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I am interested in an overall strategy in exploring one or a few countries to seriously consider relocation. I imagine the first step is to list my priorities as a SINGLE lady of 70 young years and research the internet for the practical basic needs like housing and Potential for Community Connection. Would you advise perhaps a month or so of travel in each country to update my gut level impressions? I have traveled in the past to Europe and Asia but the visits ranged no longer than days to a week.
Hi @AMHANDZEL25 We’ve checked in with Suzan Haskins, IL's Senior Lifestyle Editor, to get an answer to your question. This was her response,
I’d say you are on the right track with your thinking. And yes, we always recommend staying as long as you can in one place you are considering for relocation. A month is ideal; longer if you can. That’s the best way to get a good feel for a place, especially anything you might find challenging. Once you decide where you are going, reach out to one of the IL correspondents on this community site with any questions you have. Just select the country and post away…or email them directly at, for instance Panama@InternationalLiving.com, France@InternationalLiving.com, etc. They can explain…or a quick Google search can turn up…the visa timeline for any particular country. MOST countries will give you 90 days, but often you’ll need to tell the immigration officer you want that. They tend to assume most tourists are only staying for a week or two. Knowing the rules before you approach immigration is your best bet.
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We always concern on health programs for people over 65. I red in some places we have to pay taxes on social security benefits coming from US? Documentation we need to get ready and how many months or years in advance to be prepare for the jump. What is the requirements in Italy for example.
Hi @LILROSA-2021 We’ve checked in with Suzan Haskins, IL's Senior Lifestyle Editor, to get an answer to your question. This was her response,
Hi there, you are at the right place to post your questions. Each country will have different options when it comes to healthcare so once you have narrowed down your country choice, reach out to one of the IL correspondents on this community site and ask them. Just select the country and post away… Same goes for taxes. Many countries (especially in Latin America) do not tax foreign residents on their foreign-earned income. Others, such as Spain, do. However, if your income is minimal, so will the tax you pay…and it will likely be offset by the benefits you receive. As for how far in advance you should start your planning, that’s a personal decision based on your personal circumstances. For example, do you have a home and belongings to sell, do you plan to ship any of your belongings or just pack suitcases and go, etc. etc. If you have specific questions about Italy, post them in the Italy section of this community site that you’ll find on the bar at right…or email Italy@InternationalLiving.com
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What are the steps A to Z?
Hi @KATHYLBAILEY We’ve checked in with Suzan Haskins, IL's Senior Lifestyle Editor, to get an answer to your question. This was her response,
Hi Kathy, if you can be more specific with your question, I am happy to help. I assume you are asking what the steps are to move overseas? IL has so many resources devoted to this. I’d suggest you start by deciding where you want to go and when. Once you have those things in mind, start a spread sheet with all the things you need to do…for instance, sell your home and belongings, apply for a visa, figure out what you’ll do about healthcare, get your pet vaccinations/inspections lined up, etc.
Once you decide on a country, check in with the IL correspondent in that country and they can help with specific suggestions. Just post your questions in the specific county section of this community site that you’ll find on the bar at right…or email, for instance, Panama@InternationalLiving.com, France@InternationalLiving.com, etc. These correspondents all live in the countries they represent and can help point you in the right direction.
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According to a recent bulletin, Starting in 2025, Americans will have to pre-register before traveling to any of the countries in Europe with the new screening system called ETIAS. ETIAS is valid for three years, or until your U.S. passport expires, whichever is sooner. To get ETIAS, you need to: Register online, Provide your U.S. passport details, Provide your personal details, and Provide information about your trip.
The system will check the security credentials and charge a fee to travellers visiting EU member countries for business, tourism, medical or transit purposes. ETIAS is a travel authorisation for travellers not requiring a visa to visit Europe. These visitors will undergo additional security checks prior to being permitted to enter the EU. The ETIAS will be mandatory for citizens of countries including the United States, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Please provide more detailed information about this -- It seems confusing. Thanks!
Hi @SUZCOWAN We’ve checked in with Suzan Haskins, IL's Senior Lifestyle Editor, to get an answer to your question. This was her response,
I would not worry about this too much. I am guessing when the time comes and this is implemented, your airline will provide and link and a reminder to complete the form. I think of it like those forms we had to fill out during covid to show we had been vaccinated before entry to a country. Not a big deal, just one more step. If you are under 18 or 70 or over, you will not have a pay a fee for the ETIAS.
Here is a story from Forbes on the topic: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/travel-insurance/europe-etias-requirements-2024/ Don’t let this deter you, it will be just another document to fill out and show that you have been approved.
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I am interested in going to Portugal, Port region, on September, for two months, and renting a small Airbnb with kitchenette.
Who can I get in touch with to help me start my exploration of moving and eventually settling in that country?Hi @PSMGOLF We’ve checked in with Glenda Cole, our expert in Portugal, to get an answer to your question. This was her response,
Who can you talk to about moving and settling here? There are many on line forums, or if you want to pay for official help, Rita Jardim is an immigration attorney that can help on all fronts. She has spoken several times at International Living events and she is very good.
