I help Americans move abroad—4 of the easiest countries to move to in Europe

I tried to move to Spain for over a decade. I went to learn Spanish at 21, teach English at 26, and get my master’s degree at 29, but always ended up coming back to the US. At the time, my options for staying long-term seemed very limited: transferring through a company, marrying a local, or having rare skills that qualified me for a work visa. I didn’t fit into any of those boxes.

Finally, in 2015, at the age of 35, I made my final move to Spain and I am now a proud citizen. As the founder Pressed the refresh button – where I have helped hundreds of other women move abroad – I often think about how easy it is to move these days, especially thanks to the rise of digital nomad visas.

Traditionally, you must apply for visas from your home country; This can mean long processing times at consulates, strict requirements, lots of paperwork, and waiting in the US until your visa is approved. However, several European countries now allow domestic applications.

Note that in addition to local financial requirements for a visa or permit, other costs and considerations may include relocation experts and attorneys who can help facilitate the process.

Here are four countries in Europe that let you relocate first and handle visa paperwork after you arrive.

Spain It’s one of the most popular destinations for Americans moving abroad. With its sunshine, welcoming culture, stunning views, and affordability for those with a US income, it’s easy to see why.

Spain launched the digital nomad visa in 2023 for freelancers, freelancers and remote workers. If you apply from the USA you will be given a one year visa, but Application from Spain and you can get a three-year permit. Among the women I work with, processing times from Spain also seem to be faster; sometimes just a few weeks.

Before you go, gather important US documents, especially your FBI background check and apostille or certificate of authentication; because it is more complicated to obtain them when you go abroad. You will also be asked to provide proof of remote work and income.

Giovanna González36 years old, moved from Chicago to Valencia in April 2025. “We booked a trip to Spain so we could apply from within the country,” says Gonzalez, who says his experience went smoothly, especially with the help of an immigration lawyer. “We were approved in just two and a half weeks.”

His advice? Work with a relocation specialist for housing, as it can be difficult to find a place quickly as an American without a local employment contract.

Greece is not just a country While it is a popular holiday destination, it is also an attractive destination for workers who enjoy the sunshine, slower pace and long distances on the Mediterranean coast. lower cost of living. If I decided to move, I would move to Greece.

What most people don’t realize is that Greece offers two different options for remote workers: digital nomad visa and digital nomad residence permit. You must apply for a digital nomad visa from your home country, which gives you the right to stay for one year. However, you can apply for a digital nomad residence permit, which is valid for two years, when you arrive in Greece. You will need to show proof of your monthly income of at least €3,500, health insurance and a rental agreement or property ownership.

my one podcast guests, Kathleen O’DonnellThe 40-year-old moved from Boston to Athens in 2022 and chose residence permit. “It was such a relief not to have to go back to the US to apply,” he says. “The process took time, but it was worth it in terms of flexibility.”

Although you can file on your own, O’Donnell says she hired an attorney, which “makes the process much less stressful.”

Dutch-American Treaty of Friendship (DAFT) allows Freelancers and self-employed US citizens will have the opportunity to live and work in the Netherlands by registering a new or existing business and depositing €4,500 into a Dutch business bank account. Once you arrive, you can apply for your DAFT visa and start the process. Remote workers do not qualify, which means you cannot become a W-2 employee.

Stacy Holt, 44 moved to the Netherlands with his family in 2023. “We sold everything, rented a house we only saw in the video, and applied when we arrived,” he says. “It was definitely a stressful time, but within two months I had my residence card and my business registered.”

He told me he moved to provide a better quality of life for his children and to escape the stress of active shooter drills and future student debt. His advice: Bring thrift and patience, as housing can be difficult to find without local rental history.

Albania may not be on your radar, but it’s becoming popular Soft landing spot for Americans. It’s affordable, welcoming and ideal if you want to “test drive” life abroad without having to navigate complex visa systems first.

Monica MirandaThe 45-year-old moved from Jersey City to Vlorë with her dog. He had originally planned to stay for a few months but has now been there for almost two years. “Getting my residency was easier than I expected,” he says. “I hired a lawyer, submitted my documents, and received a temporary visa within a week.”

Cepee Tabibian is the founder Pressed refreshA community and resource platform that helps women over 30 move abroad. HE, “I’m Out of Here! An American’s Essential Visa Guide to Living in Europe″ and the host He hit the renewal podcast. The daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Cepee grew up in Houston, Texas, before immigrating to Spain. follow him @shehitrefresh.

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