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- Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
- Kategorie: Lebensstil
- Sprache: Englisch
Expert guidance for anyone who wants to settle down in another country
Moving Abroad For Dummies is for anyone contemplating pulling the trigger on moving out of their homeland for a short time or for good. Be it to enhance a career, retire more comfortably on savings, or find a culture that's a better fit for you, relocating abroad takes some planning to be done right. This book walks you through all the considerations and the steps you'll need to take to make it happen. Author Kristin Wilson is a relocation expert with over 20 years of experience both living abroad and helping hundreds of others do the same. In this confusion-clearing guide, she offers must-know information on planning a move, getting affairs in order before hitting the road, and settling into your new home.
- Find out whether becoming an expat is the right move for you
- Learn how to budget for your new life, find a home abroad, and handle culture shock
- Become a permanent resident of your new country of choice
- Decide whether and when to return home
At every stage of the moving abroad process—decision making, preparation, and adjustment to a new culture—this clear and easy-to-read Dummies guide has your back.
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Seitenzahl: 471
Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025
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Moving Abroad For Dummies®
To view this book's Cheat Sheet, simply go to www.dummies.com and search for “Moving Abroad For Dummies Cheat Sheet” in the Search box.
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright
Introduction
About This Book
Beyond the Book
Foolish Assumptions
Icons Used in This Book
Where to Go from Here
Part 1: Beginning Your Living Abroad Journey
Chapter 1: Previewing the Living-Overseas Lifestyle
Defining What Living Overseas Means
Reaping the Benefits of Living Abroad
Acknowledging the Drawbacks of Living Abroad
Deciding Whether Living Abroad Is Right for You
Setting Your Goal of Moving Abroad
Overcoming the Fear of Failure
Chapter 2: Exploring the Different Paths to Moving Abroad
Assessing Your Budget and Lifestyle Goals
Knowing the Different Paths to Living Abroad
Selecting a Path to Going Abroad
Chapter 3: Calculating Your Budget and Cost of Living
Determining Your Current Cost of Living and Income
Forecasting Your Cost of Living Abroad
Estimating Your Moving Fees and Shipping Your Stuff Overseas
Figuring Out How Much You Need to Save
Setting an Ideal Timeline to Move
Chapter 4: Choosing a Destination
Identifying What You Want in a Destination
Visualizing Your Ideal Lifestyle
Previewing the Top Living-Abroad Destinations
Choosing Your Destination
Visa and Residency Options
Golden Visa or Second Passport
Making Your Country Selection
Planning an Exploratory Trip
Choosing More Than One Place
Part 2: Mastering Your Move — Relocation Logistics
Chapter 5: Planning Your Relocation Logistics
Preparing Your Banking and Finances for Living Internationally
Talking About Taxes
Organizing Your Paperwork
Deciding What to Do with Your Stuff
Moving with Kids
Moving with Pets
Evaluating Whether You Want Relocation Support
Selecting a Relocation Expert
Chapter 6: Finding Your New Home Away from Home
Clarifying Your Property Needs
Checking Out the Different Types of Accommodations
Buying Property Abroad
Solving Renting Problems
Chapter 7: Getting Ready to Hit the Road
Applying for Insurance
Booking Your Flight
Packing Like a Pro
Checking Your Paperwork
Shipping Your Stuff Internationally
Saying Your Goodbyes
Part 3: Leaping Into Your New Life Abroad
Chapter 8: Landing in Your Adopted Country
Navigating Your First Day in a New Country
Getting Settled During Your First Month Abroad
Receiving Your Paycheck or Pension
Chapter 9: Going Farther Afield: Additional Considerations
Adjusting to the Infrastructure
To Own or Not to Own a Car: That Is the Question
Driving Abroad
Enrolling in Schools or Daycare
Booking Your First Healthcare Appointment Abroad
Receiving Your Mail Overseas
Part 4: Living Your Life to the Fullest
Chapter 10: Embracing Culture Shock Like a Pro
Understanding Culture Shock
Riding the Curve of Cultural Adjustment
Tracking Your Own Cultural Adaptation Curve
Coping with Change
Learning the Language
Overcoming Loneliness
Managing Your Expectations
Solving Problems When Things Go Wrong
Chapter 11: Finding Your Community
Meeting the Locals
Making Friends Across Cultures
Meeting a Mate or Life Partner
Volunteering Opportunities
Taking Your Career Networking to a New Level
Staying in Touch with People at Home
Making the Most of Your Life Abroad
Chapter 12: Living Your Best Life
Planning Things to Do in Your New Country
Making Time for Rest and Relaxation
Staying the Course During Tough Times
Sharing Your Experience with Others
Chapter 13: Long-Term Lifestyle Considerations
Paying Taxes at Home and Abroad
Investment Opportunities Abroad
Extending Your Stay Abroad
Renouncing Your Citizenship
Staying Out of Trouble
Designing Your Expat Exit Strategy
Thinking about Going Home
End-of-Life Planning for Expats
Part 5: The Part of Tens
Chapter 14: Ten Places to Retire Abroad
Costa Rica
Ecuador
France
Malta
Mexico
Panama
Philippines
Portugal
Spain
Thailand
Chapter 15: 10 Places to Live as a Digital Nomad
Bali, Indonesia
Bansko, Bulgaria
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Cape Town, South Africa
Chiang Mai, Thailand
Madeira, Portugal
Medellín, Colombia
Pipa, Brazil
Riviera Maya, Mexico
Zagreb, Croatia
Traveling Nomadic Tribes
Chapter 16: Ten Places to Live for Under $1,500 per Month
Albania
Colombia
Cambodia
Georgia
Malaysia
Peru
Paraguay
Romania
Turkey
Vietnam
Chapter 17: Ten Moving-Overseas Mistakes to Avoid
Skipping an Exploratory Trip
Investing in Real Estate (at First)
Neglecting Visa and Residency Research
Failing to Integrate with the Culture
Isolating Yourself
Being Too Trusting
Expecting a Place to Change for You
Underestimating the Cost of Living
Getting Too Many Opinions
Going It Alone
Waiting Too Long to Move
Staying Stuck When Things Aren’t Working
Index
About the Author
Connect with Dummies
End User License Agreement
List of Tables
Chapter 9
TABLE 9-1 Emergency Numbers by Country
List of Illustrations
Chapter 5
FIGURE 5-1: How money flows through these money-transfer apps.
Chapter 10
FIGURE 10-1: Oberg’s curve of cultural adjustment.
FIGURE 10-2: Sverre Lysgaard’s U-shaped curve.
FIGURE 10-3: Gullahorn’s W-curve.
Chapter 11
FIGURE 11-1: How couples meet.
Guide
Cover
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Begin Reading
Index
About the Author
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Moving Abroad For Dummies®
Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com
Copyright ©2025 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey
Published simultaneously in Canada
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Library of Congress Control Number: 2025935527
ISBN: 978-1-394-32599-3 (pbk); 978-1-394-32600-6 (epub); 978-1-394-32602-0 (ebk)
Introduction
By picking up this book, you’ve taken a significant step on your journey toward living abroad. Whether moving overseas is something you’ve recently considered or something you’ve pondered for years, this book can help you make your dream a reality.
Living abroad provides an exciting and enriching experience, but you may find figuring out how to get there overwhelming. From calculating your budget and deciding where to move, to applying for visas and finding the right housing, you have to deal with many moving parts in any relocation plan.
This book distills 25 years of my experience as a world traveler, living abroad and helping thousands of others do the same. It’s your guide for what to do when — before, during, and after your move (while avoiding common mistakes).
About This Book
I wrote this book as a practical guide to moving abroad for work, study, retirement, or simply a change of scenery. It’s packed with essential info that helps you master the logistics of your move and thrive in your new home and culture.
This book is designed to help you make sense of the many steps that go into planning an international move — putting everything in the right order so that you can spend time getting things done, rather than wondering what to do. It’s the roadmap I wish existed when I moved abroad for the first (and fifth) time. My goal in writing this book is to save you time, effort, and money (and your sanity) while making the process as stress-free as possible.
Beyond the Book
In addition to the tips, resources, and step-by-step guidance in this book, you can find free bonuses available online.
Navigate to www.travelingwithkristin.com/moving-abroad for extra content, including moving abroad checklists and packing lists, budgeting templates, a property search form, an exploratory trip planner, visa resources, and departure and arrival itineraries.
Foolish Assumptions
I may not know you personally, but if you picked up this book, I assume that you:
Want a change in your life:
Whether you’re seeking a new community, a better climate, a safer environment, or a lifestyle that offers the potential to experience new places and adventures.
Have gathered some (or tons) of info about moving abroad:
But you feel overwhelmed with everything out there. Perhaps you suffered a case of analysis paralysis (more than once) while combing through the infinite well of information on Google, YouTube, Facebook, forums, and Reddit.
Want to know more about how you can potentially save money by moving abroad:
You’ve heard that you can lower your cost of living while increasing your quality of life, and you want to find out if you actually can.
You have or haven’t traveled internationally before:
This book is for you whether you’re an aspiring, new, or experienced traveler. No passport is required — at least, not yet!
In addition, one or more of the following categories might describe you:
Interested in exploring work or study opportunities in foreign countries. You may also be moving abroad on an international assignment for your employer, government, or volunteer organization.
A remote worker, online freelancer, or digital nomad who can live anywhere with an Internet connection. You want to take advantage of your location freedom and flexibility.
An entrepreneur, business owner, or investor who wants to set up shop abroad.
Want to see the world, immerse yourself in foreign cultures, and experience life in a new community. If you have children, you want to offer them the same opportunity.
Want to achieve a personal goal, such as learning a foreign language, lowering your cost of living, acquiring permanent residency elsewhere, or obtaining a second passport or citizenship as a Plan B for your future.
Retired (or retiring soon), and you want to enjoy your golden years somewhere that fits your lifestyle and budget. You want access to affordable healthcare, an ideal climate, and a rich atmosphere that offers plenty of sightseeing, culture, and things to do.
Icons Used in This Book
Throughout this book, three types of icons appear to highlight important information.
The Tip icon provides practical advice that can make your relocation process smoother by saving you time, money, and hassles.
Pay extra attention when you see the Remember icon. It underscores key information that you may want to bookmark for future reference.
Don’t miss the Warning icon, which helps you steer clear of trouble. It points out potential pitfalls and risks to your health, finances, and safety.
Throughout this book, you can also find sidebars, which offer extra info related to the topics in each chapter, as well as stories and advice from global citizens who’ve gone before you. Don’t feel obligated to read these sidebars, but feel free to dive in whenever something piques your interest!
Where to Go from Here
How you use this book is up to you. It serves you whether you want to read it cover-to-cover or hop around different parts, chapters, and sections. For example:
If you’re moving abroad for the first time:
Read this book from front to back as a guide for setting your goals, overcoming your fears, and planning your relocation from start to finish.
If you’re stuck on where to start, where to move, and which residency option to choose:
Begin with
Part 1
of this book, which helps you clarify your goals, budget, and options for your move.
If you have a destination in mind:
To jump into the nuts and bolts of your relocation plan, skip to
Part 2
.
Chapter 5
covers taxes, paperwork, and moving with kids or pets.
Chapter 6
helps you buy or rent housing abroad, and
Chapter 7
covers healthcare, insurance, packing, and travel logistics.
If you’re moving soon:
Check out
Part 3
. The chapters here guide you through your first days, weeks, and months abroad — from navigating public transport and receiving mail to enrolling your kids in school.
If you’re already living abroad:
Part 4
of this book can help you adapt to a new language, culture, and lifestyle, while finding your community and planning your long-term expat exit plan.
And don’t miss the Part of Tens at the end of this book, which gives you ideas for affordable destinations, the best places to live or retire, and the top moving-abroad mistakes to avoid.
In addition to the content in its pages, this book comes with a free, access-anywhere online Cheat Sheet that offers additional moving abroad advice at a glance. To access this Cheat Sheet, go to www.dummies.com and search for “Moving Abroad For Dummies.”
Part 1
Beginning Your Living Abroad Journey
IN THIS PART …
Explore the potential of an overseas lifestyle.
Visualize your life as an expat or immigrant.
Know the pros and cons of living abroad.
Identify your reasons for moving to a foreign country.
Calculate your budget and decide where to move.
Chapter 1
Previewing the Living-Overseas Lifestyle
IN THIS CHAPTER
Understanding what it means to live abroad
Overcoming fear and setbacks
Weighing the pros and cons of changing countries
Determining whether an international move aligns with your goals
Living abroad is a life-changing experience that offers endless possibilities. It’s an opportunity to design your life down to the details, choose your location, and become part of a new culture and community. Whether you see yourself adopting a relaxed coastal lifestyle, landing a job in a foreign city, or retiring in a quiet European village, the future you imagine is possible. But how do you know if moving abroad is the right choice for you?
This chapter explores what it means to expatriate from your home country and the benefits and drawbacks of doing so. I fill you in on the different types of overseas lifestyles and how to overcome the fear of making such a big life change. This chapter can help you decide whether you want to commit to your goal of moving abroad or whether it’s not for you.
Defining What Living Overseas Means
“Wherever you are, there you are.” — Confucius
An early step in deciding whether to move abroad is considering if a temporary or permanent move is right for you. Moving abroad can be a chapter in your life, after which you return to your home country. Or it can mean emigrating somewhere with the intent to acquire permanent residency or citizenship. In either case, you have an opportunity to adapt to a different culture and language while you’re there.
Some people leave their home countries out of necessity, such as in the case of economic hardship, political turmoil, or security concerns. Others move for career and educational opportunities or to unite with family members. If you have the luxury of choosing to live in another country for lifestyle reasons, you’re in luck and in for an adventure.
You can find many paths to living an overseas lifestyle: work abroad, study abroad, retire abroad, or travel slowly as a digital nomad. You can apply for temporary residency, permanent residency, citizenship, or simply pass through places as a perpetual tourist who has a passport from your home country. See Chapter 2 to find out the different means of living in other countries.
Whatever you choose, millions of people live a lifestyle that you dream about — and you can do it, too!
Reaping the Benefits of Living Abroad
From pursuing a life in your perfect climate to expanding your worldview through cultural immersion, choosing a new country to call home can come with many benefits. Your motivation for moving likely comes from a combination of factors. The following sections explore the most popular reasons for people to move abroad.
Lowering your cost of living
One of the driving factors behind why folks decide to move to another country is to lower their overall living expenses. The average cost of living in the top 50 U.S. cities in 2024 is more than $4,000 per month (about $50,000 per year).
If you’re from a high-income, developed country, you can often save money in all areas of your life by living abroad.
At the time I write this, many U.S. citizens pay upwards of $700 per month on a car payment and spend $20 to $30 on lunch at a restaurant. But prices are more affordable in many countries. In Bali, Indonesia, you can rent a moped for $6 per day (about $180 per month) and enjoy a heaping plate of nasi goreng (fried rice) for $2.
When considering housing prices, the average rental price in Chicago, Illinois in 2024 was $1,848 monthly. In Medellín, Colombia, however, you can find a 1-bedroom apartment for $500 per month or a room to rent from $200 to $300 per month.
If you want to live comfortably on a modest pension or save money while bootstrapping your new business, moving to a more affordable place helps. If this prospect sounds exciting to you, make sure to read Chapter 3. It tells you how to calculate your approximate cost of living in another country.
The cost and quality of healthcare are other reasons people move abroad. The average U.S. retiree spends $165,000 on healthcare in retirement, but that’s not the case everywhere. As a legal resident or citizen of another country, you can access its public healthcare system. Learn more about healthcare and insurance in Chapters 7 and 9.
Leveling up your quality of life
What does quality of life mean to you? Whether you envision shopping for fresh produce at a Tuscan market, waking up to the sound of howler monkeys in Costa Rica, or walking on the beaches of Mexico each day, you can find the lifestyle that you dream of available somewhere.
For me, quality of life means living somewhere I can get around in without needing a car; having access to fresh, organic food; and being in a community where I feel welcome.
For you, it could mean finding quality, affordable healthcare; living in a more peaceful environment; or living in a warm climate year-round.
Reducing your taxes
Moving to a new country can save you a lot of money in taxes, depending on where you’re from (and where you’re going). You can potentially change your tax rate by changing your tax residence, also known as a tax domicile. You may also qualify for income tax credits, extra write-offs, and other perks. Many countries have tax treaties to help prevent double taxation. Others offer retirement visas where foreigners can live without being taxed on their pensions. Find more about taxes in Chapters 4 and 5.
Enjoying new experiences
Traveling presents the opportunity to see and do new things. And when you live long-term in a foreign country, you have more time to explore near and far.
Growing up in Florida, I was 15 years old when I saw snow for the first time. Another 15 years later, I found myself drifting through fresh powder on the Japanese ski slopes of Niseko, Japan.
What are you looking forward to that you can experience only in a different country? Whether you dream of trekking Machu Picchu or the Himalayas, living abroad can put you closer to reaching your goals.
Broadening your worldview
Living as an outsider in a new place can feel awkward and uncomfortable at first. Soon, however, you start to see the world in a different way. Studies show that travel increases compassion and empathy, and living abroad can open your mind in ways you’ve never experienced before. You figure out how to step outside your comfort zone, overcome challenges, and develop a stronger sense of independence and self-reliance.
Expanding your community
Whether you want to make new friends, fall in love, or find a new business partner, moving to a new country provides plenty of opportunities to meet new people. Chapter 11 provides ways to get to know local people, connect with fellow expats, and expand your network.
Acquiring new skills
You can expect to pick up a slew of new life skills if you move to a new nation. A few examples include:
Communication:
You can learn a new language, get better at reading body language, and decipher foreign food labels at the grocery store.
Cultural awareness:
You become more accepting and knowledgeable of customs and cultural norms and gain a new perspective on life.
Financial planning:
You gain experience budgeting for your move, haggling at local markets, negotiating the terms of your rental property, and planning your taxes across borders.
Life skills:
You figure out how to navigate public transport links, pay bills from a foreign bank account, and convert currencies and time zones in seconds.
Personal development:
You develop soft skills such as patience, resilience, adaptability, and a flexible mindset.
Relationships:
You get the opportunity to strengthen relationships at home and build a new support network.
Enjoying better healthcare
Depending on where you’re from, your country may have a fabulous universal healthcare system. Or perhaps getting good care is expensive or hard to find. When you move abroad, however, you can opt into a better healthcare system that has more affordable care and insurance options. Chapter 7 gives you the low-down on healthcare overseas.
Uncovering new job opportunities
You can find many exciting options to work overseas. You can apply for a working holiday visa in some countries (if you’re below age 30-35), you can work remotely as a digital nomad, or you can apply for a job abroad and obtain a work permit. See Chapter 2 for ways that you can work abroad and Chapter 11 for volunteer opportunities.
For guidance on finding jobs overseas, check out the book Global Career: How to Work Anywhere and Travel Forever, by Michael Swigunski, New Nomad Publishing (2018).
WHY WE MOVED ABROAD
I asked Traveling with Kristin podcast listeners and YouTube subscribers why they moved abroad and how the experience changed their lives. Here are some of their responses:
Claudia, Canada: “I moved abroad because I was newly married, and we felt ready to conquer the world and chart our own life path. I have no regrets at all. I’ve become even more open minded, independent, resilient, empathetic, and took charge of my health. Plus, I’m fluent in another language. I’m living my life — not the one some people thought I should live.”
Dave, Portugal: “My wife and I moved abroad because we wanted a new life experience. We traveled the world and, on our journey, fell in love with Portugal. We love the cultural vibe, peace, safety, and overall lifestyle.”
John, Italy: “[Living abroad] made me wealthy, gave me a global point of view, and an appreciation for other people. In the 51 years since I graduated from college, I've spent over 70 percent of my time overseas, on all the continents. In short, it's given me everything.”
Mohammed, Digital Nomad: “Living abroad has profoundly reshaped my life in ways I never anticipated. It expanded my worldview, made me more adaptable, and instilled a sense of confidence in navigating uncertainty. Professionally, it opened doors to international opportunities that I wouldn’t have accessed otherwise. It’s not always easy, but the sense of accomplishment and the memories made along the way have been invaluable. It’s a journey I’d recommend to anyone looking for growth, adventure, and a deeper understanding of what it means to be part of a global community.”
Ujjwal, USA: “I met my then-girlfriend and now wife while working and living in the United States. She stayed with me in Nepal after marrying according to our Hindu traditions and became pregnant with our baby. After thinking about our children’s future, we decided to move back to America where we felt our daughter would have a compelling future.”
Acknowledging the Drawbacks of Living Abroad
Living abroad isn’t all sunshine and roses. Like with any major decision, you have challenges to face and downsides to consider.
