The move-abroad field guide for Americans
Build a real relocation plan before you book the flight.
Compare countries, estimate move costs, check US tax and compliance basics, and map the first 90 days abroad — one calm, practical workspace.
Relocation workspace
Field boardCompare countries
Visa paths, realistic budgets, healthcare, taxes, banking friction, first-landing cities.
OpenEstimate move costs
Pressure-test first-90-day cash, deposits, monthly burn, and the buffer you need.
OpenCheck compliance
FBAR, FEIE, foreign tax credits, visa document readiness, US accounts to keep.
OpenPlan first 90 days
Documents, banking, phone, insurance, mail, transfers, housing — by workflow.
OpenCountry guides
Compare destinations on what actually matters.
Visas and legal stay, monthly cost of living, taxes, healthcare, banking, and getting set up after you land.
Portugal
UTC+0 (WET / WEST)
- Monthly cost
- $2,000–$3,500
- Popular visa
- D7 Passive Income Visa
Spain
UTC+1 (CET / CEST)
- Monthly cost
- $2,200–$3,800
- Popular visa
- Digital Nomad Visa
Italy
UTC+1 (CET / CEST)
- Monthly cost
- $2,200–$4,000
- Popular visa
- Elective Residence Visa
Greece
UTC+2 (EET / EEST)
- Monthly cost
- $1,800–$3,200
- Popular visa
- Digital Nomad Visa
France
UTC+1 (CET / CEST)
- Monthly cost
- $2,500–$4,500
- Popular visa
- Long-Stay Visitor Visa (VLS-TS Visiteur)
Croatia
UTC+1 (CET / CEST)
- Monthly cost
- $1,500–$2,800
- Popular visa
- Digital Nomad Residence Permit
Netherlands
UTC+1 (CET / CEST)
- Monthly cost
- $2,500–$4,000
- Popular visa
- DAFT (Dutch-American Friendship Treaty)
Mexico
UTC-6 (Central) / UTC-7 (Pacific)
- Monthly cost
- $1,200–$2,500
- Popular visa
- Temporary Resident Visa
Costa Rica
UTC-6 (CST — no daylight saving)
- Monthly cost
- $1,500–$3,000
- Popular visa
- Rentista Visa
Panama
UTC-5 (EST — no daylight saving)
- Monthly cost
- $1,600–$3,000
- Popular visa
- Pensionado (Retiree) Visa
Colombia
UTC-5 (COT)
- Monthly cost
- $1,200–$2,500
- Popular visa
- V Digital Nomad Visa
Thailand
UTC+7 (ICT)
- Monthly cost
- $1,000–$2,500
- Popular visa
- Destination Thailand Visa (DTV)
Practical next steps
Set up the practical side of your move.
We surface practical setup options for tax help, insurance, banking, eSIMs, VPNs, and mail forwarding — without pretending one vendor solves relocation.
Affiliate disclosure: some outbound partner links (Greenback, Wise, SafetyWing, Airalo, NordVPN) may earn TotallyNomad a commission at no extra cost to you.
Start here
Turn the move from an idea into a checklist.
Answer a few practical questions, compare destinations, and organize the move step by step.
Planning library
Useful reading for the next decision
How Much Money Should Americans Save Before Moving Abroad?
There is no universal savings number for moving abroad. Build your target from setup costs, monthly living costs, emergency runway, and U.S. obligations.
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TipsU.S. Banking Checklist Before Moving Abroad
Before moving abroad, pressure-test your U.S. bank accounts, cards, brokerage access, address, phone verification, and backup money options.
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TaxBright!Tax vs Greenback: Best Expat Tax Service for Americans Abroad (2026)
Filing US taxes from abroad is complicated enough without picking the wrong service. We compare Bright!Tax and Greenback on pricing, expertise, turnaround, and what actually happens when things get complicated.
9 min read
ToolsThe 5 Best eSIMs for Traveling Abroad (2026)
Stop paying outrageous roaming fees. These eSIM providers give you cheap, reliable data in 190+ countries — installed in minutes, no physical SIM required.
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ToolsBest VPN for Expats: Stay Secure & Stream from Anywhere (2026)
Your US bank might block you, Netflix shows different content, and public WiFi is everywhere. Here's why every expat needs a VPN — and which ones are actually worth it.
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ToolsBest International Money Transfer Apps for Expats (2026)
Banks charge 3-5% on international transfers. These apps charge a fraction of that — with better exchange rates and faster delivery. Here are the best options.
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