The best countries for American expats in 2025

Editor’s note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. Tucker tells CNN Travel, “I think it’s important to always take a step back here and really think about, ‘Well, what countries can I actually move to as an American?’ The harder issue is, if you really want to make that permanent relocation, then you really need to think about, ‘What visa types can I actually get?’ ” According to Google Trends, searches related to phrases such as “leaving the country” and “how to move to Canada” skyrocketed in November 2024, following the news that Donald Trump would be returning to the White House. “I believe all people should be able to move freely wherever they want, but there’s a clear injustice considering how easy it is for US citizens to relocate to Mexico in comparison with the other way around.” While there are dozens of destinations to consider for a move abroad, the following list prioritizes a range of expat-centric topics, including quality of life, affordability, health care, safety and access to culture and outdoor activities. Elsewhere, cities including Oaxaca, San Miguel de Allende and Playa del Carmen are also havens for US expats, many of whom point to Mexico’s lower cost of living and relaxed lifestyle as strong draws. She also notes that “one benefit that US citizens have over some non-EU countries is that they can apply for a Freelance Visa in Germany, as US citizens do not need an entry visa.” Cons: Germany doesn’t have some of the same conveniences to which many Americans are accustomed, such as 24-hour grocery stores or drive-through pharmacies.