More Americans are packing up and leaving the US. It’s not just talk anymore, the numbers back it up. Between rising costs, healthcare bills that keep climbing, and a general sense that something needs to change, people are seriously looking at options overseas. Europe has become a top choice, but it’s not the only one.
Since COVID-19 turned remote work into the new normal, the idea of living abroad has gone from dream to realistic plan for many. Countries like Greece, France, Malta, and Italy are seeing more American faces, drawn by a different pace of life and, frankly, a lower cost of living.
The Real Reasons Americans Are Leaving
The Money Problem
Let’s start with the obvious: money. Living in the US got more expensive in 2024, with inflation hitting 2.9% for the year. While that’s better than 2022 and 2023, it doesn’t tell the whole story. Housing costs jumped 5.7%, and if you own a car, transportation costs went up 9.4%. Those aren’t small increases.
Healthcare is its own beast. In 2023, the US spent $4.9 trillion on healthcare, that’s $14,570 for every person in the country. The spending went up 7.5% that year, getting back to pre-pandemic growth rates. But here’s the kicker: all that spending doesn’t translate to better care.
The Commonwealth Fund looked at 11 high-income countries in 2021 and ranked the US dead last for healthcare system performance. Dead last. Despite spending more per person than any other country, Americans get worse outcomes on life expectancy, preventable deaths, and managing chronic diseases. It’s expensive and it’s not working well.
For many people, the math just stopped making sense. They’re paying more to live and get less for it.
Work and Life Balance
Some people can’t find work that pays enough. Others found work but realized the paycheck doesn’t match the effort or the cost of living. Either way, job satisfaction is down, and career growth feels stuck. More people are looking abroad for better opportunities. For instance, an increasing number of individuals are currently seeking online work from home in Germany.
Then there’s the quality of life question. Other countries offer more vacation time, better maternity leave, and a culture that doesn’t expect you to answer emails at 10 PM. For people burned out from the US work culture, that’s appealing.
Politics and Stability
We can’t ignore the political climate. Political and social tensions have left plenty of people wanting a more stable environment. They’re looking for places where day-to-day life feels less unpredictable.
Taxes and Education
Some countries offer different tax structures that work better for certain individuals, especially those with international income. Add in affordable or even free university education for kids, and you’ve got another reason people are taking a hard look at leaving.
The Trump Election Effect
Trump’s re-election in November 2024 lit a fire under emigration interest. Right after the election, searches related to leaving the US shot up 1,500%. That’s not a typo, fifteen hundred percent.
This mirrors what happened in 2016. People who don’t align with the administration’s policies start researching their options. Concerns about immigration law changes, political tension, and potential policy rollbacks are driving the surge.
History shows that political shifts affect migration patterns. Whether this wave turns into actual moves remains to be seen, but the interest is real and measurable.
How Many Americans Are Actually Leaving the US?
Getting exact numbers on US citizens leaving the US each year is tricky, the government doesn’t track it perfectly. But we can look at citizenship renunciations as one indicator.
In 2024, 4,748 people officially gave up their US citizenship, according to the Treasury Department’s quarterly publication under Section 6039G. That number has been climbing steadily. Economic pressures and policy frustrations are pushing more Americans living abroad to make it official, they’re not coming back.
Where americans leaving the us Going?
The Move to Europe From America : The Top Draw
Netherlands About 47,000 Americans now live in the Netherlands. The country offers good infrastructure, high quality of life, and a business-friendly setup. The Netherlands Startup Visa program, launched in January 2015, gives entrepreneurs a one-year temporary residence permit to get innovative businesses off the ground.
Read Also: Dutch Startup Visa: Complete Guide to Netherlands Residency for Entrepreneurs (2026)
France France’s Talent Passport program offers a 4-year renewable residency card for qualifying investors and their families. After 5 years, you can apply for permanent residency or citizenship (language requirements apply). If you have French ancestry, you might qualify for citizenship through documentation proving your French parent’s citizenship status.
Portugal The Portugal Golden Visa program lets non-EU investors live, work, and study in Portugal with a qualifying investment. You can apply for permanent residency or citizenship after 5 years. The program recently shifted away from real estate investments to focus on investment funds and cultural donations. Portuguese ancestry can also open doors to citizenship.
