USA → Europe · Destinations
The best European countries for Americans to move to in 2026
Americans received about 80,000 first residence permits in Europe in 2024, the latest year with official data by nationality. Spain came first, then France, Germany and the Netherlands. Which country is best for you depends on how you will earn a living: a local job, remote work, or retirement income.
Where Americans actually go
| Country | First permits for US citizens, 2024 | Main route for Americans |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | 15,638 | Non-lucrative visa, digital nomad visa, study |
| France | 13,062 | Long-stay visitor visa, work, study |
| Germany | 8,507 | Residence permit applied for inside Germany, Blue Card |
| Netherlands | 6,732 | Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (self-employed), work |
| Denmark | 5,183 | Work and study |
| Italy | 5,049 | Elective residence visa, work, ancestry |
| Ireland | 4,773 | Work permits, ancestry and Irish passports |
| Portugal | 4,345 | D7 passive income visa, D8 digital nomad visa |
Eurostat first residence permits, as reported by The Local and Mappr. The UK and Albania do not report to Eurostat; Americans can stay in Albania for up to a year without a visa.
Visa routes and income rules in 2026
| Route | Who it is for | Income or salary needed |
|---|---|---|
| Spain: non-lucrative visa | Retirees and people with passive income; no work in Spain | €2,400 a month (+€600 per family member) |
| Spain: digital nomad visa | Remote workers for non-Spanish clients | About €2,850 a month (200% of minimum wage) |
| Portugal: D7 | Pensions, rental or investment income | €920 a month, plus about €11,040 in savings |
| Portugal: D8 digital nomad | Remote workers | 4 times the minimum wage, about €3,680 a month |
| Germany: EU Blue Card | Graduates with a job offer | €50,700 a year (€45,934 in shortage jobs) |
| Netherlands: DAFT | Self-employed Americans | Invest at least €4,500 in your Dutch business |
| Greece: digital nomad visa | Remote workers | €3,500 a month |
| Albania | Anyone with a US passport | No visa for up to one year |
Thresholds change, often every January. Always check the consulate or immigration office before you apply.
What your money is worth
| Country | Take-home on $100,000 a month | 1-bed rent, city centre |
|---|---|---|
| Spain (Madrid) | $5,411 | €1,320 |
| Netherlands (Amsterdam) | $5,414 | €2,304 |
| Ireland (Dublin) | $5,546 | €2,214 |
| France (Paris) | $5,425 | €1,380 |
| Germany (Berlin) | $4,934 | €1,368 |
| Portugal (Lisbon) | $4,897 | €1,390 |
| Italy (Milan) | $4,853 | €1,533 |
| Greece (Athens) | $4,948 | €653 |
Take-home for a single employee earning the same $100,000 converted to euros, 2026 rules, from our USA vs Europe calculator. Rents from our 34-city rent calculator.
How to choose
- With a job offer: Germany and the Netherlands have the simplest work-permit systems, and the Dutch 30% ruling (27% from 2027) cuts tax for recruited experts.
- Working remotely: Spain, Portugal and Greece offer digital nomad visas; Spain and Portugal also offer tax regimes for newcomers.
- Retiring: Spain’s non-lucrative visa and Portugal’s D7 are the classic routes; Greece topped the Global Retirement Index 2026.
- Low cost: Athens, Tirana, Kraków and Bucharest have the lowest rents among the cities we track.
- Whatever you choose, you keep filing US taxes. Read our tax guide for Americans.
Compare your US pay with 19 European countries →
Sources
This guide is general information based on the tax rules we could verify for 2026, not tax or financial advice. Rules change and personal situations differ, so check with the tax authority or a qualified adviser before you act. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected].