Reasons Americans Move to Europe (And Why More Are Choosing It Over the US)

The first time we left America for the UK, I was a postgraduate student chasing a new career and experience abroad. The second time, years later, I packed up with a dog, a cat, and a teenager, as dependents on my husband’s skilled worker visa. Neither move was spontaneous or simple, but both were deeply intentional. We weren’t running away so much as running toward a different kind of life.

We’re not alone. More and more Americans are asking themselves the same question we once did: Is there something better out there? For some, it’s about escaping the culture of overwork. To others, it’s about safety, healthcare, or a desire to raise kids in a world that feels just a little less harsh. For us, it was a combination of all those things, and a quiet hope that life across the ocean might actually feel more like living.

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Why More Americans Are Considering Europe

For years, Europe was a dream vacation spot. Now, it’s increasingly viewed as a viable place to build a life. 

It’s Not Just a Trend, It’s a Shift

Between the rise of remote work, growing dissatisfaction with US politics, and a renewed desire for more meaningful daily living, more Americans are making the leap from visiting Europe to moving there.

While exact numbers vary, relocation interest has clearly spiked. Search queries like “move to Europe from USA” and “digital nomad visas Europe” have exploded since 2020. Anecdotally, not a day goes by that I don’t see new inquiries in the expat forums I follow from people looking for a way to move. Unlike past waves of expat wanderlust, today’s movers are motivated less by escapism and more by sustainability, both emotionally and financially.

Safety Is a Major Motivator

Safety is no longer just a talking point. It’s a daily concern. From mass shootings to unaffordable healthcare emergencies, the feeling of being constantly on edge can wear you down. This is one of the most common reasons people consider a move abroad, especially those with children or aging parents.

Life Without Lockdown Drills

Before we moved, my daughter’s school in the US rewarded her class for being the quietest during a lockdown drill. That sentence still makes my stomach turn. For all the things we loved about life in America, the ever-present shadow of gun violence was something we could never get used to. It is not just the headlines, but the constant low-level fear baked into daily routines.

Since moving to the UK, that anxiety has eased. My daughter feels safer and has grown more confident navigating city streets and local transportation with friends instead of being limited to places I can drive her. Even when we face setbacks abroad, she always tells us she does not want to go back.

Countries Americans Choose for Safety

Safety looks different depending on your priorities. For some, it is about low crime. For others, it is the reliability of healthcare or political stability. Here are a few countries often praised for offering a greater sense of security:

• Sweden: High safety rankings, strong public services, and a deeply community-centered culture.
  
• Ireland: Friendly, English-speaking, and known for its welcoming atmosphere. It’s also ranked second in the world on the Global Peace Index.
  

Helpful Tip: If safety is high on your priority list, look beyond general countrywide crime statistics. Different cities and regions within the same country sometimes provide very different living experiences. Look at statistics for the specific areas you’re considering and distinguish between petty crimes (like pickpocketing) and violent crimes.

Better Work-Life Balance

If you have ever felt like your job in the US was swallowing your life, you are not alone. Burnout is baked into many American workplaces. Long hours, limited vacation time, and a constant pressure to “hustle” can make life feel like a never-ending race. That grind is a major reason many Americans start looking across the Atlantic.

In my own career, I struggled with how much value was placed on exhaustion. Many of my coworkers were either proud of the long hours they put in, or too afraid to take time off. There was always a sense that rest would make you look lazy or not committed enough. Even when I had vacation time, I felt guilty using it.

Living in Europe gave our family a noticeable sense of calm. Even here in the UK, which shares more with US work culture than most European countries, the difference is real. Work feels more sustainable, and my time off has actually been respected. My husband has noticed the same shift in his job, with shorter hours, real evenings, and management that is more likely to remind him to book time off instead of berating him for taking it.

Countries That Prioritize Balance

• Germany: Employees enjoy strong protections and generous leave policies with a minimum of 20 paid vacation days per year.
  
• France: The 35-hour workweek is still common, and it is not unusual for workers to take several weeks off each year.
  
• Netherlands: Many people work part-time by choice, and the culture strongly values personal time and flexibility.

Healthcare That Doesn’t Bankrupt You

For many Americans, the idea of calling an ambulance or needing surgery comes with more fear about the bill than the medical issue itself. Even with insurance, US healthcare often means deductibles, surprise charges, and thousands of dollars out-of-pocket. It’s one of the most jarring contrasts when you begin comparing life abroad.

Before our move, I took my daughter to the emergency room one evening after she fell getting out of the shower. We sat in the waiting area for hours. A nurse gave her a five-minute evaluation and sent us home with instructions to follow up with her doctor. A few weeks later, we got the bill: nearly $2,000 out of pocket even after insurance.

Now that we live in the UK, that kind of anxiety is gone. We have paid a surcharge on our visa to access the NHS, but this still pales in comparison to what we paid out for medical care in America.

My husband and I have both held optional private insurance offered through our jobs, but the NHS covers most of our needs. It is not perfect, but it is dependable. I can book a doctor’s appointment, fill a prescription, or get urgent care without worrying about the cost.

Countries Known for Accessible Healthcare

• Spain: Offers both public and private options, with affordable coverage and strong care ratings.
  
• Sweden: Provides universal healthcare through taxes, with high satisfaction among residents.
  
• United Kingdom: NHS covers most healthcare needs for residents and visa holders.

Helpful Tip: Before moving, research whether your visa makes you eligible for public healthcare. If not, many countries require or recommend temporary private insurance while you settle in.

Affordable (and Beautiful) Living Options

For many Americans, the cost of living feels like a losing game. Rent keeps rising, groceries stretch your budget, and basic stability can feel out of reach. A good job sounds like the answer, but often is still not enough to pay for a good life. While not every European country is a bargain, many offer a lower cost of living along with a better overall quality of life.