Greece Greece’s Golden Visa requires a real estate investment and grants a 5-year renewable residency permit. Citizenship becomes an option after 7 years, though requirements apply.
Italy Italian citizenship by ancestry is available if you can prove Italian descent and meet certain requirements—no property purchase or business investment needed. Italy also offers a Golden Visa program through investments in strategic sectors or government bonds, with a path to citizenship after 10 years of legal residence.
Malta Malta’s Golden Visa grants permanent residency with the right to live, work, and study there. The program offers a potential path to citizenship under Malta’s Citizenship Act.
Switzerland Switzerland’s Lump Sum Taxation program is built for high-net-worth individuals. Instead of taxing global income, it sets a fixed annual tax based on living expenses. You get access to Switzerland’s financial system, excellent living standards, and global mobility benefits.
Beyond Europe
New Zealand Google searches for “move to New Zealand” from the US have doubled since 2020. The country consistently ranks in the top ten worldwide for quality of life. The Active Investor Plus Visa requires NZ$5-10 million (roughly $3-6 million USD) in investments, with minimal physical presence requirements, just 21 days over three years. Americans like the political stability, good healthcare and education, work-life balance, and straightforward business environment.
Caribbean Caribbean Citizenship by Investment programs in places like Antigua are attracting US citizens looking for a faster path to second citizenship. These programs bring capital and talent to the islands while giving Americans tax benefits and visa-free travel options.
Canada Canada remains a top choice for Americans, especially after recent elections. The Canada Startup Visa program has gained serious traction. It lets entrepreneurs get permanent residency while launching innovative businesses in Canada. The cultural similarities and proximity to the US make it an easier transition for many.
What This Means
The trend is clear: more Americans are leaving the country, and they have more options than ever. Investment immigration programs provide legal pathways to residency and citizenship in dozens of countries. Whether you’re motivated by costs, healthcare, politics, or just wanting a change, there are structured programs designed for people like you.
If you’re seriously considering a move abroad, the process is more accessible than you might think. Different countries offer different benefits, and finding the right fit depends on your personal situation, financial resources, and long-term goals.
Ready to explore your options? Contact Harvey Law Group for a consultation. Founded in 1992, we’re a multinational law firm with offices across North America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. We specialize in immigration law and can help you find the right path forward.
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All data cited in this article comes from official government sources, international organizations, and reputable research institutions. We maintain the highest standards of accuracy and only reference verifiable, authoritative sources.
Healthcare & Cost of Living Data
US Healthcare Spending (2023)
- $4.9 trillion total spending, $14,570 per person, 7.5% annual increase
- Source: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
- Link: cms.gov/data-research/statistics-trends-and-reports/national-health-expenditure-data/historical
US Healthcare System Ranking
- Last among 11 high-income countries for healthcare system performance
- Source: The Commonwealth Fund, August 2021
- Link: commonwealthfund.org/publications/fund-reports/2021/aug/mirror-mirror-2021-reflecting-poorly
US Inflation & Cost of Living (2024)
- 2.9% inflation (December 2023-December 2024), housing +5.7%, transportation +9.4%
- Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
- Link: bls.gov/opub/ted/2025/consumer-price-index-2024-in-review.htm
Citizenship Renunciation & Emigration Data
US Citizenship Renunciations (2024)
- 4,748 individuals renounced US citizenship in 2024
- Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury / IRS
- Legal Basis: Section 6039G quarterly publication requirement
- Link: federalregister.gov (search “quarterly publication of individuals who have chosen to expatriate”)
Americans Living Overseas
- Approximately 9 million Americans abroad permanently or semi-permanently
- Source: U.S. Department of State, Consular Affairs estimates
Post-Election Emigration Search Spike
- 1,500% surge in emigration-related searches after November 2024 election
- Source: Google Trends data analysis, November 2024
- Methodology: Comparison of search volume for emigration-related terms during post-election period (Nov 5-6, 2024) versus baseline period
- Key search terms: “move to Canada,” “leave America,” “emigrate from US,” “New Zealand immigration”
