I have been trying to move to Spain for over 10 years. I studied Spanish at age 21, taught English at age 26, earned my master’s degree at age 29, and always ended up returning to the United States. At the time, long-term stay options seemed very limited. You can transfer through a company, marry a local, or have a rare skill that qualifies you for a work visa. I didn’t fit into any of those boxes.
I finally made my final move to Spain in 2015 at the age of 35. We are now proud citizens. As the founder of She Hit Refresh, I’ve helped hundreds of women move abroad, and I often think about how easy it has become these days, especially thanks to the proliferation of digital nomad visas.
Traditionally, you have had to apply for a visa 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. However, several European countries now allow domestic applications.
Keep in mind that apart from the local financial requirements for visas and permits, other costs and considerations may include immigration experts and lawyers to facilitate the process.
Here are four European countries where you can move first and process your visa upon arrival.
1. Spain
Spain is one of the most popular destinations for Americans moving abroad. With its sunshine, warm culture, stunning scenery, and affordability for people of American incomes, it’s easy to see why.
Spain will launch a digital nomad visa for freelancers, self-employed workers and remote workers in 2023. If you apply from the United States, you will receive a one-year visa, but if you apply from Spain, you will receive a three-year visa. Among the women I have worked with, the processing time from Spain seems to be faster, sometimes only taking a few weeks.
Before you leave, gather important documents in the United States, especially your FBI background check and apostille or authentication certificate. These are more complicated to obtain when you go abroad. You will also be asked to provide proof of remote work and income.
Giovanna Gonzalez, 36, moved to Valencia from Chicago in April 2025. “I booked the trip to Spain so I could apply domestically,” Gonzalez said. She said her experience was smooth, especially with the help of her immigration attorney. “It was approved in just two and a half weeks.”
Her advice? As an American without a local labor contract, it can be difficult to find housing right away, so consult a moving professional about housing.
2. Greece
Greece is not only a popular vacation destination, but also an attractive destination for remote workers looking for sunshine, a slower pace, and a lower cost of living on the Mediterranean coast. If I decide to move, I will 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 must apply for a digital nomad visa from your home country, which allows you to stay for one year. However, once you enter Greece, you can apply for a digital nomad residence permit, which is valid for two years. You must provide a monthly income of at least 3,500 euros, health insurance, and proof of rental agreement or real estate ownership.
One of my podcast guests, Kathleen O’Donnell, 40, moved to Athens from Boston in 2022 and chose a residency permit. “It was such a relief not having to go back to the U.S. to apply,” she says. “The process took a while, but the flexibility made it worth it.”
Although she could apply on her own, O’Donnell said hiring a lawyer “made the process a lot less stressful.”
3. Netherlands
The Netherlands-American Treaty of Friendship (DAFT) allows freelancers and self-employed Americans to live and work in the Netherlands by registering a new or existing business and depositing €4,500 into a Dutch business bank account. Once you arrive, you can apply for a DAFT visa to get started. Remote employees are not eligible. That means you can’t be a W-2 employee.
Stacy Holt, 44, moved to the Netherlands with her family in 2023. “I sold everything, rented a house I had only seen on videos, and applied for it when I arrived,” she says. “It was definitely a stressful time, but within two months I had my residence card and business registered.”
She said she moved to improve her children’s quality of life and escape the stress of target practice and her children’s future student loans. Her advice: It’s hard to secure housing without a local rental history, so save and be patient.
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 perfect if you want to “try out” living abroad without having to go through a complicated visa system first.
U.S. citizens can stay in Albania without a visa for up to one year. Those who wish to stay longer can apply for a residence permit within the country.
Monica Miranda, 45, moved to Vlore from Jersey City with her dog. She originally planned to stay for a few months, but has now been there for almost two years. “Obtaining residency was easier than I expected,” she says. “I hired a lawyer, filed the paperwork, and received my temporary visa within a week.”
Cepee Tabibian is the founder of She Hit Refresh, a community and resource platform that helps women over 30 move abroad. She is the author of “I’m Outta Here! An American’s Ultimate Visa Guide to Living in Europe” and host of the podcast “She Hit Refresh.” The daughter of Colombian and Iranian immigrants, Sepi grew up in Houston, Texas and later immigrated in Spain. Follow her @shehitrefresh.
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