Key Points

• Portugal leads as the #1 country Americans want to move to, followed by Spain, France, Greece, and Canada.
• Survey data shows 116,000+ Americans researched relocation in 2024-2025, with interest continuing to climb into 2026.
• You can test-drive these destinations using points and miles before committing to a permanent move.

Introduction

Over 116,000 Americans explored leaving the U.S. in recent years, and the numbers keep climbing into 2026. Whether driven by adventure, affordability, or political concerns, more Americans are seriously considering international relocation than ever before.

But here's the smart approach: visit before you move. Using points and miles strategically lets you experience potential new homes without draining your savings. I'll show you which countries top the list and how to get there affordably using your credit card rewards.

Why Americans Are Looking Abroad

The data tells a clear story. According to recent surveys of over 116,000 Americans who researched relocation in 2024-2025, the top reason people give for wanting to move abroad is adventure, enrichment, and growth. But practical factors matter too.

Around nine million Americans currently live as expats worldwide, maintaining high quality of life with more favorable conditions. The appeal includes lower cost of living, better healthcare access, enhanced work-life balance, and exposure to new cultures.

Interest spikes during contentious political periods. Site traffic to relocation resources jumped from roughly 8,000 visitors in October 2024 to nearly 51,000 in November following the presidential election. As we move through 2026, Americans continue citing concerns about crime rates, healthcare costs, and quality of life as motivating factors.

The Top Countries Americans Want to Move To

1. Portugal: The Clear Winner

Portugal ranks as the #1 country Americans request information about, and it's also the most recommended based on lifestyle preferences. The country's appeal is undeniable.

Why Portugal Tops the List:

• Significantly lower cost of living than the U.S.
• D7 Visa for retirees and remote workers
• Excellent healthcare system
• Mild climate year-round
• Thriving expat communities in Lisbon and Porto
• English widely spoken in major cities

The number of U.S. residents moving to Portugal almost tripled compared to previous years, making it the country with the biggest rise in relocating families. The accessible visa pathways and family-friendly environment seal the deal.

Testing Portugal with Points:You can fly to Lisbon or Porto using several airline partners. United flies direct from Newark, and TAP Air Portugal offers connections through Boston, New York, and Miami. A one-way award ticket typically costs 30,000-45,000 miles in economy or 60,000-90,000 miles in business class.

Chase Ultimate Rewards transfers instantly to United at 1:1, making the Chase Sapphire Preferred or Chase Sapphire Reserve excellent cards for Portugal trips. The Reserve's Priority Pass membership gets you lounge access at Lisbon's airport while you explore.

For hotels, Marriott has excellent properties in both Lisbon and Porto. The Marriott Bonvoy Boundless card gets you Silver Elite status automatically, plus up to 100,000 Bonvoy points to book multiple nights while you scout neighborhoods.

2. Spain: Culture and Comfort

Spain consistently ranks in the top three destinations. Following Portugal, Spain appears as one of the top-requested countries and most recommended destinations for Americans based on lifestyle preferences.

Spain's Major Draws:

• Non-Lucrative Visa for retirees (€2,450/month income requirement)
• Digital nomad visa for remote workers
• World-class healthcare and education
• Strong work-life balance culture
• Diverse landscapes from beaches to mountains

Spain was one of the most popular European countries people moved to in recent years, thanks to its welcoming immigration options including digital nomad, passive income, and investment visas.

Getting to Spain on Points:Madrid and Barcelona are served by multiple carriers. American flies direct from several U.S. cities, and you can book through British Airways Avios for better value on short-haul flights within Europe once you're there.

The Chase Aeroplan Card is underrated for Spain trips. Air Canada flies through Toronto or Montreal, and you can often find better award availability than on direct routes. Plus, you earn 3x points on dining—perfect for testing Spanish cuisine on your scouting trip.

For accommodations, both Marriott and Hyatt have strong presences. The World of Hyatt Credit Card gets you a free night annually worth up to 15,000 points, enough for solid properties in Barcelona or Madrid.

3. France: Classic Appeal

France ranks among the top recommended countries following Portugal and Spain, and for good reason. The number of American families relocating to France nearly tripled in recent years, attracted by world-class education, robust healthcare, and vibrant cultural life.

France's Strengths:

• Exceptional public healthcare
• Outstanding education system
• Rich cultural experiences
• Strong social infrastructure
• Excellent public transportation

Visiting France Strategically:Paris has the most flight options from the U.S., but don't overlook regional cities like Lyon, Marseille, or Nice. Air France and Delta both fly direct routes, and SkyMiles can offer decent value if you book well in advance.

