I started telling my friends and family that I was going to move abroad in 2021. Then again in 2022. And again in 2023, before finally making it happen in 2024.

Moving abroad seems so daunting, and I ended up spending way too much time overanalyzing and procrastinating rather than actually making it happen. But once you start putting your plans in motion, you realize that it was never as hard as it seemed. All you have to do is take one step at a time.

If this sounds familiar, I’m here to tell you that you can make it happen in 2026. With the right resources and courage to take the first step, you have everything you need to take the leap.

---

1. Recognize When Your Research Becomes Procrastination

It’s easy to convince yourself you’re being productive when you’re actually avoiding action. Let me guess — you’ve read 10 expat blogs and joined 5 Facebook groups, but haven’t talked to anyone in your life about it yet. That’s your sign to stop overthinking it and take real action, even if it’s one small step.

Take one step forward now: Write down the top 3 things you feel like you still need to research, and set a deadline to find your answers.

---

2. Determine Your Destination (and Stick to It)

There is no such thing as a perfect destination. No matter what problems you think will be solved with a move abroad, know that you’re just choosing a different trade-off, and not a perfect, pain-free life.

It’s easy fantasize and put too much pressure on what a move abroad will bring you. Be realistic, decide what things are most important to you, and choose where you want to move accordingly.

If you don’t know where you want to relocate, start listing your non-negotiables:

• Cost of living
• Safety
• Visa availability
• Job opportunities
• Cultural norms/lifestyle
• Climate & language barriers

Sites like Numbeo can help you research cost of living and safety indexes, while government websites can help you find the right visa and immigration information.

---

3. Tell Others And Build Your Accountability Plan

Not to get too “woo-woo”, but I’m a believer of putting things out into the universe. By telling your friends and family about your goal of moving abroad in 2026, you’ll feel more positive pressure to make it happen.

Hopefully your community will support you on this journey, but if you don’t feel like it’s the right time to tell your loved ones, create your own version of an accountability plan.

---

4. Start Setting Your Plans in Motion

This is where the journey really starts! For me, the way I officially set things in motion was by consulting with and hiring a lawyer. They’re the perfect first step to help guide you through the process, including figuring out your employment situation and which visa process is right for you.

Even if you don’t plan to hire an immigration lawyer, you can usually do a free consultation and get an idea of what your process may look like.

For more information, check out my detailed overview of how to plan your move step-by-step.

---

5. Don’t Be Afraid of Help

While it might be pricey, it’s usually worth it to hire help. This could include relocation services, immigration lawyers, tax advisors, pet movers, or more.

The process of packing up your whole life and moving it abroad is daunting. Take one item off your list and outsource it if your budget allows.

These numbers are not small, and I do want to stress that you absolutely CAN move abroad without professional help. But if you have time to save, it may be worth offloading one or more of these services.

---

6. Proceed With Courage and Determination

Don’t get discouraged. The path isn’t always linear, and there will be times where you feel too overwhelmed to proceed. But if this is something you dream of doing, stay determined!

In my case, I got so overwhelmed by the thought of moving my 85lb Golden Retriever that I almost gave up. Flash forward to now, where Charlie is thriving in his new home and getting daily jamón serrano treats from the restaurant down the street. All of the things I worried about quickly vanished once I saw how well everyone adapted to life abroad.

In the case of my friend, she initially moved here to teach English 5 years ago and has never looked back. She is now on the digital nomad visa, has a Spanish boyfriend, and plans on staying for the long haul.

If there’s something holding you back from taking the leap, try journaling, connecting with other expats, and listening to other expat’s experiences. It’s important to remember that no matter how complex your situation is, there’s almost always a way to make it work.

---

Resources

Here are some of the key resources you need to plan your move abroad:

• Visa Resources: Check government immigration pages for the latest. Here’s Spain’s official government website.
• Housing: Airbnb long stays, Expat.com, Idealista (Spain)
• Finances: Wise, Revolut
• Community: Reddit (r/expats), Facebook groups (American Expats in Spain)

To get the full list, visit my blog on the 10 resources you need to plan your move abroad.

---

Final Thoughts

I promise you that no matter how difficult your situation seems, someone else has done it successfully. Take inspiration from others, hear their success stories, and build up the courage to follow your dreams in the new year.

I recognize that sometimes you have to shift your priorities and put your aspirations on the back burner. But if this is a priority of yours in 2026 — you owe it to yourself to finally take action.

Tell me, what’s one action you’re going to take today to start your dream life abroad? Let me know in the comments!