Besides Covid itself, one thing that has been surging during the pandemic is wanderlust. According to immigration lawyers and expat organizations, citizens have been fleeing the United States and seeking foreign visas and second passports in record numbers. The Internal Revenue Service reported that during the first three quarters of 2020, more than 6,000 Americans gave up their citizenship—compared to only 2,072 people in all of 2019 and the highest figure in at least a decade. Meanwhile, the website InternationalLiving.com says that traffic to its “how to move out of the U.S.” page jumped 1,676% between June and November.
A number of countries around the world—from Costa Rica to Mexico—make it easy for Americans to relocate, but many people assume that they cannot move to Europe because visas and residency permits are too hard to obtain. “That is not the case,” says Cepee Tabibian, founder of an online community called She Hit Refresh, which helps women age 30 and over break free from a life of routine and start a life of travel by moving abroad. Tabibian should know—in addition to being a U.S. citizen who has been living in Spain for five years on a variety of visas, she is the author of the book I'm Outta Here! An American’s Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe.
I caught up with Tabibian to find out how she made the move to Europe and how you can live the dream by moving there, too.
Cepee Tabibian, founder of an online community called She Hit Refresh, which helps women move ... [+]
How I Decided to Move Abroad: I’ve always loved traveling abroad and the idea of living full-time in another country was a long-time dream of mine. I had a good life in the U.S. but something inside felt like this good life was getting in the way of a great one. After a few failed attempts in my 20s I decided to give it one more shot in my 30s, since I felt like if I didn’t try to fulfill my dream of living abroad I would always regret it. Five years later, here I am, still living in Spain.
Why Spain: Spain was always a country that I connected with more than others. Its distinct culture, warm people and vibrant social scene captivated me. Of all the cities in Spain, Madrid was the city where I felt most at home, and I’m not alone in my love for this city. There’s a popular saying, “De Madrid al cielo”—from Madrid to heaven— which means that after Madrid the next best thing is heaven. My plan is to stay in Spain for the foreseeable future. I’ve been able to build a life I love here and one that I don't think I could replicate in the U.S.: Lower cost of living, improved quality of life and affordable healthcare are all reasons to stay.
READ MORE: Quit Your Job And Live Abroad In 2021: 9 Places So Cheap You Might Not Need To Work
How I Made it Work: In 2015, I quit my job, put my condo up for rent, sold my car, packed my life into a couple of suitcases and took off to Madrid. I taught high school English through the North American Language and Cultural Assistant program—more commonly known as the “auxiliar” program—which provided me with a student visa. I worked 16 hours a week with three-day weekends, plus I received healthcare and a monthly stipend. Not a bad gig! Many Americans stay with the program for years as a way to legally live in Spain, but that wasn’t my plan. I used the program as a stepping stone; once abroad, I started looking for an alternative way to stay. After my first year in Madrid, I found a marketing position at a Spanish startup, which (surprisingly) sponsored my work visa. I now live here on a non-lucrative visa, which means that I can live in Spain but can’t participate in lucrative activities (in other words, have a local Spanish job). This non-lucrative visa is a viable path to permanent residency, making it one of the most popular and easiest to obtain. Once approved, you can apply for a one-year residence permit that can be renewed for two years at a time. After legally residing in Spain for five years, you can apply for permanent residency.
The Top Thing to Know About Moving Abroad: It’s a lot more possible than you think. The main thing you have to figure out is what visa you can qualify for in order to live in another country long-term. These are my other top tips: Understand where your income will come from. Do not count on finding a job abroad, as it is very difficult for a U.S. citizen to obtain a work visa unless you are a very highly skilled individual working in an in-demand sector. You will either need to have savings to support yourself or a remote job that you can take with you. Taxes. As a U.S. citizen your worldwide income is subject to U.S. income tax, regardless of where you reside. While living abroad you will likely have to pay taxes in your new home country as well.
Cepee Tabibian, pictured in Madrid, Spain
Options for Moving to Europe: To legally reside in a European country long term, you need a foreign residence and/or work permit. The first step is usually applying for a visa from your home country. Once approved, that visa allows you to enter the country you’re moving to with your U.S. passport. You can then apply for a residence or work permit. There are a number of long-term visa options for living in Europe: a student visa, work visa, retirement visa, investment visa, business/entrepreneur visa (for small- and medium-sized businesses), self-employment visa, digital nomad visa, spousal/partner visa and citizenship via descent.
