Moving to Europe from the USA: What US Taxpayers Need to Know

Interest in moving to Europe from the USA is no longer a passing trend—it’s becoming a meaningful shift in how Americans think about their future. Recent polling, per a November 2025 Gallup survey, suggests that roughly 16% to 17% of U.S. adults are considering leaving the country within the next five years, representing tens of millions of people. Among younger generations, that number is even higher, with up to 40% of women under 30 expressing a desire to live abroad.

While motivations vary from seeking better work-life balance to concerns around cost of living, healthcare, and long-term stability, one theme remains consistent: more Americans are seriously exploring what moving abroad from the U.S. could do for their lifestyle.

There are several important factors to consider when planning a permanent move to Europe. In the following article, we:

explain the need for long-term visas,
discuss how to find employment opportunities,
invite you to consider potential European citizenship pathways,
note the potential for cross-border tax and financial planning implications,
and more.

Let’s dive in.

How to Move to Europe from the U.S. – Visas

There’s a significant difference between visiting Europe as a tourist and moving there long-term.

For Americans, short-term travel to most European countries is relatively straightforward, but relocating requires careful planning, particularly when it comes to securing the appropriate visa.

Short-Term Travel: The 90-Day Rule

Under the current Schengen Agreement, U.S. citizens can travel to most European countries within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa.

The Schengen Zone includes 29 countries, spanning EU member states and additional nations in the European Economic Area (EEA). Popular relocation destinations such as Germany, Switzerland, Portugal, Spain, and France all fall within this area.

However, while this agreement facilitates short-term travel, it does not grant work or residency rights, meaning Americans looking to stay beyond 90 days will need a visa.

New Travel Authorization Requirements for the UK and Europe

In addition to existing visa requirements, travelers should be aware of upcoming changes affecting short-term visits:

United Kingdom: ETA Requirement (Starting January 8, 2025)

Beginning January 8, 2025, U.S. citizens traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, business, or short stays will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) unless they already have a UK visa, legal residency in the UK or Ireland, or a British or Irish passport.

The ETA functions similarly to the U.S. ESTA system, acting as pre-clearance for travel, and is part of the UK’s transition to a digital border system. It lets you travel to the UK for tourism, visiting family, or other qualifying reasons for up to 6 months.

An ETA costs £16.

Travelers can check whether they need a UK visa by visiting GOV.UK.

Europe: ETIAS Travel Authorization (late 2026 launch)

U.S. travelers will soon be required to apply for European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) approval before entering 30 European countries. While not a visa, ETIAS will act as a pre-travel security screening system, similar to the UK ETA or the U.S. ESTA. This requirement has been postponed multiple times, so travelers should verify the latest updates on an official EU website before planning their trips. As of January 2026, the official word is:

“ETIAS will start operations in the last quarter of 2026.

No action is required from travelers at this point.

The European Union will inform about the specific date for the start of ETIAS several months prior to its launch.”

For Americans looking to move to Europe long-term, understanding these changes is essential. Short-term travel authorizations like ETA or ETIAS do not replace visas for work, study, or residency, meaning individuals planning to relocate must apply for a national visa or residence permit based on their destination and intended activities.

As an American, Moving to Europe Requires Obtaining a Long-Term Visa

The exact visa will vary depending on the country and your employment status.

For example, remote workers from the U.S. interested in working remotely from Europe are typically best off finding a country with a digital nomad visa.

If, on the other hand, you’ve been hired for a full-time role in Germany or Switzerland, your immigration pathway will look very different.

Many EU countries are facing a skills shortage

Many EU countries offer fast-tracked migration schemes to allow foreign workers to fill specific skills and labor shortages. For example, Germany launched "Make It In Germany," an official website that includes a feature where you can see if you have a profile that would qualify for a fast-tracked immigration process.

Additionally, obtaining dual citizenship or moving for love can also provide you with a visa pathway. If you’re married to a non-U.S. citizen, foreign countries generally allow family reunification for marriage or committed partnerships.

