Sign up for Unlocking the World, NCS Travel’s weekly newsletter. Get information about locations, plus the most recent in aviation, food and drinks, and the place to remain.
NCS
—
Since the US presidential election, there’s been a spike in Americans’ curiosity in shifting overseas.
“It’s been such a gut reaction of, ‘I want to move, but I don’t know where, and I don’t know how,’ ” says Arielle Tucker, a Switzerland-based certified financial planner who specializes in aiding US residents in shifting overseas and says her enterprise has seen an enormous uptick in inquiries.
Tucker tells NCS Travel, “I think it’s important to always take a step back here and really think about, ‘Well, what countries can I actually move to as an American?’ The harder issue is, if you really want to make that permanent relocation, then you really need to think about, ‘What visa types can I actually get?’ ”
According to Google Trends, searches associated to phrases comparable to “leaving the country” and “how to move to Canada” skyrocketed in November 2024, following the information that Donald Trump can be returning to the White House. It’s been much more than the exponential rise in related searches after he gained the 2016 election. (Back then, Canada’s immigration website crashed.)
Whether or not a transfer overseas is politically motivated, the rise of distant work, new visa applications and tax incentives that entice digital nomads, traders, retirees and households have as of late supplied further choices for individuals contemplating a world transfer.
Of course, the flexibility to maneuver overseas is a privilege that extends solely to individuals fortunate sufficient to be in possession of the fitting passport, with doorways remaining closed to many nationalities.
Recently, headlines have swirled across the information of a number of US celebrities shifting out of the United States, together with Richard Gere, who has publicly mentioned his upcoming transfer to Spain, the place his spouse is from, and Ellen DeGeneres and her spouse, Portia de Rossi, who’ve reportedly moved to England’s Cotswolds region.
For those that have the choice, selecting which nation to make your new house is a serious resolution that requires intensive analysis and planning. Beyond the “I could live here!” daydreaming which may bubble up throughout trip, shifting overseas means a deep dive into tax implications, work visas, well being care and quality-of-life comparisons, simply to call just a few.
One useful useful resource is the annual Expat Insider survey by InterNations, an expat neighborhood with greater than 5.4 million members. The survey, which has been working for greater than a decade, displays enter from greater than 12,500 expats representing 175 nationalities in 174 countries or territories. It conveys their satisfaction stage with varied elements of expat life on the idea of things comparable to high quality of life, ease of settling in, working overseas, private finance, housing and language.
In addition, retirees can make the most of assets together with Live and Invest Overseas, whose annual index ranks its prime 10 abroad retirement locations. Its 2024 index noticed Valencia, Spain, prime the checklist, adopted by Braga, Portugal, and Mazatlán, Mexico.
It’s additionally necessary to think about the influence of your transfer on a brand new host nation, particularly in locations which might be seeing huge upticks in immigration from the United States and different rich nations, says Megan Frye, a relocation advisor and author who has lived in Mexico City for the previous 9 years.
Frye advises shoppers contemplating a transfer from the United States to Mexico — which has ranked among the many prime 5 countries in InterNations’ annual survey since 2014 — to pay attention to the inequities in migration insurance policies between the 2 countries.
“My focus with my clients is to be very clear about the gentrification problem that Mexico faces, and to give them an opportunity to think about what our role is in that situation,” says Frye, who’s initially from Michigan. “I believe all people should be able to move freely wherever they want, but there’s a clear injustice considering how easy it is for US citizens to relocate to Mexico in comparison with the other way around.”
While there are dozens of locations to think about for a transfer overseas, the next checklist prioritizes a variety of expat-centric subjects, together with high quality of life, affordability, well being care, security and entry to tradition and out of doors actions. This checklist provides basic recommendation for individuals making the transfer from wherever in the world, however focuses totally on US residents.
Also included are a few of the downsides to think about, in addition to key information on how you can make the transfer.
A preferred retirement vacation spot for Americans for many years, Mexico has attracted many extra households and the digital nomad set over the previous few years.
Mexico City — whose inhabitants of twenty-two million in the metro space makes it North America’s greatest metropolis — has been particularly scorching as of late. And the capital’s progress reveals no indicators of slowing, with about 667,300 extra inhabitants projected in 2025 than three years prior, based on The World Population Review. From 2019 to 2022, the variety of Americans who utilized for or renewed residency visas spiked from about 17,800 to greater than 30,000.
