The Top 10 Countries Abroad to Live as a U.S. Military Veteran

As a service-connected disabled veteran, I’ve spent most of my adult life overseas. The truth is simple: life is better abroad if you are on a fixed income. Maybe you want to escape cold winters without paying Florida prices, or maybe you miss the sense of motion that came with deployment; the airports, languages, and constant adaptation.

From 2006 to 2008, I was stationed in Germany. Then came Iraq. During mid-tour leave, I went to the beaches of Crimea—then part of Ukraine—and saw how far a few hundred dollars went. That trip changed me. Once I got back to Fort Bliss, I was already planning my move overseas. Private contracting followed, and for most of the last twenty years, I’ve lived outside the United States.

I love my country, but until I get rich from writing or something else, I’ll share what I’ve learned about living well on a fixed income abroad. This list ranks the best places for veterans living off a 100% VA disability rating (about $3,800 a month), single and ready for a new chapter. Even better if you’re also collecting Social Security Disability insurance (which you can, as a 100% disabled veteran) or you have a pension or other forms of passive income.

10. Brazil

Brazil offers the best of South America: rainforest, rivers, snow in the south, and beaches that stretch for miles. Urban centers like Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo carry real risk with theft and corruption, but the south is safer, especially Florianópolis, where the surf and weather feel like coastal South Carolina.

Learning Portuguese is essential; only about five percent of Brazilians speak English. But once you learn the basics, it’s an easy place to make friends. Brazilians are outgoing and supportive, and their lifestyle has a rhythm Americans understand. Rio is my favorite city in the world, full of energy and contradiction, but it’s not for beginners.

9. Panama

I haven’t lived there, but Panama stands out for practicality. It’s one of the few Latin American nations where Americans can own firearms, import household goods tax-free, and qualify for long-term retirement visas.

The currency is the U.S. dollar, the beaches are good, and Panama City offers excellent flight connections to the Americas. It’s not the cheapest option, but it’s stable, warm, and built with expats in mind. For veterans who want order and convenience, Panama is worth serious consideration.

8. The Philippines

If you want English-speaking locals, tropical islands, and an American footprint that never faded, the Philippines delivers. It’s also the only country outside the United States with an official VA office, meaning veterans can get help with claims and medical treatment for service-connected conditions.