Moving between countries has been the constant in my life, not a one-time leap. So when I started thinking seriously about where I want to live next, and eventually where I want to retire, I ran into the wall everyone hits: comparing countries honestly is almost impossible.
Tax brackets, social security, visa rules, rent, the real cost of an ordinary month. Every country defines them differently, and every source gives a different number. All I wanted was my actual take-home pay, side by side, and a straight answer to when I could stop depending on a salary. That did not exist in one place, so I built it.
Fireplot is that tool. It works whether you are planning a move or staying exactly where you are, because the hard part is never the dream. It is seeing the real numbers behind it.
Fireplot calculates your real disposable income, country by country. Not just gross minus flat tax. Real progressive brackets, real social security rates, real rent, real living costs. It checks whether you qualify for a visa, and tells you if your income meets the threshold.
It also runs FIRE simulations so you can see when you could reach financial independence. Whether you stay where you are or relocate, see your numbers.
Fireplot is not an optimizer that tells you which country is "best." Money is a condition, not the reason people move. You already know where you want to go. Fireplot shows you whether the numbers work.
I grew up between Japan, China, Greece, and the United States before moving to Belgium. I've lived the confusion of working out taxes, visas, and costs across borders. Fireplot exists because I built the tool I needed to answer that question for myself.
Fireplot is independent, self-funded, and has no investors to please. The calculator is free and always will be. Pro features like progress tracking, alerts, and custom costs are how the project sustains itself.
Questions, corrections, or country requests? Get in touch.