Elsewhere, cities together with Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende and Playa del Carmen are additionally havens for US expats, lots of whom level to Mexico’s decrease price of residing and relaxed life-style as robust attracts.
Pros: Mexico topped InterNations’ 2023 Expat Insider survey and has ranked among the many prime 5 countries since 2014. According to the most recent outcomes, expats recognize elements comparable to the convenience of settling in, a satisfying social life and robust assist networks. Mexico’s affordability and laid-back life-style additionally rating excessive.
Cons: As with different world locations which have obtained an inflow of Americans as of late, some Mexican cities with massive expat communities are getting pushback towards foreigners.
Mexico additionally has a excessive crime price. Homicide charges are practically 4 occasions as these in the United States, based on Mexico’s National Institute of Statistics and Geography. And these numbers could also be even larger: Data from the Human Rights Watch means that an estimated 90% of crimes in Mexico are by no means reported.
How to make the transfer: Moving to Mexico isn’t so simple as packing a bag, hopping a flight and toasting to your new life south of the border over a margarita on the seashore.
Traditionally, legitimate passport holders from countries that don’t require a visa (together with the United States) who’re coming to Mexico for leisure or enterprise have been allowed to stay in the nation for as much as 180 days. (They nonetheless should full a customer’s allow, or Forma Migratoria Multiple, FMM for quick, at their port of entry.)
However, that 180-day restrict is not the default, and the precise variety of days allowed is on the discretion of the immigration official processing entry.
Mexico doesn’t supply a digital nomad visa, however these contemplating a everlasting transfer can look right into a Temporary Resident Visa, which lets you stay in the nation for as much as 4 years. Meanwhile, retirees can apply for a Permanent Resident Visa.
A stunning local weather, a comparatively low price of residing, and vibrant, culture-rich cities and cities from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic: No surprise extra Americans are eagerly proclaiming “Viva España!” for their subsequent life chapter.
Madrid, Barcelona, Seville and Bilbao all boast massive English-speaking expat communities, whereas the coastal metropolis of Valencia is rapidly gaining traction as a coveted spot, too: It ranked first in InterNations’ 2024 Quality of Life Index, and in addition topped the annual index by Live and Invest Overseas for 2024.
Pros: There’s mucho to like about Spain: trendy cities and quaint small cities, high-quality common well being care and a world-renowned eating and nightlife scene, simply to call just a few advantages. In reality, the Spanish cities of Valencia, Málaga and Alicante ranked in the highest three of InterNations’ most up-to-date checklist of best cities for expats.
According to the International LGBTQ+ Travel Association, Spain is also one of the most culturally liberal and welcoming countries for LGBTQ+ vacationers. In 2005, it turned one of many first to legalize same-sex marriage, and it hosts one of many world’s largest Pride celebrations, which pulls some 1.5 million guests yearly.
Cons: If you’re hoping shifting to Spain will enhance your profession, you might want to regulate your expectations. According to InterNations’ 2023 survey, “Spain performs worst in the Working Abroad Index (34th). Less than half the expats (49%) agree that moving there has improved their career prospects (vs. 59% globally),” and one other 36% are sad with the native job market.
In addition, English is usually not extensively spoken outdoors of bigger cities. And, in the areas of Catalonia and the Basque Country, the official languages are Catalan and Euskara (or Basque), respectively.
The distinctly Spanish lifestyle is also an adjustment for many, as schedules for working, eating and socializing are later than American requirements. The workday usually runs from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with an extended lunch break in the course of the afternoon siesta (throughout which era many companies are closed), and Spaniards often eat dinner no sooner than round 8:30 p.m.
Politics in Spain can be turning into more and more extra divisive (and occasionally violent), particularly because the northeastern area of Catalonia continues its push for independence.
How to make the transfer: Several choices exist for expats, together with retirees, trying to relocate to Spain. Anyone with adequate funds to assist themselves and any dependents can think about the non-lucrative visa (or NLV), which is good for retirees and people who produce other types of passive earnings that originates in the United States. (However, you possibly can’t earn earnings whereas in Spain with this visa.
Spain additionally provides a digital nomad visa and an entrepreneur visa. And in November 2024, the Spanish authorities introduced significant changes to its immigration program, together with extending its “job-seeking visa” from three months to a full 12 months.
However, current modifications have additionally made acquiring a digital nomad visa extra sophisticated. Now, candidates should present further documentation round their enterprise, comparable to proof of its existence no less than a 12 months prior and proof of ongoing contracts.
