The 20 Best Countries for American Expats to Consider in 2024
"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."
If you’ve ever daydreamed about purchasing a beachside bungalow in Costa Rica or a cliffside dwelling in Portugal, you’re not alone. In fact, many Americans have made this dream a reality in recent years. According to American Citizens Abroad, a nonprofit organization that represents the legislative concerns of U.S. citizens living overseas, as of 2022, an estimated 5.1 million Americans live abroad, with 3.9 million as civilians. With the rise of flexible or remote work, new visa programs, and impressive tax incentives, it's becoming more common for U.S. citizens to consider a big move.
While it’s true that many of the places Americans are laying down roots offer beautiful landscapes, vibrant cultures and incredible cuisine, these countries also offer enviable long-term quality of life benefits that can be hard to find here in the states. Factors like a low cost of living, healthy work-life balance, free public healthcare, and lower instances of gun violence make a compelling case to leave life in America behind. Although it’s not easy both emotionally and bureaucratically to pack up and move to another country, these 20 countries make it easy for Americans to find a new homeland. Read on to discover the best countries for expats in 2024.
Panama
As the most developed nation in Central America with a mix of both a glittering skyline in Panama City and beautiful beaches and lush natural surroundings, Panama is a vibrant choice for Americans looking to head abroad. Plus, to make things super simple, the country operates on the American dollar, which goes much further here. Apartment rentals range from $900 to $1500 in Panama City for more than 1000 square feet, and doctors visits can cost as little as $20. Digital nomads will love the high-speed internet available, and the country’s short stay visa for remote workers, a 9-month visa that can be renewed for another 9 months.
Portugal
The oldest wine region in Europe, sun-soaked beaches and instagram-worthy cobblestone streets, there’s a lot to love about Portugal. This small country on the Iberian peninsula is a big draw for entrepreneurial expats thanks to funding programs and business incentives as well as a different types of digital nomad visas. These temporary stay visas will allow you to live in Portugal for up to one year with an option to extend up to five years. And, retirees rejoice: You can become a non-habitual resident and only pay 10% in taxes.
Spain
Spain has some of the most affordable cost of living in all of Western Europe (free tapas with a glass of vino, anyone?) and there’s so much variety across the country’s cities and towns. You can go full on cosmopolitan in Madrid, live the beachy life in Valencia, live out your flamenco dreams in Seville or indulge in Moorish history and culture in Granada. Spain offers a self-employment visa that’s ideal for freelancers and remote workers, and families will love the wide selection of international schools and affordable public healthcare.
Germany
We won’t sugarcoat it, German bureaucracy is legendary. So although the land of stunning mountains, Oktoberfest and schnitzel offers a residency permit for foreign freelancers and self-employed people to live in Germany for a period of up to 3 years, it may take a while to get approval. That said, once you’re in, a life in Germany can be the stuff of fairytales. You can tuck away in a cottage outside of Munich near the Alps, or snag an affordable loft in the undeniably cool capital city of Berlin. Wherever you choose, you’ll get access to one of the best healthcare and education systems in the world.
Costa Rica
A million Americans visit Costa Rica every year and more than a few of them have decided to permanently call it home, which isn’t much of a surprise. Perched between the Pacific and Caribbean coasts, the gorgeous country draws people (especially surfers) thanks to craggy volcanoes, lush rain forests and pura vida ("pure life") philosophy for good living. Becoming at least a temporary resident is easy and straightforward thanks to the Rentista visa, which allows foreigners to stay for a 2-year period and potentially extend it. If you’re looking for a lifestyle that’s outdoorsy, laid back, and fantastically environmentally friendly, Costa Rica is it.
Ghana
Travel to Ghana sharply increased in popularity in 2019 during the Year of Return, a birthright journey inviting African Americans and those of the African diaspora to commemorate 400 years since the first enslaved Africans were forcibly taken to the then colony of Virginia. While many visitors then decided to stay, more were drawn to Ghana during the racial uprisings of 2020, seeking relief from violence and racism in the United States. Rents in bustling Accra are nearly unbelievable (i.e. $700 a month for a three bedroom house with security), the restaurant and nightlife scene is vibrant and there are fantastic international schools for families.
Note: The LGBTQI+ community should "exercise increased caution," according to the U.S. Department of Travel, due to crime, violence, and anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric—especially in the Bono East, Bono, Savannah, Northern, North East, and Upper East regions due to civil unrest. Ghanaian law prohibits sexual intimacy between persons of the same sex, and punishment can include fines and/or incarceration.
