How to move to a different country: What to know before swapping citizenships

Zack Churney and his partner of many years had long wondered what it might be like to live abroad, but they felt tied to their home in Indianapolis, always uncertain about taking the plunge. The events of 2020 – the pandemic, watching a friend lose a family member to gun violence, and realizing they were largely priced out of the housing market anywhere they’d want to live in the U.S. – made them feel they’d hit a “breaking point," Churney said.

With their dachshund, Schnitzel, the couple moved to Ireland, then zigzagged across the European continent before settling in Germany. They’re now in the process of becoming German citizens. Churney calls it “the best decision we ever made.”

“Since moving to Europe we've learned to wonder at things again and I think we sort of stopped doing that in our everyday life in Indianapolis,” he said. They have had “magical moments” in a park in Dublin, espresso bars in Sicily, Italy, and the opera houses of Vienna. They also have excellent health care and a car-free lifestyle that Churney says is impossible in the Midwest.

The decision to move abroad – to become an immigrant, essentially – is a big one, full of logistical hurdles and existential questions. But every four years, as the U.S. election cycle peaks, relocation experts say more Americans get the itch. If that’s your dream, Churney says, it might be time to think seriously about leaving the country.

“I think you just have to take the moment when it comes,” he said.

More: Overseas voters have always mattered. Why they may matter even more in 2024 election.

How do you choose where to move?

Churney and his partner, Austin, started their European odyssey in Ireland, where they knew the language, to lessen the culture shock. They decided to settle in Germany because Churney had studied there in college and was enchanted by the culture.

But many Americans don’t even know where to start. To some extent, all the familiar priorities that might guide a domestic move also apply to going overseas, said Kathleen Peddicord and Lief Simon, a husband and wife team who run Live and Invest Overseas, a consultancy and media company. The couple divides their time between Paris and Panama.

Do you have children? If so, a country with a strong education system should be a priority, they advise. Will you continue to work for a particular company? If that’s the case, the company may have a lot of say in the decision.

However, if you work for yourself or you’re retired, the world becomes a lot more open. Some considerations can be “put into a spreadsheet,” Peddicord said, like the cost of living, the exchange rate, the quality and cost of the health care system, how easy it is to establish residency, and so on.

“But I think the more important part of it is just your gut reaction to a place and just your idea of what you really want your life to look like," she said. "If you could have any view from your bedroom window when you wake up in the morning, what would you most like it to be? Do you want to see a Caribbean beach? Do you want to see a crashing Pacific surf? Do you want to see a cobblestone courtyard? Do you want to see the Mediterranean Sea?”

Once you’ve narrowed it down, definitely visit the country first, said Joe Cronin, president of International Citizens Group. And decide how much “culture shock” you’re up for. If you’re not up for the challenge of learning a new language, do consider a country where English is spoken widely, Cronin added.

See also: Most Americans who vow to leave over an election never do. Will this year be different?

What are the most popular destinations for expat Americans?

Among the experts USA TODAY interviewed, Portugal appears on everyone’s list of most popular destinations, as well as places they’d most frequently counsel Americans to explore. That said, it’s important to note that the country has recently implemented some measures that tighten immigration policies slightly, Cronin said. Some of the programs offered now require more income, for example, and short-term rentals are being discouraged.

“These changes aim to balance Portugal’s welcoming message with the need for housing affordability and social stability for their citizens,” he said.

Spain is equally popular, followed by Mexico, Canada, Thailand, the Philippines, Italy, Panama, Colombia, Malta and Greece.

While Italy may be a relatively expensive country to visit as a tourist, it offers some great real estate deals – although many require sweat equity. Ireland also makes it very easy for foreigners to buy property, often at prices much lower than in the United States.

Residency or citizenship?

Churney’s experience aside, many relocation experts say more Americans are interested in becoming residents of a foreign country than citizens. There are so many residency options in dozens of countries that might make sense for different people that it might be hard to know where to start. Some depend on making an investment, and others depend on having a source of income. In some cases, an "investment" may mean the company you run yourself from your laptop, Peddicord said.

Churney and his partner were barely 30 when they decided to make the move, and both had computer-based jobs that they could do while they got settled. Americans closer to retirement age will have to consider whether they’ll have enough income to stop working, or whether they’ll be able to work for a company or themselves in a different tax jurisdiction.

It’s entirely possible to start researching the various options on your own – and relocation experts encourage it. Once you’ve narrowed it down a bit, however, it might make sense to consider paying for a professional who can help you navigate the process.

Patricia Casaburi, CEO of Global Citizens Solutions, says working with a consultant can help Americans not only identify the best residency program – including those that may lead to citizenship at some point – but also all the various logistics from health care to driver’s licenses to taxation. Americans abroad will also have to decide whether to buy real estate or rent a home, Casaburi noted.

Live and Invest Overseas runs conferences, both in person and virtual, focused on many of the countries that draw the most interest. That can be a lower-cost way of immersing yourself in the details of one country before paying for individual consultant services. Even cheaper, but still highly recommended by experts: look on Facebook or other social networks for groups of American ex-pats in the places you’re considering.

Finally, one good way to get your feet wet before leaving everything behind for a new country is the “Digital Nomad Visa.” Dozens of countries around the globe allow foreigners to stay for extended periods of time – say six months to a year – on a short-term permit, as long as they’re working remotely.

The best way to make a run for the border

What happens if you wake up on Wednesday morning and decide you just can’t take the United States anymore?

In as little as six to eight months, you may be able to become a citizen of one of five Caribbean nations that provide citizenship through investment, Casaburi said: Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, and St. Lucia. That may be more costly than more traditional paths to citizenship abroad, but it's an option.

Also, Peddicord notes that there are several countries, including Belize, Panama, Colombia and Mexico, where you can visit and decide to apply for residency when you're there. "Honestly, I would suggest that that's not a crazy idea," she said. "The residency process is a big pain in the neck. It's a lot of paperwork. It's a process. It's a whole lot of bureaucracy and it's an expense. Why go through all that if you're not sure?"

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: How to move to another country: A guide to living abroad