Older couple sitting on a bench overlooking the sea, possibly representing retirees enjoying a peaceful life in Greece.

🧭 What Retirees Wish They Knew Before Moving Abroad — and How to Avoid the Same Mistakes

May 15, 2025

Discover what retirees wish they knew before moving and how Mitos creates a seamless relocation experience.

Retiring abroad is a dream for many — and for good reason. Warmer weather, a slower pace of life, better healthcare, or more affordable living… the pull is strong.

But too often, the path to retirement relocation is confusing, overwhelming, and expensive. Over the years, we’ve spoken to hundreds of retirees who made the leap. We asked them:

What do you wish you’d had when planning your retirement abroad?

Their answers were surprisingly consistent:

  • “I wish someone had helped me connect the dots.”

  • “I just wanted a real person to talk to.”

  • “There was so much I didn’t know I didn’t know.”

  • “I didn’t want to be overcharged – or make a mistake I’d regret.”

These are real fears. And they’re exactly why we created Mitos Relocation Solutions.

😵 Why Traditional Relocation Help Falls Short?

For most people, relocation support is a fragmented experience.

One expert helps with visas. Another deals with taxes. A third may help move your belongings. But these professionals often work in silos — and you’re left to figure out how the pieces fit together.

Worse, pricing is all over the place. You might get one quote for €50 and another for €500 — for the same service. It’s hard to know what’s fair. 

And sure, some blogs say you can DIY it. But can you really? What would it cost if something goes wrong with your visa, tax setup, or insurance?

✅ How Mitos Does Things Differently?

At Mitos, we take a different approach — one that puts you and your peace of mind first.

We help you from day one, before you even decide whether or where to move. We guide you through every phase of relocating abroad after retirement, from planning to settling in.

Journey to Retirement Relocation: Decision Guidance, Planning Phase, Move Execution, Settling In.

No matter your situation, we build a custom relocation roadmap tailored to your needs, including:

  • Choosing the right country (not just the one everyone talks about)

  • Understanding visa and tax eligibility

  • Finding affordable, expat-friendly health insurance

  • Managing banking and cross-border finances

  • Planning housing, pets, estate matters, and more

And importantly, we make sure nothing important slips through the cracks and help you explore all relevant retirement visa options.

🤝 Quality Advice, Without the Upselling

You’ll also get something rare in this space: honest advice on what you can do yourself, and where it’s worth bringing in help.

When outside help is needed, we connect you with a network of vetted local professionals. These are specialists who understand expats, are fairly priced, and deliver excellent work.

That means:

  • You avoid overpaying for big-name consultants

  • You avoid the risk of bad advice from underqualified freelancers

  • And you get the right support at the right price

💸 Real Clients, Real Savings

Our clients typically save more than they spend on retirement relocation services — and often by a wide margin.

Here are just a few examples:

  • One couple saved €2,000 by applying for their visa independently with our guidance

  • Another secured private health insurance before their move, avoiding a policy lockout later on

  • A client used smart banking options and saved hundreds in transfer fees

  • And one family decided to change destination entirely — saving €15,000 per year in taxes as a result

These aren’t one-offs. They’re the natural outcome of a strategy-first, client-first approach.

🧭 Ready to Get Clarity on Your Move?

Whether you’re just starting to explore the idea or already have a date in mind, we’d love to help. If you're considering retiring in Greece or retiring in Italy, we can help you understand your options and avoid costly missteps from the start.

We offer a free, no-pressure consultation where we can walk you through your options and help you understand what to do next.

👉 Book your free consultation here 

Or just reach out with your questions — it’s never too early to get clarity.

FAQs

Q1. Why is moving abroad after retirement often more complicated than expected?
Many retirees underestimate the complexity of relocating overseas. Legal paperwork, visa requirements, healthcare, banking, and cultural adjustments can quickly become overwhelming without proper guidance.

Q2. What are the most common mistakes retirees make when relocating abroad?
Common mistakes include relying on fragmented advice, underestimating tax implications, overpaying for services, choosing the wrong insurance, and not planning for integration or long-term residency needs.

Q3. How does Mitos Relocation simplify the retirement move abroad?
Mitos offers a personalised relocation roadmap that covers every stage—from decision-making and paperwork to housing, finances, and settling in. They provide one point of contact instead of sending retirees to multiple specialists.

Q4. Can Mitos help me even if I’m not sure where I want to retire?
Yes, Mitos supports retirees in the early planning phase, helping compare countries, legal routes, and cost-of-living options to make the best personal decision before the move.