Croatia
Between Dubrovnik, Zagreb and Split, there are several beautiful cities across the Croatian coastline to serve as your next seaside hideaway. This Mediterranean country is known for its sweeping views of the sapphire-hued Adriatic Sea, bright orange tiled rooftops and ancient palaces and forts. Croatia was one of the first countries to introduce a digital nomad visa in January 2021, giving travelers a low-cost option to stay and work remotely in Europe for a year. A unique aspect of this temporary resident visa is you don’t have to get it worked out before you travel, you can apply when in Croatia, and also at Croatian consulates and embassies.
Italy
How many of us were drawn into the fantasy of dropping everything and moving to Italy thanks to movies like Under the Tuscan Sun and Eat, Pray, Love? We should be entitled to financial compensation. Well, even though that’s not likely to happen, Italy just announced its brand new digital nomad visa as of March 2024, a one-year visa that can be renewed and comes with a minimum income requirement of just over 30,000 Euros.
The country is seemingly still working out the kinks as the visa is meant for “highly skilled applicants,” yet doesn’t define exactly what that means. Cost of living varies widely from major cities like Rome and Florence to small villages, but you’re sure to get incredible food and wine wherever you choose.
United Arab Emirates
One would think that in glittering cities like Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which are both known for their remarkable luxury experiences, the cost of living would be significantly higher than in the United States, but in fact, it’s much lower. In comparable cities like Miami and New York where rent for one can range from $2000 to $2600, rent for one in Dubai holds strong at nearly half the cost at $1200. The city of Dubai recently launched a one-year virtual working program for remote workers, allowing them to benefit from the zero income tax for individuals.
Mexico
Many American travelers are familiar with the wonders of Mexico: From gorgeous tropical beaches along the Caribbean Sea and Pacific ocean to lush mountain highlands and one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world, Mexico City, there are so many fantastic cities and towns to start a new life. Best of all, if you’re unsure about completely uprooting, Americans can stay in Mexico for up to six months on a tourist visa. Longer than that requires a temporary resident visa which lasts up to 4 years. In Mexico you'll find a more relaxed pace, nearly half the cost of living in the states, and exceptional, affordable healthcare.
Note: The U.S. Department of State recommends that you do not travel to certain states in Mexico due to increased violent crimes such as homicide, kidnapping, carjacking, and robbery. Make sure to look at each state's precaution level before deciding where you should live or visit.
Canada
From the Canadian Rockies to quaint, French-leaning townships in Quebec to nautical living in Nova Scotia, Canada has so much to offer expats. Canada is consistently ranked as one of the happiest countries in the world and one of the safest. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the rugged wild across the country, and there’s free public healthcare for citizens and permanent residents should all that adventuring cause a bump or scrape. Digital nomads don’t need a work visa to work remotely from Canada, and they can stay for up to six months.
Australia
The strength of the U.S. dollar these days has made living in one of the most culturally and geographically diverse continents on earth more affordable than ever (1 USD is worth $1.52 Australian dollars). While many Americans opt for sophisticated Sydney or cool and edgy Melbourne, your money will go a lot further in smaller cities like Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide, and you’ll get to see Australia’s stunning natural landscape. The Working Holiday Visa for visitors between 18 to 30 is a favorite for folks that just want to hang out for a year (or up to three if you do enough specified work), but longer residences require employer sponsorship, specific skills, or business visas.
Barbados
Somewhere deep in all of us, we all want to be a little bit like Rihanna. One way to do it is by starting a new life in her home country of Barbados. Barbados was a trendsetter during the height of COVID isolation when it launched its digital nomad program called the Barbados Welcome Stamp in July 2020. The 12-month program allows visitors to relocate and work from a beautiful Caribbean island with strong high-speed wifi, world-class cuisine, local rum, and year-round sunshine.
Colombia
Colombia’s vibrant South American culture, mild year-round climate (with Caribbean-like vibes along the coast), Afro-Caribbean cuisine, and low cost of living with one-bedroom rents hovering around $530 per month in a city center like Bogotá make it an attractive country for expats. In April 2023, Colombia launched its Digital Nomad Visa that has a duration of 2 years and can not be extended. It is also one that has the lowest income requirements of only $684 per month.
