American Citizens Abroad

ACA building on 45 years of advocacy for RBT
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"Don't accept feeling isolated. If you've moved somewhere new or started freelancing, accept that there will be moments of loneliness and doubt. Fiddle with your balance of working alone and socializing, and test and adjust it until you find yourself happy and fulfilled, in and outside work." via

I moved to Europe thinking living and working there would be a dream come true. I wasn't prepared for the loneliness. Leaving her job to freelance and moving to a new city simultaneously left Kate Bettes, an extrovert, feeling isolated, lonely, and unproductive.

"I fell in love with my teaching job. For the first time since leaving Missouri, I had more money than I needed to get by, even though I was technically making a little less per hour than I'd been making in the US when I left." via

I moved to South Korea to save money for a year. When I returned to the US, I hated it and ran back to Asia. | Business Insider India I moved from the US to South Korea to teach English and escape my high cost of living while paying off student loans. My life is better here.

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The ACA Podcast is taking the month of August off. Join us on September 10th when we chat with Melissa and Dave of Strong Sense of Place website, podcast, and blog, and the Library of Lost Time podcast.
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Podcasts The ACA Podcast: Living abroad can be an adventure...and as a US Citizen it can be challenging! On the second Tuesday of each month, the American Citizens Abroad (ACA) team dives into an array of issues concerning Americans residing abroad, from managing expat life to culture shock to trailing spous...

"Packing up your lives and starting afresh in a new country together is a huge move for many couples...But Patricia Mahan and Dan Matarazzo, from the US, have opted to do it twice in the past two decades." via

This US couple bought a home in Greece for $150,000. Here’s what happened next | CNN Patricia Mahan and Dan Matarazzo first moved to Mexico for a cheaper lifestyle but now, in their 70s, have relocated to the Greek island of Crete.

"The truth is that residency can be easier to obtain in some European countries than it is in some Latin American countries … and the tax burden of living or investing in Europe isn’t necessarily more burdensome than it can be in the United States." via

The Truth About Taxes for Expats Living in Europe Just how onerous are the tax burdens for American expats in Europe?

"For those considering retiring abroad to stretch your budget, the continent of Africa offers surprisingly affordable destinations with quality healthcare, not to mention beautiful coastal communities and stunning landscapes with English-speaking locals who welcome expats." via

9 Surprisingly Affordable Places To Retire in Africa Retirement is the time to enjoy life's pleasures without the pressures of deadlines or financial burdens. But for many, America's high cost of living makes the dream of a comfortable retirement feel...

"As the cost of living rises in most places around the world, Americans are looking to move to a country that’s more affordable." via Trendonomist

15 Countries with Astonishingly Low Cost of Living - Trendonomist As the cost of living rises in most places around the world, Americans are looking to move to a country that’s more affordable. We take a look at 15 countries

"The trip was a risk — but it was totally worth it. We bonded as a family. We affirmed our values of living simply and traveling slowly. And in the face of uncertainty about itineraries or finances, we gained confidence in our ability to navigate the unknown." via

Our family of 5 left Chicago to travel the world for a year: We spent $56,000 and 'it was totally worth it' "The trip was a risk — but it was totally worth it," says Liuan Huska, who spent 12 months traveling with her husband and three boys under 10.

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"Universal healthcare is crucial for expats and digital nomads, providing comprehensive coverage and easing the financial burden of medical expenses. Luckily, over two-thirds of the countries (69%) currently offering digital nomad visas have universal healthcare." via

Top 3 European Countries For Expat Healthcare, According To Experts Universal healthcare is crucial for expats and digital nomads, providing comprehensive coverage and easing the financial burden of medical expenses.

"Here are the top 24 countries, and 96 recommended spots, based on costs, amenities, health care, climate risk, language, crime, and whether they welcome U.S. retirees." via

The Best Places To Retire Abroad In 2024 For Americans retiring abroad, discover top retirement destinations around the world offering affordability, healthcare, quality of life, and beautiful surroundings.

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ACA participated along-side other organizations in advising the White House Office of Public Engagement which has now published this survey to learn more from the community.
Complete the survey by clicking on the link.
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Surveys

"I’ve been living in Finland, the world’s happiest country, for five years now. I think one of the secrets to the happiness of the Finnish people is the country’s work culture." via

28-year-old who left the U.S. for Finland: What work is like in the world's happiest country—'they essentially force you to take a vacation' "There's a law in Finland that you have to take two consecutive weeks of vacation in the summer," says American expat Jade Ventoniemi.

