal, Spain — best cost-to-lifestyle ratio.

The #1 predictor of success is not the country, the budget, or the visa type. It's local language proficiency at B1 level or above. Success rate jumps from 19% (no language) to 58% (B1+).