If you’ve ever dreamed of starting fresh overseas, you’re not alone. Due to a number of reasons, more Americans than ever are considering moving abroad from the USA.

In the first quarter of 2025, the amount of Americans moving abroad from the USA doubled compared to the previous quarter per statistics from the US Federal Register. According to the American Association of Americans Overseas, there are an estimated 5.5 million Americans (excluding military) that currently live overseas.

Let this be your proof that no matter your background, someone in a similar situation has successfully moved abroad.

With all factors considered, 2026 marks a great time to make the change. With remote work, flexible visas, and more moderate cost of living trends overseas, this is the year to finally make the leap.

To help you make the leap, I’ve put together a complete, practical guide covering where to move abroad, how much to budget, and what steps to take.

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What Country Is Easiest to Move To?

Moving abroad can be… complicated. For this reason, finding the easiest countries for Americans moving abroad from USA should be your first priority.

What do I mean when I say easiest?

• Range of visa options
• Simplicity of requirements/process
• Cost
• Immigrant community
• Healthcare
• Paths to residency
• And above all… safety

Based on all of these factors, here are the easiest destinations for Americans to move abroad to in 2026.

1. Portugal

Why? It has always been an expat hub, and continues to dominate for overall quality of life + safety.

• Safety: Among the safest countries in the world (Global Peace Index top 10).
• Visa range: D7 (retirement/passive Income), D2 (entrepreneurs), Digital Nomad.
• Healthcare: Excellent.
• Cost of Living: Moderate in big cities, low in smaller towns.
• Residency path: 5 years → citizenship.

The downside? Portugal (like most of Southern Europe) is notoriously slow and bureaucratic. But with all things considered, if you’re looking for the best overall option, Portugal is it.

2. Spain

Why? Spain is very safe, well-regulated, and has robust healthcare and immigration support.

• Safety: Top-tier safety within Europe. Petty theft in tourist spots is the main issue, but for Americans, that’s a better trade-off than gun violence.
• Visas: Non-Lucrative, Digital Nomad, Work, Student, etc.
• Cost of Living: Low to moderate.
• Residency: 5 years → permanent, 10 years → citizenship.

The downside? Spain’s Non-Lucrative and Digital Nomad visas are relatively simple in theory, but the minimum income thresholds are high compared to other countries — and they’re strictly enforced.
You’ll need consistent monthly income or large savings, which can be a hurdle for early retirees or freelancers.

3. Costa Rica

Why? Costa Rica is politically stable, a safe option for Latin America, and has excellent healthcare.

• Safety: Low violent crime; petty theft in tourist areas is manageable.
• Visas: Pensionado (retirement), Rentista (passive income), Investor.
• Cost of Living: Moderate; some areas pricey due to demand.
• Residency: Straightforward, with clear pensionado/rentista paths.

The downside? Costa Rica’s popularity has driven significant price increases for housing and healthcare insurance in popular expat zones. Some areas now approach North American prices. So if you’re moving for financial reasons, this might not be the best option unless you live in smaller towns.

Costa Rica is best for eco-living and retirees who value peace and nature.

4. Thailand

Why? Thailand is very safe day-to-day, and it has a stable tourist and expat infrastructure.

• Safety: Petty theft rare; violent crime against foreigners is very uncommon.
• Visas: Elite (Privilege), Retirement, Business, Digital Nomad.
• Cost: Low–moderate.
• Residency: Long-stay options but few direct citizenship paths.

The downside? While it’s easy to enter and stay short-term, maintaining a long-term, renewable legal status can feel bureaucratic and uncertain. With all these factors considered, Thailand offers an excellent quality of life and safety for cost.

5. Georgia

Why? While few people know about this option, Georgia is one of the safest and most welcoming countries in its region.

• Safety: Very safe for foreigners, low violent crime.
• Visas: 1-year visa-free for many countries.
• Cost: Very low.
• Residency: Flexible.

The downside? Georgia is safe and simple for remote workers, but its healthcare system is still developing, and local job opportunities are limited unless you work remotely. For complex medical care, many expats travel abroad.

Georgia is great for digital nomads wanting a simple, cheap, safe setup.

Overview: Easiest Countries to Move Abroad to in 2026

Country	Safety	Ease of Visa	Cost of Living	Expat Community	Healthcare	Residency Path	Overall
?? Portugal	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	? Excellent
?? Spain	⭐⭐⭐⭐½	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐½	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐½	⭐⭐⭐	? Very Good
?? Costa Rica	⭐⭐⭐⭐½	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	✅ Strong
?? Thailand	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐	✅ Strong
?? Georgia	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐½	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐½	⭐⭐	⭐⭐½	✅ Strong

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How Much Money Do You Need to Move Abroad?

Once you decide where you’d like to move, it’s time to sort out a budget for moving abroad.

Hear are the main expenses you should budget for:

• Visa and legal fees
• Flights and shipping personal belongings
• Housing deposits
• Healthcare insurance (most countries require immigrants to buy private)
• Startup living costs (first 3–6 months)

Ultimately, the budget you need will depend on your specific situation, lifestyle, and whether or not you have dependents.

Although it varies greatly, here are reasonable estimates of how much money it will take to move abroad:

• Solo remote worker: $5,000–$10,000
• Couple: $10,000–$20,000
• Family: $15,000–$30,000

I want to stress here that it is possible to move abroad with less money, but you have to be organized, pack light, and pick an affordable place to live.

