Best Countries for Americans to Move to in 2026

Instead of burying the lede, let's start by saying straight out that there is no single best country for Americans to move to. The right one depends on your income, your budget and what you want from the move. Remote workers tend to pick Spain, retirees Mexico and Panama, and ultra-high-net-worth families New Zealand.

Governments are competing for skilled people with capital, and several have built programs to win them including flat-tax deals, 10-year visas, and residency on an ordinary income. Americans are a large share of the demand.

Here are the ten countries our American clients choose most, with pros and cons of each.

Topics covered

• The 10 best countries for Americans to move to
• Easiest countries for Americans to move to
• What moving abroad means for your US taxes
• Best countries for Americans to move to FAQ

The 10 best countries for Americans to move to

Act early, because opportunities dwindle as more people apply, programs get shut, prices get higher and timelines grow longer, as in the case with our first country.

1. Portugal

Portugal is safe and friendly, and it costs less to live there than in many US cities. You can live by the sea, walk around the cities safely and get healthcare at a low cost. English is widely spoken and Lisbon, Porto, Cascais, the Algarve and Lagos all have large expat communities, so it is easy to settle in.

The catch: Portugal has changed its nationality law. Since 19 May 2026, most foreign nationals must live in Portugal legally for 10 years before they can apply for citizenship, double its original timeline of five years.

As a result we have more than 250 clients with applications in progress. Two have already left Portugal, and another 11 or 12 are looking at other countries, such as Spain and Italy.

If the longer wait changes your plans, our team can talk you through your options. Book a consultation and together we’ll find the best fit for your new life overseas.

• Best for: a slower European pace with an English-friendly expat scene.
• Route: golden visa, D7 (passive income), D8 (remote workers) or D2 (entrepreneurs).
• Catch: a longer road to citizenship.

2. Italy

Italy is one of the top destinations for Americans claiming citizenship by descent. It is also attracting investors looking beyond Portugal. Italy’s Investor Visa starts at €250,000 through an investment in an innovative Italian startup, compared with Portugal’s €500,000 minimum for its qualifying fund route.

Wealthy residents can pay a flat annual tax on foreign income. Worth noting this amount was raised twice, from €100,000 to €200,000, and again, to its current rate of €300,000.

Will it rise again? Quite possibly, though it still remains a popular option with HNWI and UHNWI clients, including some who previously availed of the UK’s defunct non-dom regime.

• Best for: Italian Americans, retirees, high earners with large foreign income.
• Route: investment route, paid on approval.
• Catch: the flat tax has tripled.

3. Greece

Greece has a similar flat tax regime to Italy, but for less money. Its flat tax regime charges €100,000 a year and does not tax foreign income. Its golden visa is one of the few remaining EU residency-by-investment routes that can still be obtained through direct property purchase alone.

• Best for: investors who want property and a flat tax.
• Route: golden visa through real estate.
• Catch: the golden visa price has risen.

4. Spain

The Beckham Law taxes qualifying employment income at 24% up to €600,000 under Spain’s special impatriate regime.

Spain is where many of our Portugal clients are heading, including some of our own team. The non-lucrative visa requires sufficient financial means and private health insurance and has a legal decision period of up to three months. It does not allow remote work.

• Best for: financially independent applicants and families with Latin American nationality.
• Route: non-lucrative visa or digital nomad visa
• Catch: Spanish is sluggish and bureaucratic and progress is painfully slow.

5. United Arab Emirates

The UAE has become one of the main hubs for internationally mobile entrepreneurs and investors.Our founder estimates that nine in ten people optimizing their residency and tax stop off here. VAT (5%) and corporate tax (9% on profits above AED 375,000) have arrived as the economy has matured. With Strait of Hormuz disruption affecting the entire GCC, some clients have added a second base while retaining their UAE golden visa.

• Best for: entrepreneurs who want a business base.
• Route: golden visa through real estate, a bank deposit, employment, or nomination through Dubai's economic department, which we can help with.
• Catch: corporate tax and VAT filings for business owners.

6. Mexico

According to the US State Department, an estimated 1.6 million Americans live in Mexico, many of them retirees. It's close to home, many Americans from Florida and California already speak decent Spanish, property is relatively affordable, as is the cost of living.

• Best for: retirees who want to stay close to the US.
• Route: temporary residency, about $4,400 a month in income or about $74,000 in savings; permanent after four years.
• Catch: the income bar has risen and varies by consulate.

7. Panama

Panama shares much of Mexico’s appeal and uses the US dollar as legal tender. It has long been popular with retirees, has good healthcare and is a strong transit hub, with routes into South America and direct flights to Turkey. Panama’s updated residency rules could make the country even more attractive.

