Central America has many breathtaking gems, and Honduras is definitely one of them. Known for its rich natural resources, tropical fruits, beautiful beaches, and nature, Honduras has become a second home for many retired expats all over the world.
If you want to make Honduras your new home, you can do so by obtaining a Honduras Retirement Visa.
A Honduras Retirement Visa is a type of temporary residence issued to retired foreigners who want to reside in the territory of Honduras.
Who Is Eligible For a Retirement Visa in Honduras?
According to National Immigration Council (CNIg), you will be eligible to obtain a Honduras Retirement Visa if:
- You are able to prove that you have a stable economic and financial situation (assets, securities, pension).
- You can transfer a monthly amount of $1500 or the equivalent in a national currency to a Honduran bank from a source outside of Honduras. (pensionado)
- You can prove that you receive a permanent, lawful, and stable income generated abroad or in the national territory of not less than $2.500 or the equivalent in a national currency. (rentista)
- You have a clear criminal record and are not considered a threat to the country of Honduras or its people.
Documents Required for a Honduras Retirement Visa
The following documents are required to be submitted when applying for a Honduras Retirement Visa:
- Accredited Power of Representation with which your attorney will act on your behalf.
- Contract stamps and contact information. Through your attorney, submit the respective contract stamps and extensive contact information for you and your representative to the Secretary of State for Human Rights, Justice, the Interior, and Decentralization.
- Passport. Your passport must be valid for at least one year from the application date. You must also attach an authenticated photocopy of your passport.
- One photograph. A recently taken photograph in a format size 6cm x 5cm.
- Certification of the Registry of Migratory Movements issued by the National Institute of Migration.
- Police clearance certificate. An authenticated criminal record certificate issued from the country of origin and the country of your last residence.
- A certificate from the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation stating that there are no complaints against you.
- Medical report. A medical certificate not older than six months stating you are in good health conditions.
- An original application for entry authorized by the respective consul. Applicable only if you have started the application process from abroad through the diplomatic or consular representations of Honduras.
NOTE: All documents issued in a language other than Spanish must be officially translated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and legalized or apostilled.
How to Apply For a Honduras Retirement Visa?
To apply for a Honduras Retirement Visa, you need to connect with a Honduran attorney to guide you through the application process. After consulting with an attorney who is familiar with this type of process, you must gather all the necessary documents.
You can submit the application for a Honduras Retirement Visa from abroad or within the Honduran territory.
- If you are applying from abroad, you can visit the nearest Honduran consulate or diplomatic mission in your country to submit the application.
- If you want to apply from Honduras, you need to get a Honduras Visa to enter the country and begin the application process while in Honduras. Generally, most people will get a free 90-day visa on arrival.
How Much Does a Honduras Retirement Visa Cost?
The application fees for a Honduras Retirement Visa are as follows:
| Application | Fees |
|---|---|
| Honduras Retirement Visa (principal applicant) | $300 |
| Dependents (spouse, children) | $150 |
Can I Bring my Dependents to Honduras with a Retirement Visa?
Yes, your family members can accompany you to Honduras with a retirement visa. This visa will allow you to bring your dependents (spouse and children) with you. You will be required to add an additional amount of $150 for each dependent individually and submit supporting documents such as a birth certificate or marriage certificate to prove the relationship.
Can You Work in Honduras With a Retirement Visa?
Typically, you are not allowed to work with a retirement visa. But, you can apply for permission as a rentier resident or pensioner to engage in paid activities.
This application will cost you a fee of $200.
How Much Money Do You Need to Retire in Honduras?
Honduras’s living costs are affordable for everyone compared to other countries in Central America. The estimated monthly costs for a single person living in Honduras are around $600 without rent. This amount includes the expenses for necessities such as transportation, groceries, water, electricity, etc.
Even if you include rent, Honduras will still be cheap and affordable for you. This means that whether you decide to reside in the city or outside the city center, the rent prices will not have a big difference. You can find one-bedroom apartments for as low as $145 to $500 in the city center or three-bedroom apartments for $270 to $810 outside the city center.
In general, a monthly amount of $1000–$1500 would be enough for you to live comfortably in Honduras.
