Panama has a well-earned reputation as one of the most expat-friendly countries in the world — it’s known for its stable economy, gorgeous scenery, and relatively affordable cost of living, among many other attractions. It also has some of the most approachable, accessible residency options that appeal to immigrants. Whether you’re
Are you looking forward to retirement? Do you imagine peaceful days spent socializing with family and friends, pursuing hobbies, and catching up on things you put off during a long career with limited time off? While we all long for those days, you may look at your bank account and
You hear it all the time from vacationers in Costa Rica: “God, this is the best.” And from vacationers who just got home from Costa Rica and can’t stop telling everyone who didn’t get to go to Costa Rica: “Costa Rica was the best.” But of course anyone who’s just spent
Did you miss our country comparo last year? We’ve revived it, reviewed it, and refreshed it for Costa Rica/Panama Country of the Month 2026. Enjoy! Expats relocating from the U.S. to warmer climates often put Costa Rica and Panama at the top of their list. And for good reason —
Despite Americans who claim it’s the greatest country on earth, the United States is not exceptional when it comes to healthcare. It is, however, the most expensive. According to a 2023 report from the Commonwealth Fund, U.S. healthcare ranks highest worldwide in terms of costs, spending nearly 18 percent of
When people talk about moving abroad, there’s lots of focus on the where. Where will you live? Where will you work? Where will you travel once you’re there? And of course how is going to be a huge part of it — how to apply for a visa, how to move with pets
Paperwork is one of the surest sources of stress in an international move. You know you’re going to need it, you know it can make a huge difference in how smoothly the process will go, and if the founder of Expatsi can find herself sitting in a hotel in Belize, wearing
We can say with great certainty you’re already on the path to moving abroad. You might not realize that, because we’ve outlined the 6 Stages of Moving Abroad, and you might not see yourself on it, even at Stage 1. There’s “making a shortlist of countries you could move to,”
For aspiring expats who want to work while they move, being a digital nomad can be an excellent choice. More than 50 countries offer digital nomad visas, and it’s a lifestyle that can work whether you’re settling in one place or working from the road. And it’s a great way
Visas. Healthcare. As you prepare for your big international move, dozens of questions and concerns are spinning around in your head. Passports. Financial papers. Peanut butter. Legal fees. No, the availability of peanut butter isn’t likely to top your list of concerns when it comes to choosing or moving to
In bustling cities or quiet small towns, as a family or going solo, Portugal is full of reasons to fall in love and want to stay forever. Great healthcare, fantastic food, beautiful mountains and beaches, lovely weather, warm and welcoming locals, a reasonable cost of living — Portugal is just
You’re getting ready for your trip to Portugal — maybe a short trip, maybe a big move — and amid all the preparing and planning, there’s that one detail you wish you wouldn’t have to deal with: Do I really have to learn Portuguese? Have to? Technically, no. People live
Lisbon, Portugal, is hugely popular with American tourists and immigrants, and it’s deserving of all the love it gets. Portugal’s capital city is stunning — pastel buildings, cobblestone streets, river views. It’s a modern city with historic vibes, great culture, and livability. If you got off the plane and decided
Tell any parent it’s expensive to raise a family in today’s economy, and they won’t laugh at you, because they’re too tired. But believe me, they already know. One survey shows that to raise a family of four in 2025, you’ll need a six-figure income in more than half the
Rumors of the death of Portugal’s Golden Visa have been greatly exaggerated. Spoiler: Despite rumors, fears, and even overwrought headlines to the contrary, the Portuguese Golden Visa has not been eliminated. Some changes have been made, some changes might be made, but none of the changes come nearly to the
One of the most frequent questions asked when a person is considering a move to Mexico: “Is it safe?” It’s a fair, instinctive question to ask – instinctive because we like to protect ourselves, and fair because a lot of what we see and hear puts Mexico in a negative
Thank you to our friends at MyExpatTaxes for compiling this data! These are all the countries we visit on our group scouting trips, and they shared this info so you could make the best choice about where to visit. Join us for a free Q&A session to learn more! —Jen
When you’re planning, or even just considering, a move to another country, there are always questions — What kind of visa will I need? Can I afford it? Will I be able to learn the language? But when you’re LGBTQ, those questions come with a few very specific, very important
Most future expats don’t start the process with tons of money to burn. Many of them are looking to burn less money — in our 2024 Expatsi Report, 41% of survey respondents said they wanted to leave the U.S. to save money. In terms of value, 29% wanted great value
Constantly changing tariffs on countries including Mexico have left a lot of plans up in the air. Where are prices going to go? What plans are going to change? That party you’re planning to throw — is it going to suck? Some of your favorite items in your fridge, your
