Where Americans are moving
Top & emerging destinations
Hover over a highlighted country for its complete category list.
Mexico is by far the largest destination for American-born emigrants, reflecting decades of retiree migration, proximity, and affordability. However, with that popularity has come anti-gentrification protests in Mexico City, particularly the Roma and Condesa neighborhoods, where there have been explicitly anti-American slogans and graffiti since mid-2025; residents blame the influx of U.S. remote workers and retirees for an approximate 80% increase in rent in those neighborhoods since 2021. Canada is the second largest destination for American expats, though the volume has been declining as of 2024 since 2010; the UK represents the third largest, up 25% since 2010. Germany, Australia, and Israel round out the largest established communities, each shaped by distinct pulls: Germany by career and family ties, Australia by lifestyle and English-language ease, and Israel by religious and cultural connection.
Beyond those more established communities, several destinations show sustained multi-decade growth as of 2024: Spain, up 93% since 2010; Thailand; the Netherlands; Türkiye; New Zealand; Poland, up 172% since 2010; and Singapore. These emerging destinations are all attracting a steadily growing share of American expats including retirees. However, there has been increased backlash against the increasing number of expats in Spain, including those from the U.S.: the Spanish government has proposed a 100% purchase tax on residential property bought by non-EU buyers, and some American remote workers in Barcelona and Madrid report feeling unwelcome enough to avoid speaking English in public.
Plan ahead
Moving abroad, visas & taxes
- Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Germany, and Thailand are among the top destinations for U.S. expats, including remote workers. Germany leads EU countries with over 81,500 Americans holding valid residence permits as of late 2023. Eastern Europe and Latin America continue to attract young professionals seeking lower costs and strong digital infrastructure.
- The U.S. reached record expat numbers in 2025 as en estimated 180,000 U.S. citizens relocated abroad, the largest shift in that direction in decards. Expat interest is strongest among younger Americans as 63% of Gen Z and 52% of Millennials have considered moving abroad, with nearly 1 in 5 in both groups seriously contemplating it according to some reports.
- More than 65 countries now offer digital nomad or remote worker visa pathways. However, some popular destinations have raised income thresholds or capped permit numbers in response to local housing pressure. Spain, Portugal, and Croatia have all raised income thresholds in 2025–2026 in response to housing pressure, with Spain's DNV now requiring €2,849/month and Portugal's D8 requiring €3,680/month. Georgia, long considered the most permissive option, introduced mandatory work permits in March 2026.
- Portugal tightened several residency pathways amid housing pressure and political backlash. As of May 2026, Portugal extended the legal residency requirement for citizenship from 5 to 10 years for most non-EU nationals (7 years for EU and CPLP citizens). D8 Digital Nomad Visa holders must also now complete 2 years of residency before sponsoring family members for reunification.
- Spain ended its Golden Visa on April 3, 2025, closing the real estate investment route to residency. Spain continues to attract foreign talent through the Digital Nomad Visa, Entrepreneur Visa, and Non-Lucrative Visa. Spain's Beckham Law, a flat 24% income tax rate for up to 6 years, has been expanded to include Digital Nomad Visa holders.
- The USD weakened significantly against the Euro, British Pound, Canadian Dollar, and Japanese Yen in 2025; the Dollar Index fell 9.4% over the course of 2025. The dollar has partially recovered in 2026 as the macro environment has shifted. Exchange rate differences have historically benefited Americans earning in dollars while spending abroad, but the USD's advantage narrowed materially in 2025 and the rate environment remains volatile.
- The FEIE (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion) is $132,900 for tax year 2026. Many remote workers qualify for partial or full exclusion if physical presence or bona fide residence requirements are met. U.S. citizens remain subject to worldwide income reporting regardless of residence. FBAR (Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts) and FATCA (Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act) filing requirements remain fully in effect.
- The Residence-Based Taxation for Americans Abroad Act (H.R. 10468) would allow qualifying U.S. citizens living abroad to elect nonresident tax status, eliminating many FBAR and FATCA reporting obligations. The original bill expired when the 118th Congress ended in January 2025, but a revised version is planned for reintroduction in the 119th Congress, with U.S. presidential support. All current filing obligations remain in effect until new legislation is actually enacted.
Expat Essentials
International banking
U.S. citizens abroad continue reporting difficulty opening foreign investment accounts because of U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act (FATCA) compliance rules.
Private health insurance
Private international insurance remains a strong consideration in many countries despite lower overall healthcare costs due to Americans being increasingly concerned about healthcare system capacty and quality.
