Leaving America
You're not rage-tweeting about moving to Canada. You're actually looking at residency requirements and tax implications. That's either terrifying or the most adult thing you've ever done.
This page is for Americans who've moved past "I should leave" and into "where, exactly, and what does it cost?" We're not selling you anything. We're not going to tell you which country has the best sunsets. We're going to tell you which ones will let you in, what it'll cost, and whether your partner can legally work when you get there.
The decision frame for leaving the US is different from most relocations. You're not escaping a war zone or chasing a specific job. You're probably weighing some combination of: political trajectory, healthcare costs that don't require a GoFundMe, gun safety, abortion access, the currency math on your 401(k) abroad, and whether you can stomach FATCA filing for the rest of your life. All valid. None simple.
Below: the destinations that make the most sense for Americans, ranked by our data. Every number comes from real sources. Nothing invented, nothing sponsored.
The math doesn't lie
Side-by-side numbers for the countries Americans actually move to
| Country | US visa difficulty | Path to PR | Citizenship | Partner can work? | Rainbow | Abortion | Avg rent/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Some paperwork | 5 yr | 5 yr | ✅ Yes | 67 | ✅ On request | $1,358 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Smooth sailing | 3 yr | 3 yr | ✅ Yes | 78 | ✅ On request | $1,631 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Some paperwork | 5 yr | 10 yr | ✅ Yes | 76 | ✅ On request | $1,355 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Some paperwork | 5 yr | 6 yr | ✅ Yes | 52 | ⚠️ Broad social | $2,108 |
| 🇲🇽 Mexico | Some paperwork | 4 yr | 5 yr | ⚠️ Separate permit | — | — | $1,006 |
Rents are city-centre 1BR averages across all tracked cities in each country. Visa difficulty rated for US passport holders specifically.
Where Americans actually go
One paragraph each. Click through for the full breakdown.
The default American expat destination for a reason. D7 visa if you have passive income, Digital Nomad Visa if you work remotely. Lisbon's gotten expensive but Porto is still reasonable. Five years to citizenship, the food is incredible, and the bureaucracy is slow but not hostile. Main downside: everyone else had the same idea, so housing competition is real.
The obvious choice — same continent, similar culture, and Express Entry is rated 'easy' for US passport holders. Toronto and Vancouver are expensive but Montreal is a bargain if you speak French. Three years to PR, four to citizenship. The catch: Canadian winters are a lifestyle commitment, and housing prices in the big cities will feel depressingly familiar.
Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is newer and less battle-tested than Portugal's, but the income threshold is lower ( €2,334/mo vs €3,680). Madrid and Barcelona are world-class cities with world-class price tags. Valencia is the value play. Ten years to citizenship is a long wait — unless you're Latin American, then it's two.
London is London — you know what you're getting. The problem is the Skilled Worker Visa requires employer sponsorship, which limits your options. No freelancer path, no digital nomad visa. If you can get sponsored, the UK is a strong pick: English-speaking, excellent healthcare (NHS), and six years to citizenship. Edinburgh and Manchester are cheaper alternatives.
The closest option geographically and culturally familiar enough that the shock is manageable. Mexico City is a legitimate global city with $700/mo rent for a nice apartment. Temporary Resident Visa is straightforward at ~$2,600/mo income. Downsides: partner needs a separate work permit, and the safety situation varies dramatically by neighborhood.
Also worth a look
Costa Rica — Americans love it, visa is easy (Rentista at $2,500/mo or Pensionado at $1,000/mo pension), the weather's perfect, and it's in the same time zones. San José, Atenas, and Tamarindo are all in our database now. Panama — The Pensionado Visa is the most famous retiree visa in the world ($1,000/mo pension, immediate PR, legally mandated senior discounts). Panama City and Boquete are popular with American retirees. See the full Retire Abroad guide →
We considered and rejected
Dubai — Zero income tax sounds great until you realize there's no path to citizenship, ever. You're renting your right to exist, and the government can revoke your visa without explanation. For settlers, not nomads, that's a deal-breaker.
The FATCA elephant in the room
The US is one of two countries on Earth (the other is Eritrea) that taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Moving abroad doesn't stop the IRS from caring about your money.