It is true that salaries are often higher in the US, but that income comes with heavy costs. Healthcare expenses are unpredictable and often devastating, even with insurance. Many areas lack reliable public transportation, making car ownership and fuel essential and expensive. Consumer culture can also encourage constant spending to keep up with trends and maintain convenience.

In the UK, we spend significantly less than we did in California, even though we live near London. We also know people who have moved to places like Portugal, Greece, or southern Italy and set up beautiful lives for a fraction of what they paid in the US. These are not just cheaper places to live. They also offer rich culture, stunning landscapes, and more time to enjoy both.

Some cost differences also come down to mindset. If you try to recreate an American lifestyle in Europe, with a big house, frequent Amazon orders, and a car for every adult, then you may spend more than you need to. Choosing to live more like locals do can unlock real savings without giving up comfort or joy.

Best Countries for the Cost-Conscious

• Portugal: Known for low rent compared to the US, affordable healthcare, and a relaxed lifestyle.
  
• Greece: Coastal towns and small islands offer affordable living in postcard-worthy settings.
  
• Italy: Southern regions in particular have lower housing costs and slower-paced life.

A Gateway to Travel and Culture

One of the best gifts of moving to Europe is how much more of the world opens up to you. Flights to other European countries are short and cheap, trains are efficient across Europe, and with more time off you can budget for travel opportunities worldwide.

Flights that once cost us hundreds of dollars to cross a few US state lines now take us between countries in Europe for less money and less hassle. Travel is also baked into the mindset here (I think I see television ads for holiday packages as often as I saw pill commercials in America). Not everyone can afford 5-star resorts, but most people will leave the country on holiday at least once per year.

One of our favorite trips was a one-week train journey from the UK through Belgium. We stopped in Ghent, Bruges, and Brussels, and ended with a peaceful farm stay in a tiny village surrounded by rolling countryside. It was easy to plan, affordable, and filled with moments that my family cherishes.

Culturally Rich Countries That Wow Americans

• Italy: Known for its art, food, history, and family-centered lifestyle.
  
• France: A dream for architecture lovers, museum goers, and café dwellers.
  
• Spain: Beautiful landscapes, vibrant cities, and a daily rhythm that encourages rest and connection.
  

Helpful Tip: Tools like Omio make it easy to compare prices and routes by plane, train, bus or ferry. Explore multiple countries with route planning from a single platform.

More Flexible Visa Options Than You Think

One of the biggest misconceptions about moving to Europe is that you need to land a job first. While that is one option, it is far from the only path. Today, many European countries offer visa routes tailored to remote workers, students, families, and even passive income earners.

Our family has taken two visa paths to the UK, first through a student visa when I pursued postgraduate studies, and later through a Skilled Worker visa sponsored by my husband’s employer. We also strongly considered moving to Germany through a similar skilled work route. Each process had its challenges, but the options were more achievable than we expected once we began researching seriously.

Countries With Varied Visa Pathways

• Spain and Portugal: Both offer digital nomad visas for remote workers with steady income.
  
• Germany: Actively recruiting skilled workers in tech, engineering, and healthcare.
  
• Ireland and Poland: Ancestry-based visas may apply if you have a qualifying family connection.
  

You’re Not Alone, and You’re Not Weird

It is easy to feel isolated when you first start dreaming about moving abroad. You might worry that no one else feels the same way, or that wanting something different means you are ungrateful or unrealistic. But the truth is, thousands of Americans are making this move every year, and the number keeps growing.

You will find US immigrant communities in nearly every major European city. Some are small and tightly knit. Others are large and well-established, with everything from school meetups to holiday gatherings. Whether you are moving solo, as a couple, or with your family, chances are you will find others walking a similar path.

Countries With Strong Expat Support

• United Kingdom: An obvious starting point for many, thanks to language and a large American expat presence. It’s difficult to move here, but you’ll find many Americans once you land.
  
• Netherlands: Large international communities, especially in Amsterdam and Rotterdam. English is widely used as the common business language.
  
• Germany: Major cities like Berlin and Frankfurt have thriving international communities and businesses that hire from all over the world.

Ready for Something Different?

Moving abroad is not about chasing a perfect life. It is about choosing one that feels more aligned with your values. For us, that meant prioritizing safety, calmer workdays, better access to healthcare, and more time together as a family. It also meant letting go of the idea that success had to look a certain way. I gave up practicing law and working in a very well-known corporation when we moved. It’s been worth it.

Europe is not a shortcut to happiness, but it can offer a new perspective. If you are feeling stuck, burned out, or simply ready for a change, this kind of move might be more possible than you think. And you do not have to figure it all out at once. Your first step can be curiosity.

Your life abroad will not be identical to mine, and that is the point. There is more than one way to live well, and for many Americans, the first step is realizing that what you want might be waiting just across the ocean.

FAQs about the Reasons Americans Move to Europe

Is it hard for Americans to move to Europe?
It can be challenging, especially with constantly changing visa requirements, but many Americans successfully make the move each year with the right planning and support.

Can I move to Europe without a job?
Yes, some countries offer visas for students, retirees, digital nomads, or those joining a partner or family member. Not all countries allow this, so it’s important to research your options.

Which European country is the easiest for Americans to move to?
Portugal is often considered one of the most accessible due to its visa flexibility, low cost of living, and welcoming community. However, the easiest country for you depends on your circumstances and how well they match available visa pathways.

More Support for Your Move

If you’re feeling inspired but still have questions, these guides can help you take the next step:

• How to Move From America to Europe: Advice on calculating expenses and navigating the visa process.
• Expat Life in England: Pros and Cons: Honest reflections on what it’s really like to live abroad long-term.
• How to Cope with Expat Homesickness: Helpful strategies to settle in emotionally after your move.