While on trips with The Women’s Travel Group, some ladies dream about living abroad. A glass of wine on a Florence balcony? A view of Mt. Blanc from your new Swiss apartment?
Moving and living overseas is not a piece of French cake. But if you are flexible and understand the compromises and limitations, living in another country is fabulous and life changing.
Be aware of the following warnings for US citizens moving abroad.
Visas? Only a 3 month stay is allowed in most countries. Some like the UK, require extra entry documents. In 2026 most of Europe will input the ETIAS entry form. BUMMER PART, you cannot stay indefinitely.
Health Care? BUMMER PART Not free unless you have an emergency or incident. Most international medical systems will assist you; once you stay overnight in a hospital, you pay for treatment. In much of Europe, you pay going rates. In the UK you pay 1.5x the official rate. Don’t expect a single hospital room—most patients in Europe are in small wards. Mexican private medical is affordable and quality. At Ixtapan Resort, many guests go into town for dental work and for skin care. A recent dentist visit for a guest with a broken tooth was $35; micro dermassage was $45/50.
Cheap Prescription Medicine? Yes outside the US, medicine is much less. You still need a local doctor’s prescription. Some US brands are not sold even in the generic overseas.
Ca you get a European credit card for use in overseas cashless societies? Hard to get unless you have a local bank account, also hard to get. BUMMER PART you will still pay taxes on your income.
Driving license? About 150 countries recognize an International Driver’s License. Some rental car companies make it hard to rent if you are over 75. Insurance is a must.
Senior discounts? Most countries require an official id for senior discounts like public transportation, which is practically free in some cities. BUMMER PART you cannot get the official senior proof.
Phone usage? Check in your smart phone settings for e-sim cards for other areas. Or buy a local ‘pay as you go’ phone ; cell calls in Europe are very cheap.
Can you vote? You must register; your state is the last state you lived in before you left the US. Register at Federal Voting Assistance Program https://www.fvap.gov/
Still want the experience, go for it. Expect it to cost more than you budgeted, learn to use public transportation, food shop in other languages, forgo air conditioning, and TV. You will change, probably for the better. Travel tips from The Women’s Travel Group. Contact us at 646 309 5607 or https://www.thewomenstravelgroup.com/contact/
