Ready to Leave the US? These Countries Might Trump the American Dream

With radical new laws, policies, and foreign intervention creating drastic changes in the United States, life here is becoming more of an acquired taste. If you’re among those who no longer feel aligned with the USA’s shifting values and ideals, you might have considered leaving for what you might consider more peaceful, progressive, and inclusive pastures. However, the next consideration is often so overwhelming that it stops you from taking any action: “Where on Earth can I go?” After all, the world is big, and so are the hurdles of bureaucracy.

Although it’s not as simple as spinning a globe and seeing where your finger lands, there are plenty of places where Americans have the opportunity to start over. In this article, we introduce the six best countries for progressive people that offer pathways to residency. Whether you’re looking for an opportunity to start a new business abroad, live off your passive income, or find a swanky corporate job in an international office, you’ll know exactly where to find it after reading. Each country listed features lifestyle highlights, politics and values, and visa options to help tailor your next move to your personal needs and preferences. Remember, the ‘American Dream’ isn’t dead, it’s just easier to find elsewhere…

Portugal: Best for a Slow Life on a Passive Income

Portugal, a country on the edge of the expansive Atlantic Ocean, is synonymous with its dramatic coastlines and exceptional surf, which encourages it to lean into a laid-back lifestyle. Daily life is unhurried, and people take more time to relax and appreciate the simple pleasures this sunny, scenic country affords. Even the cities like Lisbon and Porto feel calm and rhythmic, while offering the indulgences of every modern European city like design-forward shopping, an ever-evolving food scene, and regular culture-immersive events.

Portugal’s Politics and Values

Portugal currently boasts one of the most progressive and peaceful political economies in Western Europe, being one of the least likely to engage in warfare. Its promise of peace and stability has consistently allowed Portugal to rank among the safest countries in the world. What’s more, Portugal has a strong stance on the sanctity of civil liberties, which includes an inclusive attitude to social minorities such as the LGBTQ+ community, indicating a welcoming response to any and all foreigners.

Who Portugal Is Best For

Portugal is best for those who want to prioritize a balanced, rewarding lifestyle over work and income. If you have passive income through rental income, dividends, or a pension, Portugal might just be for you since it has one of the lowest thresholds in the world for a passive income visa. Applicants are accepted for as little as 820 euros/month (the national minimum monthly wage), although consulates often prefer those with passive incomes over 1,000 euros/month. Anything above 1,500 euros is even more ideal as it will allow you to live in Portugal very comfortably, and enjoy its laid-back coastal lifestyle to the full.

Long-Term Visa Options for Portugal

D7 Visa (Passive Income / “Retiree” Visa)

A passive income visa for individuals earning €920/month minimum (≈ €11,040/year) with proof of a year’s savings, which is the equivalent of around €11,000+ in a Portuguese bank account. Income can be gained from pensions, rental properties, dividends, and interest or royalties. It’s a two-year visa with a three-year renewal that can transfer to permanent residency after a total of five years.

D8 Visa (Digital Nomad / Remote Work)

A two-year visa with a three-year renewal for remote workers earning 4× Portugal’s minimum wage (around €3,680/month / €44k/year minimum) with the equivalent of 12 months’ income in savings.

D2 Visa (Entrepreneur / Start-up Visa)

A visa for those planning to start a business in Portugal with proof of more than €10,000 in funds for start-up costs plus operating capital. The visa process requires submission of a viable business plan that includes clients or revenue potential, market demand in Portugal, and financial sustainability. 

Read More Like This: Living in Portugal as an American: What to Know Before You Move

Canada: Best for Easy Integration and Opportunity

From the progressive coastal city of Vancouver in Western Canada to the charms of French colonial city Montreal in the East, Canada is a vision of epic mountains, sprawling coniferous forests, and ice-blue lakes. Taking almost no time at all to find yourself amongst these stunning scenes from the center of its cities, Canada provides great opportunity to create a life that balances work, adventure, and rest.

Having recently introduced new pathways for its current temporary residents and skilled workers, and a fast-track program for US H-1B visa holders, emigrating to Canada has never been easier. Beyond its beauty, discover benefits like a highly developed infrastructure, a distinctly more progressive outlook than its neighbor, and a strong economy that provides ample opportunities.