Healthcare
Healthcare access, walkability, and slower-paced lifestyles remain top reasons Americans stay abroad long term. Substantially lower healthcare costs are being reported by many Americans abroad. However, healthcare staffing and wait-time pressures continue to be felt in popular expat destinations including Portugal and parts of Spain.
Family & Community
International schools and bilingual education demand continue increasing among American families overseas. Community integration remains one of the strongest predictors of long-term expat satisfaction and mental wellbeing.
Housing Costs
Sharp rental increases tied partly to foreign demand continue in Lisbon, Mexico City, and Bali, causing housing inflation concerns.
U.S. absentee voting
Americans overseas should verify Federal Post Card Application and ballot deadlines well before elections.
Signals to Watch
Political & safety concerns
U.S. embassy registration and evacuation planning are becoming more common among long-term overseas residents.
Climate migration
Climate resilience, water access, and cooling infrastructure are becoming major considerations when deciding where to relocate.
Returning to the U.S.
Reverse culture shock and re-entry financial costs remain significant challenges for returning expats.
Changes to remote work
A wave of 2025 compliance audits — including cases where employers assumed contractor arrangements shielded them from liability — is pushing many companies to tighten remote work policies further in 2026. Employers are responding by capping informal "work from anywhere" arrangements, requiring pre-approval and location reporting for cross-border remote work, and leaning more on Employer of Record services to contain exposure.
Sources: UN DESA — International Migrant Stock 2024: Destination and Origin (POP/DB/MIG/Stock/Rev.2024); Mastercard Travel Trendline, Amex Travel Global Trends Report, Harris Poll (2025, 6,300+ respondents); InterNations; Global Citizen Solutions — "From Destination to Departure: America's New Migration Story" (2026); Brookings Institution — Edelberg, Veuger & Watson, Macroeconomic implications of immigration flows in 2025 and 2026 (January 2026); LaHood.house.gov; Greenback Tax Services, Online Taxman, americansoverseas.org, Zenith Financial Advisors, American Citizens Abroad — Residence-Based Taxation for Americans Abroad Act status updates (2026); Mexico News Daily, Solace Global, palabra., AP / Fortune — Mexico City anti-gentrification protests coverage (2025–2026); Euronews, CNBC, Reuters — Spain anti-tourism and anti-expat sentiment coverage (2025–2026); OECD — Model Tax Convention update (November 2025); Thomson Reuters, Teamed, TaxRavens, EWS — cross-border remote work compliance and permanent establishment risk guides (2026); OECD migration data; International Living; Nomad Capitalist reporting; WHO advisories; State Department travel guidance; and global digital nomad visa trackers.
Where Canadians are moving
Top & emerging destinations
Hover over a highlighted country for its complete category list.
Q1 2026 Canadian emigration had a record quarter with a total of 30,092 expats. This was the highest Q1 amount ever recorded. Overall Canadian emigration is skewing young and educated as those leaving are primarily adults aged 25–44, more educated than the Canadian average, and concentrated in science and finance fields. The U.S. remains the top destination for Canadian expats with 61.4% of Canadian-born emigrants residing in the U.S. as of the most recent UN data. However, some Canadians who would have relocated to or remained in the U.S. are reconsidering – given trade tensions, sovereignty rhetoric, and enhanced border scrutiny in 2025–2026. Portugal is particularly prominent for both retirees and remote workers, with established expat networks in Lisbon and the Algarve. Mexico appeals for proximity, affordability, and large existing Canadian communities in Lake Chapala and Puerto Vallarta.
Plan ahead
Money, pensions & quality of life
- The CAD has weakened against the USD, GBP, and EUR in 2025–2026, compressing purchasing power for Canadians spending in stronger currencies abroad. Those who earn in CAD while living in Europe or the UK face a real cost headwind.
- CPP and OAS pensions are payable worldwide as a non-resident, but are subject to non-resident withholding tax (typically 25%, reduced under applicable tax treaties).
- Provincial tax implications vary by departure province with Quebec residents face the most complex departure situation due to the separate RAMQ and Revenu Québec layer. Alberta residents face a comparatively simpler departure given no provincial income tax on non-residents.
- Canadians can acquire a second passport without losing their Canadian citizenship, a meaningful option for those considering long-term or permanent relocation and the additional mobility a second nationality provides.
- Community integration remains one of the strongest predictors of long-term expat satisfaction. Established Canadian expat networks in the UK, Australia, Portugal, and Mexico are well-documented and cited as strong integration accelerators.
