Expatsi

The Expatsi Blog

Guides, research, and firsthand reporting on moving abroad from the US.

29 Countries with Free College Tuition – No Loan Forgiveness Needed

Education ·

29 Countries with Free College Tuition – No Loan Forgiveness Needed

Getting buried under student loan debt doesn’t have to be your future. Instead of staying in the U.S. to get a college degree that could take decades (or the rest of your life!) to pay off, we’ve found 29 countries with free college tuition, or at a low cost. Some require foreign citizenship and long-range

These Are the 23 Most Charming Towns in Spain

Europe ·

These Are the 23 Most Charming Towns in Spain

Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Granada. These vibrant cities are all time-tested, “can’t-miss” destinations if you’re planning a sojourn in Spain. But allow yourself time to venture off the beaten tourist path to explore the country’s many hidden gems. Spain brims with charming towns and villages that entice you to get lost in their narrow streets, marvel

Guide to Visas in Spain

Visas, Residency, & Citizenship ·

Guide to Visas in Spain

For those looking to make Spain their new permanent home, the government offers a number of residency visas. Moving to Spain can be done quickly in some cases, but no single path works for everyone. Because the process isn’t public, and because there are so many available options, staying up-to-date on the exact requirements of

How Americans Abroad Get Their Mexican Food Fix

Food ·

How Americans Abroad Get Their Mexican Food Fix

One of my all-time favorite posts from Reddit asks Americans what they miss most since moving abroad. Some people name popular shopping institutions (Target, Wal-Mart, and Costco) and American conveniences (clothes dryers, reliable mail service, and OTC medicines). Most, though, mention the food. The commenters talk about their regional favorites, like bagels and Whataburger, and

These Are the 12 Most Charming Towns in Italy

Europe ·

These Are the 12 Most Charming Towns in Italy

Many tourists flood Italy each year to feel the ambiance, atmosphere, and beauty of this land of endless coastlines. Unfortunately, well-known destinations get swamped, while hundreds of gorgeous villages are overlooked. Lucky you: you can avoid the throngs and enjoy these less-popular-but-equally-lovely locales. 1. Grado, Friuli-Venezia Giulia Mile upon mile of beautiful beaches bring experienced

Best Cities in Panama for Expats

Best Of Lists ·

Best Cities in Panama for Expats

Panama is a popular destination for expats, and there are several cities that stand out for their unique appeal. Here’s a look at some of the best cities in Panama for expats: 1. Panama City This capital city of Panama offers everything from modern skyscrapers to colonial architecture and bustling nightlife. The city is home

10 Best Beaches in Mexico (that aren’t Cancun)

Best Of Lists ·

10 Best Beaches in Mexico (that aren’t Cancun)

With its stunning coastlines on the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Ocean, and Gulf of California, Mexico is one of the most popular beach destinations in the world, and if you move to Mexico, visiting those beaches is a breeze. With 25 million visitors every year, you don’t need our help finding Cancun, so

These Countries Are More Free Than the United States

Legalities, Rights, & Freedoms ·

These Countries Are More Free Than the United States

Today, freedom is embodied in individual, civil, and political liberties such as democracy, accessible healthcare, cultural values, financial security, and education. While many might assume that the United States lives up to ‘the land of the free,’ recent data suggests otherwise. According to Wikipedia’s 2023 freedom report, which is compiled from indexes around the world,

Mexico Is Safer Than You Think. Here’s Proof.

Safety ·

Mexico Is Safer Than You Think. Here’s Proof.

Why do Americans think Mexico is so dangerous? Despite the fact that 126 million people live there mostly without incident, Americans seem to picture a violent landscape where no one is safe. Media coverage tends to focus heavily on cartel activity, even though most cartel violence affects only members. For example, a recent study pointed

Portugal Golden Visa and NHR Tax Programs Transform in 2024

Visas, Residency, & Citizenship ·

Portugal Golden Visa and NHR Tax Programs Transform in 2024

You’ll be pleased to know that the Portuguese government has recently announced that the application period for the Golden Visa (6-18 months) will now count towards the 5-year qualifying period for citizenship. This will significantly reduce the time it takes to receive your Portuguese passport and rights to live in the European Union. We can confirm

Affordable Cities to Move to in Portugal

Cost of Living ·

Affordable Cities to Move to in Portugal

Current expat darling Portugal is continually listed as the best for retirees, young families, and digital nomads who want to leave the United States. Although more Americans are moving to Portugal than ever before, the actual population is still quite low. Only about 10,000 of us live in the lush Iberian country, a drop in

Denmark Is Hiring! See the Jobs and Apply.

Employment ·

Denmark Is Hiring! See the Jobs and Apply.

Denmark is a top choice for Americans moving abroad, but getting residency can be challenging. The country is popular for several reasons, including its high marks for human rights and its climate change preparedness. It often places first or second on the World Happiness Index. There aren’t as many options to move to Denmark as

Are Americans Terrible at Geography? Name These Countries

Uncategorized ·

Are Americans Terrible at Geography? Name These Countries

It’s been a running joke for decades that Americans are bad at geography. Anyone who’s seen people try to name a country on Jimmy Kimmel Live! knows how few average people can identify countries on a map, but we’re not much better at naming states, either. We’ll make it easier here and ask you to

These 10 Countries Have the Most Beer Drinkers

Food ·

These 10 Countries Have the Most Beer Drinkers

Skål, Cin-cin, Salud, Prost, À votre santé! Heads up, brew lovers everywhere. Whatever your native tongue, get ready to slake your thirst (at least virtually) with a trip around the world. We’re about to give you exclusive entrée into the countries harboring the globe’s most passionate beer afficionados. From China to Germany to the UK,

The 10 Best School Districts in Alabama, Ranked

Uncategorized ·

The 10 Best School Districts in Alabama, Ranked

The quality of a city’s schools have an outsized impact on its economy. No other factor contributes more to home value than the caliber of the school system. So how do you know which schools are best? Word of mouth? Zillow ranking? One option is TeachSimple‘s method, which combines reviews from parents and students, statistics

The 10 Deadliest States for Motorcyclists

Uncategorized ·

The 10 Deadliest States for Motorcyclists

Motorcycling is an essential mode of transportation for millions of people, but it isn’t always safe, especially if you’re in these states. Ohio Personal Injury Lawyer John Fitch analyzed fatal crash data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to determine which state is the safest to be on the road. These were the

On Anti-Corruption Day, the Most and Least Corrupt Countries

Uncategorized ·

On Anti-Corruption Day, the Most and Least Corrupt Countries

Around the world, many countries are dealing with a big problem – corruption. It’s causing trouble for businesses and holding back progress in different places. December 9th is International Anti-Corruption Day, and these countries are rated best and worst on the Corruption Perceptions Index. The Corrupt 10 From Libya, where corruption is affecting industries like

Austria is Hiring! See How to Get a Red-White-Red Card

Employment ·

Austria is Hiring! See How to Get a Red-White-Red Card

Europe is the top choice for Americans who want to leave the United States. Sixty-four percent of people who take the Expatsi Test say they’re considering Northern, Western, and Southern Europe, which includes popular choices like Spain, Portugal, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Ireland, and Switzerland. In 2022, 76,221 Americans moved to the European Union. The