A note on residency status in Europe

It’s critical to understand how your visa governs your ability to work when you move to Europe from the U.S. Review your visa and check with an immigration lawyer as needed to learn how your residency status changes should you leave your employer or be made redundant.

Obtaining a Work Visa in Europe

The work visa you obtain for full-time employment in Europe will be specific to the country in which you successfully landed a job.

Typically, Americans will require job sponsorship, which means your employer will apply for a work permit on your behalf. There are also specific requirements that vary by country, such as proof of professional experience.

Getting a company to sponsor a work visa for an American is no small task

Competition can be fierce. This is because, in order to hire a U.S. citizen, a company in the EU must first prove that it was unable to find someone locally. The Americans who typically have the easiest time finding work in Europe are those with the skill set to fulfill in-demand jobs or with executive-level experience.

The needs of each country vary, and many have initiated programs for specific professional profiles, such as France’s bid to entice U.S. researchers via its “Choose France” campaign, and, more recently, Finland’s push to recruit U.S. Engineers and Researchers to Power its Quantum and AI Ambitions, according to Newswire.

Be sure to check out government websites and learn about which sectors in your target country are open or actively looking to fill roles by qualified foreigners.

Obtaining EU citizenship

For some lucky Americans, obtaining a European passport from an EU member state can facilitate moving to Europe. Below are some important considerations to bear in mind if you embark on this pathway.

Not all countries allow Americans to hold dual citizenship: Check the requirements if you have your heart set on achieving this status.
Learning the language may be a prerequisite: Claiming citizenship often requires a high level of fluency in the official language of your target country.
Being or becoming a dual national does not absolve you of your U.S. tax-filing obligations, even if you move abroad. Learn more about the citizenship-based taxation model, used by the U.S. since the Civil War.

Banking & Financial Services When Moving to Europe from the USA

Candidly, banking as a U.S. citizen abroad can be a headache.

With the exception of some limited financial U.S. institutions like Charles Schwab and International Brokers, most U.S.-based institutions will not work with U.S. taxpayers if they learn you’ve moved out of the country. You'll also need to make a plan for how to access important U.S. accounts (we recommend creating an ID.me account before you move abroad).

Adding to this complication, the IRS can and does monitor American taxpayers who have foreign financial accounts. At a certain threshold, certain U.S. reporting obligations are triggered, such as the Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) and additional FATCA reporting

The additional scrutiny and reporting mean that not all foreign banks are receptive to American clients, and it’s not uncommon for Americans to experience difficulty opening a local bank account when they move.

Tread Cautiously

Your current bank, brokerage, or financial institution may limit or discontinue services when you notify them of your address outside of the United States.

At least a year prior to your move, it’s highly advisable to invest in a consultation with a cross-border financial planner specializing in the U.S. and your target country to discuss your plans. This applies particularly if you are:

A high-net-worth individual or family
Equity compensation considerations
A business owner
Expecting to receive an inheritance while residing abroad
Moving from a state that makes it challenging to break domicile (e.g., California, New York, Virginia)
Looking to optimize under a short-term location or planning a more permanent move

There are many misconceptions and lots of misinformation about how to navigate U.S.-based finances and reporting if you reside abroad. But seeking out answers to your questions will help prevent them from becoming headaches down the road.

How Much Does It Cost to Move to Europe?

The cost of moving to Europe will look different for everyone, particularly if you plan to move abroad with kids. That said, given the proliferation of questions around how to move to Europe with “no money,” we feel obliged to explicitly note that undertaking an international move with limited finances is short-sighted at best and financially ruinous at worst.

Those who:

take the time to research different countries
align their final choice with their actual budget, and
create a S.M.A.R.T plan to save and move will be best positioned to take the cost of an international move in stride.

Insurance

While one of the biggest advantages of moving to Europe is increased access to quality healthcare (see: Germany and Switzerland), Americans will need to understand how their move impacts pre-existing U.S. coverage.

Typically, insurance is obligatory to obtain your first visa. However, once your resident permit is valid in your target country, it may be possible to cancel your U.S. plan entirely. That said, depending on the length of your stay abroad, you want (and be able to) keep U.S. policies in place.

