I tried for over a decade to move to Spain. I went to study Spanish at 21, teach English at 26, and get my master’s at 29, but always ended up back in the U.S. Back then, my options to stay long-term seemed so limited: get transferred through a company, marry a local, or have rare skills that qualified for a work visa. I didn’t fit any of those boxes.
I finally made my last move to Spain in 2015, at age 35, and I’m now a proud citizen. As the founder of She Hit Refresh — where I’ve helped hundreds of other women move abroad — I often think about how much easier it is to relocate these days, thanks especially to the rise of digital nomad visas.
Traditionally, you have to apply for visas from your home country, which can mean long processing times at consulates, strict requirements, lots of paperwork, and waiting in the U.S. until your visa is approved. But a few European countries now allow in-country applications.
Keep in mind that aside from any local financial requirements for a visa or permit, other costs and considerations can include relocation specialists and lawyers who can help facilitate the process.
Here are four countries in Europe that let you relocate first and handle the visa paperwork after you arrive.
1. Spain
Spain is one of the most popular destinations for Americans moving abroad. With its sunshine, warm culture, stunning scenery, and affordability for those with a U.S. income, it’s easy to understand why.
Spain launched its digital nomad visa in 2023 for freelancers, the self-employed, and remote employees. Apply from the U.S. and you’ll be issued a one-year visa, but apply from Spain and you can get a three-year permit. Among the women I’ve worked with, processing times from Spain seem to be faster, too, sometimes just a few weeks.
Before you go, gather key documents in the U.S., especially your FBI background check and apostille, or certificate of authentication, since they’re more complicated to obtain once you’re abroad. You’ll also be asked to provide proof of remote work and income.
Giovanna Gonzalez, 36, moved from Chicago to Valencia in April 2025. “We booked a trip to Spain so we could apply from within the country,” says Gonzalez, who tells me her experience was smooth, particularly with the help of an immigration attorney. “We were approved in only two and a half weeks.”
Her advice? Work with a relocation specialist for housing, since finding a place quickly as an American without a local work contract can be challenging.
2. Greece
Greece is not only a popular vacation spot, but also an appealing destination for remote workers seeking sunshine on the Mediterranean coast, a slower pace, and lower cost of living. If I ever decide to relocate, I’d move to Greece.
What most people don’t realize is that Greece offers two separate options for remote workers: a digital nomad visa and a digital nomad residence permit. You have to apply for the digital nomad visa, which grants a one-year stay, from your home country. But you can apply for the digital nomad residence permit, which is valid for two years, once you’re already in Greece. You’ll need to show proof of monthly income of at least €3,500, health insurance, and a rental contract or property ownership.
One of my podcast guests, Kathleen O’Donnell, 40, moved from Boston to Athens in 2022 and chose the residence permit. “It was such a relief not to have to fly back to the U.S. to apply,” she says. “The process took time, but it was worth it for the flexibility.”
While you can apply on your own, O’Donnell says she hired a lawyer, which “made the process much less stressful.”
3. The Netherlands
The Dutch-American Friendship Treaty (DAFT) allows freelancers and self-employed U.S. citizens to live and work in the Netherlands by registering a new or existing business and depositing €4,500 into a Dutch business bank account. You can apply and get the ball rolling on your DAFT visa after arriving. Remote employees don’t qualify, meaning you can’t be a W-2 employee.
Stacy Holt, 44, moved to the Netherlands with her family in 2023. “We sold everything, rented a house we’d only seen on video, and applied once we arrived,” she says. “It was definitely a stressful time, but within two months I had my residency card and my business registered.”
She tells me she moved for a better quality of life for her children, and to escape the stress of active shooter drills and future student debt for them. Her tip: Bring savings and patience, as housing can be difficult to secure without local rental history.
4. Albania
Albania may not be on your radar, but it’s becoming a popular soft-landing spot for Americans. It’s affordable, welcoming, and ideal if you want to “test-drive” life abroad without having to navigate complicated visa systems first.
U.S. citizens can stay in Albania for up to a year, visa-free. Those who want to stay longer can apply for a residence permit in-country.
Monica Miranda, 45, moved from Jersey City to Vlorë with her dog. She initially planned to stay a few months, but has now been there nearly two years. “Getting my residency was easier than I expected,” she says. “I hired a lawyer, submitted my documents, and received a provisional visa within a week.”
Cepee Tabibian is the founder of She Hit Refresh, a community and resource platform that helps women aged 30+ move abroad. She’s the author of “I’m Outta Here! An American’s Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe″ and host of the She Hit Refresh podcast. As the daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Cepee grew up in Houston, Texas, before becoming an immigrant herself in Spain. Follow her @shehitrefresh.
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