Coping with culture shock
Everyone who moves abroad experiences some degree of culture shock, although everyone experiences it differently. Only time will tell how hard it hits you and how long it lasts. Fortunately, you can reduce the adverse effects of culture shock and overcome it faster; Chapter 10 gives you tips for how to weather these feelings of loneliness and discomfort.
Living far from family and friends
But for many folks, being thousands of miles away from loved ones can cause emotional turmoil. For others, it provides peace of mind (no judgment). Surprisingly, many expats report having better relations with their family members after they move abroad. I talk more about staying in touch with your friends and family in Chapter 11.
Keeping yourself safe
Moving abroad can occasionally expose you to new threats, especially if you’re on a work assignment in a high-risk area or if a conflict breaks out. Chapter 13 gives you ways to stay as safe as possible.
Deciding Whether Living Abroad Is Right for You
In my 20 years of experience helping people move abroad, I’ve observed that the desire to live in another country tends to stick with you. Whether it's an idea that you’re just beginning to explore or a long-held dream that you’ve been putting off for months, years, or even decades (yep — it happens more often than you think), the book you hold in your hands gives you the tools to make it a reality.
You can benefit from living abroad if:
You’re intrigued by the idea of living outside your home country.
You want to experience life in a different culture.
You're open to new experiences.
You have strong personal reasons or motivations to move.
You want a change in your life.
You have a job or income stream that allows you to live in another country.
You simply want to!
If one or more of the above reasons resonate with you, you can take the next step of clarifying your reasons for moving abroad, which you can do in the next section.
Setting Your Goal of Moving Abroad
There’s no one-size-fits-all path to moving abroad. Your journey will be unique to you. Before you jump into planning your relocation, however, reflect on your deeper motivations for making this life change, which can keep you focused when the going gets tough.
Ask yourself the following questions. Journal about them or discuss them with a trusted family member, friend, or therapist:
Why do you want to move abroad?
Your answer is the right one — dare to dream here!
What excites you most about living in a different culture?
Do you look forward to meeting new people, trying new foods, learning a second language, or something else?
What practical reasons do you have for moving to a new country?
Perhaps you aim to lower your cost of living, receive better healthcare, or reconnect with family members overseas.
What does success look like for you?
Your desired outcome might be retiring in Thailand on a $ 1,500-per-month pension, finding a high-paying job in Hong Kong, teaching English in Spain, moving your family to Costa Rica, or getting a digital nomad visa in Portugal.
What obstacles might you face along the way?
Anticipate anything that can slow or derail your progress, such as budget constraints, an uncooperative employer, family responsibilities, or limiting beliefs.
How can you overcome setbacks?
Developing soft skills, such as a patient, determined, and resilient mindset, can help you persist through struggles. You can also get support from other expats and relocation professionals, which
Chapter 5
helps you with.
Action Step: Write your moving abroad mission statement:
I want to move abroad because: _____________________________________________.
When something gets in my way, I will: _____________________________________________.
Overcoming the Fear of Failure
Moving abroad is a psychological challenge as much as a logistical one. Fear of failure and fear of the unknown are two factors that keep people from pursuing their dreams of living overseas. If you feel hesitant, don’t worry; it means you’re human. Uncertainty is part of the process. Begin this journey with an open mind and an acceptance that you don’t have to have everything figured out yet.
Each step you take in planning your move brings you closer to your goal. (When in doubt, look at the Table of Contents in this book and jump to the topic you need help with.)
Reframing fear as growth
Humans evolved to feel fear as a survival mechanism. In the past, fear protected us from (often physical) threats, such as a saber-toothed tiger lurking around the corner. But in modern society, feeling apprehensive is often a sign that you’re doing something difficult or straying outside of your comfort zone. It can be a good thing, leading to personal growth and a sense of accomplishment.
Every big life decision comes with risks, rewards, and uncertainty. You’ve faced the unknown before, and you can do it again. The key to success is identifying possible pitfalls and ways to overcome them.
Transforming your fear into action
How are you feeling right now? Describe any emotions that come up and subtle fears that might hold you back from pursuing your goal of living abroad. For each fear, counter it with a possible solution.
For example, perhaps you’re afraid that you’ll spend a year or more preparing to move then hate it once you arrive. Sometimes, you just need more time to adapt, which Chapter 10 can guide you on. But what’s the worst-case scenario if you move abroad and change your mind? Maybe it’s a sign to shift to a different country. Or maybe it means that you spent some money and time, had an experience, learned a few things, and returned home to find a new job and a place to live.
Journal about your fears regarding the move, what to do if things don’t go as planned, and how you can handle possible outcomes.
You can gain clarity about your decision by future pacing or envisioning the impact of your choices in the future. Ten years from now, will you wish you’d moved abroad? Ten years from now, what will your life be like if you stayed where you are?
WHAT'S IN A NAME? EXPAT OR IMMIGRANT
When you move abroad, how should you self-identify? Many people call those who voluntarily move to other countries long-term as expats.
No consensus exists on what it means to be an expat, exactly. The term comes from the word expatriate, meaning to leave one's country. But for how long, exactly? No one knows. You can call yourself an expat in the same way that you can declare yourself a chocoholic. Whether your annual chocolate consumption per annum makes you one depends on opinion.
