How to Move Out of the United States

Why Do American Citizens Leave the United States and Move Abroad?

Moving abroad is not an easy decision. It requires time, patience, dedication, and effort. Yet, countless American citizens still choose to leave the United States. Why? Let us look at the more common reasons.

They Are Seeking a More Balanced Quality of Life

Look – 80-hour work weeks are not the standard, no matter how much anyone tries to convince you. The truth is that the United States work and corporate culture takes so much of your time that you get home, eat something, and then immediately go to sleep, since you are exhausted. This leaves you barely any time to spend with your children, and when you wake up the next day, it is the same cycle, over and over again. Not to mention, the limited amount of vacation time anyone working in the U.S. gets, the precious few sick days, which sometimes do not even get approved, and the minimal PTO.

Meanwhile, in other countries, especially in Europe, where the norm is 40-hour work weeks, some companies are already trying out the 4-day work week and seeing no dips in productivity. On the other hand, anywhere between 20 to 30 days of paid vacation time also tends to be the norm. In Southern European countries especially, like Portugal, Greece, Spain, and Italy, there is a very family-oriented culture, where the priority is spending time with family and friends.

Would you not prefer to wake up to the gentle sound of the waves crashing on the shore, the chirping of the birds in the morning? Or spend a late, lazy afternoon lounging by the beach, to meet and spend time with your friends and family, enjoying the finest wine and freshest, nutritious meals? That is the reality of so many countries outside the United States!

They Want Affordable Healthcare

The United States leads the world in terms of healthcare infrastructure – it has some of the world’s best doctors, hospitals, clinics, and emergency rooms. Yet the way the system is organized is considered by many as “broken.”  

Between insurance plans, making claims, co-pays, HMOs, PPOs, figuring out if you qualify for Medicare or Medicaid – it is a headache just to understand and navigate the system. In the end, what is already costing you thousands of dollars can easily skyrocket if you need an ambulance, or you make an honest mistake - like going to a doctor outside of your network. 

There are countries out there that offer access to affordable and high-quality healthcare at a fraction of the cost in the United States. For instance, many EU countries have universal healthcare coverage, where it is easy and safe to access the systems.

They Want To Feel Safe & Secure

High levels of violent criminal activity are an increasingly prevalent issue in the United States. Events like murders and mass shootings may be commonplace on the news in the United States, but in many other countries, it is a rare, unfortunate event, where legislation exists to proactively prevent these situations.  

Plus, the uncertain political landscape in 2024 and beyond, the United States involvement in overseas conflicts, and multiple other factors have landed the country in the 132nd position of the 2024 Global Peace Index, which determines the most peaceful countries in the world. In contrast, the European continent features 7 countries in the list of the safest countries in the world - and your children can safely play outside in the streets.

They Do Not Want To Be Burdened with Taxes

There is no escaping the IRS. It does not matter where you are – if you are a U.S. citizen, you are being taxed simply because of your citizenship. Even if you have paid your dues or have not stepped in the United States in a decade, if you still qualify, you better make sure to fill out income tax, estate tax, and gift tax forms correctly. This is why an increasingly number of U.S. citizens are seeking to forego their U.S. passport and achieve Residency & Citizenship status in other countries with more favorable tax regimes.

They Are Looking for a Lower Cost of Living

Inflation is playing a key role in today’s world economic times, reflecting across the cost of living in the United States, which is at an all-time high. Buying a new property in a moderately-sized city is nearly impossible for most people, since costs can easily reach USD $1 million – even more, depending on the neighborhood. Healthcare, groceries, education costs being more expensive than ever factor in as well, playing a key role in the increasing amount of money needed to live and survive.

While inflation has also impacted the rest of the world, there are multiple countries where the cost of living is simply lower. Likewise, the pay is traditionally lower, but if you can get a remote job in a country with higher pay, your quality of life improves even further.

They Want Affordable Education for their Children

It is widely known that entering higher education in the United States, unless you can already pay the tuition upfront, is most likely going to set you up for debt that will only compound as the years go by, leaving you wondering why you got the student loans in the first place. With many courses taking up to 4 years in total, when accounting for all the costs, it is common to end up with a degree and USD $100,000 in debt – if not more.

Meanwhile, in European countries, tuition is literally less than half of the cost than it is in the United States on average. For instance, in Portugal, a country with high University standards, your child, growing up as a Resident, and then as a Citizen, would pay around 900€ (around USD $1000) in tuition per semester at a prestigious public University doing a Bachelor’s Degree, not accounting for all the extra costs associated with education – but still a stark difference, nonetheless.

The Process of Moving from the United States to Another Country – Step-by-Step

If you are looking for a detailed, comprehensive guide on how to move out of the United States, we have you covered. Please, keep in mind that this is meant to be general, covering as many bases as possible. Your situation will ultimately be completely different from another American citizen that is already established in Portugal or Greece, for example.

Step 1: Research & Investigation

The first step to moving to another country and living there indefinitely and permanently is to do your own research. If you are already here, great! That means you have ticked off the first box on the moving out of the U.S. checklist.