The Netherlands
This bicycling-obsessed nation ranked sixth in Gallup’s 2024 World Happiness Report, which assesses varied indicators throughout life satisfaction and social and financial well-being. It additionally topped Numbeo’s 2023 survey for high quality of life.
As of 2022, nearly 31,000 immigrants from the Americas lived in the Netherlands, according to official data. The capital of Amsterdam is very standard, with its picturesque canals, historic structure and relaxed vibe drawing a big worldwide crowd, however sturdy expat communities additionally exist in bigger cities comparable to Rotterdam and Utrecht.
Pros: For lively sorts, it’s arduous to beat the Netherlands’ world-class biking infrastructure and tradition – in reality, the nation is alleged to have extra bikes (fietsen) than individuals. The Netherlands additionally is thought for its robust schooling system, with most schooling in any respect ranges funded no less than in half by the federal government.
The Netherlands can be more and more standard among the many LGBTQ+ neighborhood. In reality, it tops a data-driven checklist for LGBTQ+ people compiled by worldwide insurance coverage supplier William Russell, primarily based on varied elements comparable to security and inclusiveness.
One main tax benefit for foreigners: Highly expert employees can apply for what’s referred to as the 30% ruling, a tax benefit in which they’re granted a tax-free 30% allowance of their gross wage for 5 years. However, in January 2024, the Dutch government implemented a cap on the quantity of wages eligible for the ruling.
Cons: Compared with another European countries, the Netherlands is costly: Rents for unfurnished flats hit an all-time excessive in November 2023, based on data from Statista. Outside primary hubs, smaller cities and cities together with Haarlem, Delft, Leiden and Maastricht are inexpensive.
In addition, earnings taxes are excessive, with a tax price of 49.5% on salaries exceeding €73,031 (roughly $81,135). That can come as fairly a shock following 5 years of having fun with the 30% rule — which leads many expats to begin contemplating their subsequent transfer after their eligibility ends.
Finally, the climate — grey, chilly and wet in winter and early spring (which makes biking quite a bit much less pleasurable) and consistently windy (there’s a cause for all these windmills) — may be tough for some individuals to deal with.
How to make the transfer: The Netherlands doesn’t supply a digital nomad visa, however you possibly can apply for a long-stay visa, also called an authorization for short-term keep (in Dutch, it’s MVV for quick). Self-employed people, in the meantime, can apply for a visa underneath the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (also called DAFT).
In the United States, you possibly can apply on the Netherlands embassy in Washington or on the consulates-general in Miami, New York or San Francisco.
Germany is the European Union’s greatest financial system, and its robust job market and sturdy welfare system — to not point out heritage-rich cities and cities — are interesting for auslanders, particularly Americans. According to the latest national figures, greater than 122,000 Americans name Germany dwelling. Berlin has an particularly massive worldwide neighborhood of English-speaking internationals, however different hubs comparable to Munich, Frankfurt and Stuttgart even have robust expat communities.
Pros: Germany is a good match for households, because of common well being care and social advantages comparable to a month-to-month kindergeld (“children money”) stipend, closely backed childcare and beneficiant parental go away.
In addition, in contrast with another European countries, Germany’s freelancer visa is pretty simple to acquire, Tucker tells NCS Travel. She additionally notes that “one benefit that US citizens have over some non-EU countries is that they can apply for a Freelance Visa in Germany, as US citizens do not need an entry visa.”
Cons: Germany doesn’t have a few of the similar conveniences to which many Americans are accustomed, comparable to 24-hour grocery shops or drive-through pharmacies. On Sundays, most shops are closed (with the final exception of eating places and bakeries). And the nation’s forms may be maddening, with many authorities processes counting on official paperwork that’s delivered via the mail.
In addition, Germany’s rising reputation amongst auslanders has contributed to a housing pinch in main cities, particularly Berlin, the place discovering lodging is likely one of the most nerve-racking elements of a transfer. And past main cities, English will not be extensively spoken.
How to make the transfer: Germany’s skilled worker visa permits sure people with a qualifying diploma or certificates a six-month window to look for employment in their space of qualification. Its self-employment visa can be pretty easy.
Costa Rica’s ample pure magnificence, heat local weather and inexpensive price of residing have for many years appealed to expats trying to immerse themselves in pura vida, which interprets to “pure life” and is each the nationwide slogan and life-style. The Central American nation has lengthy been a well-liked vacation spot for Americans.
