In short
Americans can visit the 29-country Schengen area for 90 days in any 180 without a visa, but living there needs a national residence permit. The main routes are a job (national work permit or the EU Blue Card, which every EU country except Denmark and Ireland uses), a digital nomad permit (14 countries), a retirement or passive-income visa (13 countries), study, investment, or citizenship by descent (for example Ireland, Poland, Lithuania and, since 2025 more narrowly, Italy). Whatever route you take, the US still taxes your worldwide income, Social Security keeps paying abroad, and Medicare usually does not cover care in Europe.
Moving to Europe: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Visits | US citizens can stay visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, without working; entries are registered in the Entry/Exit System (fully running since 10 April 2026)# Source: Entry/Exit System (EES) – European Commission Migration & Home Affairs |
|---|---|
| Schengen area | 29 countries — 25 EU states plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein; Bulgaria and Romania became full members on 1 January 2025. Ireland and Cyprus are in the EU but not (fully) in Schengen# Source: Schengen Area – European Commission Migration & Home Affairs |
| EU Blue Card | For highly qualified workers: salary of 1 to 1.6 times the national average (each country sets its figure), a contract of at least 6 months, and a move to another EU country after 12 months; not used by Denmark and Ireland# Source: EU Blue Card: new rules to attract more highly-skilled workers (European Parliament) |
| ETIAS | Not yet running; the EU will announce the start date months in advance (fee €20)# Source: ETIAS – European Commission Migration & Home Affairs |
| Social Security abroad | US citizens can keep receiving Social Security payments while living in European countries (payments cannot be sent to a few countries such as Belarus)# Source: Your Payments While You Are Outside the United States (SSA) |
| Medicare abroad | Medicare usually does not cover health care outside the US — plan for local or private insurance in Europe# Source: Travel outside the U.S. (Medicare.gov) |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them# Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
The routes on this page apply to most non-EU citizens, not only Americans. A few points differ by nationality:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Visits | US citizens can stay visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, without working; entries are registered in the Entry/Exit System (fully running since 10 April 2026). |
|---|---|
| Working holiday | Young Canadians, Australians and New Zealanders can use working holiday or youth mobility schemes in many European countries; there are almost none for US citizens. |
| UK and Ireland | US citizens visit the UK with an ETA — £20 since 8 April 2026 — for up to 6 months; it does not allow work and does not guarantee entry. Usually up to 90 days, granted by the immigration officer on arrival; no work. Ireland is not in Schengen, so Irish and Schengen days are counted separately. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Every Pathway
Which Route to Europe Is Right for You?
Digital Nomad Visas
14 countries let you live there while working for clients or employers abroad — from €24,789 a year in Italy.
Compare nomad visas →Retirement Visas
Live on a pension or savings — from €920 a month in Portugal. No local work allowed.
Compare retirement visas →Citizenship by Descent
Ireland, Poland, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia and others — Italy narrowed its rules in 2025.
Check descent routes →Work Permits & EU Blue Card
A job offer is the most common route. Each country guide lists the 2026 salary thresholds.
Example — Germany →Study in Europe
Fees for non-EU students, part-time work rights and time to find a job after graduating.
Study in Europe →Golden Visas & Companies
Investor routes in Greece, Portugal, Malta, Cyprus, Latvia, Hungary and Italy; Spain's closed in 2025. Company formation guides for every country.
Example — Greece golden visa →Life in Europe
Every Dimension of Moving to Europe
Cost of Living
29 capitals measured the same way — from about €1,280 a month in Bucharest to €4,310 in Zurich.
Compare costs →Tax Residency
When each of the 29 countries treats you as tax-resident, treaty tie-breakers and what Americans still file at home.
Tax residency guide →Moving with Pets
Microchip, rabies and the EU health certificate for dogs and cats from the US — plus breed rules in 29 countries.
Pets guide →US Driver's License
How long your US license stays valid, which countries exchange it without a test, and the French and German state lists.
Driver's license guide →Buying Property
Where Americans can buy freely, where a permit is needed, purchase taxes in 29 countries and the US tax side.
Property guide →Work-Life Balance
At least 4 weeks of paid leave in every EU country and a 48-hour cap on the average week.
Work-life balance →All 29 Countries
Country Guides
Every page below was rebuilt and fact-checked against official sources in September–October 2026.
For Americans
What Americans Need to Know First
The US still taxes you
US citizens file US returns on worldwide income wherever they live. Each country guide lists its US tax treaty and Social Security agreement. See tax residency in Europe.
Social Security keeps paying
US citizens can keep receiving Social Security payments while living in European countries (payments cannot be sent to a few countries such as Belarus).
Medicare does not travel
Medicare usually does not cover health care outside the US — plan for local or private insurance in Europe. See our healthcare guide.
There is no single European visa
Each country sets its own income levels, language rules and insurance requirements — even inside the EU.
Documents need apostilles
Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the easiest way for an American to move to Europe?
It depends on your situation. With remote income, a digital nomad visa (14 countries); with a pension or savings, a retirement visa (13 countries, from €920 a month in Portugal); with European ancestors, citizenship by descent; otherwise a job offer and a work permit.
Can Americans live in Europe without a visa?
Only for visits — 90 days in any 180 across the Schengen area. Living there needs a residence permit from the country.
Does the EU Blue Card work in every EU country?
In every EU country except Denmark and Ireland. Each country sets its own salary threshold, between 1 and 1.6 times its average salary.
Will I keep my US citizenship if I move to Europe?
Moving does not affect it. If you later naturalise, US law lets you keep US citizenship, but some European countries require you to give up your previous one — see dual citizenship.
Across Europe
Compare all 29 countries by topic
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