If you are thinking about how to move to Europe from America, you are in large company. The number of Americans choosing to move to Europe from America has reached record highs, and 2026 is shaping up to be another banner year. Lower cost of living, universal healthcare, real work-life balance, walkable cities, safer streets, and a path to an EU passport — the reasons Americans move to Europe from America keep stacking up.
But the practical side is where most people get stuck. You cannot just book a flight and stay. If you want to move to Europe from America legally, you need a visa, a plan, and a country. This guide breaks down exactly how to move to Europe from America in 2026: the best countries, the best visa routes, what it costs, and how to choose.
Why Americans Move to Europe from America
Before choosing a country, it helps to understand why so many Americans now move to Europe from America. The drivers are remarkably consistent across retirees, remote workers, founders, and families.
Cost of living
Most European capitals are 30–50% cheaper than comparable US cities once you factor in housing, healthcare, childcare, and education.
Healthcare
Every major European country has a universal healthcare system. Americans moving from $1,500/month insurance premiums to €100–€200/month private top-ups consistently describe it as life-changing.
Safety
Europe dominates the Global Peace Index. Violent crime and gun incidents are a fraction of US levels.
Walkable cities and public transport
No more car payments, insurance, gas, and repairs. A monthly metro pass in Lisbon, Madrid, or Berlin costs €40–€90.
Work-life balance
25–30 paid vacation days is standard. Working weekends is rare. Sunday is still Sunday.
A path to an EU passport
After 5–10 years (depending on country), Americans who move to Europe from America can apply for citizenship, unlocking freedom to live, work, and retire in all 27 EU member states.
For most Americans, the combination of all of these is what tips the decision. You do not move to Europe from America for one reason. You move for the entire package
The Reality Check: What It Takes to Move to Europe from America
Americans get 90 days in the Schengen Area as tourists. After that, you need a residency visa. Every European country has its own rules, but the visas that matter most for Americans fall into four broad categories:
Digital nomad and remote work visas
for Americans with US employers or foreign clients.
Passive income and retirement visas
for retirees, pensioners, and investors living off investment income
Entrepreneur and business visas
for founders, freelancers, and business buyers
Golden Visas and residency by investment
for high-net-worth Americans who want flexibility
No matter which route you use to move to Europe from America, you will need the same core documents:
The Best European Countries to Move to From America
Here are the top destinations Americans actually choose when they move to Europe from America, and the visa routes that make each one realistic.
Portugal — Still the Top Choice
Portugal remains the number one destination for Americans who move to Europe from America. English is widely spoken, the cost of living is 40–50% below US levels, and Portugal has three of the most accessible visas in Europe.
Path to Portuguese citizenship: 5 years. Portugal allows dual citizenship, so you keep your US passport.
Spain — The Fastest Growing Alternative
Spain has overtaken Portugal in some US expat rankings in 2025–2026, partly because of Portugal's processing backlogs.
Path to Spanish citizenship: 10 years. Spain does not allow dual citizenship with the US, so most Americans stop at permanent residency.
Italy — The Lifestyle Pick
Italy attracts Americans who move to Europe from America for food, family heritage, and Mediterranean living.
Greece — The Budget Mediterranean Option
Greece has become one of the most affordable ways to move to Europe from America.
Netherlands — The DAFT Advantage
Americans have a unique perk in the Netherlands: the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT). Any American can start a business in the Netherlands with just €4,500 deposited in a Dutch business account, a fraction of standard EU entrepreneur thresholds. This is one of the cheapest legal ways for American founders to move to Europe from America.
Germany, France, and Ireland
Malta and Cyprus — English-Speaking EU
Malta and Cyprus both have residency-by-investment programmes and are English-speaking. Popular with Americans who want EU residency without a language barrier.
Comparison Table: Visa Routes to Move to Europe from America
| Country | Best Visa for Americans | Income or Investment | Path to Citizenship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Portugal | D7 / D8 / Golden Visa | €920/mo passive OR €250k+ invest | 5 years |
| Spain | Digital Nomad / NLV | €2,763/mo OR €2,400/mo passive | 10 years |
| Italy | Elective Residence / Digital Nomad | €31k/yr passive OR €28k/yr | 10 years |
| Greece | FIP / Golden Visa | €2,000/mo OR €250k+ invest | 7 years |
| Netherlands | DAFT Treaty | €4,500 business deposit | 5 years |
| Germany | Freelancer Visa | Business plan + client proof | 6–8 years |
| Ireland | Stamp 0 (retirement) | €50k/yr | 5 years |
The Taxes Trap: What Every American Must Know
This is the single most overlooked piece of any plan to move to Europe from America. US citizens owe US taxes on worldwide income for life, no matter where they live. When you move to Europe from America, you end up filing two returns.
A US return with the IRS
worldwide income, FBAR for foreign accounts over $10,000, FATCA disclosures.
A local European return
once you become tax resident, usually after 183 days in-country.
The good news: the US has tax treaties with most European countries to prevent double taxation. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (~$126,500 in 2026) and Foreign Tax Credit usually eliminate US tax on income already taxed in Europe. But compliance is not optional, it is the cost of holding a US passport abroad.
Healthcare: The Silent Reason Americans Move to Europe from America
Every country on this list has universal healthcare. The quality is generally excellent, especially for serious and emergency care. Most American expats carry a private top-up policy (€100–€200/month for a family) to skip specialist wait times. Compared to $1,500–$2,500/month US family plans, the savings are dramatic.
The comparison that changes minds
US family health plan: $1,500–$2,500/month with deductibles and co-pays. European private top-up: €100–€200/month with full SNS/public system access underneath it. The savings are dramatic — often $15,000–$25,000 per year for a family.
