145: The 4 easiest ways Americans can move to Europe
One of the biggest myths about moving to Europe is that you need $100,000 saved before you go. That is simply not true. What you do need is a plan for income. Once you have that, the easiest ways Americans can move to Europe become much clearer.
When most people start dreaming about moving abroad, they obsess over visas, housing, and which city to choose. In reality, one question determines almost everything else. How are you going to earn money? Answer that first and your options open up fast.
Today I am walking you through the four easiest and fastest ways Americans are moving to Europe while earning an income.
The Biggest Mistake People Make When Planning a Move to Europe
Most people start by asking which country is easiest to move to. Others ask which visa is the simplest to get. Both are actually the wrong questions to start with.
Different countries offer different visa types. Not every country has a remote worker visa. The UK, for example, does not have one. Not every country has a freelance visa either.
A better starting question is this: where is my income going to come from? Once you know that, the right visa and the right country follow more naturally. This one shift makes the whole process far less overwhelming.
Option 1: Keep Your US Income and Move on a Digital Nomad Visa
This is my personal favorite option. It is also one of the easiest ways Americans can move to Europe right now.
How It Works
If you already have a remote US job, you may be able to keep your salary while living in Europe. Many countries now offer digital nomad visas for people who work remotely for companies outside the country they live in. You apply by proving a minimum income, showing employer permission for remote work, and meeting the country’s specific requirements.
Why This Option Stands Out
The salary advantage is real. US salaries tend to be much higher than what European employers pay for the same role. Keeping that income while living somewhere with a lower cost of living stretches your money further. Beyond that, this option gives you flexibility. You can live and work in your chosen country. In many cases you can also travel across Europe without restrictions.
One Thing to Know
Digital nomad visas do not always lead to permanent residency. If staying long term is your goal, research this before committing. That said, your first visa does not have to be your forever visa. It can be a great first step.
Who This Works Best For
This option suits anyone who already works remotely or can realistically land a remote US job before moving.
Option 2: Get Sponsored by a European Employer
Employer sponsorship is one of the most common ways Americans move to Europe. It is also one of the most reliable paths to permanent residency over time.
How Sponsorship Works
When a European company sponsors your visa, they tell the government they will employ and pay you. That satisfies the requirement for a legitimate income source. In return, you get the legal right to live and work in that country.
Industries Where Sponsorship Is Most Common
Sponsorship works best in skilled fields. Strong areas include tech, marketing, finance, engineering, and healthcare. Healthcare has seen particularly high demand in the UK. Tech roles are widely sought after in Germany. Finance professionals may find strong opportunities in Zurich.
Focus your energy on countries where your profession is in demand. That is where your chances of getting a yes are highest.
Why It Is Worth the Extra Effort
Getting sponsored is harder than applying for a digital nomad visa. You need a European company to go through the process for you. However, the long-term benefits are real. Sponsorship typically puts you on a clear path toward permanent residency. For anyone planning to stay in Europe long term, this route often makes the most sense.
Who This Works Best For
This option suits professionals with three to ten or more years of experience in a skilled industry.
Option 3: Freelancing or Starting an Online Business
Freelancing is one of the most flexible ways to move to Europe. Many countries now offer visas built specifically for self-employed professionals.
What This Looks Like in Practice
Freelancing can take many forms. Marketing, coaching, writing, consulting, and design are strong examples. All can be done entirely online and billed to clients anywhere in the world. Portugal and Spain both offer accessible pathways for freelancers and online business owners.
The Biggest Advantage of This Route
You can start building this income right now. If you have a full-time job in the US, start taking on freelance clients on the side. Build up that income gradually before you move. Proving to yourself that it works first makes the transition much smoother.
Income thresholds for freelance visas in some European countries are also lower than most people expect. In places like Portugal or Spain, the minimums are quite manageable.
The Trade-Off to Consider
Freelancing offers flexibility but also comes with uncertainty. Income can vary, especially early on. Going in with a financial buffer and some existing clients makes a big difference.
Who This Works Best For
This suits anyone who already freelances, has thought about building an online business, or works in a field where independent consulting is common.
Option 4: For New Grads — Teaching English, a Master’s Degree, or an Internship
Fresh out of college? The first three options might feel out of reach right now. That is completely okay. There are still strong ways to get to Europe early in your career.
Teaching English Abroad
Teaching English is one of the most accessible entry points for recent graduates. Spain has a well-known program placing English assistants in local schools. The pay is modest. But the experience is valuable and it gets you there fast.
Getting a Master’s Degree Abroad
If you were already planning on graduate school, doing it abroad is a smart move. A master’s program gives you a legitimate reason to be in the country. It also gives you time to build a real network and social life. Many countries offer post-study work visas that let you stay after graduation. People who do master’s programs abroad often form some of their strongest friendships through those programs.
Internships as a Stepping Stone
This was my own path. As a new grad, I applied to many full-time European jobs and found it hard to get sponsored without experience. So I took an internship instead. My first one was at a company in Brighton that explosion-proofed forklift trucks. Not my dream job at all. But I showed up, worked hard, and used it to land a second internship in London. From there I proved my value and convinced that company to hire me full time and sponsor my visa.
Internships work because they solve a common hiring manager concern. Once you are already in the country and showing up in person, you become a far more appealing candidate for a full-time role.
Who This Works Best For
This option suits recent graduates, early career changers, and anyone willing to start with a lower-paying role in exchange for getting to Europe sooner.
Which Option Is Right for You
Here is a simple breakdown based on your situation right now.
If you already have a remote US job, move on a digital nomad visa and bring your income with you.
If you have three to ten or more years of professional experience, pursue sponsorship from a European employer.
If you already freelance or want to build an online business, start building that income now and move on a freelance or self-employed visa.
If you just graduated or are very early in your career, teach English, study abroad, or land an internship and use it as your foot in the door.
What I Would Do If I Were Starting From Scratch
If I woke up tomorrow with no overseas connections and wanted to move to Europe fast, here is exactly what I would do.
First, I would decide between two paths. Do I want to build freelance income or run an online business? Or do I want full-time employment? These two paths need very different strategies. Being honest with yourself about which one excites you matters more than picking the one that sounds easiest.
If I wanted full-time employment, I would apply to remote US jobs and European jobs at the same time. Waiting to see how one goes before trying the other wastes time. Applying to both gives you more options, more interviews, and more chances of a yes.
Next, I would focus on countries where my profession is in strong demand. More demand means more opportunities. It also means a better chance of someone saying yes to sponsorship.
Finally, I would take whichever real opportunity arrives first. If a remote US job comes in first, I move on a digital nomad visa. If a European offer comes first, I move on a work visa. Neither is better or worse than the other. Both get you there.
Final Thoughts on the Easiest Ways Americans Can Move to Europe
There is no single right way to move to Europe. The best path depends on where your income is going to come from. Solve that question first and everything else, the visa, the country, and the timeline, becomes so much clearer.
Stop asking which country is the easiest. Start asking how you are going to earn money. That one shift will move you forward faster than any amount of research ever will.
Still figuring out which European city fits your lifestyle and goals? Take the free quiz at jordangiberson.com/quiz
Grab the free guide, the 5 Exact Steps to Move Abroad, at jordangiberson.com/guide
Worried about what people will say when you announce your move? Go listen to Episode 113: Things People Will Say When You Tell Them You Are Moving Abroad
Once you know how you are getting to Europe, the next question is what happens after you actually arrive. Read this next: The First 30 Days Living Abroad: What Nobody Tells You and Exactly What to Do.
