Retire in Netherlands vs New Zealand: The 2026 Freedom Comparison

Geo-arbitrage is the strategy of earning a strong currency (like USD or EUR) while living in a country with a lower cost of living. In 2026, this is the fastest way to achieve FIRE, allowing you to reduce expenses by 40-60% without lowering your quality of life.

The Freedom Clock calculates your exact 'Freedom Date' based on your savings, income, and the real-time cost of living in your target country. It accounts for 2026 inflation rates and tax laws to give you a precise timeline for early retirement.

A tax benefit allowing employers to pay 30% of a qualified expat's salary tax-free. The minimum salary for this in 2026 is €48,013.

A planned phase-out (30-20-10%) was reversed; the full 30% rate remains for 2026, though it will drop to 27% in 2027.

The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty allows US entrepreneurs to live and work in the NL with a minimum business investment of €4,500.

No. Remote workers often use the DAFT (for Americans) or apply as a 'Self-Employed' person, which uses a difficult points-based system.

There is a severe housing shortage. Rents in Amsterdam for a 1-bedroom start at €1,800–€2,500, and competition is fierce.

Yes, everyone living in the NL must purchase 'Basisverzekering' (basic insurance) from a private provider, costing roughly €140–€160/month.

30% Ruling holders can exchange their foreign license for a Dutch one without a test; otherwise, most non-EU licenses are valid for only 185 days.

The Netherlands has some of the best internet in the world, with near-universal fiber optic and 5G coverage.

The Netherlands has the highest English proficiency in the world for a non-native country; you can easily live here without speaking Dutch.

The state retirement age (AOW) is 67 years as of 2024 and remains the same for 2026.

It allows parents of NZ citizens/residents to stay indefinitely if they invest NZD $1M for 4 years and have an annual income of NZD $60,000.

Yes, the Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa for those 66+ allows a 2-year stay with a NZD $750,000 investment and NZD $500,000 in maintenance funds.

No specific nomad visa exists. Most remote workers use a Working Holiday Visa (if under 35) or a standard Visitor Visa for short stays (no local work).

No. Temporary retirees and nomads must have comprehensive private health and travel insurance for the duration of their stay.

Auckland is high-cost; a 1-bedroom apartment rents for roughly NZD $2,200–$2,800/month. Groceries are also notably expensive due to import costs.

The Parent Retirement Resident Visa allows work, but the Temporary Retirement Visitor Visa strictly prohibits any form of employment.

Applicants for long-term stays must undergo a full medical examination and chest X-ray. Those staying <12 months may be exempt.

It is one of the safest and most politically stable countries in the world, though natural disaster preparedness (earthquakes) is part of life.

New Zealand has a robust national fiber network (UFB). High-speed internet is available in nearly all urban and many rural areas.

Applicants aged 17+ must provide police certificates from any country they have lived in for 12+ months in the last 10 years.