Here is a presentation of the average living costs in Honduras:
| ACCOMMODATION | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | $270 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | $220 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | $605 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | $440 |
| FOOD | COSTS |
|---|---|
| Milk | $1.11 |
| Rice | $1.08 |
| Eggs | $1.93 |
| Tomato | $1.34 |
| Potato | $1.28 |
| Apples (kg) | $2.86 |
| UTILITIES | MONTHLY COSTS (85m2) |
|---|---|
| Electricity, Water, Heating, Cooling, Garbage | $115 |
Healthcare for Retirees in Honduras
Healthcare in Honduras is provided by the Ministry of Health. The medical services provided by the public sector are mainly available in developed cities which makes it harder for residents in rural areas to receive medical services.
Although Honduras has many hospitals and health centers that provide physician and dentistry services, the country has a low number of physicians to provide sufficient primary healthcare to the citizens.
The healthcare system is divided into the public and private sectors. The public sector includes the Ministry of Health and the Honduras Social Security Institute, whereas the private sector includes nonprofit organizations.
The private sector serves those who can afford to pay or are covered by private insurance. Around 2.9% of the population is covered by private health insurance.
Why Retire in Honduras?
Here is why you should retire in Honduras:
- Real estate. If you are looking to purchase a home or land in Honduras, you can do so at a low cost. Real estate prices in Honduras are relatively cheap. Whether you want to purchase your own home or rent a place to live, the prices are still very affordable.
- Low living costs. Besides real estate prices being low, life in Honduras is generally affordable. An amount of approximately $1500 will be more than enough for your monthly expenses, and depending on your lifestyle, you might spend even less.
- Healthcare. Hondurans have access to both the public and private sectors. Both of them offer great quality healthcare to the residents, but depending on your choice, you can always opt for private health insurance to avoid long waits and get better treatment.
- Tax Dispensations. As a retiree, you will benefit from tax exemption while importing vehicles, personal belongings, and household items importation.
- Climate. Moving to an island comes together with hot temperatures, perfect for spending your days on the beach and just relaxing for the rest of your life. The climate varies from tropical in the lowlands to temperate in the mountains.
- Nature. Nature will follow you everywhere around Honduras. The country is known for its magical beauty of marvelous landscapes and archaeological sites. In Honduras, you will find a natural mix of green and blue.
Best Places to Retire in Honduras
Making a decision where to retire in Honduras is hard because the country offers many beautiful places that fulfill your retirement needs. Here are some of the best places to retire in Honduras to help you choose the right place to live in.
Roatan
Wake up every day with a scenic view of crystal clear waters on the magical island. Roatan is famous for its amazing offshore reefs and coral gardens and is one of the most popular places to retire in Honduras. There are many activities you can do, such as snorkeling and diving, touring around the jungles, horseback riding, boat trips, and many more.
La Ceiba
La Ceiba is a port city and a popular tourist destination surrounded by lush jungles, beautiful mountains, rivers, and majestic beaches.
It is impossible not to have a great time in La Ceiba. Some of the things you can do there are taking an ATV tour through the mountainside and river valleys, hiking the jungle, diving into the beautiful waterfalls, canoeing, or just relaxing on the beach. The town is also very safe and will make you feel at home.
Copan Ruinas
Filled with greenery everywhere you go and known for its beautiful stone temples, altars, hieroglyphs, and stelae, Copan Ruinas is one of the most popular attractions in Honduras. The archaeological site is definitely an important cultural destination. Every day in Copan Ruinas will feel like an adventure in the jungle.
Gracias
Gracias is a small town in Honduras founded in 1536 and located in the western region. The town is perfect for cultural and nature tourism and offers many things to do. The hot temperatures will accompany you throughout the year, so you can enjoy the rest of your retirement on the beach.
Santa Rosa de Copan
Santa Rosa de Copan is a small town with many colorful buildings and is one of the safest cities in Honduras. Being the coffee capital of Honduras, Santa Rosa de Copan is perfect for coffee lovers who want to try new flavors. The city is also famous for producing other products like cigars, sugar refining, furniture, leather products, clothing, and beverages.