Canada’s Politics and Values

Currently ranked 12th on the Human Freedom Index, putting it in the top 10% of countries worldwide, it’s safe to say Canada values civil liberty and personal freedom. Social diversity, equal opportunity, and accessibility to healthcare and education are all key pillars of Canadian society. Canada also ranks in the top 25% of global democracies, placing particular emphasis on the protection of minority rights. Historically and currently, the country is considerably peaceful, having remained neutral in conflicts many other Western countries have dug their nails into.

Who Canada Is Best For

As the most culturally and economically similar country to the US, Canada is an obvious place to relocate, particularly for those who want minimal disruption to their lives. While its favorite food and football teams might differ, it has the same language, pop culture, and values spanning from education to religion. These kinds of parallels should not be undervalued when relocating, especially for families with young children, because it can be much harder to settle and integrate somewhere where everything feels a bit too foreign. While the prospect of moving somewhere more exotic like Thailand or Bali might sound exciting, it’s wise to ask yourself: is that more important to me than an easy transition for my children?

Long-Term Visa Options for Canada

Express Entry Visa

Otherwise known as a Federal Economic Immigration visa, this visa allows skilled workers to gain relevant employment in Canada. It prioritizes those in industries that are most useful in its current economic climate, including healthcare and STEM workers.

Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident Pathway

This visa option gives those with a valid temporary status (e.g. a work permit) in Canada the opportunity to apply for permanent residency. The country aims to grant 33,000 temporary residents permanency between 2026 and 2027.

Read More Like This: Places to Live in Canada for a Life Reimagined

Germany: Best in Europe for Skilled Work and Structure

If you’re seeking somewhere with a favorable year-round climate and a relaxed pace, Germany is most certainly not for you. The summers are hot, the winters are harsh, and the pace is notoriously fast and methodical year-round. However, if you’re seeking somewhere structured with a strong economy and abundant opportunity, then you’re in the right place. Not only does Germany have one of the strongest economies in Europe, but it also has one of the highest international job pools, with many major German-based companies operating in English and hiring globally. This provides ample opportunity for foreign professionals to find well-paid work — the benefits of being an EU resident are just an added bonus.

Germany’s Politics and Values

Although Germany has a marked history and a strengthening right-leaning ideology, it remains steadfast in its stance on democratic stability, social protections, and personal freedom. The country has a strong sense of inclusivity and equality, particularly in major cities like Berlin and Hamburg, while southern and rural areas lean towards a more conservative outlook. One of Germany’s greatest societal assets is its emphasis on workers’ rights and work-life balance, ensuring plenty of social and professional benefits for employees.

Who Germany Is Best For

Germany is best for skilled workers who are seeking professional employment in a stable economy outside of the US. Much like Canada, it aims to fill a yearly quota of skilled immigration, focusing its visa efforts on creating residency pathways for those that can directly benefit its workforce and economy. While its work visas are available to any kind of skilled professional, there’s greater opportunity for professionals in its most lucrative industries like tech, IT, engineering, and healthcare. As a society, Germans are routine-oriented, economically driven people who place great emphasis on structure and standardization, so if you like that kind of thing, you’ll fit right in!

Long-Term Visa Options for Germany

EU Blue Card

A residence permit for qualified non-EU citizens with a job offer in Germany.

Job Seeker Visa

A six-month visa that allows you to enter Germany specifically to find professional employment while working up to 20 hours per week in temporary part-time employment.

Read More Like This: What You Need To Know To Move To Germany

Panama: Best for an Easy Transition and Year-Round Sun

Between its low-threshold visas, idyllic climate, and social similarities to the US, Panama has long been one of the top choices for American expats, and 2026 is no exception. Offering several investment visas, a retirement visa, and a digital nomad visa, among others, it’s currently the easiest country to find foreign residency. Beyond its accessibility, residency in Panama has a multitude of advantages from a laid-back lifestyle to political and economic stability. One of the biggest advantages for US expats is its sense of community. From Panama City to the rustic coastal towns, you’ll find large, supportive social networks of foreign expats.

