Moving to Europe from the USA in 2026 - Top 10 Relocation Considerations & Golden Visa Strategy

Golden Visa Explorer Investments Editorial Team
Wed, 03 Dec 2025 18:37:00 GMT
Moving to Europe, Relocation, Golden Visa Portugal, US Expats

Thinking of moving to Europe from the USA? This 2026 guide explains why more Americans are relocating, the top 10 relocation considerations, key visa routes – and how Portugal’s CMVM-regulated Golden Visa fund route can underpin a long-term EU residency and citizenship strategy.

If you find yourself saying, “I want to move to Europe from the USA”, you are far from alone. Millions of Americans now live abroad and over a million of them have chosen Europe for its safety, healthcare, quality of life and long-term residency options.

This guide explores why Americans are moving to Europe, the top relocation considerations, and the main visa pathways – from passive income and retirement visas to Digital Nomad permits and Golden Visas. You’ll also discover why countries like Portugal, Spain, Italy and Greece are at the top of many relocation shortlists.

For high-net-worth families, we highlight how Golden Visa programs and, in particular, Portugal’s €500,000 CMVM-regulated fund route can provide a structured, low-presence path to EU residency and, subject to eligibility, a potential five-year route to citizenship. This allows you to integrate relocation into a broader wealth, tax and private equity strategy rather than treating it as a standalone lifestyle decision.

We also walk through practical steps – budgeting, shipping, healthcare, housing, banking and tax – and include a short moving checklist plus FAQs to help you turn the idea of moving to Europe into a concrete plan.