What you'll file every year
- US federal tax return (Form 1040)
- FBAR if foreign accounts exceed $10,000
- FATCA Form 8938 if assets exceed $200,000
- Host country tax return
What might save you
- FEIE: exclude ~$126,500 of earned income
- Foreign Tax Credit: avoid double taxation
- Tax treaties: varies by country
- A good US-expat CPA: not optional
Moving with US dollars
You have a 780 FICO, a mortgage pre-approval letter, and a brokerage account. Abroad, you're a financial ghost with a funny accent. Here's how to not lose 3% of your life savings to wire fees.
💳 Your credit score dies at the border
FICO doesn't leave the country. Experian, TransUnion, Equifax — all domestic. You land in Lisbon with a 800 and the local bank treats you like a 19-year-old opening their first checking account.
The one exception: Amex Global Card Relationship
American Express lets existing US cardholders apply for a card in their new country using their US relationship history. Not a FICO transfer — just Amex vouching for you internally. Requires 3+ months as primary cardholder on a card issued directly by Amex (not bank co-brands).
Starting fresh: Secured cards, utility bills, saving with one bank for 6–12 months. Budget a year before you look "normal" to a European lender.
🏠 Mortgages: bring a bigger deposit than you think
Non-residents get worse terms everywhere. Banks don't know you, can't verify your income easily, and charge accordingly. The good news: it's possible. The bad news: 20% down won't cut it.
| Country | Deposit | Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | 30–40% | 3.0–4.5% | Millennium BCP, Novo Banco. Up to 30yr term. |
| Spain | 30–44% | 2.8–3.5% | NIE required. Budget +10–13% for purchase taxes. |
| France | 20–50% | 3.5–4.3% | Most foreigner-friendly lenders in EU. |
| UK | 25–40% | 4.0–5.5% | +5% stamp duty surcharge. FATCA limits lender options. |
| Mexico | 30–50% | 10–14% | Coastal = fideicomiso trust ($350–650/yr). Rates reflect MXN base. |
All rates for non-residents as of early 2026. You'll need 2 years of US tax returns and bank statements for any of these.
💱 Moving $200k without losing $6,000 to fees
Your US bank will happily wire your money abroad. They'll also happily skim 1–3% off the exchange rate and hope you don't notice. On $200k, that's $2,000–$6,000. Here's the actual cost of each option:
Wise (best for most)
- Mid-market rate, no markup
- ~0.35–0.50% fee on $100k
- Volume discounts above $25k/mo
- ≈$350–500 total on $100k
OFX (large sums)
- $0 fee above $10k transfers
- 0.4–1.0% FX margin
- Dedicated dealer for big moves
- ≈$400–1,000 on $100k
Revolut Metal (if subscribed)
- Unlimited fee-free exchange
- $16.99/mo subscription
- 1% weekend surcharge — convert weekdays
- ≈$17–170 on $100k (weekday)
Bank wire (avoid)
- $35–50 send fee per transfer
- 0.5–3.0% hidden FX markup
- Intermediary bank fees $10–30
- ≈$500–3,000+ on $100k
Strategy: don't move it all at once
Convert enough for immediate needs (deposit, first 3 months) upfront. Move the rest in 2–4 tranches over subsequent months. This isn't timing the market — it's not betting your entire savings on one day's exchange rate. Set a rate alert on Wise and execute when it hits your target.
IRS reporting (it's about disclosure, not taxation)
Moving your own money abroad is not taxable. But: foreign accounts over $10,000 aggregate trigger FBAR (FinCEN 114, due April 15). Foreign assets over $200,000 (for expats) trigger FATCA Form 8938. Penalties for non-filing: up to $16,536 per violation. The transfer isn't taxed — but the account you put it in must be reported.
🏦 Banks that won't reject your US passport
FATCA makes US citizens radioactive to most European banks. The compliance cost of reporting to the IRS isn't worth one customer's checking account. These are the ones that will still take you:
No local address needed. EUR IBAN, GBP sort code, 40+ currencies. Not a full bank (no lending). Open from anywhere with US passport + SSN.
Revolut US and Revolut EU are separate entities. US version requires US address. EU version requires EU address. You may need both.
Withdrew from US in 2022. EU accounts require European address + residence permit valid 1+ year for non-EU passport holders. FATCA compliant.
Requires EU passport or EU residence permit. Filed for US banking license (Jan 2026) — not approved yet. Watch this space.
