Retire In Malaysia?
What You Need To Know

Retire In Malaysia At Asia's Tropical Gateway! Tired of dreary weather which is too cold or too hot? Concern about the safety of your home and family? Worried over rising costs of living? Love your own hometown, yet yearn for that tropical getaway? You are not alone! Many people who has work hard all their life, is looking for a special place that they can call next to home upon their retirement.

However, choosing the best place to retire might be a daunting task, especially if you do not make a good preparation ahead.

If you do have a plan to retire one day, do you want to consider living in Malaysia?

It has a perpetual warm tropical climate, inviting shorelines of pure white sands and clear blue sea, friendly locals, choice of city living, highland retreats or seaside resorts, a variety of gastronomical delights to satiate even the most discerning of palates awaits, when you retire in Malaysia.

This is truly the place where you can retire early, comfortably and hassle free. We are not talking about living well but to live comfortably using just a fraction of your hard earn money.

Malaysia has a program called "Malaysia, my 2nd home" for people who want to retire in Malaysia. Undoubtedly, Malaysia has a lot to offer for foreigners who want to spend their life in a relaxed environment. Living in Malaysia means living in a tropical country and still have all the facilities of the western world too. The project is open to all citizens of countries recognized by Malaysia regardless of race, religion, gender or age. You are allowed to bring along your spouse and children as dependents (below 18 years old who is not married).

Why Malaysia is the best place to retire?
Malaysia, situated in the heart of Asia, has one of the highest standards of living, yet maintains cheap cost of living. It has a great climate, though the Malaysians probably would probably disagree, facilities are excellent, road are great, transport is cheap.

Some others reason, why people want to retire in Malaysia:

• Superb healthcare facilities and highly-skilled medical practitioners. Yet medical expenses and insurance can be very cheap and affordable compare to other countries. If you visit government hospital, it will be very cheap and there are plenty of private hospitals for those who could afford it.
• Blessed with warm moderate weather all year round. If you feel the heat is catching up to you, take a break at the hilly resort such as Penang hill, Genting Highland or Cameron Highland.
• Big shopping centers that have international brand names as their tenants, as well as street malls that carry cheap local products.
• Great education system. It also has many international schools to cater for expats children, and numerous colleges with affiliation with well-known overseas universities. 
• Majorities of the people understand and speak English.
• Strategic location which makes traveling to neighboring countries fast and easy. 
• When retire in Malaysia, you can visit many interesting places, climbing mountains, caves exploration, beaches and more.
• For golf enthusiasts, Malaysia has many championship-level golf courses, and very competitive golf membership rates.
• A large variety of food, cooked in a lot of different styles that have been influenced by the various cultures that exist in the country (Malay's satay, Indian fish curry, Chinese's Dim Sum, Tomyam from Thailand, etc). In fact, most types of food in the region are available in Malaysia, and they are cheap too!
• Low crime rate and highly efficient Royal Malaysian Police. Malaysia banned gun possession, so you don't hear much reported cases of shooting incident.
• Cheap insurance rate as the people are not as litigious as in the West
• Very friendly people.
• Retain your citizenship and all its privileges in your own country. You can come and go as you wish. There is no restriction on your stay and traveling when you retire in Malaysia.
• And the list goes on and on...

If you like to know what the typical expenses are when you retire in Malaysia, refer to the table below.

Expenses	Cost (RM)	Cost (USD)
Meal for a day	RM20	USD6
2-bedroom apartment	RM100K to RM120K	USD30K to 36K
3-bedroom house	RM100K to RM150K	USD30K to 45K
Bungalow (600sqft with land)	RM500K	USD151K
Desktop computer	RM2,000	USD606
Visit a doctor (with medication)	RM30	USD9

*Based on the exchange rate of RM1 = USD3.33

Use the conversion tool below for the latest conversion rate & others currencies of your choice.

Retire in Malaysia Incentives

• You are allowed to bring in your own personal car OR to purchase a locally-assembled car without the need to pay import duty, excise duty and sales tax.
• You are allowed to purchase residential houses at minimum prices above RM250,000 each, depending on the location of the property. For the state of Sarawak, the properties must be above RM350,000.
• You are allowed to apply for one maid subject to the prevailing guidelines of the Immigration Department of Malaysia.
• You are allowed to bring children who under 18 years old and not married as your dependants under this programme. Children who intend to continue their schooling in Malaysia are required to apply for a Student Pass and should be insured throughout their stay under this programme.
• You are bound by the policies, systems and regulations of taxes of this country and they do not have exemption qualifications as granted to Diplomatic Missions in Malaysia. However, tax exemption is given to pension remitted into Malaysia.

Things to note when you participate in the programme:
Aged Below 50 years old
You have to open a fixed deposit account of RM300,000. After one year you can withdraw up to RM240,000 for approved expenses relating to house purchase, education for children in Malaysia and medical purposes. You must maintain a minimum balance of RM60,000 from second year onwards and throughout stay in Malaysia under this program.

Aged 50 years and above
There are two choices:
1) Open a fixed deposit account of RM150,000.
2) Show proof of monthly off-shore income of RM10,000, for example a pension scheme.

• Only applicants who are drawing from Government Approved Funds can be considered for the   "Monthly off - Shore Income "criteria.
• After a period of one year, participant who fulfills the fixed deposit criteria can withdraw up to RM90,000 for approved expenses relating to house purchase, education for children in Malaysia and medical purposes.
• You must maintain a minimum balance of RM60,000 from the second year onwards and throughout stay in Malaysia under this programme.

There are however few restrictions, you are not allowed to work while you stay here. And, obviously, you should not be involved in activities that are sensitive, illegal or a threat to Malaysia's people and the country. In a simpler terms, Malaysia My 2nd Home (MM2H) is a retirement programme. A place for you to relax and enjoy the natural tropical gateway in your golden age.

It is where you could retire in style;
Live in a place -- Where You Truly Want To Live! &
most importantly -- Spend Less Money Doing It!

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