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? | Avg rent/mo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇵🇹 Portugal | Some paperwork | 5 yr | 5 yr | ✅ Yes | $1,330 |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Smooth sailing | 3 yr | 4 yr | ✅ Yes | $1,631 |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Some paperwork | 5 yr | 10 yr | ✅ Yes | $1,355 |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Some paperwork | 5 yr | 6 yr | ✅ Yes | $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.
Honorable mention
Costa Rica — Americans love it, visa is easy (Rentista or Pensionado), the weather's perfect, and it's in the same time zones. We don't have city-level data for it yet. When we do, it'll probably crack the top five. (No Costa Rica cities in our database — we're honest about gaps.)
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
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 ~$126,500 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.