Note: The U.S. Department of Travel has issued a level 3 warning and says to "reconsider travel" to Colombia due to crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, and terrorism. The state department has issued a do not travel warning to Arauca, Cauca (excluding Popayán), and Norte de Santander due to crime and terrorism. They also recommend avoiding travel to Colombia-Venezuela border region.
Switzerland
The natural beauty of Switzerland’s glacier-fed lakes and Alps mountain range is unmatched, plus it recently took the top spot as the world’s safest country, so although getting a long-term visa here isn’t easy, it’s definitely worth it. As one of the wealthiest countries in the world, money talks here. The best and quickest way to snag a long-term visa is through the Golden Visa Program for individuals looking to invest in Switzerland in exchange for residency, and eventually citizenship. The lump taxation payment will cost you a cool $203,000. If your pockets aren’t that fat, you can always stay for 90 days without a visa.
Bermuda
Bermuda is a unique Caribbean nation because it’s not actually in the Caribbean. Perched in the Atlantic ocean only 600 miles from the North Carolina coastline, it’s a geographically convenient Caribbean-like escape from America, but you can still stay relatively close to family and friends along the east coast. In 2020, Bermuda launched the Work from Bermuda visa for remote workers to stay for up to 12 months; the application fee is only $275 and there’s no requirement to prove a certain wage. However, the cost of living here is the highest on earth, and on average, 84.9% higher than in the United States. If you have the money, incredible festivals like Carnival and Cup Match, seaside living, and pink-sand beaches may make it worth it.
Vietnam
Vietnam has everything you could want in a landscape: beautiful mountains, some of the world’s best beaches and bustling shopping and nightlife in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh cities. The cost of living for Americans is also unbelievably low, with spacious one bedroom apartments costing less than $700 per month and delicious street food like bowls of phở, spring rolls and banh mi’s ranging from $1 to $5. There’s also a fantastic healthcare system, although the language barrier may pose a challenge. Digital nomads and freelancers visiting Vietnam do not need a work visa or work permit, as long as the company or companies they are working for are not based in Vietnam. All you need is the standard tourist visa to enter the country.
Thailand
Thailand is a tropical paradise with strong infrastructure, high-speed internet and low living costs. Whether you opt for big city living in Bangkok or the laid back vibes of Chiang Mai, Americans are sure to find an incredibly high standard of living for a fraction of what they’d pay in the states. For example, in Bangkok, $600 a month can get you a high rise apartment in a building with a pool, sauna and gym, or you can find even better deals by snagging a bungalow in a beach town.
Most digital nomads and remote workers take a stint in Thailand on a 60-day tourist visa which can be extended for 30 more days. However, if you’re looking for a longer stay, the 10-year Long Term Residency visa has oddly specific qualifications: You must have an income of $80,000 and work for a public company on a stock exchange, or for a private company that can show a combined revenue of $150 million over the last 3 years.
Finland
Finland was named the happiest country in the world in the 2024 World Happiness Report for the seventh year in a row. With high-quality healthcare and social security, free education and affordable daycare, inclusive healthcare, parental and family leave, among many other benefits, it’s easy to see how the Finnish lifestyle leaves people happy and stress-free. Access to lush parks, forests and clean, natural lakes also does wonders for the mental health of Finns. Most American remote workers travel to Finland on a standard Schengen tourist visa, which allows a stay in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180 day period, but if you want the self-employment visa that allows a stay for up to six months, you must register your business in Finland.
Note: Though this Nordic country neighbors Russia, Finland has been a member of NATO since 2023 and recently closed their Eastern border. The U.S. Department of State issued a level 1 warning and recommends taking "normal precautions."
Georgia
Right at the intersection of Europe and Asia is the Republic of Georgia, one of the best countries in the world for digital nomads. Residents from 95 countries around the world can enter Georgia and stay for a full year on a tourist visa, and unlike many tourist visas you can work remotely. Visitors must be able to prove an income of $2,000 a month or have a bank statement showing $24,000. A furnished apartment in the capital city of Tbilisi runs about $700 and Georgians are known for their warm hospitality and fun-loving culture.
Note: Some areas of Georgia pose an increased risk, and the U.S. Department of State does not recommend traveling to the Russian-occupied Georgian regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia due to risk of crime, civil unrest, and landmines. The country as a whole remains at a level 1 warning and the state department recommends exercising normal precautions.
You Might Also Like