Something significant is happening in America right now. People are packing up their entire lives and moving abroad at levels that haven’t been seen in years – and the motivations behind it go way deeper than simple wanderlust. It’s a mix of political disillusionment, sky-high living costs, exhaustion from a healthcare system that bleeds wallets dry, and, honestly, just a hunger for something different and better.
According to statistics from the U.S. Federal Register, there was a 102.4% jump in Americans expatriating in just the first quarter of 2025, compared to the last quarter of 2024. That’s not a trickle. That’s a wave. Here’s a gallery-style look at exactly where Americans are going – and why.
1. Mexico – The Undisputed Number One
Here’s the thing about Mexico: it’s not even close. No other country comes anywhere near it in terms of raw numbers of American relocators. Mexico leads the list, with nearly 800,000 U.S. citizens making the move in the year 2024 alone. Proximity to the United States, lower cost of living, and established expatriate communities make it a convenient and attractive choice.
According to the Expat Insider 2025 Survey, Mexico is the number one expat destination for happiness, with roughly nine in ten expats satisfied with their quality of life. Think about that for a second – that’s a remarkably high satisfaction rate. The cost of living is nearly 46% less expensive than in the U.S., with rent being the biggest monthly expense. Cities like Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Querétaro have emerged as particularly popular with American expats seeking safety alongside affordability.
2. Portugal – The Hottest Name in Expat Circles
If you’ve been in any American expat community online in the last two years, you’ve heard about Portugal. Constantly. U.S. travel to Portugal has boomed in recent years, and it’s now the number one country where Americans are hoping to move abroad, according to a survey of 116,363 Americans who looked into leaving the U.S. throughout 2024. That survey was administered by Expatsi, a relocation resource company.
Consumer prices in Portugal are, on average, more than 50% lower than in the United States, while Portugal ranked 7th in the Global Peace Index’s top safest countries in 2024. Portugal also boasts a highly ranked healthcare system that is both affordable and accessible, with private insurance plans often costing less than $150 per month. I think that last number alone explains so much of the appeal for Americans drowning in healthcare bills at home.
3. Spain – Sun, Siesta, and Serious Visa Options
Spain is a perennial favorite for a reason. The food is extraordinary, the weather is warm, the pace of life is genuinely different – and the country has worked hard to make itself accessible to Americans. Currently, more than 45,000 Americans are living in Spain, making it one of the most popular European destinations for U.S. citizens.
With diverse visa options such as the non-lucrative visa for retirees, the digital nomad visa for remote workers, the NALCAP program for those who want to get paid to teach English in Spain (up to 62 years old), and student visas, Spain stands out as a premier choice for expats. Spain’s diet, emphasizing olive oil, fresh vegetables, seafood, and whole grains, closely resembles Blue Zone eating patterns, while the culture of daily walks, afternoon siestas, and strong community ties creates an environment where healthy aging happens naturally.
4. Canada – The Closest Fresh Start
For many Americans, Canada is the logical first move. Same continent, same language, familiar culture. But the reasons people are actually going are more emotionally charged than ever. Following the 2024 U.S. presidential election, searches for “moving to Canada” and “immigrate to Canada” jumped by over 5,000%, according to The Hill. That’s not a typo.
Canada has long been a destination for American expatriates because of its geographic proximity, familiar culture, and similar socioeconomic environment. However, migration flows have historically fluctuated in response to economic, political, and social factors. Notably, shifts in U.S. administration policies – particularly those affecting immigration, labour markets, and social stability – have influenced U.S. residents’ intentions to move north. Beyond specific election results, ongoing concerns about gun violence have motivated potential emigrants, with many Americans citing Canada’s stricter gun control laws and lower rates of gun violence as appealing factors.
5. Costa Rica – Pura Vida and Real Value
Costa Rica has long held a special place in the imagination of Americans dreaming of a simpler, greener life. The numbers tell the story: Costa Rica follows Mexico as a top choice due to its proximity to the United States, lower cost of living, and established expatriate communities, with more than 120,000 Americans now calling Costa Rica home.
Many Americans head to Costa Rica not only for its vacation-perfect atmosphere but also for the country’s favorable tax policies, since foreign-earned income is tax-free. The affordable healthcare system in the country is also well-regarded, and the nation has been dubbed a top retirement destination for 2024. The overall cost of living in Costa Rica is roughly 34% less expensive than the United States, including rent, and the combination of excellent healthcare, political stability, and a culture that embraces “pura vida” has made it one of the most popular destinations for Americans seeking a longer, healthier retirement abroad.
6. United Kingdom – For the Professionally and Ancestrally Connected
The UK sits comfortably in the top tier of American relocation destinations, though it tends to attract a specific type of mover. A record number of Americans applied for UK citizenship, according to British government data. The United Kingdom is particularly popular for those with ancestral or professional ties. There’s a sense of familiarity there – shared language, overlapping cultural references – that makes the transition feel less like a leap into the unknown.
