OK, the simplest example first: Since you are a German citizen, you and your wife could retire to with only minor "inconveniences." I believe she would still need a visa and residence permit - but that should be fairly straightforward to obtain. For any other EU country, you could retire there, and then your wife would be eligible for the "simplified" process for a "close family member" ing their EU national spouse. The process does vary quite a bit from one country to the next - the EU only specifies that there shall be a "simplified" procedure available. In your own EU country (i.e. ), you're subject to the same immigration laws and procedure as anyone else wanting to obtain a visa for your non-EU spouse.

As far as taxes are concerned, you are always considered "tax resident" in the US, no matter where in the world you live. And you would be considered "tax resident" in whatever EU country (including ) where you were living. does claim the right to tax your US SS pension. But you would have to declare your "worldwide income" to both and the US and then take advantage of various procedures in the tax treaty to avoid double taxation. The same pretty much holds true in most other EU countries - other than the matter of which country gets to tax your US SS pension. Normally, the US gets first dibs on that.

On health care, you might run into some issues. Health care cover is mandatory in most EU countries and again, the precise details on how and when you can sign up for the national cover vary from one country to the next. Normally, you'd have a means of transferring health cover from one EU country to another if you had been living and working in another EU country, but coming from the US that isn't the case. Someone with specific information on will chime in here, but I believe it may be difficult, if not impossible for someone without prior EU cover to enroll in the German health care system. But stay tuned - someone will have more details on that.

Anyhow, a very quick overview. I'm sure folks will fill in the details.

 

I have the same status as OP but single. Is there a better EU country for insurance?

 

Health care could be a problem for you in . If you've never worked and paid into public health care in an EU country before, you cannot sign up for German public heath insurance after age 55. This means that you will need private health insurance, which for obvious reasons is relatively expensive for old people.

If you're rich enough this does not matter. If you aren't rich, it can be a huge barrier - I've heard of people born in who left as children who simply cannot afford to return in retirement. You might want to explore retiring to a different EU country if you have no particular connection to . For what it's worth the old people are pretty grumpy there, it wouldn't be at the top of my list...

 

Thanks to both of you for the excellent information. I will definitely be over 65, and we are more middle income, not rich. Any thoughts on other EU countries that have cheaper healthcare for expat seniors? Thank you.

 

Here where I am in , if you're retired and drawing a pension from the US (i.e. US SS) the national health care program is free. Now, the national health care program here only covers a portion of your health care costs - most people then get a "mutuelle" for top up insurance. (It's not mandatory - but particularly in areas where there are private health care facilities, it's a really good idea for seniors.) Over on the forum, I've explained the French system a number of times, so I'll spare you the long winded explanation here.

And, there are considerations in moving to any country, over and above the cost of the health care system.

 

There are many factors to consider: The tax regime for US pensions and assets. The health care system. Your weather preferences. Your language abilities. The desirability of an English-speaking expat community.

You're going to need a spreadsheet unless you already have some strong affinities.

 

A country other than would be easier (your wife would have to comply with language requirements, integration course, etc.) and - depending on the national system - cheaper regarding health care.

But please, please, please, take at least one touristic visit of several months to try out a country before moving! Better even, do two longer visits, one in summer and one during winter. Once you move, you will be there all year, not just two weeks during the high season.

 

Yes, nothing like the first winter in Berlin to make you reconsider your life decisions.

 

How does one find out about this?

 

"This" being the specifics on the private health cover required for the first year? Or the and conditions of the national plan and how and when you would qualify for it (and at what cost)?