12 Dream Countries Begging Americans to Move There — With Tax Breaks, Easy Visas, and a Better Life

Ever feel like you’re working harder than ever but somehow getting nowhere?

Like every paycheck disappears before you even touch it?

You’re definitely not the only one. A lot of Americans are feeling stuck, burned out, and priced out of their own lives. But there’s another way to live.

Imagine waking up somewhere beautiful, sipping your coffee without checking your work emails first thing, and actually having money left over at the end of the month. Sounds nice, right?

Well, good news: a bunch of countries are basically inviting Americans to move there in 2025. They’re offering easier visas, lower living costs, and in some cases, tax breaks that sound almost too good to be true.

They want your experience, your energy, and yes, your dollars. But what you get back—peace, time, and a slower, better life—might be worth far more.

We’ve rounded up 12 amazing spots across Europe, Latin America, and Asia where life is good and your money actually goes far.

So maybe it’s time to stop daydreaming and start figuring out where your next chapter begins.

Why Are These Countries Begging Americans to Move There in 2025?

Let’s be clear. When we say “begging,” we don’t mean they are desperate. Far from it.

What’s really happening is a kind of global talent hunt. Think of it like a competition for people who can bring money, ideas, and energy without taking local jobs.

These countries know what they’re doing. They’re after two main groups:

• People who work remotely and get paid in U.S. dollars.
• Retirees who have a steady income rolling in each month.

In return for moving there, you get a simpler, cheaper, and often sunnier life. They get your spending power and the boost it gives their local economy.

You win. They win. Everyone’s happy.

Europe: Which Countries Begging Americans to Move There in 2025 Are for You?

Europe is the dream. It’s history, art, good food, and a slower rhythm that makes you wonder why you ever rushed in the first place.

And now, it’s actually easier than ever to live there. Here are some of the best options if you’re thinking of making the move.

1. Portugal

The Dream: Golden beaches, friendly people, and an easy-going pace. Portugal’s one of those places where life just feels good.

The Deal: Portugal offers two main paths.

• The D7 Visa (Passive Income): This is for retirees. If you have a passive income (like a pension or investments) of just €870 per month (about $11,400/year), you qualify.
• The D8 Visa (Digital Nomad): This is for active remote workers. The bar is higher. You must show an active income of at least ~€3,480 per month.

The Catch: The famous NHR 10-year tax holiday is over for new applicants. Its replacement, the IFICI, is a “tax break” only for those in scientific research, tech, or innovation. The main draw now is lifestyle and affordability, not the tax loophole.

Read: Americans Live Like a Millionaires on $1,500 a Month in These 14 Incredible Countries

2. Spain

The Dream: Siestas, sangria, and endless sunshine. Spain offers a vibrant, social, and passionate culture.

The Deal: Spain’s new Digital Nomad Visa is a game-changer.

• It’s for active remote workers. You need to show an income of €2,763 per month (about $30,100/year).
• For retirees, the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) requires a passive income of €2,400 per month.

The Perk: The Beckham Law. This is one of the best “tax breaks” in Europe. It allows eligible expats to pay a flat 24% tax rate on their Spanish income (up to €600,000) instead of the normal progressive rates that can hit 50%.

Best of all, digital nomads can now qualify for this.

3. Greece

The Dream: Blue seas, white houses, and sunsets that make you forget what day it is.

The Deal: The Greek Digital Nomad Visa requires a net income of €3,500 per month (about $38,200/year). This income bar is higher than Spain’s, but the payoff is huge.

The Perks (Plural!): Greece offers two of the best “tax breaks” on the continent.

• For Retirees: A 7% flat tax on all your foreign income (including pensions) for 15 years.
• For Workers: A 50% income tax cut for your first seven years working from Greece.

Add a low cost of living (around $900 a month, plus rent), and you’ve got one of Europe’s best-kept secrets.

Also See: These 12 Islands Let You Retire Rich With Zero Income Tax (Keep Every Cent!)

4. Italy

The Dream: Gelato, cobblestone streets, and that effortless Italian charm. It’s hard not to fall in love.

The Deal: For years, it was almost impossible for non-retirees. Not anymore.

• Digital Nomad Visa (New!): Italy finally launched its nomad visa. It’s for “highly specialized” workers with an income of €28,000 per year (about $30,500).
• Elective Residency Visa: The classic “retirement” visa. You must show a passive income of at least €31,000-€32,000 per year. You are not allowed to work on this visa.