Panama’s Politics and Values

Panama is the most historically safe and peaceful country in Central America, which has been a big contributing factor to its popularity for foreign residency. The country is politically stable with no looming threats, and its economy is impressively strong and sturdy, too. Its laws on certain personal freedoms such as legal protection and free speech aren’t as modern as the US, but it offers greater financial freedom with a territorial tax system that means foreign income is not usually taxed, and there are fewer regulations in many aspects of daily life. Overall, Panama isn’t considered more or less liberal than the US, it simply prioritizes different liberties.

Who Panama Is Best For

Panama is best for those with money to invest (possibly from the sale of your house or business in the US), and retirees who are looking for an easy transition and good weather. As visa processes are often quick and simple, Panama offers an easy out for people who’d rather leave the US sooner rather than later. Between the cosmopolitan Panama City and tropical Pacific Coast, there’s a lifestyle to suit all, but no matter what location you land on, you best believe it will be gloriously warm and sunny.

Long-Term Visa Options for Panama

Pensionado Visa

A retirement visa for a person of any age with a guaranteed lifetime pension or annuity of $1,000/month.

Friendly Nations Visa

A preferential visa for citizens of around 50 countries (including the US) that provides a five-year residency for those with a job in Panama, or a $200,000 investment in Panama’s real estate, or a deposit in a local bank.

Qualified Investor Visa / Self-Economic Solvency Visa

A fast-track residency visa for those who invest $300,000 in Panamanian real estate or stocks, or make a local bank deposit.

Digital Nomad Visa

An 18-month visa for remote workers who earn more than $3,000/month.

Read More Like This: Cost of Living in Panama: How Far Your Money Can Take You

Spain: Best for Digital Nomads and the Mediterranean Life

From the sleepy, whitewashed Andalusian villages of the South Coast to the progressive East Coast cities like Barcelona and Valencia, and the verdant mountains of the Galician Massif, Spain offers such diversity. But wherever you go, expect warm, lively people, a lush Mediterranean climate, and delectable food and wine. With almost 5,000 km of coastline on the mainland alone, sun, sea, and sand are fundamental to this Mediterranean country’s identity and its residents’ lifestyle. Even those who live in interior cities like Madrid and Seville for most of the year enjoy extended summers at the coast, where it’s cooler and more relaxed. The excellent healthcare and low cost of living are just the cherry on top of the cake.

Spain’s Politics and Values

Spain has long been one of Western Europe’s most peaceful and progressive countries, standing firmly in its own beliefs and values despite pressure from the US. Spanish citizens enjoy stable rights and civil liberties that provide freedom and equality. Spaniards also enjoy a more balanced approach to their lifestyle. While they take their work seriously, the country does not subscribe to hustle culture, and life is much slower and more relaxed than US citizens might be used to.

Who Spain Is Best For

Spain’s job market has been struggling, and so it’s not the best destination for those searching for work abroad. However, it’s ideal for digital nomads. Spain offers a three-year Digital Nomad Visa for foreigners earning over 200% of its minimum monthly income (around €2,850), with an option for long-term residency in the future. This makes it one of the most accessible European countries for remote workers in 2026.

Long-Term Visa Options for Spain

Digital Nomad Visa

A visa for remote workers earning 200% of Spain’s minimum income at the time of application that requires a university degree or three years of relevant work experience. It’s a one-year renewable visa that can lead to permanent residency.

Non-Lucrative Visa

A passive income visa for retirees and those with a yearly income of €28,800/year (~€2,400/month) minimum through savings, investments, rent, dividends, or pension.

Work Visa

A visa for highly skilled workers who gain employment and visa sponsorship in Spain.

Read More Like This: Cost of Living in Spain vs USA, and What It Really Means

Netherlands: Best for Liberal Politics and Entrepreneurs

If you’re looking for a particularly progressive and inclusive place to emigrate, the Netherlands might just be for you. It has often been among the leading European countries for everything from LGBTQ+ rights and gender equality to environmentalism and social responsibility. Could this have any correlation to its consistent ranking among the top 10 happiest countries in the world on the Global Happiness Report? It would be difficult to argue otherwise. Of course, its efficient infrastructure and public services like transport and healthcare have a big role to play in the country’s happiness, too. But it’s not all about pretty windmills, tulip fields, and canalside bike rides in the Netherlands, its sense of safety and freedom comes with a fairly high cost of living, particularly when it comes to housing.