In my view, an expat is someone who leaves their country temporarily, either on a work assignment or voluntarily, for a few months or years.
Suppose you move to another country permanently to become a permanent resident or citizen. In that case, some would say that puts you in the immigrant category. (An immigrant is someone who moves permanently from the country of their birth.)
If you reside abroad long-term without a home base, you could consider yourself a tourist, expat, digital nomad, slow traveler, or roving retiree. Or any term that you can think up! Some folks like to call themselves flexpats, which loosely means to live abroad sometimes.
As I write in Digital Nomads For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.), a label is simply a label. You can identify with one or not.
Do what you feel. Whether you see yourself as a visitor, expat, citizen, immigrant, the choice is up to you.
Chapter 2
Exploring the Different Paths to Moving Abroad
IN THIS CHAPTER
Considering your budget and goals
Knowing about the ways to move abroad
Understanding visa and residency requirements
Starting on a path to live abroad
How do you go about moving to another country? It’s not as easy as just hopping on a plane and setting off on your new adventure. In fact, if you walk to an airport check-in desk with a one-way ticket to Morocco and declare that you’re moving there, the attendant may just turn you away. Or, at least, they’ll ask you for proof of return travel (more on that in Chapter 7).
In reality, you can't move to a new country if you don't have permission to live there. You can visit, however, as a tourist, volunteer, or business traveler. And you can stay for as long as your short-term visa allows — typically anywhere from 30 to 180 days.
But if you want to experience residing in another country for a long period of time — to work, to study, retire, or just to immerse yourself more deeply in the culture, you need to plan ahead and ensure that you have all the documentation so that you can do so legally.
In this chapter, I lay out the different ways to officially live in a foreign country, how to prepare financially, and how to choose the best path for you.
Assessing Your Budget and Lifestyle Goals
Before packing your bags and setting sail for a new life abroad, you need to figure out how you plan to support yourself when you arrive at your destination. Without at least some money, you can’t get very far when moving abroad (both literally and figuratively). After helping more than 1,000 people move to new countries, I noticed they all had one thing in common — a substantial amount of savings or a recurring income stream.
When you plan your move overseas, consider how you’ll support yourself. The most common ways to fund your move include:
A local job in your destination country: If you plan to work while abroad, find out how you can work in the country that you choose.
Under most short-term visitor visa rules, you can’t work in a foreign country without express permission from that country’s government. Secure the proper authorization, such as a work permit, prior to arrival.
Passive income or pension:
Income from investments, a passive income business, or pension accounts helps you qualify for an investor, retirement, or other non-lucrative visa in a country.
Personal savings:
Proof of financial solvency helps you to qualify for various types of short-stay visas or temporary residence permits.
Remote income:
Earning income from a remote source gives you the opportunity to apply for digital nomad visas, which you can read more about in this chapter.
So, if your plan involves going somewhere and figuring out how to make money after you get there, take a pause. See where you are now financially and what you can afford to do. Determine if you must add a new revenue stream to your bank account or get permission to work in another country before booking your plane ticket.
If you want to move to a country without having a job, yet, apply for a job seeker visa or permit, which grant you 6 to 12 months to find a job after arrival. Austria, Denmark, Germany, and Portugal offer such a visa.
Defining your lifestyle
What will you do when you live abroad? Contemplate what your role will be while residing in a different country. Will you study abroad or work for a foreign company? Will you work remotely while traveling or living as a digital nomad? Will you invest in a country in exchange for a golden visa (which you can read about later in this chapter)? Will you enjoy your retirement and live on savings? Write your answer below:
While living abroad, I will: ________________________________
Calculating your budget
Your current income source and amount may change when you move abroad. If you plan to move after you retire, your income may change from a paycheck to a pension or Social Security. If you’re in school, your funding could come from a scholarship, grant, student loan, or summer job. If you’re working, perhaps your employer is funding your move; or maybe you’re changing careers to something more flexible that allows you to live overseas.
Putting it down on paper
Whatever your situation, take a moment to write the following information down for quick reference when determining how you will fund your move. The following is a worksheet that can help you get started planning your budget.
My current location (Home country): _________________________
My current monthly income: $_____________________________
My current average cost of living: $__________________________
My current savings for the move: $__________________________
My desired destination (Foreign country): _______________________
When living abroad, my income will come from: ___________________
My future estimated monthly income: $_____________________________________________
My ideal cost of living abroad: $___________________________________ (per month/year)
You don’t need to be a math whiz to get a solid overview of your financial situation. The information above can help you figure out which path to living abroad works best for you and how long your savings might last you. Chapter 3 helps you calculate your budget and estimated cost of living abroad in more financial detail.
Start thinking the creature comforts you currently enjoy and ways you can simplify your lifestyle to save money for your move.
Knowing the Different Paths to Living Abroad
Your age, income level, employment status, career expertise, and family ties can affect where you can move, how long you can stay, and how you can qualify to live there. Each relocation path has certain requirements, benefits, restrictions, and costs. Choosing the right option can help streamline your transition to living overseas.
Moving through your job
A popular way to move abroad involves getting a job overseas or landing an international assignment with your employer. If you work for a multinational corporation, ask your employer if the company has any international placements available. Getting paid to move abroad is a good deal. Employers often offer relocation assistance and financial support through a housing stipend, bonus, cost-of-living adjustment, shipping credit, private schooling for your kids, and other perks. According to American Relocation Connections (ARC), a global relocation company, corporate relocation packages in 2024 could range from $2,000-$100,000.