Identify your own priorities. Why are you keen on moving out of the United States? Is it healthcare? The quality-of-life situation? Safety, or lack thereof? Regardless, this is the time to truly pinpoint why you want to leave the United States.

Because your priorities are what matters. Some countries are better suited when it comes to safety. Others for healthcare, or cost of living. Some might offer an amazing middle ground, without too many compromises, and that might be where you end up in.

Once you know what is important, it is time to research countries. Read about countries that interest you, and if you have any friends with cultural or family ties to those countries, ask them what it is like. Visit them first to get a feel for the atmosphere. You might be surprised!

Step 2: Understanding the Legal Requirements

The second step involves finding out the legal requirements for you to move to your country of choice. This step starts with analyzing the correct type of Visa for you. There is no other way around this. It is important to note that some countries offer several different types of Visas, while others... not so much.

Among the most common types of visas are: work visas, research visas, investment visas, retirement visas, digital nomad visas, etc. Generally speaking, these visas will have the same basic requirements, including a minimum age limit of 18, and having a clean criminal record. However, each type of visa will have its own set of specific requirements, and it is crucial to decide on what would be the most suitable type of visa for you.

Consider your personal situation: are you moving out of the United States due to a new work opportunity elsewhere? Maybe getting a work visa is the best for you, though like other type of visas, including research or student visas, tend to be temporary, only issued for a set duration of time.

If, on the other hand, you are looking to set up your life in another country, maybe even apply to Citizenship in the future, and you have the financial means to do so, then an investment visa is the best choice you can make.

Step 3: Financial & Document Management

Admittedly the most difficult part of the entire process. Once you have decided on your country, and you understand the legal requirements, what then? What if you do not speak the language of your country of choice? It is likely that most of the documents you have to submit must be translated into the native language.  

If you choose an investment visa, which kind should you choose? Sometimes, countries may have multiple of this kind. Even if the country has an office to handle these programs, sometimes, they may not be staffed by English-speaking officials. And the number one question is: how do I start this process?  

For instance, investment visas may have multiple options – some including Real Estate, giving you the perfect opportunity to both move out the United States and into another country with a property waiting for you. 

This is where the expertise of those who have experience in this industry matters and is a total game-changer.  

Investment Visa is an investment immigration agency & the Global Leader in Residency & Citizenship. We know the ins and outs of these programs and make all these struggles disappear. We manage all the documents for you, and are with you, through every step of the way. We are proud to say we have never once had an application rejected! 

Step 4: Travel & Settle Down in Your Country of Choice

With our help, you are good to go! You have done your research, found out the best country for you and priorities, and are now the proud holder of an investment visa. Now, all you need to do is simply book the plane trip and travel to your destination. If you have invested in Real Estate, you have already got your property all set up, and all you need to do is move in and settle down.

If you have not invested in Real Estate, that is not an issue either. Investment Visa has a selection of properties available in multiple countries, and we can find you a new home in no time.

How to Obtain a Residency & Citizenship via Investment

Investment visas are the way to go if you want to leave the United States as soon as possible and you have financial assets to make an investment. But what are they? In essence, investment visas grant either Residency or Citizenship depending on the type.

Countries typically develop these types of programs to attract foreign investment, drawing in wealthier individuals to live and establish themselves in the country. In return, the country’s government grants either Residency or Citizenship status. The United States even has a similar program – the EB5 Investor Immigration initiative.

Residency by Investment Programs

Also commonly known as Golden Visas, these programs offer Residency status and rights in return for a financial investment. These often include options like the purchase of a Real Estate property, investments in government bonds, donations to national projects – like science and research programs, for instance, among other options – which depend on the country at hand.

If you want to relocate to Europe, Golden Visas are the way to go – particularly in Portugal and Greece, since they have the most accessible programs for American citizens. In 2023, Greece had the leading Residency program in the world.

While Residency grants multiple rights, including the ability to travel visa-free to the Schengen Zone, that is not something that might interest you as much. U.S. citizens do not have to apply for a visa to enter any of the Schengen states but are still bound by the 90/180-Day rule, which still applies, even as EU Resident – the country of residency not included.

Golden Visas pave the path to EU Citizenship. Since most EU countries, and the United States, allow Dual Citizenship, the Golden Visas are the perfect platform for you to move out of the United States. As an EU Citizen, you can travel, move to and settle anywhere you like within the Schengen states.

Citizenship by Investment Programs

Citizenship by Investment programs offer a straightforward path to holding a country’s nationality and passport, bypassing the need to acquire Residency first. These initiatives are prevalent in the Caribbean, though they also exist in Europe, and the South Pacific. 

Like Golden Visas, they offer multiple options from which you can choose. Real Estate investments tend to be the preferential choice since they open the opportunity to obtain a return down the line and unlock a home base in another country. However, other options tend to include donations and contributions to the country’s economy.