How to Decide Where to Move: Even though certain countries consistently rank among the top spots for expats, that doesn’t mean they’re necessarily right for you. When choosing your ideal country, the first thing to consider is whether it offers the right visa and residency options. Other factors to consider include your age, finances, family situation, interests and personal preferences. There is no such thing as the perfect place. You’ll have to make some compromises no matter what—you are moving to a foreign country after all—but find a city that speaks to you. Some important aspects to think about include climate (would you live your best life in the sun or do you want sweater weather?), size (do you like a bustling city with lots to do or a quieter town?), location (is access to nature important?), healthcare (most European countries have more affordable access to healthcare, but some are better than others) and cost (your income will dictate which cities you can comfortably afford to live in). Culture is also important. Like the U.S., Northern Europe has a more structured culture and approach to time, while Southern Europe is a bit more lax. In Mediterranean cultures, life moves at a slower pace and schedules can vary widely, from mealtimes to store hours. This can be a welcome reprieve for some and frustrating for others.
Easiest Countries: Immigration policy varies, which means that some countries are easier to move to than others. Depending on your situation, some countries may have a more straightforward option to residency. For example, if you’re a remote worker or an investor; if you’ve retired; or if you have in-demand skills. Some of the easiest visas to obtain are the new short-term digital nomad visas in Estonia, Georgia, and soon Croatia, which target remote workers. Spain and Portugal are expat favorites and offer easy paths to residency. The Netherlands and Germany are relatively good options for freelancers and those who are self-employed.
Tips For More Difficult Countries: Some of the most difficult countries to move to are Denmark, Norway, Sweden and Iceland. These countries have limited visa options for the average American. The most common path to residency is an in-company transfer to a foreign office or having a parent/spouse from one of these countries. Another option is to study in your dream country and find a job through your university or local network when you graduate. Some countries will even extend your visa while you look for a job, although that doesn’t guarantee that you’ll find work.
Cheapest Places to Live in Europe: In Western Europe, Spain and Portugal are two of the most affordable countries to live in. Your next best bet is to head east: Poland, Bulgaria and Georgia are great for expats and very budget-friendly.
Besides Spain, Portugal is another affordable country that the founder of She Hit Refresh recommends ... [+]
How to Make Money: You don’t need a remote job to make a living abroad. If a foreign company sponsors your work visa, then you’re allowed to live there. While these can be extremely hard to obtain—governments prefer to protect the local labor market by giving them first dibs on opportunities—you might have a shot if you’re a highly specialized worker or have a master’s degree. Those from the U.S. and other English-speaking countries can also leverage their language skills. Countries like Spain and the Czech Republic have paths to long-term stays through teaching English, which can be quite lucrative.
My Company: She Hit Refresh is an online community of over 6,000 members worldwide. We empower women who are looking to rediscover themselves and reinvent their lives through travel, but often feel stuck because they don’t know where to begin or feel that they are “too old.” I act as a guide in our members’ journeys to help them achieve more than they ever thought possible. I do this through our Facebook group, podcast, Move Abroad After 30 Masterclass and my new book I’m Outta Here! An American’s Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe. I was 35 when I moved to Spain from Texas, so my own “refresh” proves that such a transformation is possible at any age.
Helping Women: I want all women to have every opportunity to live their best lives, especially women over 30. Many of us are shouldering a variety of responsibilities: a budding career, children, mortgage, a car note, student loans, a long-term relationship, pets, etc. And the rest of us are thinking about these responsibilities due to societal pressure. That can make us question whether our dreams of travel, change or moving abroad are even possible or realistic at our age. Millions of women around the world don’t have any real examples of women doing what they want to do, which can make them feel like their dreams are “crazy.” Unfortunately, society and even our friends and family can reinforce this sentiment. Through my community and work, I want to empower women to make their unconventional dreams a reality at any age; it really is possible—thousands of women 30+ are doing it. For instance, there’s Katherine Maestas Ruiz. After her divorce and her youngest son left home to attend university, she quit her job and moved from California to Madrid. Or Becca Crespo, a New Yorker who moved to Spain and created a successful brand focused on minimalism and has the flexibility to work from anywhere, just like she always dreamed.
Quality of Life. Everyone has their own reasons for relocating abroad, but one of my top reasons for making the move to Europe is because—let’s be real—you deserve better. Overall I find that the culture and attitude in Europe is one that prioritizes enjoying life rather than working yourself to death. If you’re tired of keeping up with the Joneses and ready to slow down, Europe is a great change of pace in order to start putting yourself first. If you have an American income, you can get more bang for your buck in Europe. In some places you can even work part-time and afford your full-time lifestyle. Additionally, enhanced safety, healthcare and travel opportunities are perks that will elevate your life.
Fulfilling a Dream: If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that our time here is precious; don’t waste it on things that don’t matter. Maybe you’ve been sitting on this dream for a long time. Maybe you studied abroad and have always wanted to return. Maybe a trip to Europe piqued your interest about other lifestyles. Or maybe you recently discovered just how doable it is. Here’s what I always tell people: just do it. What do you have to lose? Less than you think. If you’re worried about leaving your comfortable lifestyle in the U.S., it will be there for you if you ever want to move back—houses, cars and jobs are all replaceable. What’s not replaceable are the years you spend wondering instead of doing. Take the leap and make your dream come true.
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