The Netherlands’ Politics and Values

The Netherlands currently has a coalition-based government that encourages balance and compromise, preventing one party from having total control. Overall, it has consistently ranked as one of the most stable democracies in the world according to several global surveys, including the World Population Review. Although the Netherlands was historically a colonizing country, it has abstained from conflict in modern history and is currently considered a very safe, peaceful place to live.

Who the Netherlands Is Best For

The Netherlands is possibly the best place to relocate for those prioritizing peace, safety, and progressive values. The country enjoys a balanced lifestyle that encourages both hard work and health and well-being. Of course, the privileges the Netherlands affords can be costly, so it’s more suited to higher earners. There are several pathways to gain residency in the Netherlands which generally require high-value skills and a good business sense, if that’s you, take a look at the visa pathways:

Long-Term Visa Options for the Netherlands

Highly Skilled Migrant Visa

A visa for highly skilled professionals in desirable industries who obtain sponsorship from a recognized employer within the Netherlands.

Start-up / Entrepreneur Visa through the Dutch-American Friendship (DAFT) Treaty

The US and the Netherlands have an exclusive treaty that allows American citizens to gain residency in the Netherlands by starting a small business. The advantages of this treaty include:

• An investment of just €4,500 in your business
• No ‘innovation’ requirement (the business idea doesn’t have to be ‘new’ to the Netherlands)
• The visa is renewable, leading to permanent residency
• The business can be freelance

The World Is Your Oyster

Leaving the US is a big decision, but it doesn’t have to be an overwhelming one. Whether you’re drawn to Portugal’s sun-soaked simplicity, Canada’s familiar comforts, Germany’s career opportunities, Panama’s easy living, Spain’s Mediterranean charm, or the Netherlands’ progressive values, there’s a country on this list that fits your life and your budget. The hardest part isn’t finding somewhere to go, it’s taking the first step. Do your research, explore your visa options, and remember: a life well-lived isn’t limited by borders.

Read More Like This: Why Europe is Winning the Relocation Race

Key Takeaways

Which countries does the article recommend most strongly for Americans looking to leave the US?
Portugal, Canada, Germany, Panama, Spain, and the Netherlands make the shortlist because each offers a different mix of lifestyle appeal, relative stability, and viable long-term residency options.

Which country is best for Americans living on passive income?
Portugal stands out for people with passive income, pensions, dividends, or rental income because the article positions it as one of the most accessible and rewarding places for a slower lifestyle supported by steady monthly earnings.

Which country is the easiest transition for most Americans?
Canada is presented as the easiest adjustment because of its cultural and linguistic similarities to the US, making it especially attractive for people who want less disruption and a smoother integration process.

Which country is best for skilled professionals who want structured opportunity?
Germany is the strongest fit for skilled workers, especially those in fields like tech, IT, engineering, and healthcare, because the article emphasizes its economic strength, structured systems, and demand for professional talent.

Which country is best for retirees or people who want a fast, sunny exit?
Panama is positioned as the easiest warm-weather move for retirees and investors thanks to its relatively simple visa pathways, established expat communities, and year-round climate.

Which country is best for remote workers and digital nomads?
Spain is the clearest choice for remote workers because the article highlights its Digital Nomad Visa, Mediterranean lifestyle, and broad appeal for people who want a more relaxed rhythm without giving up modern comforts.

Which country is best for progressive values and entrepreneurship?
The Netherlands is framed as the strongest fit for people prioritizing liberal politics, inclusion, stability, and entrepreneurship, especially because of the DAFT treaty route available specifically to Americans.

About the Author

Emily Draper is an experienced travel and lifestyle writer and editor from the UK who has written for brands including Culture Trip, Hidden Compass, and tourism boards in Greenland, Luxembourg, and Copenhagen. She has travelled to over 70 countries across all seven continents, now calling Morocco her home.

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