The 9 Best Countries for Americans to Move to Right Now

For millions of Americans, the ultimate dream is to strike out and build a new life abroad. And as shown by the best countries for Americans to move to—laid out below—there’s plenty to lure them overseas. Year-round warm weather in Central America, art museums and celebrated architecture in Europe, and multicultural food havens in Asia await. But budgets are also a major reason why Americans pack their belongings and go. “Often when I ask people why they are moving, there are many reasons, but affordability is key,” says real estate agent Parisa Afkhami of Coldwell Banker Warburg, who works with international clients. “A higher quality of life as well as lower taxes and medical expenses have been cited as reasons.” Afkhami recommends Western European countries where universal education and healthcare make these affordability goals possible, especially for those on a fixed income.

For the specifics on where to go and why, read on.

How do we determine the best countries for Americans to move to?

We spoke with a range of experts—including those who work with expat communities, international real estate specialists, and expat insurance providers—to determine which countries would make the best new homes for Americans looking to make a move. We factored in quality of life, cost of living, immigration processes, job markets, cultural attractions, and natural beauty. We also considered insights from the most recent Expat Insider report from InterNations, a network and guide for expats in 420 cities worldwide.

What country is the easiest for Americans to move to?

Because “ease” can mean different things to different people, it’s tough to pick just one country. If ease is proximity to the US, then Mexico, Panama, and Costa Rica are solid choices. For Spanish-speaking Americans, these picks would also eliminate any language barriers—though there are plenty of English speakers (in the larger cities especially) in these countries as well.

For ease in sorting out paperwork, it’s worth considering a country that offers a digital nomad visa—a temporary permit that allows visitors to stay in a country for up to a year (often with the option to extend) while they work remotely. Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Norway, Switzerland, and Greece (among others), all offer digital nomad visas for nationals from non–European Union countries. Japan also has a digital nomad visa, but only for six months.

What countries do most US citizens move to?

“We are finding that Americans are moving to Mexico, Canada, and Portugal, yet the live-and-work-anywhere movement is broadening the choices being made to include Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines,” says Andrew Jernigan, CEO of Insured Nomads, a global provider of international health insurance for expats and remote workers. Meanwhile, Jen Barnett, cofounder of Expatsi, a site that helps Americans move abroad, says her company offers a quiz called the Expatsi Test, which 110,000 clients have taken. This gives the company insights into why clients want to move abroad as well as their budgets, life stages, and other factor. “The quiz then uses data to recommend countries to move to,” she says. And the top recommendations according to their quiz answers are:

• Portugal
• Greece
• France
• Spain
• Switzerland
• Austria
• Slovenia
• The Netherlands
• Mexico
• Norway

These are great options for anyone looking for a lively expat community. However, they are not the only best countries for Americans to move. Consider our shortlist below.

Panama

Thanks to effortless house hunting, affordability, and ease of settling in, among other categories, Panama is the number one country for expats from around the world, according to this year’s Expat Insider Report from InterNations, a global community for people living abroad. And droves of Americans are heading to the ecologically enticing (even the capital city, Panama City, has a tropical rainforest), gastronomically rich (the capital is also a UNESCO Creative City in Gastronomy) Central American country to take advantage. “I can tell you that hundreds of people are moving to Panama every month,” says Jackie Lange, who moved to Panama in 2010 and, after fielding plenty of questions about how she did it, started Panama Relocation Tours shortly after to help others do the same. “We have three or four all-inclusive six-day tours every month, with 30 people on each tour. Statistically, 67% of the people on the tour move to Panama within one year, and another 10% move within two years,” she says. And while the expats used to be dominated by retirees, Lange says families with children as well as singles who run online businesses are now making the move too.

