As an indicative guide, a comfortable retirement in India costs roughly £1,300/month for a couple — about £15,600/year (≈ ₹165,100/month). A modest budget is nearer £750; a premium one nearer £2,300.
Roughly where a comfortable £1,300/month goes:
Indicative estimates for a couple, general guidance only — real costs vary by location, lifestyle and exchange rates.
Extraordinary diversity, warm winters in Goa and the south, English widely used and very low costs; India draws those with family roots there and adventurous retirees who love its colour and culture.
Foreign nationals resident outside India generally cannot buy property and may only acquire it by inheritance. People of Indian origin, including NRIs and OCI cardholders, can buy residential and commercial property (but not agricultural land, plantations or farmhouses), paying strictly through Indian banking channels. As a general guide only — always confirm the current rules with a qualified local lawyer. Our free ownership checker and the Overseas Property Playbook walk through how ownership works step by step.
India has no retirement visa. Long-stay options include an Entry (X) visa for people of Indian origin or spouses of citizens, and the lifelong OCI card for foreign nationals of Indian origin, which allows living in and owning most property in India. Visa rules change often, so treat this as a starting point and verify the latest requirements before you plan.
Goa for beaches and a long-established, laid-back Western scene; Kerala and Kochi for the greener, calmer south; French-flavoured coastal Puducherry; and cosmopolitan Bengaluru for its mild climate and strong private healthcare.
Private hospitals in the big cities (Apollo, Fortis, Max) are modern and very good, with English-speaking doctors and costs far below the UK, while the public system is overstretched. Most expats take private or international insurance, which is affordable by Western standards though premiums climb with age.
A returning retiree usually gets 'resident but not ordinarily resident' (RNOR) status for the first two to three years, during which foreign income such as a UK pension isn't taxed in India; once ordinarily resident, worldwide income becomes taxable. Under the default new regime, income up to about 12 lakh is effectively tax-free and rates run to 30%, with the UK-India treaty giving further relief.
Broadly hot, with three seasons — a hot spell (March-May), the monsoon (June-September), and a pleasant cool, dry winter (October-February) that is much the best time to be there. Goa and the south stay tropical year-round. English is very widely spoken as a link language in business and education, and they drive on the left; traffic is chaotic and normal care pays off, but the expat-favoured areas are settled and friendly.
Note that non-resident foreigners generally cannot buy — this mainly suits OCI or PIO holders; for those eligible, stamp duty is set by each state at roughly 3-7% (about 3% in Goa, 5-6% in Karnataka or Maharashtra), plus around 1% registration and legal fees, with funds moving through Indian banking channels. Deeds are registered at the local sub-registrar's office.
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