There are so many success stories of people that moved abroad with nothing, so please don’t let the finances scare you! Ultimately, only you know what the right decision is for your circumstances.

One consideration — depending on the type of visa you’re on, you may have to provide a larger deposit to secure housing. Do all of this research in advance to save yourself any surprises later.

Here are a few resources to help with budget planning:

• Numbeo cost of living calculator
• Wise or Revolut money transfer services
• Download my free, downloadable Moving Abroad Budget Template

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What Country Is Cheapest to Relocate To?

If you’re on a budget and looking to move abroad fast, here are the cheapest countries to move abroad from the USA.

1. Mexico

Mexico is a go-to favorite for Americans looking for an easy, affordable way to move abroad. With affordable rent, low cost of living, and a straightforward Temporary or Permanent Resident visa process, Mexico allows you to relocate quickly.

Popular expat hubs include Mérida, Playa del Carmen, and Lake Chapala, all with established communities and modern amenities that meet American standards. Just be careful about where you locate to due to safety concerns in certain regions.

2. Georgia

As we touched on earlier, the country of Georgia offers incredibly low living costs, beautiful landscapes, and an easy immigration process for many nationalities. Many Americans can stay visa-free for up to a year, and long-term residency options are simple to arrange. This makes Georgia a great option if you want to move abroad quick and test out what life is like in a foreign country.

While the culture is vastly different, Tbilisi and Batumi have growing expat communities, making integration smoother.

3. Thailand

Thailand combines affordability with excellent quality of life. While tourist visas only offer short-term stays, programs like the Thailand Elite Visa or retirement visas allow longer stays.

Cities like Chiang Mai and Bangkok are popular with expats, offering inexpensive housing, food, and healthcare.

4. Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a well known go-to for those seeking a laid-back lifestyle with reliable infrastructure. While slightly more expensive than Mexico or Georgia, it’s still cheaper than relocating to Western Europe or the USA itself.

The Pensionado and Rentista visas make it relatively simple to establish residency.

5. Portugal

Portugal might not be the absolute cheapest, but it’s one of the most cost-effective European options. Unlike the costly immigration processes in some countries, its D7 visa for passive income earners, or the Digital Nomad visa allows Americans to move abroad with a moderate budget.

Cities like Lisbon and Porto are more expensive, but smaller towns like Braga or Coimbra offer lower costs and high quality of life.

Cheapest Countries to Move Abroad To: Basic Cost of Living Comparison

Country	Rent (1BR city center)	Utilities & Internet	Groceries	Transport	Healthcare	Total Avg Monthly
Mexico	$400–$700	$50–$100	$200–$300	$30–$50	$50–$100	$730–$1,250
Georgia	$250–$500	$30–$70	$150–$250	$15–$30	$40–$80	$485–$930
Thailand	$300–$600	$50–$100	$150–$250	$30–$50	$50–$100	$580–$1,100
Costa Rica	$500–$900	$70–$120	$250–$350	$40–$70	$80–$150	$940–$1,590
Portugal	$700–$1,200	$100–$150	$250–$400	$50–$80	$70–$150	$1,170–$1,980

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Moving Abroad Checklist: What You Need to Do

Planning a move abroad can feel overwhelming (speaking from experience). There are so many things to think about, from visa paperwork to housing to finances.

To make it easier, I’ve created a step-by-step moving abroad from USA checklist that breaks down everything you need to do before you leave and once you arrive in your new country.

Here’s a sneak peek of what’s included in the checklist:

12–6 Months Before Moving

• Research your visa options and requirements
• Begin gathering important documents like translations and background checks
• Organize finances for international banking and currency transfers
• Make arrangements for pets, housing, and any other personal affairs

Upon Arrival / Immediately After

• Secure temporary accommodation while searching for a permanent home
• Register with local authorities and get essential IDs or registration numbers
• Set up local banking, phone plans, and utilities
• Navigate public transport and local systems efficiently

…and much more! The full checklist goes step by step, with everything you need to make your move smooth and stress-free in a printable, digestible format.

Want the complete Moving Abroad Checklist?

Sign up for my newsletter and get the full downloadable checklist delivered straight to your inbox.

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Your Next Chapter Awaits

If moving abroad has been a dream of yours, I hope this gives you a good understanding of your options and what it takes to make the leap.

Here’s what I want you to take away from this blog post:

1. There is a huge community of expats all across the world (over 5.5 million)!
2. While there’s no such thing as a perfect country, you have viable options for moving abroad.
3. It can be costly to move abroad, but it doesn’t have to be. People are able to pull it off with way less.
4. You do have to leave your comfort zone, but I promise it’s worth it.
5. If you want to move abroad in 2026, you need to start planning now!

Your dreams of moving abroad from the USA are achievable with planning and research. At Everyday Abroad, I hope to help give you the resources, encouragement, and realistic POV of what it takes to turn your dreams into reality.

So tell me – Where are you dreaming of moving in 2026?

Let me know in the comments!

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Need more info? Check out my posts on:

• How to Turn Your Moving Abroad Dreams Into Reality in 2026
• 10 Resources to Help You Move Abroad
• What Living Abroad is Really Like: A Realistic Take

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