"Sometimes making a fresh start isn’t all about big plans for the future. It can mean small changes such as walking instead of depending on a car." via

He wants a less hectic, car-free life. Here’s why this Mediterranean town is the perfect retirement spot | CNN Michael Steven Grant of New York City wants to retire in a smaller-scale place with access to a larger city. Here’s why he likes Sitges on Spain’s Mediterranean coast.

"Sometimes the miles we travel away from people and places are also the miles we travel toward ourselves. No matter the choices we make or the time that passes, love is our compass. It guides us back to wherever we call home and to the life we’re born to live." via

The real cost of expat life: What we miss and why it matters Should we live the life we want or put the people we love first? And when we make our choice, do we

ACA building on 45 years of advocacy for RBT
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"Over the last two decades, I’ve navigated corporate life, layoffs, buying a house and finding a community. I would not trade the life I have made here, but there were definitely some hard won lessons along the way. Here are the most important things I learned:" via

I left the U.S. for Italy 20 years ago and 'I'm so glad' I did—the top 4 most important lessons I learned Leslie Strazzullo has called Milan, Italy, home for the last two decades: "I'm so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone."

"Panama may be best known for its iconic canal, but for older Americans, it’s also a retirement wonderland with sunny vistas, a low cost of living and a wealth of lifestyle amenities." via

10 Best Places To Retire in Panama For U.S. retirees, Panama offers a diverse retirement lifestyle for less.

HR 82 is gaining support. We urge members to use our advocacy campaign to ask your Representatives to sign a discharge petition so that the bill can be brought to the floor of Congress.

Stop the reduction of US Social Security due to the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) The Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) affects U.S. citizens working overseas whose foreign pension benefits may reduce their U.S. Social Security benefits, sometimes up to 50%. ACA continues to advocate that WEP unfairly targets U.S. citizens overseas. H.R.82 and S.597 legislation corrects this.

"Using a service called "Beyond the States," the family looked through European college options and found one that ticked Jacob's criteria. It was a three-year program, had hands-on teaching methods, offered internship opportunities — and was all the way in Toulouse, France." via


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Their son did well in high school and on his SAT but got rejected from nearly 30 US colleges. So they set their sights on Europe. The college-application process in the US was lengthy and demoralizing for their son, who ended up attending college in France.

We have launched our Residence-Based Taxation (RBT) lobbying campaign, read more about how we will lobby for tax reform.

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"American retirees looking to move overseas often wonder how they’ll be regarded in their new home abroad." via

4 Senior-Friendly Havens in Europe There’s plenty to welcome you in Europe once you hit a certain age.

"If you think the United States has a thing or two to learn about work/life balance, you would be right. According to global employment expert Remote’s second annual study into life-work balance worldwide, the USA ranks 55th out of the 60 countries analyzed. It’s one of the reasons why many Americans have chosen to move abroad." via

6 Tips for How to Move Abroad—and Companies That Will Help You Do It Follow this useful advice from expats and digital nomads who have already made the leap, and check out these companies that can make the process much smoother.

"For the fourth consecutive year, Vietnam is the most affordable country in the world for expats, ranking first out of 53 destinations when it comes to personal finances." via .English

Vietnam an ideal destination for expats: InterNations For the fourth consecutive year, Vietnam is the most affordable country in the world for expats, ranking first out of 53 destinations when it comes to personal finances.

"Thinking about moving abroad? There are many affordable countries where Americans can live comfortably without breaking the bank. These places offer a great quality of life at a fraction of the cost of living in the U.S." via Million Dollar Sense

milliondollarsense.com

"As a result of the soaring cost of living in the U.S., many Americans are considering relocating to more affordable countries, where their dollars stretch further...But where to go?" via

Map shows most affordable countries Americans can move to Vietnam is the most affordable of the 53 countries ranked and Costa Rica has the highest share of U.S. expats.

"Imagine this: You have a pressing tax question and, like many, you turn to Google. Among the plethora of results, you spot information from the IRS, including its official online publications. Confident in your find, you proceed, believing you have solid guidance...But hold on—that sense of security might be deceptive." via

The Scary Truth About Navigating IRS Tax Guidance IRS online resources, e.g., tax forms, instructions and publications generally cannot be relied on by taxpayers. There is only 1 gold standard - the confusing IRB.