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Costa Rica : pros -

Costa Rica is a beautiful option for American expats in 2025! This is in part thanks to the affordable cost of living and great healthcare. Additionally, there are tax incentives on foreign income and an outdoorsy lifestyle.

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Costa Rica: cons -

With the good comes the downsides of Costa Rican life. Within Costa Rica, some areas and amenities are less developed such as toilet systems in older buildings. Also, there are no US-to-Costa Rica tax treaties which can complicate tax obligations.

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Costa Rica: how to make it happen - To try and make life in Costa Rica a reality, you can apply for the Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers (one-year stay, extendable) or long-term retirees can explore pensionado or rentista visa programs.

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France: pros -

France has numerous social benefits including universal healthcare, public holidays, and economic stability. There are also great tax treaties with the US and a good work-life balance.

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France: cons - Cons for France can include high taxes on income and social contributions, language barriers outside cities like Paris or Lyon, and the fact that bureaucracy can be daunting at times for new arrivals.

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France: how to make it happen -

To make the French move, apply for a long-term stay visa in one of the categories such as work, study, or entrepreneurship. Be sure to plan before immigration to optimize the financial benefits associated with taxes.

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Germany: pros -

In Germany, you'll find a lot of social benefits such as universal health care and family subsidies. Another huge benefit is that it's a relatively straightforward process for Americans who apply for a freelance visa.

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Germany: cons -

Here, bureaucracy can be very paper-heavy and time-consuming. Additionally, in major cities, there are housing shortages which means it could be quite challenging for you to find a new home.

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Germany: how to make it happen -

For Germany, the Skilled Worker Visa or Freelance Visa are two smart options. Citizens from the US don't need an entry visa and can apply for work or self-employment visas directly.

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Italy: pros -

Italy boasts beautiful landscapes, fantastic culture, and of course, world-renowned cuisine. In some areas of Italy, you'll even find the "one Euro home" investment schemes in place.

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Italy: cons -

Outside major tourist areas, it's quite common that locals will only speak Italian. Also, there are limited employment opportunities, and often government processes are quite slow.

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Italy: how to make it happen -

If you plan to commit and stay for longer than three months then you'll need to first apply for an entrance visa. Options to stay include self-employment visas, start-up visas, or citizenship via ancestry.

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Mexico: pros -

Mexico has an affordable cost of living and a laid-back lifestyle. There also is a welcoming social environment and strong networks for expat support.

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Mexico: cons -

Mexico has quite a high crime rate and a low reporting of said crimes. As more expats enter Mexico, there is more pushback in certain cities.

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Mexico: how to make it happen - Short-term visitors must secure an FMM permit and for permanent moves, consider a Temporary Resident Visa (up to four years) or a Permanent Resident Visa for retirees.

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Panama: pros -

In Panama, you'll find warm weather year-round and a mix of both cosmopolitan and beach settings. Here you can also travel quite easily to either North or South America.

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Panama: cons - Panama cons include an extremely high initial investment for Golden Visa residency (US$300,000 minimum). Additionally, there is no US-Panama tax treaty thus complicating tax filings.

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Panama: how to make it happen - Apply for the Panama Qualified Investment Immigration program (minimum $300,000 investment) or consider retirement visa programs for permanent residency options.

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Portugal: pros -

Portugal has an affordable cost of living, a mild climate, and an overall safe environment. In fact, it consistently ranks as one of the safest countries globally.

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Portugal: cons -

In cities like Lisbon, there has been a lot of anger towards expats due to increasing rent prices. Additionally, recent changes to tax policies reduce some previous expat advantages. 

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Portugal: how to make it happen -

If you think Portugal might be for you, explore the Golden Visa options aside from the recently excluded real estate investment option.

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Singapore: pros -

Singapore has a thriving job market, top-tier infrastructure, and a great healthcare system. Here you'll also find high economic stability and countless professional opportunities.

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Singapore: cons -

The cost of living, namely housing, can be very high in Singapore. The weather is quite hot and humid year round and the distance to the US can make visiting family a big challenge.

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Singapore: how to make it happen -

If you already have a job offer then you can apply for an Employment Pass. Alternatively, if you plan to start a business, entrepreneurs can apply for the EntrePass.

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Spain: pros - Spain has a low cost of living with a vibrant culture and warm climate. There you'll also find excellent universal health care and LGBTQ+ inclusiveness.

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Spain: cons - There are limited career advancement opportunities and a challenging job market in Spain. Another con is that language barriers outside major cities can make life tough.

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Spain: how to make it happen - Options include non-lucrative visas (ideal for retirees or passive income earners) as well as digital nomad and entrepreneur visas.

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The Netherlands: pros -

If you love to cycle, the Netherlands may be your place. They have world-class cycling infrastructure in place as well as a strong education system and lots of social benefits.

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The Netherlands: cons -

In major Netherlands cities, you'll find a high cost of living alongside steep income taxes and dark, grey weather.

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The Netherlands: how to make it happen - Apply for a long-stay visa (MVV) or the Dutch American Friendship Treaty visa for self-employed individuals. Applications can be submitted through embassies or consulates in the US.

Sources: (CNN Travel) (Britannica)

See also: Poor vs. rich? The differences between expats and immigrants

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