The American Express Gold Card is brilliant for France trips—you earn 4x points on dining, and you'll eat well while exploring potential new homes. Those points transfer to Air France-KLM Flying Blue for return visits.

For hotels, consider boutique properties over chains. But if you're staying longer to really test the market, the Capital One Venture X lets you book any hotel and erase the cost at 1 cent per mile—no transfer partners needed.

4. Mexico: Proximity and Practicality

Mexico leads as the top international destination for U.S. citizens, with nearly 800,000 Americans making the move in 2024-2025. Around 1.2 million U.S. citizens currently live in Mexico, drawn by warm climate, beautiful beaches, and significantly lower cost of living.

Mexico's Advantages:

• Closest international option
• Easy 180-day tourist visa
• Temporary residency visa available
• Huge established expat communities
• 30-50% lower living costs than U.S.

Popular cities include Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Mérida. Location matters for safety, with Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Medina ranked as popular and relatively safe options.

Maximizing Points for Mexico:Mexico is one of the best values for points redemptions. Southwest flies to major cities with no international fees on award tickets, and the Southwest Priority Card gives you 7,500 anniversary points plus four upgraded boardings annually.

For longer stays, the IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card shines. IHG has properties throughout Mexico, and you get a free anniversary night annually. Plus, IHG often runs PointBreaks promotions for Mexico properties at just 10,000-15,000 points per night.

5. Canada: The Familiar Neighbor

Canada hosts approximately one million American expats and ranks as arguably the easiest country to move to from the U.S. The number of relocating American families to Canada more than doubled in recent years, attracted by safe cities, high-quality education, strong healthcare, and inclusive communities.

Canada's Benefits:

• Similar culture and language
• Publicly funded healthcare
• Strong economy
• One of the world's strongest passports
• No visa needed for visits under 180 days

Exploring Canada on Points:The border proximity means cheap flights, but you can still maximize rewards. The Capital One Venture Rewards gives 2x miles on every purchase, and Capital One miles transfer to Air Canada Aeroplan at 1:1.

Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal are the top cities Americans consider. British Airways Avios work well for short flights from border cities, and you can transfer from Chase or Amex to Avios instantly.

For hotels, Marriott dominates Canadian cities. The Marriott Bonvoy Business Amex gives you 15 elite night credits toward status, plus strong earning rates on categories you'll use while exploring.

Other Countries Worth Considering

Greece

Greece ranks among the top recommended countries following Portugal, France, and Spain. The country offers a digital nomad visa requiring €3,500 monthly income or a Golden Visa through property investment.

Points Strategy:United flies to Athens seasonally from Newark and Washington. Alternatively, connect through European hubs using Lufthansa or Austrian Airlines, both Star Alliance partners bookable with United miles.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica appeals to retirees and remote workers with its Pensionado Program ($1,000 monthly income) and digital nomad visa options. Costa Rica offers a digital nomad visa allowing remote workers and family members to live in the country for up to two years.

Getting There:United and Southwest both serve Costa Rica well. The United Quest Card gets you expanded award availability, while Southwest's Companion Pass means your partner flies free—perfect for couples scouting locations together.

Australia and New Zealand

Both countries offer skilled migration visas and strong quality of life. New Zealand ranks highly for citizens' health, safety, and overall well-being, offering various residence permits including workers' permits and skilled migrant visas.

Long-Haul Awards:These routes cost 80,000-100,000 miles roundtrip in economy through United or American. But business class awards at 160,000-180,000 miles make the 14+ hour flight bearable. The Chase Sapphire Reserve provides Priority Pass access to dozens of lounges in both countries.

How to Visit Before You Commit

Moving abroad is expensive and irreversible. Here's how to use points strategically:

The Two-Week Scout Trip

Book a two-week reconnaissance trip using points. Stay in different neighborhoods, visit schools if you have kids, check out healthcare facilities, and meet expat communities. This costs 60,000-90,000 miles for flights and 100,000-150,000 hotel points.

Best Cards for Scouting:The Chase Sapphire Preferred gets you 60,000 Ultimate Rewards points after $4,000 spend—enough for roundtrip flights to Europe. Add the Chase Freedom Unlimited earning 1.5% on everything, and you're building points while paying relocation expenses.

The Month-Long Test Run

Some expats recommend living somewhere for a month before deciding. Book an Airbnb or longer hotel stay to experience daily life. Points won't cover a month of hotels, but they handle flights and the first week while you scout apartments.

The Capital One Venture X gives you $300 annually toward Portal bookings, perfect for reducing costs on that test-run accommodation.

Multiple Destination Comparison

Can't decide between Portugal and Spain? Visit both. Use points for a two-country trip, spending 10 days in each. Intra-Europe flights cost just 7,500-15,000 Avios on British Airways.