• Best for: retirees who want a dollar economy.
• Route: Panama has a special retiree visa known as a Pensionado for those earning pensions of at least $1,000 USD a month.
• Catch: the real estate "boom" is overstated; our founder visited recently and wasn't convinced.

8. Thailand

Thailand’s LTR visa lasts up to 10 years, issued as an initial 5-year stay with a further 5-year extension subject to continued eligibility.

Three of its four categories leave foreign income untaxed. Wealthy Global Citizens no longer need $80,000 in income and qualify on assets alone: $1 million in total, with $500,000 invested in Thailand.

• Best for: asset-rich Americans who want lifestyle and a long visa.
• Route: LTR visa: $1 million in global assets, including a $500,000 investment in Thailand
• Catch: thresholds keep tightening.

9. Malaysia

Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) pairs residency with a territorial tax system. You first place a fixed deposit by tier, earning interest tax-free: Silver at $150,000, Gold at $500,000 or Platinum at $1 million.

A property purchase is also required, the minimum amount of which also varies depending on your tier. Some clients have moved on to Hong Kong or Singapore for more energy while keeping their Malaysian residency.

Foreign income brought into Malaysia is currently tax-exempt for individuals until 2036, with conditions.

• Best for: retirees who like a fixed deposit.
• Route: MM2H deposit plus a property purchase.
• Catch: compulsory property in a soft market, with inflation biting.

10. New Zealand

Americans make up 40% of New Zealand's permanent residency applicants attracted by the English-language lifestyle, scenery and safety New Zealand offers.

Moreover, New Zealand has no inheritance tax and no general capital gains tax, although some gains, particularly from certain property and investment transactions, can still be taxable.

• Best for: ultra-high-net-worth families.
• Route: Active Investor Plus, from NZ$5 million (about US$2.8 million), with a higher tier at double that; leads to permanent residency and a path to citizenship.
• Catch: the entry level puts it out of reach for most.

Easiest countries for Americans to move to

Spain and Mexico are the easiest, because both ask for proof of income rather than a big investment, and Spain typically takes about three months. Portugal's D7 and D8 also run on income, and Thailand's LTR has dropped its income test. Portugal’s 2026 changes are a reminder that residency rules can shift even after you’ve built your plans around them.

What moving abroad means for your US taxes

Moving abroad does not end your US tax filing. The US taxes its citizens wherever they live, so you will keep filing every year unless you renounce your citizenship.

FATCA also makes banking harder. It requires foreign banks to report the accounts of US citizens to the IRS, and because of the extra work, many banks limit what they offer Americans or refuse to open accounts for them at all.

If you want help planning around this, including negating the impact of the US exit tax and securing a second citizenship book a consultation with us and to find a solution to suit your needs.

Key takeaways

• There is no single best country: Spain suits remote workers, Mexico and Panama retirees, New Zealand ultra-high-net-worth families.
• Portugal lengthened its road to nationality in 2026, and clients are now rotating to Spain and Italy instead.
• Mexico's temporary residency needs about $4,400 a month or $74,000 in savings.
• Greece's flat tax on foreign income is €100,000 a year; Italy's is now 300,000.
• US tax filing and FATCA reporting continue wherever you move.

Conclusion

We said it right at the start and we’re saying it again, there is no one “best country,” it all depends on your income, goals, and desired lifestyle.

What matters most isn’t what country you choose, provided you choose wisely – and quickly.

With geopolitical headwinds getting stronger by the day, immigration is becoming ever-more restrictive, while citizenship and residency programs become more expensive.

This is why we always say, better a year too early than a day too late.

Best countries for Americans to move to FAQ

What is the best country for Americans to move to?

It depends on your income, budget, and goals. Remote workers often choose Spain, retirees Mexico or Panama, and ultra-high-net-worth families New Zealand.

What is the easiest country for Americans to move to?

Spain and Mexico, because both ask for proof of income or savings rather than a large investment. In our experience, Spain’s non-lucrative visa usually comes through within about three months of applying, though it doesn’t allow any work, including remote work.

Can Americans move to Portugal?

Yes, through the golden visa, the D7, the D8 or the D2. Since 2026, though, the wait before you can apply for Portuguese nationality is longer, so you may also want to look at these Portugal alternatives.

Do Americans still pay US tax if they move abroad?

Yes. The US taxes on citizenship, so filing and FATCA reporting continue wherever you live, unless you chose to renounce your citizenship. As more Americans move overseas, this has become the main cause of renunciation.

Can I keep US citizenship and become a citizen of another country?

Yes. Many of our American clients hold two, three or four passports, and their US tax filing continues throughout.