What is a FIRE number?

Your FIRE number is the amount of money you need invested to retire early. It's typically calculated as your annual spending divided by your safe withdrawal rate (usually 4%), meaning you need 25x your annual expenses.

How does retiring abroad affect my FIRE number?

Retiring abroad can significantly reduce your FIRE number through lower cost of living, favorable tax treatment, and reduced healthcare costs. For example, retiring in Portugal instead of the US could reduce your required savings by 20-40%.

What is geographic arbitrage?

Geographic arbitrage means earning money in a high-income country while spending it in a lower cost-of-living country. This strategy can accelerate your path to financial independence by reducing expenses while maintaining or growing income.

Can I collect Social Security while living abroad?

Yes, US citizens can generally collect Social Security while living abroad in most countries. However, there are some restrictions for certain countries, and tax implications vary based on tax treaties.

🔥 WhereToFIRE

Compare early retirement across countries

All calculations are estimates.

Your Details

Adjust the inputs below. Results update instantly.

Age

Current Age

Target RetirementⓘThe age you want to stop working and live off investments

Location

Current Country

Retirement CountryⓘWhere you plan to live during retirement

Portfolio

Total Portfolio ValueⓘTotal value of all investments and retirement accounts

$ USD

🇺🇸 United States Accounts

🏦 401k/IRAⓘTax-deferred retirement accounts. Withdrawals taxed as income.

✨ RothⓘAfter-tax retirement accounts. Qualified withdrawals are tax-free.⚠️

⚠️ Roth treatment unclear. Growth may be taxed.

📈 BrokerageⓘRegular investment account. Capital gains taxed when you sell.

🌐 Other Assets

₿ CryptoⓘCryptocurrency holdings (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)

💵 CashⓘCash and cash equivalents

🏠 PropertyⓘReal estate equity (home value minus mortgage)

📦 UnallocatedⓘUnallocated portion of your portfolio. Click ✏️ to rename (e.g., RSUs, Stock Options, Art)

Spending & Savings

Annual Spending in RetirementⓘHow much you plan to spend per year in retirement

Annual Savings (while working)ⓘHow much you save and invest each year before retirement

Set target age = current age to check if you can retire today

State Pension

🏛️ Social SecurityⓘCan claim early at 62 with reduced benefits. Delayed credits until 70.

You may be eligible for $22,000/yr starting at age 67

Expected ReturnⓘExpected annual investment return before inflation7.0%

Inflation RateⓘExpected annual inflation rate3.0%

Safe Withdrawal RateⓘPercentage of portfolio to withdraw annually. 4% is the traditional rule.4.0%

FIRE Comparison

🇺🇸 United States vs 🇵🇹 Portugal

🏆

United States wins!

FIRE 3 years sooner

FIRE # $345,553 lower in United States

Tax 20.6% lower in United States

🇺🇸

United States

🏆 Best Option

FIRE Number

$1,417,684

Years to FIRE

15 years

✓ Age 50 (on target)

Effective Tax Rate

13.0%

Gross $56,707 → Net $50,000

Healthcare

~$18,000/yr

ACA plans $1,000-1,800/month pre-65. Medicare + supplemental ~$250/month at 65+.

🇵🇹

Portugal

⚠️ 3yrs behind

FIRE Number

€1,622,177

Years to FIRE

18 years

Age 53 (3yr late)

Effective Tax Rate

33.6%

Gross €64,887 → Net €46,000

Healthcare

✓ Public + ~€500/yr

Public healthcare available. Many expats use private (€50-150/month).

💰 Cost of Living Comparison

Your $50,000/yr in United States

→

€26,680/yrequivalent in Portugal

✓ Portugal is 42% cheaper overall

By Category (vs United States)

🏠

Housing

-60%

🛒

Groceries

-35%

🍽️

Dining Out

-50%

🚗

Transport

-35%

🏥

Healthcare

-90%

Based on cost of living indices. Your actual costs may vary based on lifestyle.

🛂 Visa & Residency for 🇵🇹 Portugal

Portugal is one of the most popular destinations for American and European retirees, offering multiple visa pathways.

💡 Tax Tip: NHR 2.0 offers 20% flat tax on foreign income for 10 years. Standard tax rates apply after.

Visa requirements change frequently. Always verify with official sources before making plans.

⚠️ Important Tax Considerations

•United States has 0% capital gains tax on the first bracket!
•NHR 2.0: 20% flat tax on eligible employment income. Foreign pensions may be taxed at source country rates.
•Treaties with US, UK. NHR program reformed in 2024 - old 0% pension rate eliminated.

Your Details

Adjust the inputs below. Results update instantly.

Age

Current Age

Target RetirementⓘThe age you want to stop working and live off investments

Location

Current Country

Retirement CountryⓘWhere you plan to live during retirement

Portfolio

Total Portfolio ValueⓘTotal value of all investments and retirement accounts

$ USD

🇺🇸 United States Accounts

🏦 401k/IRAⓘTax-deferred retirement accounts. Withdrawals taxed as income.

✨ RothⓘAfter-tax retirement accounts. Qualified withdrawals are tax-free.⚠️

⚠️ Roth treatment unclear. Growth may be taxed.

📈 BrokerageⓘRegular investment account. Capital gains taxed when you sell.

🌐 Other Assets

₿ CryptoⓘCryptocurrency holdings (Bitcoin, Ethereum, etc.)

💵 CashⓘCash and cash equivalents

🏠 PropertyⓘReal estate equity (home value minus mortgage)

📦 UnallocatedⓘUnallocated portion of your portfolio. Click ✏️ to rename (e.g., RSUs, Stock Options, Art)

Spending & Savings

Annual Spending in RetirementⓘHow much you plan to spend per year in retirement

Annual Savings (while working)ⓘHow much you save and invest each year before retirement

Set target age = current age to check if you can retire today

State Pension

🏛️ Social SecurityⓘCan claim early at 62 with reduced benefits. Delayed credits until 70.

You may be eligible for $22,000/yr starting at age 67

Expected ReturnⓘExpected annual investment return before inflation7.0%

Inflation RateⓘExpected annual inflation rate3.0%

Safe Withdrawal RateⓘPercentage of portfolio to withdraw annually. 4% is the traditional rule.4.0%

Your FIRE Journey

Hover over the chart to explore

🇺🇸 United States

$298K

🇵🇹 Portugal

€274K

Age 35(Working)

$5.7M$2.8M0

Retire 50

356085

⚠️

Age 35

Low balance

$298K

🎉

Age 50

Retirement begins

$1.5M

-$57K/yr

📅

Age 60

Retired

$2.0M

-$76K/yr

📅

Age 70

Retired

$2.7M

-$102K/yr

📅

Age 80

Retired

$3.8M

-$138K/yr

🇺🇸 United States🇵🇹 PortugalRetirement

💡 Projection assumes 4% real return (7% growth − 3% inflation). Actual results will vary with market conditions.

Data last updated: February 2026 • Exchange rates update hourly

🔥 WhereToFIRE

Your Details

Age

Location

Portfolio

🇺🇸 United States Accounts

🌐 Other Assets

Spending & Savings

State Pension

Advanced Settings

FIRE Comparison

United States wins!

United States

Portugal

If You Retired Today

💰 Cost of Living Comparison

🛂 Visa & Residency for 🇵🇹 Portugal

Advanced Analysis

⚠️ Important Tax Considerations

Your Details

Age

Location

Portfolio

🇺🇸 United States Accounts

🌐 Other Assets

Spending & Savings

State Pension

Advanced Settings

Your FIRE Journey