The United Kingdom recorded moderate increases in American expat populations in the 2024 to 2025 period. In the Expatsi survey of over 116,000 Americans, Spain and the U.K. rounded out the top three most desired destinations, with roughly one in ten participants naming the UK as a top choice. For remote workers in finance, media, or tech, London and Edinburgh in particular remain compelling destinations that don’t require learning a new language.
7. Italy – La Dolce Vita Is Real
Italy is not just a fantasy. It’s increasingly a real destination with actual visa pathways designed to attract foreign residents. Italy’s Elective Residency Visa is ideal for retirees and financially independent individuals, while its new Digital Nomad Visa introduced in 2025 supports remote workers. Cities like Rome, Milan, and Florence remain popular among expats.
Italy is particularly favored by those with EU family connections, dual citizenship paths, or employment in academia or international organizations. Honestly, even the food alone could be reason enough for some people. A 2025 survey found that roughly 17% of Americans are considering moving abroad in the next five years, with Italy topping the list of desired destinations alongside Canada and England. Italy’s slower rhythm of life, its emphasis on meals shared with family, and its stunning physical landscape make it endlessly appealing to Americans burnt out by hustle culture.
8. France – Culture, Cuisine, and Clusters of Americans
France holds an almost mythological status in the American imagination, and the reality for expats living there is genuinely compelling. Newly released figures from France’s national statistics agency, Insee, show that approximately a quarter of U.S.-born residents living in France reside in Paris. A February 2025 article from The Connexion provides insights into the distribution of Americans across France and the factors behind their settlement patterns.
In Expatsi’s 2024 survey of more than 116,000 Americans, France ranked as the second most recommended destination, recommended to nearly half of all participants based on their stated preferences. France attracts Americans who have EU family connections, dual citizenship paths, or employment in academia or international organizations. The French social safety net – including subsidized childcare, generous parental leave, and robust public healthcare – is a profound draw for young American families who feel underserved at home.
9. Greece – The Golden Visa Surge
Greece might surprise some people on this list, but the data is hard to argue with. A 49% jump in U.S. approvals for Greece’s Golden Visa program was recorded in 2025, rising from 388 in December 2024, cementing Greece as a preferred escape hatch for wealthy Americans seeking stability, residency, and opportunity in Europe.
Among all European countries, Greece has emerged as a favorite choice, combining cultural richness with accessible entry routes. Its Golden Visa programme is one of the most affordable in Europe. Favorable tax policies and a blend of luxury with simplicity have made Greece a standout for Americans looking to reimagine their lives abroad. Beyond the investment angle, daily life in Greece – the Mediterranean diet, the pace, the islands – appeals strongly to retirees seeking both beauty and longevity.
10. Germany – For Skilled Workers and the Long-Term Builders
Germany is a different kind of destination. It’s less about beaches and lifestyle, more about stability, infrastructure, and career. Germany’s Blue Card holders can qualify for permanent residency in as few as 33 months, or 21 months with language proficiency, with updated 2026 salary thresholds set at €50,700 general or €45,934 for shortage occupations.
Germany, like France and Italy, attracts Americans with EU family connections, dual citizenship paths, or employment in academia or international organizations. Germany provides universal healthcare, ensuring access to medical services without the high expenses often associated with the U.S. system. It’s hard to say for sure, but Germany seems to increasingly attract a specific profile of American: the engineer, the academic, the finance professional – people who are thinking in decades, not years.
11. Panama – Dollar-Based, Stable, and Deeply Practical
Panama doesn’t always make the headlines, but it quietly punches well above its weight as an expat destination. Panama is a popular destination for American expats. With its lower cost of living, it offers an affordable alternative to many places in the United States, and a couple can live comfortably on $2,600 a month or less, including rent.
Healthcare in Panama is generally of high quality and significantly cheaper than in the U.S., and many doctors in Panama are trained in the United States or Europe. For retirees, Panama offers attractive incentives through the Pensionado Program, which provides discounts on various services such as healthcare, travel, and dining, and the country also uses the U.S. dollar, which simplifies currency concerns for American expats. The fact that you never have to think about exchange rates is, honestly, a bigger deal than most people realize – it eliminates a whole layer of financial stress that other expat destinations carry.
The Bigger Picture Behind the Move
What’s truly remarkable about this trend is how broad the motivations have become. Unlike earlier waves of emigration which were often driven by singular causes, today’s trend is multi-faceted. Economic considerations like cost of living and opportunity still matter, but they intertwine with a quest for personal freedom, safety, and fulfillment that many feel has grown elusive.
According to the Expatsi survey, the top reason people give for wanting to move out of the U.S. is for adventure, enrichment, and growth. Two-thirds of test-takers say they want to leave the U.S. by 2026, with roughly 30% hoping to retire abroad, 18% seeking a digital nomad visa, and 17% planning to move with a skilled worker visa. Driven by rising costs of living, political tensions, and the search for a better quality of life, record numbers of Americans are making the bold decision to move abroad. The world is genuinely open in ways it has never been before. So – does any of these 11 countries speak to you? What would be your reason for going?
