Moving to Europe from the USA

As a US citizen, you can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in most of Europe as a tourist. To stay longer, you need a long-stay visa, and those rules are set by each country rather than by the EU. That one fact shapes most of the decision in front of you: which country you choose, what income or savings you’ll have to prove, and how long the paperwork takes.

The other thing that sets an American move apart is tax. The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income wherever they live, so you keep filing US returns after you leave. It’s manageable, but it needs planning from the start.

None of this is out of reach, but it rewards starting early. Visa research is usually the longest part of the process, so once you’ve shortlisted a country or two, that’s the first thing to work on.

Why Americans Are Moving to Europe

The reasons Americans give for moving to Europe tend to cluster around a few practical differences in daily life rather than scenery.

Work-life balance

EU law requires a minimum of 20 paid vacation days a year, and many countries set the floor higher, at 25 to 30. The US has no federal minimum, and the typical full-time worker gets around 10. Paid parental leave is also standard across most of Europe and often government-funded, where US federal law guarantees none.

Healthcare and education costs

Most European countries run universal healthcare tied to residency rather than employment, so changing or losing a job doesn’t mean losing coverage. University tuition is also far lower than in the US, and in some countries it’s free or close to it for residents.

Safety and politics

Many Americans point to lower violent crime rates and stronger social support systems, and for some the move is partly a response to political division at home. How much weight any of this carries is personal, but these are the themes that come up most often.

Visas and Residency for Americans

Understanding the legal requirements is usually the hardest part of the move. As covered above, a US passport gets you 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area as a tourist, but no right to stay beyond that. To live in Europe long term, you need a long-stay national visa from the specific country you’re moving to.

There’s no EU-wide long-stay visa. Each country sets its own categories, income thresholds, and application steps, so the right route depends on your circumstances and where you want to live. This is the part worth starting earliest.

Common long-stay visa types

Most countries offer some version of these, though the names and exact rules differ:

• Work visas. Usually require a confirmed job offer from an employer willing to sponsor you.
• Digital nomad visas. For remote workers who earn from outside the country. Portugal, Spain, and Croatia all run versions. If you work remotely and are looking at Portugal specifically, our guide to the Portugal Digital Nomad Visa (D8) covers the income requirements and application process.
• Passive income and retirement visas. For people who can support themselves without local work, using pensions, savings, or investment income. Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa is a well-known example.
• Student visas. For those accepted onto a recognized long-term course at a European institution.

Ancestry and family routes

If you have European ancestry, citizenship by descent can be the most direct route in. Ireland, Poland, and Lithuania all have descent-based programs for people who can document a qualifying ancestral link. Italy has one too, but a 2025 law now limits it to people with a parent or grandparent born in Italy, where previously there was no generational limit. Marriage to or a registered partnership with an EU citizen also opens a residency path. The paperwork is heavy in these cases, but the payoff can be permanent.

From residency to citizenship

Residency comes first. The usual pattern is a temporary residence permit held for several years, then permanent residency, then eligibility for citizenship after a country’s required residency period, often somewhere between five and ten years. In most cases you won’t have to give up your US passport, since the US and most European countries allow dual citizenship. Check the rules for your specific country, as a few restrict it.

Financial Planning for US Expats

Money is the area most people underestimate. Three things matter most: budgeting the move itself, staying on top of US taxes, and setting up banking that works across two currencies.

Budgeting for the move and your first year

Plan for the one-time costs of moving, not just the flight, and build a cushion on top. A buffer of three to six months of living expenses gives you room if income or paperwork is delayed. Budget for:

• Visa and legal fees, including application costs, legal advice, and document translation.
• Flights and shipping for one-way travel and your belongings.
• Initial housing, typically first month’s rent plus a deposit, which in many countries runs two to three months’ rent.
• Setup costs like furniture, utilities, and other first-home expenses.