To qualify for a global corporate assignment where a company pays you to move overseas, you typically need a lot of experience or longevity in your role or hold a C-level job title (you have to be one of the chiefs — chief executive officer, chief financial officer, and so on). However, it never hurts to ask.
If you don’t have a high-powered corporate job, consider inquiring about a part-time role or taking an overseas sabbatical.
Finding a job overseas
If you don’t have the option to transfer within your company internationally, you can change employers or apply for jobs in your desired destination country. You can job opportunities abroad in many ways:
Direct outreach:
Many remote and international companies have careers pages on their websites or a method to apply directly online. If you dream of working for a particular company abroad, contact them. That’s how one of my YouTube subscribers got a job with
Booking.com
in Amsterdam.
Entrepreneurship and remote work:
If you work for yourself as a freelancer or online business owner, you may have the flexibility to work from anywhere. Numerous countries now offer digital nomad visas for people who earn an online income from outside the country that they’re applying to stay in. You can also consider getting a freelancer, entrepreneur, startup, or small business visa.
To find remove work opportunities, search job boards, such as FlexJobs (www.flexjobs.com), Remotive (www.remotive.com), and We Work Remotely (www.weworkremotely.com).
Consider these options for finding a job abroad:
Hospitality and contract work:
Apply for a job with a hotel, cruise line, events company, or as an au pair. Inquire if the country you’re interested in offers an au pair or working holiday visa. I know people who lived in London as au pairs, held tourism jobs in Australia, and worked on tree-planting operations in Canada.
Internal job transfer:
Ask your manager or Human Resources department about transferring to a different company location. One of my relocation clients scored a job transfer from New York to Ireland. Another has the option of working in Australia or New Zealand.
International job boards:
Websites such as
GoAbroad.com
, Google (
www.google.com
), and Indeed (
www.indeed.com
) list international and remote job openings.
Language teaching programs:
You can find work online or abroad by teaching English as a second language. Find courses and certification options through the website
TEFL.org
.
Networking:
Connecting with peers in your industry, online or in person, can produce opportunities. Join Facebook groups and Reddit threads in your area of expertise, follow people of interest on X and LinkedIn, and attend virtual job fairs. One of my contacts found a job with an international touring musician this way.
My book Digital Nomads For Dummies (John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) has multiple chapters on how to find or create a remote job of your own.
Recruiters and head-hunters:
For experienced workers, recruiting agencies such as Adecco (
www.adecco.com
) and Robert Half (
www.roberthalf.com
) have thousands of open positions worldwide with locations in various countries. You can also connect with recruiters through LinkedIn (
www.linkedin.com
).
Volunteer and work exchange programs:
Organizations such as Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF;
www.wwoof.net
) offer short- and long-term work opportunities in tourism, agriculture, and service industries. The website Workaway (
www.workaway.info
) has more than 50,000 opportunities for cultural exchange or working holidays. Through United Nations Volunteers (
www.unv.org
), you can apply to volunteer abroad if you’re 18 years of age or older. Check out the section “
Volunteering and government work
,” later in this chapter, for details about volunteer opportunities.
Investing in a business or real estate
Money might not buy happiness, but it can buy the ability to live in another country. Investing money in a property, business, the stock market, or a government donation can earn you a golden visa, also known as residence by investment (RBI) or citizenship by investment (CBI). With RBI, you can live in a country temporarily or permanently. With CBI, you become a citizen of a country with voting rights and a passport.
Greece, Malta, Portugal, Spain, and the United States each have an RBI program, while Dominica, Turkey, and Vanuatu offer popular CBI options.
The processing time for residency or citizenship by investment varies depending on the country and category in which you invest. In some cases, a government can process an application in as little as 30 to 60 days, but you may have to wait as long as 6 months. Buying this type of residency or citizenship costs from six to seven figures.
A benefit to investment-based residency programs is that you may be able to hold residency in a country without living there full-time. There may be a low or no annual minimum stay requirement.
Check out Chapter 4 for more information on applying for golden visas and CBI.
Qualifying for citizenship by descent
If you’re lucky to have a close relative born in a different country, you might qualify for citizenship by descent (CBD), which allows you to become a citizen of another country through familial lines. To qualify, you must have a parent, grandparent, or (in some cases) a great-grandparent born in the country to which you want citizenship. If you’re from the United States, your mom was born in the United Kingdom, and your grandfather was born in Italy, you could theoretically obtain citizenship in three countries and get three passports.
Having citizenship in another country gives you all the rights of any other citizen who was naturalized or born there — you can vote, join the healthcare system, enroll in school, and pay taxes (congratulations!). Most notably, you can also live there and potentially get access to travel to more countries visa-free than with your current passport.
To determine whether you qualify for CBD, research your family tree and see whether you’re a descendant of anyone from a different country. If you aren’t sure, inquire with your relatives. Then, reach out to the closest consulate near you to find out the process for reinstating your citizenship. Certain lawyers and agencies you can find online may also offer advisory services. Find out more details about obtaining citizenship abroad in Chapters 4 and 13.
