Best Countries for American Expats in 2026

Moving abroad as an American comes with one complication almost no other nationality deals with: the US taxes its citizens on worldwide income no matter where they live. That doesn’t make relocating impractical — hundreds of thousands of Americans live abroad successfully — but it does mean the planning checklist is longer than it is for most other passport holders. Here’s where Americans are actually going in 2026, and the US-specific parts worth getting right.

Where Americans are relocating

• Spain — the Digital Nomad Visa and a genuinely lower cost of living outside the biggest cities make it one of the most popular choices. See the full Spain guide.
• Portugal — high safety rankings, a large existing American and international community, and both retirement (D7) and remote-work (D8) visa routes. See the full Portugal guide.
• Thailand — the biggest budget stretch of the popular options, with the LTR Visa giving long-term stability for qualifying income levels. See the full Thailand guide.
• Germany — for career-focused movers, a strong job market and the Chancenkarte job-seeker visa. See the full Germany guide.
• Australia and the UK — the English-speaking options, trading a harder visa process for zero language barrier. See the Australia guide and UK guide.

Compare any of these side by side with the country comparison tool, or narrow down your own shortlist with Find My Country.

What’s actually different for Americans

You still owe the IRS. The US is one of the only countries that taxes based on citizenship rather than residency — moving abroad doesn’t end your US filing obligation. Most expats end up owing little or nothing thanks to the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion and the Foreign Tax Credit, but you still have to file every year to claim them. Get advice from a preparer who specifically handles expat returns — general tax software often mishandles foreign income and credits.

FBAR and FATCA reporting. If the combined balance of your foreign bank accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point in the year, you’re required to file an FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) — a separate filing from your tax return, with real penalties for skipping it. Some expats also need to file FATCA Form 8938 depending on the value and type of foreign assets held. These are reporting requirements, not necessarily tax bills, but missing them is a common and avoidable mistake.

Apostilles take longer than people expect. US documents (background checks, birth certificates, diplomas) usually need an apostille before a foreign consulate or immigration office will accept them, and getting one from a US state authority can take weeks. Start this well before you plan to apply for a visa.

Social Security and totalization agreements. The US has bilateral “totalization agreements” with several countries that prevent you from paying into two social security systems at once and can help you qualify for benefits based on combined work history. Whether one applies depends on your specific destination — check before assuming either way.

A short relocation checklist

• Research visa requirements at least six months in advance.
• Model your monthly budget with the Cost of Living Calculator and your upfront costs with the Relocation Cost Calculator.
• Visit your top choice as a tourist before committing to a long-term move.
• Talk to a tax preparer experienced with US expat returns — not just a general accountant.
• Arrange international health insurance before you go.
• Join expat forums or Facebook groups for your target city — real-time, on-the-ground advice is hard to replace.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Moving without a legal residency strategy or valid visa in hand.
• Underestimating how long document apostilles and certified translations take.
• Assuming that living abroad ends your US tax filing obligation — it doesn’t.
• Choosing a destination based on photos alone, without checking the practical basics: healthcare access, visa realism for your income, and local infrastructure.
• Not learning at least basic local-language phrases, even somewhere English is widely spoken.

Frequently asked questions

Which countries are easiest for Americans to move to? Countries with accessible income-based visas — Portugal’s D7 and D8, Spain’s Non-Lucrative and Digital Nomad visas, and Thailand’s LTR Visa among them — tend to have the most realistic pathways for remote workers and retirees. Check your specific situation with the Visa Eligibility Checker.

Do I still have to pay US taxes if I live abroad? Yes — the US taxes based on citizenship, so annual filing is required regardless of residence. Many expats owe little or nothing after exclusions and credits, but the filing obligation itself doesn’t go away.

Can I work locally on a Digital Nomad Visa? Generally no — most digital nomad visas, including Spain’s and Portugal’s, require your income to come from outside the country you’re living in.

Moving abroad in 2026 is more achievable than ever thanks to remote work and a wider range of visa categories — the US-specific paperwork is real, but it’s a planning problem, not a dealbreaker.