US taxes: the obligation that follows you

US citizens file US tax returns on worldwide income no matter where they live. You can usually avoid being taxed twice through tools like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion, but you also pick up reporting requirements for foreign accounts, including FBAR and FATCA. This area is genuinely complicated and the rules don’t bend for individual situations, so working with a tax professional who specializes in US expats is worth the cost.

Banking and moving money

Opening a European bank account is often difficult until you have a residence permit and a local address. In the meantime, services like Wise and Revolut let you hold multiple currencies and move money at rates that beat most traditional banks, useful both before and after you arrive.

Logistics: Shipping, Housing, and Insurance

Once your visa is approved, the practical work begins: deciding what to bring, getting it there, and lining up somewhere to live and health coverage for arrival.

Downsizing and shipping

Start by deciding what’s worth bringing. Europe runs on 230V power against the US 120V, so most large appliances won’t work without a transformer and usually aren’t worth shipping. Sell the bulky items and ship only what has real sentimental or financial value. You have two main options:

• Sea freight is cheaper and suits larger loads, but typically takes four to eight weeks.
• Air freight is much faster, often five to ten days, but costs significantly more. Best for the things you need right away.

Get at least three quotes before booking a mover so you can compare price and service.

Finding your first home

Rent before you buy. Renting first lets you learn a neighborhood before committing, and it’s far easier to arrange from abroad. A short furnished rental for your first month gives you a base for viewing places in person. Watch for rental scams: never send money for a property you haven’t seen, and always insist on a written contract.

Health insurance and healthcare

Most visas and initial residence permits require a private expat health insurance policy, and it’s important not to confuse this with travel insurance. Travel insurance covers short trips and emergencies and won’t satisfy residency requirements. Expat health insurance provides the ongoing medical coverage a visa needs. Once you’re a registered resident, you can usually join the public healthcare system in your new country.

Where to start

The hardest part of moving to Europe is that almost nothing is decided at the EU level. The right visa, the income you need to prove, the tax picture, and the cost of living all depend on the specific country you choose. So the most useful next step is to narrow it down to one or two destinations and look closely at their actual requirements, starting with the visa, since that takes the longest to sort out.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the easiest and cheapest country in Europe for an American to move to?

“Easiest” depends on your situation, but Portugal comes up most often. Its D7 visa is popular with retirees and remote workers because it requires proof of passive income rather than a local job offer. Spain and Greece also have accessible residency routes and a lower cost of living than much of Northern Europe.

Can I move to Europe without a job?

Yes. Several countries have visas for people who can support themselves without local work, such as Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa and Portugal’s D7. You’ll need to show enough savings or passive income, like a pension or investments, to cover your living costs.

How much money do I need to save before moving to Europe?

It varies a lot by country and lifestyle, but a common target is six to twelve months of living expenses, plus one-time costs like flights, visa fees, and shipping, which can run into several thousand dollars. More important than a round number is meeting the income or savings threshold your chosen visa requires, since that’s a hard requirement rather than a guideline.

Do I have to give up my US citizenship if I become a citizen of a European country?

No. The US allows dual citizenship, and so do most European countries, including Ireland, Italy, France, and Portugal. A few impose conditions or restrictions, so check the rules of the specific country before you apply.

Can I still receive Social Security benefits if I live in Europe?

Yes, in nearly all cases. The Social Security Administration can send payments to almost every European country, often by direct deposit to a local bank. Confirm the details for your destination and benefit type directly with the SSA before you move.

How do I move to Europe with my pets?

Your pet will need an ISO-compliant microchip, a current rabies vaccination given after the microchip is implanted, and an EU health certificate from a USDA-accredited vet, issued within 10 days of travel. Start months ahead, since the timing of the vaccination and certificate is strict, and consider a pet relocation service to keep the paperwork on track.

Is it difficult to make friends and integrate?

It takes effort, and learning some of the local language helps more than anything. Joining clubs, going to community events, and connecting with both locals and other expats are the practical ways people build a circle. How quickly it happens varies by person and place.