Geostrata examines why and how Americans are moving to Europe
Americans are moving to Europe in record numbers. In the past two years, it seems like there is a new story in the news every week about this phenomenon. According to the Wall Street Journal, in 2025, more Americans moved out of the country than immigrants moved in. This is called “negative net migration” and it hasn’t happened in the United States since the Great Depression. There are a few factors for this phenomenon: politics, economics, culture, and an enhanced desire for global mobility. Let’s take a look at each factor.
Americans Want Global Mobility
It should come as no surprise that people are seeking to expand their global mobility in a modern, interconnected world. Many Americans believe that a better lifestyle awaits them in countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, and the Netherlands. Over the past few years, the number of Americans emigrating has increased steadily. In 2025, 180,000 Americans moved abroad, and nearly all 27 European Union member-states issued a record number of residence permits to American citizens.
Politics
According to Pew Research, only 17% of Americans say they trust the government to do what is right most of the time. The numbers have been steadily declining since 2007. For comparison, 73% of Americans felt like they could trust the government in 1958.
This signals an overall decline in trust toward America’s institutions rather than a reaction to an unpopular administration. Many Americans don’t feel like their elected representatives are making decisions with their best interests in mind, and they don’t feel optimistic about that changing in a meaningful way in the immediate future.
Economics
The American economy has undergone a meaningful change from the pre-pandemic era to the post-pandemic era.
Compared to prices in 2019:
- Grocery prices have risen almost 35%.
- Home prices have risen 50% to 60%.
- Homeowner’s insurance rates have gone up 50% to 100%.
- The median price of a new car has risen 28%.
- Car insurance rates have gone up 56%
These price increases account for a meaningful change in American’s quality of life. Many seniors have seen their homes skyrocket in value, but their daily expenses have also gone up significantly. Millennials are unable to afford large down payments for starter homes, and even with parental support for the down payment, many aren’t earning enough to afford the monthly mortgage payments.
For many young Americans, the income from their full-time job is not enough to make ends meet or to enter the next stage of adulthood, and they are pressured to find a “side hustle” by monetizing their hobbies and/or working part-time in the gig economy (Uber, Lyft, DoorDash, etc.). They feel pressured to work all the time or risk falling behind socially and financially. American Millennials don’t have an income problem, they have a spending problem. A $65,000 annual salary (the median for Millennials) might not be enough to settle into adulthood in the U.S., but it is more than enough to thrive and grow in many European countries.
Seniors who want to retire in Europe have the most advantageous position. They can unlock a tremendous amount of equity by selling their American homes at current market highs, and enjoy a much lower cost of living and housing in many European countries.
Culture
Many Americans across generations are attracted to Europe’s generally slower pace of life and rejection of hustle culture. Countries like Italy, Spain, Portugal, and France have cultures that prioritize family, food, socialization, and personal hobbies over work. This is taken so seriously in Europe, that many countries have “right to disconnect” legislation, where employers face fines if they repeatedly contact employees after their scheduled working hours. The European Commission is currently working on “right to disconnect” legislation that aims to protect worker’s rights to disconnect across all of Europe.
European culture also emphasizes experiences over material things, and in-person friendships over social media connections. As teenagers feel increasingly isolated in the U.S., teenagers in places like Italy and Spain still socialize like it’s 1999. This is one of the many reasons why families are increasingly making the move to European countries from the U.S.A.
How Americans Are Moving to European Countries
Aside from the factors mentioned above, the record-breaking number of Americans moving abroad can be explained, in part, by new visa opportunities and incentive programs being offered by European countries. There are a lot of underlying reasons why people are looking for a change, but until recently, it wasn’t feasible for mid-career professionals and younger Americans to make the move. Digital nomad visas, like those offered in Italy, Spain, and Portugal, enable professionals and business owners to move to a European country while keeping their U.S.-based income. That’s a total game-changer for millions of Americans.
Geostrata has seen huge demand from families, retirees, and digital nomads. Ultimately, Americans are looking for walkable, safe, and open-minded destinations that center around community, have strong institutions, affordable healthcare, and prioritize the simple joys of life. The 30%-50% lower cost of living in parts of Italy and Spain are a huge draw too. Millennials can actually buy a home and retirees can live comfortably on their Social Security and passive income. We can’t overstate the importance of these economic factors to our clients and the millions of Americans who are considering a move to Europe.
It’s worth taking a closer look at some of these programs. Digital nomad visas, retirement visas, Germany’s Opportunity Card, and the Netherlands-specific Dutch-American Friendship Treaty.
Digital Nomad Visas
Digital nomad visas enable non-E.U. nationals, like Americans, to move to European countries without having to find a job in the local labor market (which can be difficult). Digital nomads and remote workers keep their American income from their business or remote employment while living in Europe. Popular destinations for remote workers and digital nomads are Italy, Spain, and Portugal. Americans enjoy the Mediterranean lifestyle while stretching their income much farther.