Her email contact: rita.jardim@mayerjardim.com.
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I want to move to Portugal but the amount of paperwork is overwhelming! Can you suggest how I would go about getting legal assistance that I could hire to assist in dealing with application for visa, etc.
Hi @LMCGLOTHIN435 We’ve checked in with Glenda Cole, our expert in Portugal, to get an answer to your question. This was her response,
As far as overwhelming paperwork, Rita Jardim is an immigration attorney that can help on all fronts. She has spoken several times at International Living events and she is very good.
Her email contact: rita.jardim@mayerjardim.com.
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I am retired from an airline and can travel at will on standby. If I had a 6 month rental and left within 90 day for a few days and then returned to complete my 6 month lease, would there be any flags or issues with that? As I do not expect to qualify for citizenship or get a golden visa.
Hi @MICASAFAVORITES-0 We’ve checked in with Ted Baumann, our Global Diversification Expert, to get an answer to your question. This was his response,
You don't mention what country or region you are referring to, but I'm going to assume it's the European Union. You can only spend a maximum of 90 days out of every 180 inside the Schengen zone. Leaving for a few days doesn't reset the clock. So you would only be able to use your rental for three months out of the six.
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Is a Visa required to work in Spain, Portugal and Italy? And are there jobs you can get where mostly English is spoken? I speak Spanish but not Portugese or Italian.
Hi @MICASAFAVORITES-0 We’ve checked in with Ted Baumann, our Global Diversification Expert, to get an answer to your question. This was his response,
All countries require a special visa to work there. All those countries require a special work permit. In every case, that means you must have a confirmed job offer from a local employer. There may be some jobs that don't require the local language, but there's no way to tell ahead of time. Getting a work permit requires special skills, and is usually only possible if there are no locals available for the job.
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New to IL and may have missed some info about moving o-seas not necessarily because of needing to cut cost of living but able to afford greater national security, political solidity, good health care, etc. Any info researched by IL in Switzerland, Poland, Nordic countries, ??
Hi @LEECERNY We’ve checked in with Ted Baumann, our Global Diversification Expert, to get an answer to your question. This was his response,
Switzerland and the Nordic countries are generally quite difficult to get into unless you have a special relationship there, either through relatives or business.Unlike countries on the Mediterranean periphery, most of them don't have independent means visas for retirees and so on. Nor do they have digital nomad visas. Poland does have a citizenship by ancestry process that reaches back several generations, but you would need to have Polish ancestors for that to work.
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If I take up residency in Greece or anywhere in Europe and then decide I do not want to be there do I simply leave or is there a process? Thank you
Hi @KEITHFISHERPT We’ve checked in with Ted Baumann, our Global Diversification Expert, to get an answer to your question. This was his response,
It depends on the nature of your residency. If you have a residency permit like an independent means or digital nomad visa, you can give it up and leave any time you like. Once you become a permanent resident, however, there would normally be a process involved to renounce that.
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what is the tax rate of countries like france and Italy , if you devide to live more than 6 months and one day.
Could they have access to your Assets back in the U S ?.thank you
Hi @TETODEB We’ve checked in with Ted Baumann, our Global Diversification Expert, to get an answer to your question. This was his response,
Remaining inside most countries for more than 183 days Triggers tax residency. Most European countries have significantly higher tax brackets than the US, meaning that you would most likely pay additional tax to those governments. But it depends on the source of your income. If you are still working, you might benefit from the foreign earned income exclusion in the US, which means you only pay tax to the foreign government. If you have passive income like pension, there may be double taxation agreements that exempt part of that income from taxation abroad. In general, you can expect to pay higher taxes in Europe, although in return you get vastly better public services and quality of life. Most people report that their overall cost of living is lower even with higher taxes.
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Will a step by step process or resource guide be available for moving overseas? Thanks.
Paul
Hi @P-KOEHNKE Kristin Wilson our Move Overseas guru has a great resource on everything you need to consider for a move overseas. It’s a step by step process that’s very easy to follow along.
You can check out the sales page here: https://pro.internationalliving.com/m/2334026
Good luck with your journey.
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I want to move out of the US and I want to know how. Thanks
Hi @AKELLEY333 Kristin Wilson our Move Overseas guru has a great resource on everything you need to consider for a move overseas. It’s a step by step process that’s very easy to follow along.
You can check out the sales page here: https://pro.internationalliving.com/m/2334026
Good luck with your journey.
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What is it like for an older person (I'm a single 69 year old) to move to Europe alone? What are the challenges? Thank you.
Hi @ANNEBLAKE1 We’ve checked in with Glenda Cole, our expert in Portugal, to get an answer to your question. This was her response,
Single and moving to Europe? Great idea! Europe is safe, people are welcoming, especially when you are on your own. I came to Portugal on my own for three winters. I sat with a British expat couple at a charity event. Four years later, I am about to vacation in Ireland with those charming people! Challenges are the same you face as a single anywhere. But it's hard to be lonely when you're an expat. There are social clubs, facebook groups and events in most European countries that focus on expats. The Algarve in Portugal has an exceptional number of events where you can meet new people around your age.
