Is Bulgaria the New Portugal? The Real Numbers for GeoFIRE in 2026

Portugal used to be the GeoFIRE dream. Affordable living, great weather — and the famous Non-Habitual Resident tax regime that gave foreign pension income a flat 10% rate. But the NHR ended for new applicants in 2025, rents have climbed sharply in Lisbon and the Algarve. Understanding these shifts is crucial for effective "retirement planning" and making informed decisions about "moving to portugal" or other European countries. We explore the impact of these changes on the "cost of living" and introduce Bulgaria as a new potential destination for "early retirement". In this video I compare Bulgaria and Portugal side by side — cost of living, tax rates, residency rules, and lifestyle. The numbers might surprise you. ⏱️ Chapters 0:00 – Portugal's fall from grace 0:30 – Why this comparison matters now 1:30 – Monthly cost of living: side by side 3:30 – The tax picture: 10% vs progressive rates 5:00 – Lifestyle, healthcare & residency 6:00 – Practical takeaway 📊 Free Retirement Planning Tools If you want to calculate your own retirement numbers, you can download my free tools here: Retirement Starter Sheet https://retirementinvesting.eu/retire... Final Decade Retirement Tool https://retirementinvesting.eu/final-... These tools help you model: • retirement income scenarios • savings vs investment growth • retirement timing decisions • financial gaps before retirement 📌 Sources Data used in this channel may include publicly available statistics from: Eurostat OECD pension statistics National statistical offices ⚠️ Disclaimer This channel is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Always do your own research or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions. 👍 Subscribe for realistic retirement planning in Europe This channel focuses on structured retirement planning for Europeans over 45. New videos every week about: • retirement income • investing for Europeans • pension systems • financial independence in Europe