American interest in moving abroad has been surging since the November election. A recent survey found that 17% of Americans plan to move overseas within the next five years, with another 5% actively working on their relocation. So what are the best countries for Americans to live in? A new annual report from Expatsi reveals the best places to move and why.

The Expatsi Report 2024, based on data from more than 116,000 Americans, ranks the best countries for relocation based on factors like infrastructure, safety, ease of getting a visa, language, social freedoms and more. Expatsi is a company that helps Americans find the best countries to move to.

Expatsi’s report also looks at why so many Americans are moving abroad—and it turns out that while adventure and personal growth have traditionally been top motivators for expats, political concerns are playing an increasing role. “In 2023, 46% said the U.S. was too conservative, while 56% of people said that in 2024,” Expatsi founder Jen Barnett told me in an interview.

One of the most striking changes in this year’s report is the inclusion of gun violence concerns. “We added ‘to avoid the threat of gun violence’ as an answer option because many test takers wrote it in. About half of test takers select it,” says Barnett.

Why Europe Dominates The List Of Best Places To Live

In the latest report, the 10 top recommended countries are all in Europe—a result that even surprised Barnett. “The list has always been very Euro-centric, but in the past at least Costa Rica made the cut for the top 10,” says Barnett.

Several key factors pushed European destinations to the top. Most of all is a desire for a strong infrastructure. According to Barnett, 44% of respondents say they want to live in countries that rank in the top 10% for infrastructure—an area where Western Europe excels.

Language also plays a role: 85% of respondents prefer countries where English is widely spoken. “In most countries in Europe, more than half of locals speak English,” says Barnett. “But we strongly encourage our audience to learn the language and adapt to the culture.”

Social policies are also important: 61% of respondents say they want to live in countries that rank highly for women’s rights, while 58% prioritize legal abortion access, and 56% seek gay marriage rights—criteria that heavily favors European nations.

Weather is important, too: Most respondents choose mild climates that align with Europe’s temperate conditions.

Another big reason Americans are drawn to Europe is safety, especially at a time when safety is top of mind for many Americans. “Europe is also very safe,” says Barnett.

The Best Countries For Americans To Move To

Coming in at the top of Expatsi’s list as the best country for Americans to move to is Portugal. “Once they learn more about the pathways available, many people prefer to move to Portugal for retirement, golden visas or digital nomad visas because it’s safe, friendly and beautiful with a lower cost of living,” says Barnett.

France comes in second, followed by Spain, Greece and Switzerland rounding out the top five.

Mexico—at number 14—is another attractive option. “The country has so much to offer, and residency visas are easy to obtain. It can also be a waypoint for people who want to leave the U.S. quickly and keep exploring options,” says Barnett. A bonus: “For people with large dogs or lots of pets, driving across the border to Mexico is the easiest option.”

For those looking beyond Europe, the top picks by region are Taiwan (Asia), Mauritius (Africa) and Colombia (South America).

Best Countries Based On Lifestyle

Expatsi’s test doesn’t just rank destinations—it also considers practical factors like visa pathways and affordability.

For people on a budget, Expatsi recommends Albania, which doesn’t make the top 20 list in this report, but still has a lot to offer. “It offers a very low cost of living where Americans can stay for a year as tourists,” says Barnett.

Digital nomads prefer Portugal, Spain, Greece and Canada. Self-employed professionals might consider the Netherlands, which offers the DAFT (Dutch American Friendship Treaty) visa, allowing Americans to apply for residency after arrival. Retirees favor France, Slovenia, Germany and Greece.

LGBTQ+ Americans—especially families—should look to South America. “For folks with LGBTQ+ kids, we talk a lot about Uruguay, a safe and stable democracy in South America with favorable culture and laws,” says Barnett.

Are Americans Actually Moving?

So are people actually moving? According to Barnett, the answer is yes. “Most people who consider it won’t go through with it, but we see more and more Americans moving. We suggest there are six stages to moving abroad (ideation, planning, exploration, paperwork, logistics and settling in),” says Barnett. “We have hundreds of people in the paperwork stage right now and thousands in the planning stage.”

Read on for Expatsi’s list of the 20 best countries for Americans to live in; you can see the full report here.

The 20 Best Countries For Americans To Move To

  1. Portugal
  2. France
  3. Spain
  4. Greece
  5. Switzerland
  6. Austria
  7. Luxembourg
  8. Belgium
  9. Slovenia
  10. Norway
  11. Germany
  12. Netherlands
  13. Australia
  14. Mexico
  15. Canada
  16. Sweden
  17. Finland
  18. Ireland
  19. Denmark
  20. United Kingdom

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