A key factor here will be whether you are moving to Europe as an employee of a company, a retiree, or a self-employed person.

In all cases, you will want to double-check all your current insurance policies, review what you can and want to keep, and research what you need to purchase for your move abroad.

U.S. Taxes and Cross-Border Planning

As mentioned earlier, U.S. citizens, permanent residents (Green Card holders), and others connected to the U.S. tax system have mandatory U.S. income tax filing requirements. This obligation exists regardless of where you live and work.

Most countries outside the U.S. operate on residence-based taxation, meaning you will also need to file a foreign tax return.

There are tax treaties between the U.S. and many countries to help alleviate double taxation, but they can be complicated to understand and apply correctly.

Planning is key because many income items will be taxed and treated differently between the U.S. and foreign tax regimes. Additionally, U.S. expats have the added layer of managing currency risk to consider.

If you have a complicated situation and choose to self-prepare or work with a U.S. accountant who does not specialize in expats, you risk:

omitting important foreign information filings
failing to recognize that one or more of your foreign accounts qualify as a PFIC
underreporting income, or
overpaying taxes, among other pitfalls.

Just like any other profession, “expat taxes” is a specific knowledge set within the broader accounting industry. It is in your best interests to invest in an expert in U.S. expat taxes from the onset of your journey, as it’s much simpler (and less expensive in the long run) to plan ahead than it is to clean up mistakes.

Managing Investments from Abroad

Investment regulations vary widely from country to country. Ensure your investment advisor acts as your fiduciary, meaning they are working in your best interest, not theirs.

Take the time to understand the local tax implications of your portfolio and understand that many foreign investments are taxed and penalized from a U.S. tax perspective. Familiarize yourself with U.S. reporting requirements, such as the Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT).

Additionally, it’s common for U.S. citizens’ U.S.-based retirement accounts to be their biggest investment account.

Connect with an expert in cross-border finances (specializing in your resident country) to understand how your new country categorizes your accounts to avoid a surprise tax bill.

Wrapping Up – Family Considerations

Americans moving to Europe from the USA with kids

Family considerations are broad when moving to Europe from the USA.

If you’re a U.S. citizen moving to Europe with a U.S. spouse, they may need their own work authorization to obtain employment.

If you are moving abroad with children, you will need to decide between enrolling them in a local school or an international school.

Both options come with a laundry list of pros and cons, each of which will look a little different depending on a family’s specific needs and priorities.

Finally, many Americans moving to Europe pause to consider the potential implications on their extended family. Here are some questions to consider:

Do you have aging parents? If so, to what degree will your move stress any dependency they have on you?
Do you have young adult children either in college or just starting their careers? Moving abroad with older children will broaden their horizons – and likely have important implications for your financial planning (for example, if one child wants to attend college in the U.S., while the other wants to enroll in a university in the EU).

Final Thoughts on Moving to Europe as an American

Very few situations are as straightforward as they seem when it comes to international moves and cross-border tax and financial planning.

Be sure to do your homework and invest the time to carefully research and vet a team of cross-border financial professionals to entrust with questions about immigration and residency status, taxes, and financial planning.

And if you’re planning to move to Switzerland or Germany, we’d be happy to meet with you to discuss how we can support a successful move to Europe.

My Story: My Path to Living in Europe as an American

It may be easy to envision a life in Europe before you make the move, but the realities of implementing that vision can feel daunting. In an episode of the Passport to Wealth podcast, Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA, and founder of Connected Financial Planning, discusses her path to living in Switzerland full-time. For Americans just beginning their journey to living abroad, head to Passport to Wealth's website for more resources on life outside the U.S. or to schedule a consultation.

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About the Author

Arielle Tucker is a Certified Financial Planner™ and IRS Enrolled Agent. She's spent the last decade living between the US, Germany, and Switzerland. She is passionate about helping other U.S. expats and Americans living abroad achieve their dreams with the right financial and tax planning. Connected Financial Planning offers a complimentary introduction call for individuals and families seeking ongoing, comprehensive planning. You can schedule a call here.

Moving to Europe from the USA: What Americans Need to Know