- Healthcare access is the top quality-of-life concern for Canadian expats because provincial health coverage lapses with extended absence, creating a mandatory private insurance gap. See the Provincial Health Coverage section below for province-by-province details.
- Francophone families have distinct bilingual schooling options abroad as French-language schooling is available and sometimes subsidized in France, Belgium, and parts of Switzerland, a meaningful quality-of-life differentiator for families from Quebec or other Francophone communities.
Expat Essentials
International banking & finances
Canadian expats generally face less friction with banking abroad as major banks (RBC, TD, Scotiabank) offer non-resident banking products. Provincial credit unions may close accounts once non-residency is established. CPP and OAS entitlements are not affected by time spent abroad.
Private health insurance abroad
Private international health insurance is often needed or even essential once outside of Canada. Even while provincial coverage is technically active, most provinces reimburse little or nothing for out-of-country costs. Ontario has reimbursed zero costs since January 1, 2020.
Registration with Global Affairs Canada
It is strongly recommended that all long-term expats register with Global Affairs Canada. ROCA (Registration of Canadians Abroad) is Canada's free registration service for long-term residents abroad, allowing the government to contact you in an emergency.
Voting while abroad
Elections Canada allows Canadians abroad to vote by special ballot for up to 5 years of continuous absence. You can apply as a non-resident elector through Elections Canada's online portal. Provincial and territorial voting rules vary.
Know before you go
Healthcare coverage: rules for absences by province
Health insurance in Canada is administered separately by each province and the rules for how long you can be absent before coverage lapses, differ meaningfully and accordingly. Where you live before you leave has a direct impact on your planning timeline. All provinces require a 3-month waiting period before reinstating coverage upon your return.
The Rules below reflect general publicly available guidelines as of early 2026 and are subject to change. Individual circumstances including whether you are a student or a government worker, and whether you are receiving medical treatment abroad, may have different provisions. Always verify your specific situation directly with your provincial health authority before making decisions, and arrange any needed private international health insurance before your departure date.
Under AHCIP only the cost of insured emergency physician and hospital services received outside of Canada is eligible for reimbursement. You have to pay the provider yourself first and then submit a claim to AHCIP for reimbursement, and you remain responsible for the difference between what was charged and what AHCIP pays. You'll be reimbursed either the amount you claimed for the physician's services or the rate an Alberta physician is paid for that service, whichever is less; so you're capped at Alberta's domestic fee schedule, not what you actually paid abroad.
Quebec is not part of the interprovincial reciprocal billing agreement. Quebec residents who travel to other provinces and need medical care must pay upfront and seek reimbursement from RAMQ.
As of January 1, 2020, OHIP eliminated all reimbursement for out-of-country emergency medical services, even while your coverage is technically active. Ontario residents abroad have effectively zero provincial coverage for medical costs outside Canada.
MSI pays out-of-Canada emergency in-patient services at Nova Scotia rates, with out-patient services received outside Canada not covered at all.
Metric Card Grid: Statistics Canada (2022); Statistics Canada; Henley Passport Index (Mar 2026); InterNations Expat Insider 2025; Angus Reid (2024). Sources: Statistics Canada — Estimating the Canadian Diaspora (2022); Statistics Canada Portrait of Canadian Emigration (March 2026); Statistics Canada Table 17-10-0040-01 (released June 17, 2026); Angus Reid Institute (2024); Henley Passport Index (March 2026); InterNations Expat Insider 2025; Canada Revenue Agency — Leaving Canada (Emigrants), Income Tax Folio S5-F1-C1; Elections Canada; Global Affairs Canada / ROCA; MTFX Group; Global Citizen Solutions; Globe and Mail; Radio-Canada / ICI Radio-Canada (May 2026); TD Economics (French); Immigrant Québec; Spergel (French); Ontario.ca — OHIP Coverage Outside Canada; Government of BC — Leaving BC Temporarily (MSP); Alberta Health — AHCIP Outside Coverage; RAMQ — Waiting Period and Absence Rules; Manitoba Health — Leaving Manitoba; Government of Newfoundland and Labrador — Out of Province Coverage (Health and Community Services); Government of New Brunswick — Leaving New Brunswick (Medicare); Government of Prince Edward Island — PEI Health Card; Government of Yukon — Health Care Coverage and Extended Absence; Government of Northwest Territories — NWT Health Care Plan, General Information for Residents; Government of Nunavut — About the Nunavut Health Care Plan, Travelling Outside Canada; Snowbird Advisor — Provincial Health Coverage Rules (March 2026); Canada Health Act Annual Report 2024–2025 (Health Canada).