Spain

“Spain is a great choice because of its rich culture, excellent healthcare, and many options for buying a home,” says Dave Flanders, the founder of HomeVisors Collective, a real estate agency based in Burlington, Connecticut. “I think Spain is good for retirees and people working from home.” And the expats already living there agree—Spain ranked number one in the Quality of Life Index in InterNations’ 2024 Expat Insider report. “Expats especially appreciate the recreational sporting opportunities, and the culture and nightlife,” says Kathrin Chudoba, CMO at InterNations. “Healthcare is another highlight, with expats finding it affordable, easily available, and of a high quality.” Walkability as well as accessible public transportation also stand out in Spain, and in general, residents are impressed with the culture’s work-life balance. Of course, Spain is the home of the siesta, which is still used by some to nap and others to enjoy a leisurely lunch or afternoon stroll. Expats in Barcelona—which landed on our list of the 20 most beautiful cities in the world—can spend their daily reprieves soaking in the architectural wonders of Antoni Gaudí’s Park Güell.

Japan

Contrary to what many assume about Japan, the country’s affordability is what draws plenty of American expats. Even Tokyo—with its vibrant food scene, world-class art museums, and fascinating mix of ancient temples and cutting-edge contemporary skyscrapers—is more doable than you’d think. By comparison, New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco all rank in the top 10 among the most expensive cities in the world. But Tokyo is 60th, falling 23 spots from the year before, according to The Economist’s annual Worldwide Cost of Living report. The country as a whole landed the number six spot on the Quality of Life Index from InterNations. “Japan impresses with high-quality and affordable healthcare; a great infrastructure for pedestrians, cyclists, and cars; and very decent public transportation,” says Chudoba. It is also considered a very safe and stable country.” Some expats, however, tell InterNations that Japan’s work life can be tricky to navigate, so even better if you’re retired or working remotely.

Mexico

With two UNESCO Cities of Design—Querétaro and Mexico City—Mexico is a top destination for anyone seeking art and culture. In fact, it landed on our list of the best countries to live in for design lovers. Additionally, Mexico ranked number 34 on the U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 list of the Best Countries in the World. The prestigious list is based on a scoring system that includes dozens of attributes, including access to adventure, heritage, and resilience in the global economy—all of which were top categories for the North American country. And speaking of North America, logistically, Mexico makes for a relatively easy move for Americans, who can take advantage of matching time zones and quick flights to stay in touch with loved ones. As for where in Mexico to move, Flanders says, “Two Mexican communities I love are Mérida and Puerto Vallarta. They have rich histories and delicious food!”

Thailand

It’s no wonder Thailand landed in the top 10 most popular expat destinations on this year’s Expat Insider Report. Known as the Land of Smiles for its top-notch hospitality, Thailand is welcoming to newcomers, both short-term visitors and those looking for a new country and permanent residency. American expat Aaron Henry of Foundeast, an integrated marketing agency based in Bangkok, says, “Visas are not difficult to obtain, though you need to have an understanding of which visa option fits your situation. It’s best to hire an attorney in Thailand to help navigate the Thai immigration system.”

Beyond the ease of settling in, Henry points to the country’s excellent healthcare system, extensive public transportation system, and affordability as reasons for why Thailand is a great option for Americans. “Housing in urban areas is comparatively a lot less than cities in the USA,” he says. “A small luxury condo, around 540 square feet, can be rented in Bangkok for as little as $1,000 per month with a pool, gym, and other amenities.” If those reasons aren’t enticing enough, the country’s food scene is even more thrilling. Henry says, “The food options are endless—and I mean not only Thai, but also a huge diversity of cuisines from all over the world. At least a few Thai restaurants annually land on global ‘best’ lists.”

Costa Rica

Who wouldn’t want to live in a country where the national saying—“pura vida”—is all about living the good life? With both Pacific and Caribbean beaches, as well as waterfalls, volcanoes, and rainforests, Costa Rica is a paradise for outdoor adventure. In fact, more than 25% of the land is protected through conservation projects, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and biological reserves.