Starting Again in a New Country as an American Citizen

What do you need to keep in mind now that you have moved out of the United States? Your entire journey has been successful so far, but life continues, and if you are still settling down, we recommend consider an eye on the following:

Healthcare Arrangements

Your spending in healthcare has just dramatically decreased simply by leaving the United States, but how do you go about accessing your new country’s healthcare system? Some countries may need a set amount of time living as a resident. Others may require contributing to the country’s tax system. Discovering this is paramount – but even so, if you still have to apply for a private health insurance plan, you are still going to pay considerably less than you would in the United States. For instance, in Portugal, a private healthcare for a 30-year-old man goes as much as 35€/month average. Also, remember to bring your own vaccination and medical records and have them translated. 

Employment and Income

If you are financially independent, money is not going to be an issue. You can just enjoy your new country’s lower cost of living and lead a luxurious lifestyle. If not, it is always best to work remotely to another country, especially those with a lower cost of living also tend to have lower salaries. Even if you have left the United States, it is still worth to keep a U.S.-based account with USD as the currency, should you ever need to return for whatever reason.

Education

If you are exiting the United States with your children at the hip, one of your main concerns is going to be to find suitable schools for them. In Europe, especially, there are a variety of international schools, some following the American curriculum. This way your children can immerse themselves in an entirely new culture, learn a new language, and remain in contact with their roots at the same time.

Moving Logistics

Have any pieces of furniture from your home in the U.S you would like to bring over? Maybe you love your car, and you want to ride it wherever you end up. Selling some of your belongings may be a good idea, if you are keen on bringing them over, consider the logistics involved with shipping them overseas.

If you are permanently leaving the United States, do not forget to notify the competent authorities, like the IRS and the Social Security Administration, among others. Make sure you cancel any mail sent to your former address, or forward it to someone you trust to keep an eye on it, or use a management service in the U.S.

Cultural Immersion

One of the greatest challenges of exiting the United States and moving to another country is also one of the best: an exciting new adventure of diving and immersing yourself in a whole new lifestyle, completely different from what you have been used to. In some ways, maybe even better. If you are moving to a country that does not have English as the official language, try and begin with learning some basic communication words: it will go a long way.

Settling In

If you have your new home lined up, and all the procedures related to Residency and Citizenship have been taken care of, make sure all documents are in order. Is there any local authority you need to report to? What about utilities – are those all set up? Water, electricity, gas, internet – better keep all those in check.

What is the Ideal Country for You?

There is no right answer, and it is going to change from person to person. It ultimately depends on your goals, and what each country can get you. We have previously compiled a list of the best countries for Americans to move to, as well as some of the easiest countries for relocation. You may find some overlap, which presents the perfect situation for you to go over and see what country best fits all your goals and criteria. 

There has been a recent trend of U.S. citizens choosing Greece as their new home away from home. Portugal has also been a prime choice, receiving and welcoming more Americans than it ever has before.  

If you are still confused or uncertain about which country to choose, do not fret, we are here for you. Our team has decades of experience in the investment immigration industry and has advised thousands of clients to a successful and brighter future. Why not you? Fill out our forms, and we will reach out to you as soon as possible!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to give up my U.S. Citizenship if I apply for Residency in another country?

No. Not if you don’t want to. Most countries recognize Dual Citizenship, including the United States. You can keep your U.S. passport and get a second passport, whether through Residency or Citizenship by Investment programs.

Can I continue receiving my benefits if I leave the United States and move abroad? 

Yes! After you have created a bank account, just link it and set up a direct deposit, and you will be able to continue receiving your benefits. You also do not need to give up Medicare, provided you have the right plan.

Is it difficult for an American to exit the United States? 

It is not difficult, but it is not a simple process either. Getting experienced advisory will make the world of the difference on everything you need to leave the United States and move abroad.

Do I need to learn the language of the country I am moving to?

English is the de facto lingua franca of the world. However, that does not necessarily mean it will be easy to communicate with the locals if you do not speak their language. It all depends on the country and the people. We strongly recommend learning the basics – and the locals will always appreciate it whenever you make the effort to speak their language.

Can I move out of the United States without a job?

Absolutely. Investment immigration initiatives like Residency & Citizenship programs provide investment visas, bypassing the need to have a job to settle down and live in the country.

How much capital do I need to move out of the United States?

The amount depends on the country of choice. If you choose an investment visa, the amounts typically start at USD $250,000, and can go up to USD $500,000. Some programs might offer opportunities at lower or higher thresholds.

How easy is it to fly back to the United States for a vacation?

It will depend on the country and the flight connections they have to the United States. Most notably, the European continent is best served with multiple, direct flights from and to the United States, especially Portugal and Greece.

Can I bring my family with me if I apply for an Investment Visa?

Most investment visa programs will allow you to include your family in the same application. However, it is important to discern whether the minimum investment amount increases depending on the number of family members included.

What if I decide to go back to the United States?

If you decide to move back to the United States, and you have an Investment Visa in another country, there’s a few choices in your arsenal. First, you can wait until you obtain Citizenship, at which point you will always be allowed to travel back and forth to the country of your choice. Second, if you do not want to wait, and you have invested in Real Estate, which most countries allow as an Investment Visa option, you can always sell your property for a hefty profit.