Keep your US account. No foreign transaction fees, global ATM rebates. Use abroad with zero hassle while you build local banking.
Texas owes you nothing. NY may still own you for years.
The IRS is one thing. But New York and California have their own residency audit teams, and they're considerably less polite about letting you leave. If you're fleeing a high-tax state, the federal exit is the easy part.
New York — the 184-day trap
- 184-day rule: spend 184+ days in NY with a "permanent place of abode" maintained 10+ months = statutory resident = worldwide income taxed
- Any part of a day counts as a full day
- Domicile test examines: home, family, banks, doctors, voter registration, club memberships
- High earners ($1M+) leaving NY get flagged automatically
California — the 19-factor ghost
- No simple day-count rule. FTB uses a 19-factor "closest connections" test
- 546-day safe harbor requires employment contract abroad — doesn't apply to voluntary moves
- FTB can subpoena: cell phone location, credit cards, FasTrak, Amazon deliveries, social media
- 4-year statute of limitations (6 if underreporting by 25%+)
Clean severance checklist
Sell or terminate your lease. Change driver's license. Re-register to vote (or deregister). Move bank accounts. File a part-year resident return. Change doctors. Update mailing address with IRS and all financial institutions. Keep a dated diary of departure preparations — auditors love documentation, and they audit high-income departures routinely.
Good news for Californians: CA has no state estate tax. NY charges on estates over ~$6.94M and can still tax NY real property even after you've left. Sell before you go if that's a concern.
Head-to-head
The comparisons Americans actually search for
Not sure where to start?
16 questions. 2 minutes. We'll rank every city in our database for your specific priorities — including the ones on this page.
Take the quiz →❓ Americans Moving Abroad — Common Questions
What is the easiest country for Americans to move to?▾
Canada has the lowest visa barrier for US citizens — Express Entry ranks it as 'easy' difficulty. Mexico's Temporary Resident Visa is also straightforward with a ~$2,600/mo income requirement. Portugal and Spain's Digital Nomad Visas are 'moderate' — more paperwork, but still very doable for anyone with remote income.
Do I still have to pay US taxes if I move abroad?▾
Yes. The US taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where you live. You'll file a US return every year plus FATCA reporting for foreign bank accounts over $10,000. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) can exempt up to $130,000 (2025) of earned income, and foreign tax credits prevent double taxation — but you'll want a US-expat tax advisor. This isn't optional.
What happens to my healthcare if I leave the US?▾
You lose ACA marketplace coverage and Medicare eligibility pauses while abroad. Most destination countries have public healthcare systems you can access after establishing residency — Portugal's SNS, Spain's SAS, Canada's provincial plans, and the UK's NHS. Private health insurance for expats runs $100–$400/month depending on age and country. Budget for it.
Can my partner work if we move abroad together?▾
Depends on the country. Portugal, Spain, Canada, and the UK grant full work rights to spouses on family reunification visas. Mexico requires a separate work permit for dependents. Check each country's dependent work rights section above.
How long until I can become a citizen of another country?▾
Portugal: 5 years. Mexico: 5 years. Spain: 10 years (2 for Latin Americans). Canada: 4 years after PR. UK: 6 years. Most require language proficiency and a civics test. The US allows dual citizenship, so you don't have to renounce — though some people want to, for tax reasons.
Can I get a mortgage in Lisbon as a US citizen?▾
Yes, but bring a bigger deposit. Portuguese banks (Millennium BCP, Novo Banco, Bankinter) lend to non-residents at 60–70% LTV — meaning you need 30–40% down. Rates run 3.0–4.5% for foreigners. You'll need 2 years of US tax returns, bank statements, and a Portuguese NIF (tax number). No local credit history required — the deposit compensates for that. Budget 2–3 months for the process.
How do I move $200k savings abroad without losing 3% to FX fees?▾
Don't use your bank's wire transfer — they hide 1–3% in the exchange rate markup. Use Wise (0.35–0.50% fee, mid-market rate) or OFX ($0 fee above $10k, 0.4–1.0% margin). On $200k that's $700–$1,000 via Wise vs. potentially $6,000 via your bank. Don't convert all at once — split into 2–4 tranches over a few months to reduce timing risk. Moving your own money isn't taxable, but the foreign account triggers FBAR reporting if it exceeds $10,000.