Natural beauty combined with logistical ease make the country an ideal expat destination. “Costa Rica has affordable housing and the scenery is stunning,” says Flanders. “The lifestyle is also very peaceful. It’s easy to settle in Costa Rica because the process for getting a visa is fairly easy for new residents.” A digital nomad visa program makes it easy for visitors to extend a 90-day tourist visa up to a full year, with the option to extend for another year. And like Mexico, the country’s proximity to the States makes heading back to the US for visits a breeze. All of these reasons are likely why so many Americans have already settled in the ecological wonderland. The InterNations report found that Costa Rica is the country with the highest share of American expats compared to other nationalities, with 43% coming from the US.

Portugal

Portugal’s popularity has surged in recent years among both vacationers and expats looking for seaside towns, top-notch Gothic and Baroque architecture, and multiple wine regions. Plus, the country’s art-filled, gourmand-satisfying lifestyle won’t cost you an arm and a leg. “Portugal is a great choice for Americans because it has a low cost of living,” says Flanders. “It also has a friendly community for expats and a strong real estate market.” According to InterNations’ most recent Expat Insider report, Portugal is one of the top 10 countries with the highest share of Americans, with 22% hailing from the US compared to other nationalities. You’ll find plenty of those Americans in Portugal’s coastal capital, Lisbon, as well as in Porto—the country’s second largest city, famous for its port wine and culinary tradition. But if you’re hoping to escape all those Americans, then consider Cascais, a charming coastal town where there are fewer expats than in the big cities, but you’ll still be within a 30-minute drive of Lisbon.

United Arab Emirates

In addition to desert safaris, grand mosques, and mind-boggling futuristic architecture (six of the world’s tallest hotels are here), the UAE offers a truly worldly experience. The small Middle Eastern country has a population of around 9.5 million people, but more than 80% of them are expats, originating from more than 200 countries around the world. The country’s top draws? A high quality of life, driven by the government’s environmental policies, infrastructure for cars, and political stability, according to the Quality of Life Index from InterNations’ Expat Insider Report. In fact, the UAE earned a number ranking in the Quality of Life category. “We also looked at leisure options as an essential ingredient for a good quality of life,” says Chudoba. “Culinary variety as well as culture and nightlife receive excellent ratings, and 70% of expats are happy with the opportunities for recreational sports (versus 72% globally).”

Parisa Afkhami of Coldwell Banker Warburg, who works with international clients moving to and from the United States, has noted the migration to the UAE’s largest city. “Dubai is seeing a real boom in buyers,” she says. “While it is far from the US, it is known to be safe and politically stable. Plus, they are having increased job growth and also offer universal healthcare and access to good education at secondary and higher education levels.” The country’s capital, Abu Dhabi, also earns high marks for safety and has landed at the top of multiple rankings of the safest cities in the world.

Italy

Whether your passion is Renaissance art, ancient ruins, mind-blowing pasta, or exploring sun-soaked seaside towns (or all of the above), you’ll find it in Italy. You’ll also find some financial advantages to calling this European country home. “The introduction of Italy’s Flat Tax Regime has become a game changer for wealthy Americans, offering a flat tax of €100,000 on all foreign-sourced income,” says Luca Traverso, the managing director of Italy for Nest Seekers International, a global real estate brokerage. “Additionally, the Impatriati Regime allows high-skilled professionals to reduce taxable income by up to 90%, making Italy a financially attractive relocation option.”

Traverso recommends Milan for residents seeking a luxury apartment and urban lifestyle, while Tuscany offers expansive villas with nature-centric living. Additionally, “scenic Lake Como and Portofino remain ideal choices for second homes, reflecting a desire for exclusivity and luxury,” he says. But don’t sleep on the south either. “Puglia, in particular, offers a cost-effective entry into Italian life without sacrificing the rich cultural and culinary experiences the country is known for,” says relocation expert David Burrows of Getamover. The heel of Italy’s “boot” and known as the country’s bread basket, Puglia has both the food and beaches that expats dream of when they picture a laid-back lifestyle in Europe.