Retire in Sri Lanka: our guide and service are coming soon
Our guide and service for retirees and long winter stays are coming soon. A first overview of visas, costs, areas and healthcare.
Many Europeans dream of spending their retirement, or at least the long northern winter, in Sri Lanka. We are preparing a full guide and a service to help you do it, and both are coming soon. Until then, this page gives you a first, factual overview (checked October 2026), and we can already plan a long test stay for you.
Coming soon: register your interest
Send us a WhatsApp message with the words "Retire in Sri Lanka", or fill in our plan-your-trip form and tell us roughly when and for how long you would like to come. We will contact you as soon as the guide and the service are ready.
Start with a long test stay
Before you decide, live here for a while. We can already plan a test stay of, for example, four to eight weeks in the European winter:
- a car with driver for the first days, so you can get to know the area;
- 3-star hotels with breakfast for the first nights, and tips on where to look for a long-stay apartment or guesthouse;
- local tips for daily life: SIM card, cash and cards, pharmacies, where to shop.
Tell us where you would like to try life, for example the south coast, Kandy or the hills, and we will send you a suggestion.
Which visa can I use to stay longer?
Visa rules change often. This is general information, not legal advice: always check with the Department of Immigration and Emigration before you plan.
- Tourist ETA, then an extension: since 25 May 2026, citizens of 40 countries, including Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the UK, get a free 30-day ETA. You can extend it in Sri Lanka, online or at the Department's head office in Battaramulla, for a fee. The Department's fee table lists stays of up to 270 days; for these four countries it shows US$100 for 31–90 days, US$150 for 91–180 days and US$200 for 181–270 days. An extension ends when you leave the country. More in our visa and ETA guide.
- Retirement visa ("My Dream Home"): this scheme for senior foreigners required a fixed deposit of US$15,000 in a Sri Lankan bank and a monthly transfer of US$1,500 (plus US$750 for a spouse and for each dependent child). In October 2026 the Department lists it, like the older Resident Guest Scheme, as extension only for existing visa holders. New applicants cannot currently use it.
- Investor visas: the Golden Paradise Visa requires a deposit of at least US$200,000 in a Sri Lankan bank and gives a 10-year residence visa. Other routes include buying an apartment in a registered condominium (from US$75,000 in suburban areas, for a five-year visa) or investing in government bonds or shares. The visa fee is US$200 per person per year.
Foreigners generally cannot buy land in Sri Lanka. Never buy property in the name of a Sri Lankan partner or friend; the German Foreign Office warns against this explicitly. Get independent legal advice first.
What does it cost to live in Sri Lanka?
Costs depend on where and how you live. Treat these as rough guides:
- Everyday costs: crowd-sourced data on Numbeo (October 2026) puts a single person's monthly costs in Colombo at about US$500, without rent.
- Rent in Colombo: a one-bedroom apartment costs about LKR 90,000 a month outside the centre (about US$270) and about LKR 190,000 in the centre (about US$570), according to the same source.
- South coast: rents for furnished places vary widely and are highest from December to March.
- Food: rice and curry in a local restaurant costs about LKR 800 to 1,500. Imported food, wine and cheese are expensive.
Where do long-stay visitors live?
These four areas are the most popular. More about the coast in our south coast guide.
| Area | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| South coast: Galle, Unawatuna, Weligama | Sea, cafés, Galle Fort, many long-stay foreigners | Hot and humid; busy and pricier in high season |
| Kandy | Culture, shops, private hospital, a little cooler (about 500 m) | Traffic, more rain |
| Hill country: Nuwara Eliya, Ella | Cool air and tea country | Cold, damp nights; winding roads; a long drive to a private hospital |
| Negombo | Close to the international airport | Busy town; the south coast has nicer beaches |
What is the climate like?
On the coast it is warm all year: in Galle, daytime highs are about 29 to 32 °C and nights rarely fall below 23 °C. Galle is driest in January and February and wettest in May and October. Nuwara Eliya, at about 1,870 m, averages about 16 °C, with January nights around 10 °C. For winter stays, the south and west coast from December to April is the classic choice; see the best time to visit.
Healthcare and insurance
Colombo has the best private hospitals, for example Asiri Central and Nawaloka. There are also private hospitals in Kandy (Asiri Kandy), Galle (Asiri Galle) and Matara (Asiri Matara). In rural areas, care is basic, and serious cases go to Colombo. Private treatment is paid on the spot, and hospitals often ask for a credit card first.
You need health insurance that covers long stays abroad and medical evacuation; many travel policies limit the length of a trip. Bring a good supply of your regular medicines, as some can be hard to find. For dengue, roads and other safety questions, read is Sri Lanka safe in 2026?
What the full guide will cover
- Visa options and extensions, step by step
- Renting long term: areas, prices and contracts
- Healthcare, insurance and finding doctors
- Banking, money transfers and the cost of everyday life
- Getting around without your own car
- Which months to spend where
- Staying active: community, volunteering, sport
We will not give tax or legal advice. For pensions, tax and property, you will need a qualified adviser.
Want to see this yourself?
Tell us your dates and what you like. Ravindu or one of our team will send you a personal route and price, usually within 24 hours.
Private round trips from US$700 per person for 7 days
FAQ
Does Sri Lanka have a retirement visa?
Not for new applicants at the moment. The Department of Immigration and Emigration lists the "My Dream Home" retirement visa as extension only for existing holders (checked October 2026). Investor visas and tourist visa extensions are still available.
How long can I stay in Sri Lanka on a tourist visa?
The free ETA for 40 countries is valid for 30 days. You can extend it in Sri Lanka for a fee; the Department's fee table lists stays of up to 270 days.
Is Sri Lanka a good place to spend the winter?
For many Europeans, yes. December to April is the dry season on the south and west coasts, with daytime temperatures around 30 °C. A test stay of four to eight weeks is the best way to find out if it suits you.
When will your retirement service start?
We are preparing it now. Register your interest by WhatsApp or the plan-your-trip form, and we will tell you when it is ready.