Cost Comparison: Move to Europe from America
| City | Family of 4 / month | Comparable US city | US Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | €3,500–€4,500 | Austin | $4,500 |
| Porto | €2,800–€3,600 | Denver | $5,000 |
| Madrid | €3,200–€4,200 | Seattle | $6,500 |
| Athens | €2,500–€3,500 | Phoenix | $4,500 |
| Berlin | €3,800–€4,800 | San Francisco | $7,000+ |
For most Americans who move to Europe from America, the monthly family budget drops 30–50% even after accounting for international school fees and private health insurance.
How to Choose Your Destination
When deciding where to move to Europe from America, ask three questions.
Do you need English day-to-day?
→ Portugal, Ireland, Netherlands, and Malta are all strong choices
Do you want the lowest cost of living?
→ Portugal, Spain, and Greece offer the best value
Do you need flexibility, keeping US tax residency and travelling freely?
→ Portugal or Greece Golden Visa gives you the most options
Your visa type then follows your income profile:
Passive income
D7, NLV, Elective Residence, FIP
Remote salary
D8, Spain Digital Nomad, Italy Digital Nomad
Starting a business
D2, DAFT, Germany Freelancer
Investing
Portugal or Greece Golden Visa
Timeline: How Long It Takes to Move to Europe from America
choose country and visa, gather documents (FBI check, apostilles, translations).
submit visa application at the relevant consulate.
receive entry visa, fly to Europe, register locally
residence permit issued, healthcare registration, tax number, school enrolment
permanent residency and citizenship eligibility, depending on country
Frequently Asked Questions: Move to Europe from America
Can Americans move to Europe from America permanently?
Yes. Americans can move to Europe from America permanently through a range of long-stay residency visas. You cannot simply stay on a tourist visa beyond 90 days in the Schengen Area, but every major European country has at least one visa route that leads to permanent residency and eventually citizenship. Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, and the Netherlands are the most popular destinations for Americans looking to move to Europe from America on a permanent basis.
What is the easiest country to move to in Europe from America?
Portugal is consistently ranked the easiest country to move to in Europe from America. The D7 Passive Income Visa requires just €920/month in passive income, US Social Security qualifies, English is widely spoken, and the path to citizenship is only 5 years. The Netherlands is a close second for American entrepreneurs thanks to the Dutch American Friendship Treaty (DAFT), which allows Americans to start a business with just €4,500. When Americans compare options to move to Europe from America, Portugal wins on accessibility, affordability, and citizenship speed.
How much money do I need to move to Europe from America?
The amount depends on your destination and visa type. To move to Europe from America on Portugal's D7 Visa, you need roughly €920/month in passive income plus €11,040 in savings. Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa requires approximately €2,400/month. For Italy's Elective Residence Visa, the threshold is around €31,000/year. On top of visa income requirements, budget €5,000–€15,000 for first-year setup costs: document preparation, translations, health insurance, and lease deposits. Americans who move to Europe from America on a remote salary often find their total monthly expenses drop significantly compared to major US cities.
Do I still pay US taxes if I move to Europe from America?
Yes. Americans owe US taxes on worldwide income for life, regardless of where they live. When you move to Europe from America, you must continue filing US tax returns with the IRS. However, the US has tax treaties with most European countries, and tools like the Foreign Tax Credit and Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (~$126,500 in 2026) mean most Americans who move to Europe from America owe little or nothing to the IRS on income already taxed in Europe. Budget €1,000–€3,000/year for a cross-border tax advisor.
Can I keep my US citizenship if I move to Europe from America?
Yes, in most cases. Moving to Europe from America does not affect your US citizenship. And many European countries, including Portugal, Germany, and Ireland, allow dual citizenship, meaning you can hold both your US passport and a European one. Spain is a notable exception — it does not generally permit dual nationality with the US, so most American expats in Spain stop at permanent residency rather than naturalising. For Americans who want to move to Europe from America and eventually hold an EU passport without giving up their US one, Portugal is the standout choice.
How long does it take to get citizenship after you move to Europe from America?
It depends on the country. Portugal is the fastest at 5 years of legal residency. Greece and the Netherlands also offer citizenship after 5 years. Ireland requires 5 years of residency but with specific conditions. Germany takes 6–8 years. Spain and Italy both require 10 years. Americans who move to Europe from America and are targeting an EU passport as quickly as possible should prioritise Portugal.
Is it safe to move to Europe from America?
Europe is significantly safer than the US by most metrics. The Global Peace Index consistently ranks European nations far above the United States. Violent crime, gun incidents, and public safety incidents are dramatically lower across Portugal, Spain, Italy, Greece, Germany, France, and Ireland. For Americans with families who want to move to Europe from America, safety is frequently cited as one of the most compelling reasons to make the move.
For Americans planning to move to Portugal from USA, Portugal continues to offer one of Europe’s most accessible relocation pathways. Whether you are exploring the retirement visa Portugal route or applying for the digital nomad visa Portugal, the combination of affordability, healthcare, safety, and EU residency makes Portugal exceptionally attractive.
Final Word: The Right Way to Move to Europe from America
The decision to move to Europe from America is big, but the mechanics are solvable. Pick the country that matches your lifestyle. Pick the visa that matches your income. Line up a cross-border tax advisor. Budget properly for the first year. Do those four things and moving to Europe from America becomes a project, not a gamble.
If you want a straight answer on which country, which visa, and what it will actually cost for your specific situation, VisaRapid can map it out in 30 minutes.
Get in Touch with the VisaRapid Team
Which country, which visa, and what will it actually cost — VisaRapid can map it out in 30 minutes.
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