Pros: Costa Rica’s glorious health-care system persistently ranks excessive. It’s additionally some of the sustainable countries in the world, and lots of locals lead outdoorsy existence, whether or not that’s browsing year-round or doing each day yoga postures on the seashore.
In addition, Costa Rica provides some tax incentives that enchantment to international nationals. “Costa Rica only taxes income earned in the country, which means that non-Costa Rican pensions, investments or employment income do not incur an additional Costa Rican tax burden,” David Lesperance, founder and principal of Lesperance & Associates, a tax and immigration advisement agency, tells NCS Travel.
Cons: Costa Rica’s laid-back life-style can also have an effect on how enterprise is finished. For some newcomers, adopting to that slower-paced tradition, which spans an idea referred to as “Tico Time,” referring to the tendency to point out up late, may be tough.
In addition, some creature comforts could also be missing in contrast with what Americans are used to. In older buildings, for instance, it’s not unusual to throw toilet paper in bins as a substitute of flushing it down the bathroom. And because of its geography and site alongside the notorious Ring of Fire, Costa Rica experiences earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic exercise — it’s dwelling to 6 lively volcanoes.
One necessary notice on the tax entrance: There is not any tax treaty between Costa Rica and the United States, so claims on US tax returns for international tax credit or international earned earnings are extra sophisticated for expats.
How to make the transfer: With the nation’s digital nomad visa, which was applied in 2022, distant employees can keep in Costa Rica for as much as a 12 months with an possibility to increase for one other 12 months.
Often described because the Miami of Central America, Panama City is a outstanding monetary and enterprise hub linking North America and South America. In current years, the nation of Panama has been drawing extra Americans past simply the retirement set.
Lesperance says he’s seen a notable bump in strikes amongst shoppers with excessive web worths with Hispanic heritage, in addition to employees in the monetary sector shifting there “en masse,” particularly as Miami has grow to be extra crowded and costly.
Pros: Year-round heat climate, a mixture of relaxed seashore cities and cosmopolitan hubs comparable to Panama City, and quick access to North America and South America make Panama a superb possibility for frequent vacationers. And one of many greatest benefits for Panama’s Golden Visa scheme is that it offers perpetual residency with out requiring traders to reside there. Maintaining everlasting resident standing requires a go to to Panama no less than each two years.
Cons: In 2023, Panama introduced the price of establishing residence would enhance from $300,000 to $500,000. However, following a drop in functions, the nation reversed that call in October 2024, Lesperance stated.
“The minimum investment is $300,000 which must be held for at least five years,” he explains. “Investors can qualify via real estate purchases, bank deposits or investing in funds” – even so, that’s a excessive barrier to entry for many individuals.
In addition, as with Costa Rica, Panama additionally doesn’t have a tax treaty with the United States. That makes claims on US tax returns for international tax credit or international earned earnings particularly sophisticated, Lesperance notes.
How to make the transfer: Panama provides a number of kinds of funding alternatives that supply everlasting residency and a path to Panamanian citizenship after 5 years.
The Panama Qualified Investment Immigration (or PQII) program, typically referred to as the Panama Golden Visa, is a residency-by-investment process. The minimal funding stays at $300,000, which should be held for no less than 5 years. Investors can qualify through actual property purchases, financial institution deposits or investing in funds.
Panama additionally has a retirement visa program. However, Lesperance notes that though the retirement route technically comes with Panamanian citizenship after 5 years, “in practice it is not straightforward. Therefore advantages of the PQII pathway versus the cost of a retirement visa are questionable.”
It’s arduous to think about a rustic that boasts a extra universally romantic notion of residing overseas, and thanks in half to the recognition of funding schemes such because the one euro properties that some small cities have launched, expats now have extra choices of fulfilling their goals of la dolce vita.
Pros: Access to a few of the world’s hottest vacationer cities, picturesque countryside and immersion in a tradition that values household, meals and wine — what’s to not love about Italian life? Italy’s health-care system can be good, and lots of expats give an enormous thumbs-up to the general friendliness of Italians.
Cons: Prospects for employment in Italy aren’t as ample as in different European countries. Beyond main cities, English usually isn’t extensively spoken, and also you’ll doubtless want to rent an lawyer to assist navigate authorized processes comparable to buying a house. And be ready for Italy’s infamously glacial authorities forms.
How to make the transfer: Americans planning to remain greater than three months should get an entrance visa at an Italian consulate earlier than arriving in the nation. Italy’s visa choices embody an extended or short-term self-employment visa, or lavorno autonomo, and a start-up visa.
