Thinking of swapping the United States for Europe, but you have no idea where to even start?
Moving abroad is never easy, though, what with all those visa applications and foreign bureaucracy, not to mention the different rules for every country, but wouldn’t it be nice if you could just grab your passport, pack your bags, and be on your way?
As it turns out, there are two countries in the Old Continent that allow Americans to relocate for a whole year… without a visa!
You read that right, no other requirement than being a U.S. citizen and producing a valid passport at the border:
Albania
Formerly a hidden gem of Southeastern Europe that’s risen significantly in popularity in recent years, Albania is going viral on TikTok for all the right reasons:
It is a Mediterranean country, so it enjoys warmer temperatures year-round, with mild winters and scorching summers. It’s culture-rich, littered with Greek and Roman ruins and well-preserved medieval cities, and most importantly, it’s shockingly affordable.
Its quirky modern capital, Tirana, has become an expat magnet in recent years, thanks to a plethora of coffee shops, coworking spots, lush parks, and low prices: according to Nomads, it costs $2,084 per month to live comfortably in the city.
Ksamil, a peaceful town straddling Maldives-like white sands and a turquoise Mediterranean is our fifth best lesser-known destination this year, combining coastal relaxation and ancient sights––it’s a short 10-minute drive to Butrint, an archaeological site over 2,700 years old.
Elsewhere in Vlora, an up-and-coming resort city that’s gearing up for the launch of its very own international airport next year, visitors will find a revitalized, colorful Old Town, and a lively boardwalk lined with casual restaurants and palm trees.
If you’re moving to Albania for the culture, perhaps you’ll want to consider having the UNESCO World Heritage duo of Berat and Gjirokaster as base:
The former is a perfectly-preserved Ottoman-era settlement lying at the base of a medieval castle, while the latter is a picturesque cobbled city with houses made of stone, backed by a monumental hilltop fortress and snow-capped peaks.
As you can see, there’s plenty to choose from.
Why Albania Is A Great Place To Live
We’ve touched on this briefly already, but perhaps the main reason why Albania is such an incredible alternative to life in the States is how cheap it is in comparison.
A meal and a drink in an inexpensive restaurant in Tirana will cost you $10.83 on average, as per Numbeo estimates, while fancier, three-course menus for 2 people in an upscale downtown eatery will cost $48.24––or $24.12 each.
Rent is just as accessible, with fully-furnished apartments in Tirana starting at $479 per month on Airbnb, or if you’re dreaming of an idyllic life by the ocean, there are private accommodation options from as cheap as $314-a-month in nearby coastal hub Durres, and $309 in Ksamil.
On the topic of security, Albania is very safe, with low levels of armed robbery and violent crime affecting visitors; petty crime remains a concern in tourism hotspots, so we’d advise you to keep an eye on personal belongings just in case.
On the other hand, it is not a primary entry point for illegal migrants crossing into Europe, making it automatically less dangerous than overwhelmed Western European nations where migrant-related smuggling has spiked, as noted by the Council of Europe.
It also boasts great intra-Europe connectivity, with budget carrier WizzAir offering flights to and from Tirana Airport to numerous European destinations, as cheap as $14.80 one-way, and ferry and bus connections to Greece, Montenegro, North Macedonia, and other countries nearby.
Visa Rules For U.S. Citizens Visiting Albania
Perhaps most importantly, Albania has swung doors open for Americans, as they are the only foreign nationals allowed to stay in the country for up to a year visa-free!
This does not mean you will be entitled to social security or healthcare, unless you apply for, and obtain a valid resident permit and pay taxes, but you can still be present in Albania as a visitor for a continuous 365 days.
Whether you’re returning to America the end of that period, jumping to the next country, or you’ve fallen in love with Albania and would like to extend your stay, which is highly likely if you’re asking us, you’ll have enough time to prepare and get your documentation in order.
