How to Move to Europe: Visa Basics for U.S. Citizens

The hosts of Experts & Expats guide your discovery of how to move to Europe.

Your Complete Starter Guide to European Living

How to Move to Europe: Visa Basics for US Citizens is a 5-module online course that covers every independent residency pathway available to US citizens in Europe, led by the hosts of the popular podcast Experts & Expats.

How to Move to Europe: Visa Basics for US Citizens is a 5-module online course that covers every independent residency pathway available to US citizens in Europe.

5

Comprehensive Modules

46

Lessons & Activities

12+

Visa Categories

15+

Years of Experience

Sample Lessons

You'll learn from video lessons like these, as well as multiple interactive tools and exercises.

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What You'll Learn

Learn what move options are available and relevant to you, as well as the requirements for US citizens to live long-term in Europe through their own efforts.

Don't waste time falling in love with a country only to discover you don't qualify for residency there. Understand the visa requirements first, then research countries where you actually have a pathway. This course helps you assess your eligibility upfront, so you can focus your energy on destinations that align with your real qualifications—not just your wishlist.

Whether you're a retiree, remote worker, business owner, student, or even unemployed, you will learn what is required of you and your loved ones to successfully apply for European residency.

By the end of this 5-module online course, you will be ready to confidently begin the next steps of your European move!

The Full Move to Europe Journey

This course supports this phase of the journey:

Save $20 on this learning for a limited time. Regularly $79.

$59

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Course Modules

Module 1 - Course Introduction

Establish the foundation for your European journey with essential context, definitions, and frameworks that will guide every decision ahead.

Module 2 - Common Visa Types

Discover every independent visa pathway available to US citizens, from ancestry claims to investment programs, from digital nomad visas to self-employed and entrepreneur categories. Bonus material: 2 little-known temporary-to-long term residency pathways.

Module 3 - Common Visa Requirements

Move from theory to practice with detailed breakdowns of what you'll actually need to prove, document, and demonstrate for successful applications.

Module 4 - Application Methods, Timelines & Costs

Understand the practical realities of submitting your application, from choosing your approach to managing expectations and budgeting accurately.

Module 5 - Course Conclusion

Consolidate your learning and prepare for the journey ahead with final insights, encouragement, and next steps. Bonus material: budget and timeline planning for the application process.

Bonus Docs & Helpful Activities

Outside of watching lessons, enjoy completing worksheets, quizzes, roadmaps and more to personalize your move considerations and planning.

Meet the Instructors

Join Michelle Hippler and Jeffrey Jones, hosts of the Experts & Expats podcast and co-founders of The Living Abroad Academy, as your instructors for this online learning

Living Abroad Academy LLC

“I've spent over 10 years as a digital nomad in Europe, Southeast Asia, South America and the United States. It's been an exciting personal journey researching European immigration pathways for past 5+ years, and I've navigated the application process in Portugal and The Netherlands. It's my goal to help other American expats cut through the noise and receive comprehensive, fact-based education.”

Michelle Hippler

Co-founder, The Living Abroad Academy | Co-Host, Experts & Expats Podcast

Living Abroad Academy LLC

“It's a pleasure to share my 30+ years of expertise in understanding the evolving European residency landscape, both as an employee and self-employed contractor. I've experienced the realities of moving abroad permanently and have called Spain my home since 2024. It's my goal to provide practical, actionable information that helps US citizens make truly informed decisions about a European relocation.”

Jeffrey Jones

Co-founder, The Living Abroad Academy | Co-Host, Experts & Expats Podcast

What Makes This Different

Comprehensive Coverage

Every visa type and residence permit available to independent applicants across 22 carefully selected European countries (no employer sponsorship or marriage required).

Fact-Based Education

Well-structured, accurate, practical information backed by 15+ years of research and real-world experience (skip the social media fantasies or irrelevant information).

Personalized Assessment

Interactive worksheets and decision tools help you identify which visas and residence permits are relevant and actually achievable for your specific circumstances.

Realistic Timelines

Understand what really happens during the application process, from document preparation through final approval, with honest timeframes, cost breakdowns, and other important considerations.

Evergreen Information

Structured to remain valuable despite changing immigration policies, focusing on enduring principles and assessment frameworks. Enjoy the course as many times as you like, and watch with others!

Confidence Building

Move from overwhelmed by information overload to confident in your ability to make informed decisions about your European future.

An Invaluable Starting Point

I recommend this course to anyone thinking about relocating to Europe. There are so many options, steps, rules, and considerations for each country that it feels overwhelming at first. By breaking this down into clear and distinct steps, this course is an invaluable starting point whether you're just beginning to think about the possibility or you're ready to move forward.

Valuable and Useful!

This course was informative and interesting. I am just starting to think about living abroad, and I am not sure which country suits my needs. The little research I did on my own was overwhelming and I didn't know where to start looking. Luckily, this course was recommended to me and I am so grateful! Jeffery and Michelle have done all the research and saved me valuable time. The quizzes within the course have helped me to eliminate unnecessary steps narrow my search to realistic options. This course is a valuable and useful tool!

This Expanded My Knowledge

I enjoyed the Visa Basics course! It grew my knowledge about European visas and presented the many factors to be considering when selecting an EU immigration approach. Much appreciated were other details covered such as time and cost requirements, professional support, and the management of personal stress during the process. I recommend this course to any American interested in a move to Europe!

Special Note

This course covers the foundational visa categories and standard requirements that apply across multiple countries. This knowledge helps you identify which general pathways fit your situation and prepare for the common elements you'll encounter. It does not provide country-specific information.

However, each country has unique application procedures, thresholds, timelines, and documentation requirements that are your next step after this foundational course. Think of this course as an essential foundation that prevents you from getting lost in country-specific details before understanding the bigger picture of what's possible for someone with your specific circumstances.