Retiring abroad
Many countries offer a retirement visa or residency option if you plan to retire overseas. With this type of permit, you need passive income to qualify — usually from a pension, Social Security, or other recurring investment income. Some countries allow you to continue to work part time — or full time — while on such a visa (Colombia, Peru, or Ecuador, for example), while others, such as Spain and Italy, strictly enforce the non-lucrative aspect of the visa. That means those countries discourage or outright prohibit earning extra income from side hustles. (Check with your new country’s immigration department or a lawyer for current rules.)
Retirement visas have many benefits, from tax credits, to duty-free allowances on imported belongings, to free healthcare.
Panama offers a pensionado (retired person) visa for applicants who are at least 18 years old. This visa is valid indefinitely if you meet the income requirement of $1,000 per month from a pension or similar source. In addition, you can also gain residency in Panama by investing in real estate.
The Philippines has a program called the Special Resident Retiree’s Visa (SRRV) that you can qualify for from 50 years of age. The income requirement for the “Classic” option is $800 per month for single applicants or a combined $1,000 per month for couples, plus a $10,000 deposit. If you don’t have a pension, the minimum deposit is $20,000.
For ten popular places to retire abroad, see Chapter 14.
Reuniting with family (or starting a new one)
Almost every country has a provision for a spouse or family reunification visa. If you get married or have a baby abroad, you may be able to qualify for residency status, depending on the country’s laws. Brazil, Costa Rica, and Mexico are three countries where you can become eligible for residency if you marry or have kids and your child born there can become a citizen. In other places, it’s more complicated.
Take caution when relying solely on marriage or children as your primary means of moving to a new country. Many governments have strict regulations in place to prevent fraudulent marriages and family reunions. “Birth tourism” — the practice of traveling to a country to give birth — is also discouraged.
If you have close relatives overseas, you may be able to get permission to visit them on an extended basis or move close to them. Most countries offer a family reunification visa for parents with children or dependent relatives and elders under certain conditions.
Studying abroad and exchange programs
Studying abroad lets you try out an overseas lifestyle for a few months, a year, or longer. My first experience living abroad was as a Rotary Scholar in Costa Rica when I was 20. Following that enriching experience, I continued living abroad by studying international business at Griffith University in Australia for a semester.
Whether you’re young or old, studying abroad may be an option for you.
If you’re currently enrolled in high school or college, check with your school to find out about available options. They may have existing exchange programs set up with foreign institutions that you can choose from. If your school doesn’t have a program in place, consider contacting the school where you want to study abroad and inquire about what they offer. You can also ask your school’s administrators if you can design your curriculum abroad and get credit for it (that’s what I did to be able to study in Australia).
You can also study abroad if you’re an experienced scholar or professor. You can take a sabbatical to work on a book, paper, or research project. You can also apply for a grant to conduct research studies in a different country.
Adults who want to study abroad for fun also have options. You can opt for a language immersion program, attend a writer’s retreat, or take cooking classes. If you’re a home chef, consider enrolling in one of the global Le Cordon Bleu campuses. You can also study spirituality, religion, or any topic you’re interested in that qualifies you for a study permit. If you want to live in Italy, for example, you can apply for a one-year study permit to learn Italian.
Resources for finding study abroad, educational travel, and language immersion programs include:
CIEE
(Council on International Educational Exchange;
www.ciee.org
): A non-profit organization offering a comprehensive selection of study abroad, internship, and cultural exchange programs for students and recent grads.
GoAbroad.com
:
Founded in 1997,
GoAbroad.com
offers thousands of study abroad options, including programs for volunteering, teaching, adventure travel, and learning a language or job skills. The organization also has gap year, high school, and college degree programs.
Go Overseas
(
www.gooverseas.com
): A website and community of more than 100,000 members offering study abroad program reviews, photos, and articles about traveling overseas. Go Overseas provides volunteer study and work abroad programs for adults and seniors.
Semester at Sea
(
www.semesteratsea.org
): A unique, floating college that takes students to ten-plus countries while they study for college credit.
ISA by World
Strides
(
www.studiesabroad.com
): Offering study abroad, internship, and intercultural learning programs worldwide since 1987.
Voluntourism:
Contribute to local causes — from animal welfare, to environmental conservation, to human rights — through organizations such as the Earthwatch Institute (
www.earthwatch.org
), Habitat for Humanity (
www.habitat.org
), and the Peace Corps (
www.peacecorps.gov
). You can find more details about volunteering abroad in the following section.
Multiple universities, such as Harvard, Stanford, Yale, Cambridge, and Oxford, offer opportunities to learn and travel without pursuing a degree through executive education and non-degree offerings. INSEAD (www.insead.edu): Known as “the business school for the world,” INSEAD (Institut Européen d'Administration des Affaires) has campuses in France and Singapore, and also offers online courses, with open programs in management, leadership, finance, and corporate governance.
If you feel that studying abroad long-term is a good fit for you, you can opt to enroll as a full-time international student. To apply to a school abroad, decide which subject or field you want to study, research schools in your destination of choice, and contact the international admissions office for up-to-date requirements. You can find out about study permits directly with your program coordinator, embassy abroad, or the immigration department or department of foreign affairs in your destination country.
Tuition fees for international students can be higher than you might expect. Inquire about scholarship and financial aid options at the school where you’re applying. Tuition fees can range from $10,000 to $50,000 per year.
