Have you been itching to move to Europe recently? Well, we have got you covered with our US expat guide to Europe!
Europe holds a certain inexplicable charm for the average American citizen. After all, many of us plan vacations to European countries, such as France, Spain, Italy, and more. Some people are attracted to the continent for its rich history, while others admire its cultural richness and natural beauty. However, visiting a country on another continent is vastly different than leaving your American home and moving to that country.
You will need to deal with immigration processes, cultural differences, language barriers, and many expected and unexpected hurdles. Naturally, you will need a comprehensive guide to make your move as seamless and hassle-free as possible.
So, read on to figure out everything you need to do to prepare for your grand move!
US Expat Guide to Europe
Here are some handy tips that will act as your US expat guide to Europe:
1. Visit Europe to Find Your New Home
Moving to a new country in an entirely different continent is not going to be easy. However, you can make the transition easier by doing thorough research to find your new home. First off, figure out what you’re looking for in a new home and choose your location accordingly. After all, Europe is home to diverse nations, cultures, economies, traditions, and more.
It’s always best to visit the place you plan to move to before making the move. You might love the idea of living in a particular country from afar, but your perspective might shift after your visit. So, if possible, make a list of cities and countries that excite you, tour them, talk to the locals, and figure out what it’s like to live in those places. You will also need to assess the immigration requirements for an American moving to Europe.
2. Learn Everything About Your Soon-to-Be-Home
After shortlisting a couple of prospects, make a list of everything that you need in your new home. For instance, you will need to figure out if your chosen company offers dual citizenship to American expats whose grandparents or parents came from there. Many European countries, such as Germany, Italy, the Republic of Ireland, and Norway, offer this benefit to US expats.
Additionally, think of the type of culture you want to be a part of. You will also need to consider the economy of the country you’re planning to move to as well as their residency requirements. For instance, Belgium, France, Sweden, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands are among the countries that have welcoming residency programs for US expats.
With that said, depending on your priorities, you will need to think of a wide array of factors, such as cost of living, cuisine, cultural amalgamation, taxes, job prospects, schooling, and more. You will also need to consider how the pandemic has shaped or shaken the economy of your chosen country.
3. Downsize before Your Move
When moving to a new place in a foreign land, you don’t need to carry past baggage with you. However, we aren’t just talking about metaphorical and emotional baggage. As human beings, most of us tend to gather a lot of physical baggage or belongings over time. It includes furniture, accessories, clothes, and a lot of other stuff that we don’t use or even need.
This is why it’s best if you downsize and de-clutter your home before making your big move. After all, the more clutter you have, the longer it will take you to pack everything. Moreover, it will also cost you more in terms of moving, shipping, and delivery. So, sort through your belongings and figure out which items you need to keep. As for the rest, you can divide them into three categories – give away to loved ones, sell, or donate.
4. Learn the Art of Currency Conversion and Money Management
If you want to maintain your budget and save yourself from overspending, set a daily budget for yourself in your local currency by comparing it to how much you used to spend in US dollars. Converting that money into the local currency will help you internalize its value. It will also enable you to figure out how much you can afford to spend on food, amenities, travel, and other such expenses on a daily or monthly basis. Don’t forget to factor your monthly salary into the equation to make things easier.
5. Figure Out Your Taxes
As a US citizen, your worldwide income will be subject to US income tax, regardless of where you live. Depending on your chosen country and the number of days you spend there, you might be considered a local tax resident there as well. This means that you will have to file taxes in both nations on the income that you earn in your new home.
However, you can stop paying US taxes when relocating to Europe if you renounce your US citizenship. With that said, the US government will charge a hefty fee for citizenship relinquishment. You might also have to pay an exit tax if you end up qualifying as a covered expatriate. So, make sure to do proper research before making a decision.
6. Open a Local Bank Account
If you plan to earn any money in your new home, you will have to open a local account. It will enable you to deposit and withdraw your money hassle-free. Moreover, you will save yourself from paying hefty ATM fees.
Additionally, make sure you opt for online banking and international banking, especially if you have to send money to your family or loved ones back in the US. Also, try to use budgeting apps to keep track of your finances and to stay on top of your budget.
7. Learn the Local Language
Even if you move to a country where English is the common or business language, it’s always better to learn the local languages or at least the local language in your neighborhood. It’s inarguably one of the most effective ways of making new friends and feeling welcome in a foreign place. It will make you feel at home quickly and enable you to go out and have an enjoyable time more often.
However, learning a language isn’t going to be easy, but don’t let that intimidate you. Start with the basics, such as learning to say common words and phrases, such as hello, thank you, goodbye, good morning, please, sorry, excuse me, and more. You can also join a language course if you have the time. All you have to do is keep trying and use more and more local words in your everyday conversations to boost your confidence and enhance your grasp of the language.
8. Find Your Community
Living in Europe might turn out to be a bit overwhelming for US expats, especially if you are living in a country with a vastly different culture than the US. A surefire way to make your new home feel less scary is to go in prepared. Connect with fellow expatriates online before your big move.
You can check out various online expat communities on social media platforms. There are helpful groups on Facebook catering to US expats moving to European cities and countries. You can ask various questions, share your concerns, and connect with other expats on these groups.
This way, you can make virtual friends even before you move to your new home. You can also find specific communities and groups, such as LGBTQ+ and African American expats. Making new friends who are familiar with your situation and can help enrich your experience will make your move a lot easier and more fulfilling. It will also make the new country and city feel less scary and foreign.
9. Make Local Friends
While it’s great to find your community of fellow expats, try to not restrict yourself to that community only. Be open to making new local friends who will be able to show you around and help you fall in love with their country, customs, culture, food, and more. If you put in the effort to befriend your local co worker or neighbor, you will be able to explore new places, find hidden bars, explore the beautiful nooks and crannies of your neighborhood, and find a helpful support system.
10. Keep a Stash of US Dollars for Emergencies
When you’re living in a foreign country, you will realize that you don’t particularly have a safety net to fall back on. Moreover, you don’t even know anyone around you who can truly help you out in case of emergencies or be there for you 24/7. It’s why it’s smart to have a reasonable amount of US dollars on hand. This way, you will be prepared for all eventualities, such as unforeseen bank account closure and more. If you have US dollars, you can exchange them to get the local currency. Just make sure to keep this amount untouched and use it for emergencies only.
The Bottom Line
Leaving your established life in America and relocating to Europe to start anew will require you to be independent, responsible, and, above all, courageous. Use the aforementioned tips to help smoothen your transition. Meet new people, learn about new cultures, ace the local language, open yourself up to new adventures, and enjoy the change of perspective that is bound to come with this monumental move!