Spain is the biggest draw for expatriates, having recently passed France in its popularity.
With fantastic weather, a hugely varied landscape throughout the country and a long tradition as an attractive place to settle, Spain's continued popularity during retirement is no surprise.
While there have been issues with planning and unscrupulous agents in the past, the property market has been cleaned up substantially in recent years.
Current conversion rates with the euro have made property more expensive in recent times, but there is still great value for money to be had on the costas and inland.