The American Express Platinum provides 5x points on flights booked directly with airlines. Book your exploration trip and you'll earn enough points for return visits to your top two choices.

Common Visa Pathways Americans Use

Understanding how you'll actually move matters as much as choosing where.

Digital Nomad Visas

Spain, Portugal, Greece, and Costa Rica all offer digital nomad visas. Requirements typically include:

• Proof of remote work
• Minimum monthly income ($2,500-$3,500)
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record

Retirement Visas

Mexico, Portugal, and Costa Rica have specific retirement programs. Mexico's is among the easiest, requiring just proof of monthly income or savings.

Investment Visas (Golden Visas)

Portugal, Spain, and Greece offer residency through real estate investment. Minimums range from €250,000 to €500,000 depending on the country and property location.

The Real Costs Americans Face

Beyond the emotional adjustment, moving abroad has real financial implications.

Initial Relocation Costs

Expect to spend $5,000-$15,000 on:

• Visa application fees
• Legal assistance
• Initial housing deposits
• Shipping belongings
• Travel for visa appointments

Using Points to Offset Costs

You'll make multiple trips during the relocation process. Use points for:

• Visa appointment trips
• Final reconnaissance before moving
• Visits back to the U.S. to handle logistics
• Family visits after relocating

A smart points strategy can save $3,000-$5,000 on relocation-related travel.

Essential Credit Cards for Potential Expats

Before You Move

The Chase Ink Business Preferred gives you 3x points on travel, shipping, and internet services—all categories you'll use heavily during relocation. The 100,000-point welcome bonus covers multiple international trips.

The Citi Premier is underrated here. You earn 3x points on travel, gas stations, supermarkets, restaurants, and hotels. Those categories cover most relocation expenses while you're moving.

After You Move

Keep your U.S. credit cards active. Many expats maintain a U.S. address specifically to preserve their credit cards and credit history. Foreign transaction fees matter more as an expat, so prioritize no-FTF cards like the Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve.

What Current Expats Wish They Knew

Americans who've already made the move share these insights:

Test Multiple Seasons

Visit your target country in different seasons. That mild Mediterranean winter might be perfect, but the 100°F summer could be unbearable. Use points to visit twice before committing.

Consider Healthcare Access

Portugal's healthcare system is highly regarded, providing excellent medical services to residents. Research how you'll access healthcare as a new resident before moving.

Understand Tax Implications

Americans must file U.S. taxes regardless of where they live. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion helps, but you'll need professional advice. Budget for this during your scout trips.

Build an Expat Network

Connect with American expat groups before moving. Facebook groups and expat forums provide invaluable local knowledge. Many organize meetups you can attend during reconnaissance trips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my U.S. credit cards if I move abroad?

Yes, but you'll need to maintain a U.S. address. Many expats use family members' addresses or mail forwarding services. Banks want to see U.S. ties for credit purposes.

Will moving abroad affect my credit score?

Your U.S. credit score stays frozen unless you actively use U.S. credit. That's why keeping cards open matters. Make small purchases monthly to maintain history.

How do I earn points as an expat?

U.S. credit cards work abroad. Use no foreign transaction fee cards for local spending and you'll earn points normally. The Capital One Venture X and Chase Sapphire Reserve are top choices.

Can I transfer points while living abroad?

Yes. Chase, Amex, Citi, and Capital One transfers work from anywhere. You'll appreciate this flexibility for booking return trips to the U.S.

Should I get travel insurance for my scout trips?

Absolutely. The Chase Sapphire Reserve includes trip cancellation, delay, and emergency medical coverage. Essential for international reconnaissance trips.

How long should I visit before deciding to move?

Two weeks minimum, but a month is ideal. Book accommodation for two weeks with points, then extend with cash if you need more time to decide.

Conclusion

More Americans than ever are seriously exploring life abroad, and for good reason. Portugal, Spain, France, Mexico, and Canada offer compelling alternatives with lower costs, better healthcare, and enhanced quality of life.

The smart move? Visit first. Use your points and miles to experience potential new homes without depleting your moving budget. A well-planned reconnaissance trip using rewards costs almost nothing but provides invaluable insights.

Start with the Chase Sapphire Preferred if you're new to points or the Capital One Venture X if you want maximum flexibility. Build your points balance while researching countries, then book those exploration trips.

Whether you ultimately move or just travel more, you'll gain perspective on what home really means. And you'll do it without draining your savings.

This article contains affiliate links. If you apply through our links, we may earn a commission at no cost to you, which helps us continue sharing points and miles strategies with the community.