In addition, some Americans decide to attempt to get hold of Italian citizenship through jus sanguinis — or “right to blood” — through descent or ancestry, although the method may be advanced and prolonged and require the help of a lawyer.
While the fact of residing in France is drastically completely different from what’s portrayed in the extremely styled scenes of “Emily in Paris,” there’s nonetheless a lot to say oui! to: common well being care, extremely valued work-life stability (bear in mind all these protests in response to the French authorities elevating the retirement age?) and a few of the world’s most coveted meals and vogue scenes.
The nation additionally scores effectively on InterNations’ indexes for high quality of life.
Pros: Residents can make the most of quite a few social advantages, together with common well being care, financial stability and quite a few public holidays — to not point out a 35-hour work week. In addition to the superb high quality of life, from a tax standpoint “because they have some good treaties with the US,” Tucker says. “For example, they are one of the few countries where Roth IRAs are considered qualified retirement accounts and their tax-free nature is preserved. So even though the tax rates are higher, if you can do some pre-immigration planning, it can still be an attractive country for US expats.”
Cons: As Tucker notes, earnings and social taxes in France are excessive: as much as 45% (and high-income people additionally could have to pay a surcharge of three% on a part of their earnings).
Outside of main cities comparable to Paris, Lyon and Strasbourg, the language barrier may be problematic should you don’t have a strong grasp of French.
How to make the transfer: Anyone trying to keep in France for greater than three months might want to apply for a long-term visa. France doesn’t supply a visa for digital nomads; as a substitute, you’ll want a long-stay visa should you plan to work or examine. There are a number of classes underneath France’s Carte de Séjour Residence Permit, every with varied circumstances and restrictions.
Plenty of international nationals are singing Singapore’s praises: In 2022, this refined city-state ranked third on InterNations’ Expat Essentials Index. It’s considered as one of many prime countries in which to stay and work, because of a thriving job market, glorious schooling and well being care, and one of many world’s best transportation methods.
Pros: Singapore is a prime monetary and funding hub in Asia, with glorious job prospects and financial stability. Foodies, in the meantime, will love its dazzling eating scene, from energetic night time markets to Michelin-starred eating places. And journey lovers can make the most of quick access to one of many world’s most awarded aviation hubs, Changi Airport.
Cons: Singapore could be very costly, and a few individuals could have hassle adjusting to its humid, tropical local weather. It’s additionally a good distance away from the United States, which may be difficult for visits to see family members.
How to make the transfer: Singapore doesn’t supply a digital nomad visa, however those that have work lined up can apply for an Employment Pass. Entrepreneurs in beginning a enterprise in Singapore can apply for an EntrePass, which has no minimal wage requirement.
Portugal’s reputation amongst expats has exploded for the reason that nation launched its Golden Visa program in 2012. It has grow to be probably the most profitable of its variety, inspiring different countries to launch their very own plans to draw international funding.
However, in the spring of 2023, Portugal made significant changes to this system, successfully ending the actual property funding side. It additionally modified its non-habitual resident regime, says Alex Ingrim, president and co-founder of Liberty Atlantic Advisors, which specializes in wealth administration and tax methods for US expats.
“Portugal’s a little bit harder of a place to immigrate to 1756159793 if you want the flexibility of a Golden Visa,” Ingrim tells NCS Travel. “It’s not as attractive from a tax jurisdiction standpoint. And we’ve seen a lot of people kind of lose interest in Portugal frankly, and start planning for other jurisdictions in Europe.”
Pros: Portugal is hard to beat for its affordability, high quality of life, year-round gentle climate and high-quality health-care system. The price of residing is usually extra inexpensive than most countries in Europe (although that’s altering as of late, particularly in standard cities comparable to Lisbon and Porto) and based on Numbeo, the world’s largest crowd-sourced high quality of life database, it’s 35.5% decrease than in the United States. In addition, Portugal is the seventh-safest country in the world.
Cons: As is the case in Mexico and different countries with massive expat communities, there’s rising backlash towards the inflow of foreigners, particularly Americans, and particularly in Lisbon. Critics say the ensuing spike in rents and real estate prices has pressured out longtime residents and altered the material of sure neighborhoods.
How to make the transfer: The Golden Visa program remains to be in place, though the nation has now eradicated the actual property funding possibility. As Ingrim notes, Americans nonetheless in pursuing residency through that route “need to be really cognizant of how it affects their financial planning, how it affects their US tax obligations and whether it’s still the best option for them moving forward.”