Retirement Visas and Passive Income Visas
Retirement visas are typically called “elective residence visas” or “non-lucrative visas” and are designed for people who support themselves through their passive income. These pathways typically don’t have any age restrictions. The important factor is that your income is passive, which means you typically cannot work to support yourself (except in the case of Portugal). Social Security, real estate, investments, pensions, and retirement plans are all examples of qualifying passive income. Italy, Spain, France, and Portugal are Geostrata’s most popular destinations for retirees.
The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty
The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (commonly referred to as the “DAFT”) is a bilateral treaty that is designed to foster economic exchange between the Netherlands and the United States. Within the treaty are immigration provisions that allow Americans to move to the Netherlands and start a business. The low capital requirement (€4,500 deposited in a Dutch business bank account) and lack of a language requirement or points system makes the DAFT the most accessible way for an American to move to Europe and start a business. Almost any type of business is eligible, as long as it is a real business. Businesses that are created solely for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit will be rejected by the Dutch government. The DAFT is a unique opportunity that many Americans take advantage of.
Germany’s Opportunity Card for Job Seekers
Many Americans have been searching for remote employment for months or years, and have arrived at the conclusion that in-person employment is their only option right now. Other Americans work in fields that do not support remote work. In either case, digital nomad visas are not an option. Other Americans want to find a role in Europe, but have discovered that it is hard to apply from across the Atlantic.
Germany has created an incredible opportunity for highly-skilled American workers who want to find a job in Germany. There are two main barriers to finding work in European countries. The first is distance. It is challenging to network and apply from across the Atlantic. The second, and largest barrier, is the labor market test. European employers must demonstrate that no local worker could be found to fill an open role before they can hire an American. The added administrative work and costs associated with hiring a foreign employee along with labor market tests disincentivize European employers from hiring Americans.
Germany’s Opportunity Card cuts through all of that red tape. Opportunity Card holders can travel to Germany, work part-time at any job (20 hours per week maximum), and apply for a full-time permanent position. If hired, the Opportunity Card is exchanged for an E.U. Blue Card (one of the most powerful and flexible residence permits in the European Union).
Will The Trend Continue?
Opening any social media app reveals a swath of posts from friends and influencers hiking in the Dolomites, eating dinner in Sorrento, or posing for pictures in front of the Eiffel Tower. It seems like everyone is going to Europe. If you feel like this is a relatively recent phenomenon, you’d be correct. From 1969 to 2011, the percentage of Americans visiting Europe rose from about 1% to 3.5%. In 2025, 7% of Americans visited a European country. Demand to travel to Europe has been explosive in the past decade, with no signs of slowing down. The same is true for Americans permanently making the move. From 2019-2024 residence permits issued to Americans in Portugal quadrupled and Spain saw a 63% increase.
We live in a globalized and interconnected world. Americans want to meet people from other countries, hear their perspectives, and experience their culture. A rapidly growing number of Americans feel like their best life is waiting for them in Europe, and they are attracted to lifestyles that center around community and culture rather than work. Economics play a big role as well. Millennials are attracted to affordable housing, universal healthcare, safe public schools for their children, and strong institutions. Retirees are drawn to the lower cost of living and slower pace of life. As technology advances, people are earning money in new and often digital ways, giving them the freedom to move where they want. Even if the political and economic situations stabilize in the U.S. in the next five years, you can’t stop progress, and for many Americans progress is an increased sense of global mobility.
The Challenge for Americans
Americans who are curious about moving to Europe typically find themselves immersed in weeks, months, or even years of research on message boards, social media sites, AI tools, and search engines. They discover that the process is far more complex than grabbing their passport, filling out some paperwork, and going. European countries have hard requirements that must be met in order to be eligible for a long-stay visa. There’s also the stress of navigating a move abroad on their own, while family, their business, and their career all compete for their attention. Geostrata was created to solve this problem, and has been helping Americans move to Europe since 2025.
How Geostrata Manages the Move to Europe for Americans
Geostrata manages and executes American’s entire relocation to 20 European countries, from idea to move-in day. Geostrata pairs each client to a dedicated expert, who acts as the project manager for their move. Geostrata helps clients find a visa and country that is right for their situation, and creates a clear path forward. Visa applications, residence permits, lease agreements, and legal review are all handled by Geostrata’s in-country legal partners, who have successfully guided thousands of Americans through the legal process. Geostrata’s clients participate in a one-of-a-kind intercultural communication and integration course, setting them up to successfully join their new community and live in a new culture. Logistics booking, housing search, and pet relocation are all handled by Geostrata too. And now, so is health insurance. Geostrata is proud to partner with Feather Insurance, ensuring that its clients are covered for their move and compliant for their visa application.
If you want to learn more about how you can move to a European country, contact us today.