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With all the crazy global agendas happening what is the safest, affordable and easiest country to move to?
Hi @EMMI154 We’ve checked in with Ted Baumann, our Global Diversification Expert, to get an answer to your question. This was his response,
Well, as always the answer depends on your individual circumstances. But if you don't have any possibility of getting an ancestral citizenship somewhere, I would say that Costa Rica, Panama and Uruguay top my list in terms of safety, affordability, and ease of establishing residency. All three countries allow you to become a resident without too much trouble as long as you meet the basic requirements in terms of monthly income. Costa Rica and Panama also have the benefit of having fully territorial tax systems, which means that you only pay tax on income earned inside the country. If you're living on money from the US or Canada, or another country, you wouldn't pay tax on it in those countries. Another possibility is Belize, but it's slightly less safe than the others.
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Is there an afforbable Country that will allow me to earn extra income?
Hi @RONALDGREGORYLUCE We’ve checked in with Jeff our Editor of Global Intelligence, to get an answer to your question. This was his response,
Sure. Portugal, Spain, Greece, France, Thailand, Uruguay, Malaysia. The list is long. Not really sure how to answer your question. If you’re earning income online, then pretty much anywhere you go you can continue to do that. If you’re talking about working locally, then that’s going to be more challenging in some places because they don’t allow certain types of visa holders to earn locally. For instance, if you have a “retiree” or “independent means” visa in a place like Portugal, you will not have any way to work locally. So it really depends on the means by which you earn extra income.
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Hi @YHONG8 We’ve checked in with Jeff our Editor of Global Intelligence, to get an answer to your question. This was his response,
I don’t speak Portuguese, and I get along fine. Lots of English spoken here, and where it’s not spoken, like in supermarket checkout lines on occasion or with handymen, you can still get by with pidgin English and pointing and such. Plus, I will use Google Translate when absolutely necessary to convey a specific point. But you’re really not likely to face any meaningful challenges not speaking Portuguese in Portugal.
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Myself and friends are looking for vacation and or escape from global US uncertainties. We live in the Washington DC area, some with vocations and some retired. The quest is to find a location, easily traveled to for vacation times and safe in times of tempest and climate alterations. Internet connection is important. Also important is safety, beauty, and space for the community. We are largely English speaking. How can we be guided and assisted toward this happening?
Hi @DRJOHNAOWENS We’ve checked in with Suzan Haskins, IL's Senior Lifestyle Editor, to get an answer to your question. This was her response,
This is the universal dilemma, isn’t it…the quest for the “perfect” place? I have come to understand that there is no such thing as perfection so we need to find the place that best suits our individual needs. But…do you and all your friends all want the same thing? By that I mean, do you want a city, a village, to be on the beach or in the mountains, in a 4-season environment or in the tropics? There are lots of decisions to be made—some more important than others, such as access to good healthcare and cost of living. Not to toot our own horn, but this book might prove helpful to you: https://www.ilbookstore.com/live-richer-spend-less I’d suggest your group agree on what your priorities are and then try out a vacation or two in the places you are considering. Compare notes and see what you like or dislike. Understand that political regimes can change quickly and climate issues are affecting many countries and communities so sometimes being light on your feet is the best policy. And don’t let the fact that you only speak English stop you. English is the universal language, after all, and you will find English speakers close at hand pretty much everywhere in the world.
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How does a septuagenarian - who is not a seasoned traveler and has very limited funs beyond social security and a small pension - go about moving to France or Italy, connect with ex-pats there, get a second citizenship and passport, etc.? Is a checklist of preparing for such a move?
Hi @LABO We’ve checked in with Ted Baumann, our Global Diversification Expert, to get an answer to your question. This was his response,
When it comes to getting residency abroad, everything comes down to money. Most countries in Europe and Latin America offer visas for people with independent passive incomes like pension or investments. There are usually minimums for how much you receive every month from passive sources, and sometimes a requirement for bank savings as a backup. In Portugal, Spain, Italy, and Greece, the minimum is around €3,200 a month for an individual, with 20% or so more for each family member.
Once you become a long-term resident of a country, the clock starts ticking on the time required before naturalization. Typically, this is between 5 and 10 years, but I think Portugal is the only European country that offers European citizenship after five years. In Latin American countries, some offer citizenship after as little as two to three years of full-time legal residency.
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I have been looking at this site a lot.. I want to invest and move, however I always get vegue information. How do I get someone to interact with me and help me put these plans into action..
Hi @BRANDI-SCHUTTE Thanks for your question.
Ted Baumann's Global Citizen service includes consultations. You can sign up at this link https://secured.globalcitizenliving.com/journey/120SZTCC3-EVG/1?promocode=W1204303&origin=ILPOSTCA&origin_type=list&organization-abbreviation=ILProd