I knew I wished to dwell overseas as quickly as I set foot within the Netherlands on a visit at 17. I chased that dream for years — learning Spanish in Spain at 21, instructing English there at 26, and pursuing a grasp’s there at 29 — however I saved ending up again in Texas.
At 35, I attempted once more, arriving in Spain with doubts and no clear plan. However the optimistic shift was speedy. Outdoors the 9-to-5 grind, I found my passions of writing, content material creation, and group constructing.
Inside 18 months, I launched She Hit Refresh, a useful resource and group serving to ladies over 30 determine and fast-track their strikes overseas. Ten years later, I’m nonetheless dwelling in Spain, and I’ve immediately helped lots of of ladies make their strikes overseas.
So many individuals who wish to go away the U.S. begin with a seemingly easy query: The place ought to I am going? I might help with that.
What makes some European international locations extra ‘welcoming’ to American expats
If you wish to make beginning over really feel much less overwhelming, search for international locations that test most of those containers:
- Visa choices: If there’s a visa you qualify for — whether or not as a distant employee, retiree, or self-employed particular person — that’s already an enormous win.
- Value of dwelling: Many People are searching for locations the place their {dollars} stretch additional and the place high quality of life doesn’t imply monetary stress.
- Cultural openness: Feeling welcomed by locals can ease tradition shock and clean your transition.
- A stable expat group: On the similar time, accessing different People or foreigners who perceive your journey can provide you a way of belonging, particularly within the early months.
- Language: Search for locations the place folks converse English at a excessive degree and/or the native language is comparatively simple to select up.
Listed here are 5 European international locations that persistently make it simpler for People to land, dwell, and thrive:
1. Spain
Spain is a well-liked alternative for People due to its digital nomad and non-working visas, reasonably priced healthcare, and social tradition that prioritizes connection. I’ve discovered that individuals right here find time for one another, collect, and speak for hours.
Whereas English isn’t broadly spoken and cities like Barcelona face overtourism, many smaller cities and cities are wanting to welcome newcomers.
Once I moved overseas at 35, I discovered a group in Madrid with others who had traded the standard path of success (the company ladder, marriage, youngsters, and a mortgage) to shake issues up — as I did after I left my full-time job to show English, go freelance, and finally begin my very own enterprise — whilst everybody round them was settling down.
Now I dwell in Málaga, the place Europeans have been coming for many years each to trip and to dwell. Locals are welcoming to foreigners, which additionally means there’s a longtime expat scene that makes it simpler to meet pals and really feel at house.
2. Portugal
It’s onerous to discover a nation extra open to expats than Portugal. With its laid-back tempo of life, English-friendly tradition, and accessible visa choices, it’s change into a well-liked relocation spot. Along with a digital nomad visa, Portugal affords a D7 visa — which permits People who’ve a gentle stream of passive revenue to dwell within the nation.
Whereas Lisbon and Porto face overtourism challenges much like Barcelona, there are many stunning, and fewer populated, alternate options. Within the Algarve, expats are drawn to the combination of locals and foreigners in addition to the Mediterranean local weather, although it’s really on the Atlantic. The archipelagos of Madeira and the Azores are off the crushed path and an important alternative for anybody who likes to be surrounded by stunning landscapes.
Portugal’s security, affordability, and current expat communities make it an important match for solo ladies, households, and retirees.
3. France
One in all my upcoming podcast company, Mary Alice Duff, determined to swap the hustle of life in Philadelphia for the slower tempo of southern France. She now enjoys the calm of the French way of life, like biking to the seashore together with her daughter; perks of her tax {dollars}, like free public transportation; and high quality time with a various, close-knit worldwide buddy group.
For these eager to comply with the same path, the career libérale visa is a superb possibility for freelancers and small enterprise house owners, providing flexibility to work remotely. France additionally has reasonably priced, high-quality healthcare and is extremely family-friendly. It has one of many highest fertility charges in Europe, which can be associated to beneficiant tax breaks for households and reasonably priced childcare.
The draw back is that France doesn’t but provide a digital nomad visa, making it difficult for distant workers to discover a solution to keep long-term.
4. The Netherlands
The Netherlands is thought for being very welcoming to expats. The nation affords glorious public transportation and an in depth community of motorcycle paths, widespread English, and an entrepreneur-friendly surroundings.
The DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty) visa permits People who’re self-employed to dwell and work within the Netherlands by registering a enterprise within the nation and depositing 4,500 euros right into a enterprise checking account. Nevertheless, discovering housing might be difficult because of a housing disaster.
One in all my masterclass college students, Denise Segler, moved there in 2024 in her 50s. A divorced mother of grownup youngsters, she embraced the chance to start out contemporary on her personal phrases. Whereas she’s solely months into her transfer, she finds the Dutch to be pleasant and has began constructing group via the various networking occasions.
5. Albania
Albania permits U.S. passport holders to remain for as much as a 12 months with no visa. With simple entry and a low price of dwelling, it’s good for budget-minded distant staff.
Many People dwell within the capital metropolis of Tirana, the place the expat group is powerful and English is broadly spoken. However the Albanian Riviera is to not be missed; its shoreline alongside the Ionian Sea has a few of the most stunning seashores and landscapes in all of Europe.
I’ve seen many People use Albania as a delicate touchdown, staying one to 4 years earlier than shifting on to their subsequent vacation spot.
Taking the leap
Many individuals who dream of shifting overseas get caught in a spiral of questions and “what if”s: The place would I am going? How can I make it work? Will I be accepted? What if it doesn’t work out?
It’s true that uprooting your life is a giant resolution, however there are such a lot of locations which might be welcoming to People. With a little bit effort to study the language and respect the tradition, you’ll find your approach.
The ladies I work with usually don’t have any regrets about their choices to maneuver overseas. Effectively, perhaps one: If something, most of them remorse not doing it sooner.
Cepee Tabibian is the founding father of She Hit Refresh, a group and useful resource platform that helps ladies aged 30+ transfer overseas, and the creator of “I am Outta Right here! An American’s Final Visa Information to Dwelling in Europe.” Because the daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Cepee grew up in Houston, Texas, earlier than changing into an immigrant herself in Spain.
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