Georgia
Tucked away in the Caucasus, Georgia sits right on the mountainous border between Eastern Europe and Western Asia, and it’s every bit as fascinating as it sounds.
Naturally, it has towering peaks to its name, and it’s an ancient land dotted with monasteries and medieval castles, but something most people don’t know is that it lines an azure Black Sea––black in all but name––interspersed with quaint coastal towns and resorts.
It is best represented by Tbilisi, a vibrant capital centered around a cobblestoned historic core that carries not only European (most notably Russian), but Persian and Turkish influences, and best-known for its diverse architecture and lively social scene.
From richly-frescoed Eastern Orthodox churches, to art nouveau ensembles, to striking Brutalist monuments (an ode to the defunct Soviet Union, which Georgia was a part of), it probably makes for Europe’s––or should we say Eurasia?––most unique cityscape.
In recent years, Tbilisi has become a refuge of the sorts for digital nomads and slow travelers: cafes like Coffee LAB and 144 Stairs cater to an international crowd of English-speaking, brunch-loving laptop users, and Akhvlediani Street comes alive at night with techno bars and cozy terraces.
Tbilisi is not Georgia’s only expat haven:
The second largest city in Georgia, Batumi is a thriving seaside metropolis combining Old World charm and 21st century city building, with rows upon rows of innovative high-rises overlooking a beach: it’s no wonder it’s called the Georgian Dubai.
In looking for a slower-paced life, some foreigners opt for Kutaisi, a smaller city lining a winding river, dominated by a medieval Orthodox cathedral, or Telavi, a sleepy town still surrounded by medieval walls, famous for its wine.
By the way, did you know wine is supposed to have be a Georgian invention?
Why Georgia Is A Great Place To Live
Similarly to Albania, Georgia is a steal of a deal for Americans.
That’s not to say it’s particularly cheap––prices have definitely increased since the Russo-Ukrainian war triggered a refugee crisis in the country––but there’s no doubt you can live reasonably well on $2,147 per month in a city like Tbilisi.
As it is the best-equipped one, and an administrative and cultural center, Tbilisi is the most expensive city in Georgia, and even there, ordering a dish in a restaurant will set you back by roughly $9.12, or $36.50, if you want to treat yourself and get a three-course menu (see on Numbeo).
If you’re staying long-term, there are private rooms in hotels or guesthouses to rent from $498 per month, while a whole apartment in a residential zone, yet within walking distance of a metro station will cost you a very-reasonable $698 (check out Airbnb options this winter).
On average, the cost of living in Georgia is 46.7% cheaper than in Western Europe, with housing prices specifically being 34.5% lower.
As if that weren’t enough encouragement, Georgia is just about as safe as every other European destination, despite its proximity to countries like Russia and Azerbaijan: other than the low levels of urban crime, it’s not involved in any marginal conflicts.
Last but not least, it is well-connected to the rest of Europe, with airports in Tbilisi, Kutaisi and Batumi offering links to a number of European destinations, making intra-continental travel easy––from Kutaisi, flights with WizzAir start from as low as $37.
Visa Rules For U.S. Citizens Visiting Georgia
One would think Georgia would have stricter immigration rules seeing how attractive it is to migrants––in reality, it has one of the most relaxed entry and stay regulations anywhere in the world!
Essentially, U.S. citizens are permitted to stay in Georgia for a whole year on the basis of being Americans alone: no need to apply for a visa in advance, nor extend their tourist visa after a certain period of time.
Once the 365 days are up, if you plan on staying longer in Georgia, you can either apply for a residence permit, on the basis of having a business in the country, having purchased property, or family reunification, or simply do a visa run.
Any exit and re-entry into Georgia means another full year you get to stay.
Of course, we’d still encourage you to apply for the residence permit as it gives you far more rights, and a guarantee you’ll be able to return to the country after a trip abroad.
Nonetheless, authorities aren’t overly concerned about Americans who are keen on making Georgia their base (if anything, they’re exceptionally receptive of them).
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