The Perk: Italy’s tax incentive, Lavoratori Impatriati, is incredible. New residents can get a 50% tax exemption on their income. This means you only pay tax on half of what you earn.

That’s a sweet deal to go with your espresso.

The Americas: Countries Begging Americans to Move There in 2025 Close to Home

Want a fresh start without flying halfway across the world? The Americas have plenty of options where life is good, affordable, and still close enough to home that you can visit family without a 12-hour flight. Here are some of the best picks.

5. Mexico

The Dream: Warm weather, tacos, beaches, and a culture that already feels familiar. Mexico has everything—city life, surf towns, and quiet mountain retreats.

The Deal: Mexico doesn’t have a digital nomad visa. You apply for a Temporary Resident Visa using “economic solvency”.

This is the key: you have two ways to qualify.

• Income: Show a monthly income of ~$4,185 for the past 6-12 months.
• Savings: Show an average bank balance of ~$69,750 over the past 12 months.

You only need to qualify for one of them. The savings option is a fantastic path for many.

The Catch: Stay more than 183 days in a year, and you become a tax resident, which means paying taxes on your worldwide income. Still, for shorter stays or flexible living, Mexico’s hard to beat.

Read: Buy a Home, Get Free Residency: 6 Countries Where Americans Can Buy Property and Get Instant Residency

6. Costa Rica

The Dream: “Pura Vida” isn’t just a saying here; it’s a way of life. Think beaches, jungles, volcanoes, and a calm, friendly atmosphere.

The Deal: Costa Rica gives you two clear choices.

• Digital Nomad Visa: Requires a stable income of $3,000 per month ($4,000 for a family). The big perk? You are exempt from paying income tax in Costa Rica.
• Rentista Visa: This is for those with guaranteed passive income. It requires $2,500 per month. Many prove this by depositing $60,000 (24 x $2,500) into a Costa Rican bank.

Costa Rica isn’t the cheapest country in the region, but it’s stable, peaceful, and truly beautiful.

Also Read: These 13 Countries Offer World-Class Health Care at a Fraction of U.S. Prices

7. Panama

The Dream: Clean, modern, and efficient, with tropical weather and a U.S. dollar-based economy. It’s no wonder Panama is often called the world’s top retirement haven.

The Deal: The famous Pensionado Visa is one of the “cheap visas” on this list.

• Show a lifetime pension of $1,000 per month, and you’re in.
• Own property worth $100,000, and the requirement drops to just $750 per month.

You’ll get permanent residency and a bunch of local discounts, from healthcare to entertainment.

The Perk: Panama uses a territorial tax system, which means you don’t pay taxes on income earned outside Panama. That’s a massive financial advantage for retirees and remote workers alike.

8. Colombia

The Dream: Colorful streets, friendly people, mountain views, and Caribbean beaches; Colombia has it all, and it’s still incredibly affordable.

The Deal: The V-nómadas (Digital Nomad) visa.

• This is the most accessible visa on our entire list.
• The income requirement is just 3x the Colombian minimum wage.
• In 2025, that’s only about $1,100 per month.

The Reality Check: You’ll hear talk about safety, and yes, the U.S. State Department has a Level 3 advisory. But most expats in cities like Medellín or Bogotá feel very safe.

Medellín, for example, doesn’t even make the list of the world’s 50 most violent cities anymore, while several U.S. cities do.

If you want a lower cost of living, great food, friendly people, and an easier pace of life, without feeling too far from home, the Americas have plenty of open doors. All that’s left is deciding how tropical you want your new backyard to be.

Also Check: 12 Beautiful Places You Can Live Comfortably for Less Than $2,500 a Month

Asia & The Pacific: High-Tech Life and Island Dreams

If you’re chasing great food, friendly people, and a mix of futuristic cities and tropical beaches, Asia and the Pacific should be on your radar.

These countries aren’t just beautiful; they’re building smart ways to attract people who can work from anywhere.

9. Thailand

The Dream: Warm smiles, street food, temples, and beaches that look like screensavers. Thailand is one of those places where you show up for a month and somehow stay for years.

The Deal: Thailand wants people who bring value, and they’ve created two paths to make it happen:

• Thailand Privilege (Elite) Visa: This one’s for those who want the VIP life. You pay for it, around $25,000 for a 5-year “Gold” membership, but you get VIP airport service, easy renewals, and no visa headaches.
• Long-Term Resident (LTR) Visa: For high earners making at least $80,000 a year. It comes with a 10-year stay, a work permit, and a flat 17% tax rate.

It’s not the cheapest option, but if you want comfort and convenience in paradise, it’s hard to beat.

10. Malaysia

The Dream: A tech-savvy, multicultural hub where you can eat, shop, and live incredibly well without spending a fortune. English is widely spoken, and everything just works.

The Deal: The DE Rantau Nomad Pass is a fantastic deal.

• It’s designed for digital and tech professionals.
• The income requirement is just $24,000 per year. (Note: it jumps to $60,000/year for non-tech roles).

The Perk: The lifestyle you can afford is incredible. In a popular city like Penang, a couple can live exceptionally well for $1,700 to $2,500 a month. A modern 3-bedroom condo can be $750-$1,000. A delicious, safe local meal? About $2.

You get modern comforts, high-speed internet, and island getaways just a short flight away.

11. South Korea

The Dream: Fast, fun, and futuristic. South Korea blends tech and culture better than almost anywhere: K-pop, neon nights, cozy cafés, and unbeatable food.

The Deal: The Workcation Visa (F-1-D) is brand new and runs until December 31, 2025.

• You’ll need to earn around $66,000 per year, which fits Korea’s high standard of living.
• The visa lasts one year and can be renewed for another.

If you love city life, great infrastructure, and a society that’s both safe and exciting, this one’s worth considering. But don’t wait too long!

Read: 10 Expat-Friendly Cities Where You Can Actually Live Like a Millionaire on Just $1,500 a Month

12. New Zealand

The Dream: Wide open spaces, stunning landscapes, and that laid-back Kiwi lifestyle where work-life balance actually means something.

The Deal: Here’s the surprise: there’s no official digital nomad visa. But as of 2025, New Zealand now allows visitors to work remotely while staying on a regular visitor visa.

For Americans, it’s even easier. You just apply online for an NZeTA (travel authorization). Once approved, you can live, work remotely, and explore this slice of paradise for months at a time.

Which Countries Are Actually the Cheapest to Move to for Americans?

It’s a lot to take in, right? So many visas, so many numbers. Don’t worry, I’ve boiled it down for you.

As mentioned earlier, there are basically two kinds of people these countries are trying to attract:

• Remote workers – people earning an active income online.
• Retirees – people living off savings, pensions, or passive income.

Here’s an easy breakdown of what you’ll need to qualify, and what you get in return.

Visas for Active Remote Workers (2025)

Winner for Remote Workers: Colombia and Malaysia take the crown. They’re affordable, flexible, and welcoming to digital nomads on realistic budgets.

Visas for Retirees & Passive Income (2025)

Winner for Retirees: Portugal and Panama are unbeatable. Both offer relaxed lifestyles, mild climates, and easy entry requirements.

Read: 14 Countries Giving Out Dual Citizenship Like Candy (No Red Tape, No Waiting)

A Quick Note on Taxes (Because You Can’t Escape Them)

Here’s the thing most people forget: even if you’re sipping wine in Spain or lounging in Greece, Uncle Sam still wants a word. As a U.S. citizen, you’re required to file a U.S. tax return every single year, no matter where you live.

But don’t freak out just yet. The good news is, there are ways to make sure you’re not paying taxes twice. Here are the two big ones:

• Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE): For the 2024 tax year (filed in 2025), you can exclude up to $126,500 of income earned abroad from your U.S. taxes. That’s a huge help if you’re working remotely.
• Foreign Tax Credit (FTC): If you’re paying taxes to another country, the U.S. gives you a dollar-for-dollar credit for that amount. Basically, you don’t pay the same tax twice.

Still, tax stuff gets messy fast when you live abroad. Talk to a professional who understands expat taxes. It’s not cheap, but it’s easily the smartest money you’ll spend.

Are These Cheap Visas Right for You?

Moving abroad sounds amazing, and honestly, it is.

But it’s not a long vacation. It’s real life in a new place.

You’ll deal with forms, visas, and government offices that move at their own pace. You’ll get lost more than once. You’ll run into language barriers.

And yes, there will be days when you’d trade everything for your favorite peanut butter or a Target run.

But here’s the flip side. You’ll grow in ways you can’t imagine. You’ll meet people who change your perspective, pick up new habits, and realize how big (and welcoming) the world really is.

With so many countries practically inviting Americans to move in 2025, your options have never looked better.

The only real question is: where do you want your new life to begin?