- Joined
- Sep 10, 2003
- Messages
- 9,266
Are there any American expats here?
- Thread starter Matata
- Start date
sunnyside74
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 10, 2014
- Messages
- 144
jaqjaqjaq
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2019
- Messages
- 585
newtojewels
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Jul 16, 2020
- Messages
- 1,093
My partner was born in a low-cost-of-living European country, moved to the US as a kid, and is now a dual citizen. Our money would go pretty far there and it would have him near his grandparents who are in their mid-late 80's. He says there's a ton of corruption in his country but at least I don't speak the language so I can't understand it! I don't actually think we'll move, I'm in a very blue area of a blue state, but I will admit to waking up and thinking about it this morning....
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2003
- Messages
- 9,266
Avondale
Brilliant_Rock
- Joined
- Oct 31, 2021
- Messages
- 1,311
If you’re looking to immigrate to a European country, keep in mind that you absolutely positively should be working with a local attorney who can lead you through the immigration process.
You’re not an expat. You’re an immigrant and are treated the same way as any other immigrant. It won’t be easier for you to move compared to someone coming from, say, Pakistan. The rules and applicable legislation will be the same for both. Counties within the EU treat other countries in one of two ways: EU and non-EU. Inside the EU we have freedom of moment. The US is non-EU alongside the rest of the world.
It should absolutely be possible for you to move to Portugal. Just don’t underestimate the local rules in place. Countries have rigid immigration processes usually, it’s not as simple as getting on a plane and flying over. But working with a lawyer will make it a lot more manageable, you’ll be better prepared, and it will be overall easier to make the move compared to if you tried to manage it yourself.
You’re not an expat. You’re an immigrant and are treated the same way as any other immigrant. It won’t be easier for you to move compared to someone coming from, say, Pakistan. The rules and applicable legislation will be the same for both. Counties within the EU treat other countries in one of two ways: EU and non-EU. Inside the EU we have freedom of moment. The US is non-EU alongside the rest of the world.
It should absolutely be possible for you to move to Portugal. Just don’t underestimate the local rules in place. Countries have rigid immigration processes usually, it’s not as simple as getting on a plane and flying over. But working with a lawyer will make it a lot more manageable, you’ll be better prepared, and it will be overall easier to make the move compared to if you tried to manage it yourself.
- Joined
- Aug 5, 2010
- Messages
- 12,870
- Joined
- Oct 20, 2007
- Messages
- 6,418
Born American, dual citizen with UK for 2 passport cycles.
20 years ago, when I was just dating now husband, and when it was much easier to move, we looked at everything and marriage was really the only way. You're about 25 years too late unless you have an in. Most European countries aren't interested and to land an EU job your employer generally has to prove no one else in the EU can do what they need. Most also don't have backwards migration, ie like Mrs Trump's parents going to the US, I can't bring my parents or siblings over.
My advice, marry a Portuguese person. Good luck.
20 years ago, when I was just dating now husband, and when it was much easier to move, we looked at everything and marriage was really the only way. You're about 25 years too late unless you have an in. Most European countries aren't interested and to land an EU job your employer generally has to prove no one else in the EU can do what they need. Most also don't have backwards migration, ie like Mrs Trump's parents going to the US, I can't bring my parents or siblings over.
My advice, marry a Portuguese person. Good luck.
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2003
- Messages
- 9,266
I'm fortunately retired so a D-7 visa or golden visa are good options for me.
Daisys and Diamonds
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2019
- Messages
- 24,185
thats really sad
in NZ we actually have a parents visa option
we recognise the value of grandparents -they come in handy looking after the grandkids while mum and dad work although quite a lot of child care is free
im not quite sure how it works with our free health care but you have to be healthy just like any other person wanting to move here
The Parent Visa NZ is a visa category that allows parents to join their adult New Zealand citizen or resident child and become NZ residents themselves. It was reinstated on October 12, 2022, with reduced income requirements and an increased annual quota of 2500 visas.
Unlocking Partnership Visa NZ & Parent Visa NZ: Your Pathway
Bring your loved ones to New Zealand with ease. Learn about requirements for parent & partnership visa NZ options. Contact us today.
www.accessnz.com
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2013
- Messages
- 1,947
thats really sad
in NZ we actually have a parents visa option
we recognise the value of grandparents -they come in handy looking after the grandkids while mum and dad work although quite a lot of child care is free
im not quite sure how it works with our free health care but you have to be healthy just like any other person wanting to move here
The Parent Visa NZ is a visa category that allows parents to join their adult New Zealand citizen or resident child and become NZ residents themselves. It was reinstated on October 12, 2022, with reduced income requirements and an increased annual quota of 2500 visas.
Unlocking Partnership Visa NZ & Parent Visa NZ: Your Pathway
Bring your loved ones to New Zealand with ease. Learn about requirements for parent & partnership visa NZ options. Contact us today.
This is so important. I hope the USA reforms its currently very restrictive Visa regulations. Grandparents enable families to function better.
Daisys and Diamonds
Super_Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Apr 30, 2019
- Messages
- 24,185
its good to keep the 'oldies close
we live so far away down here and overseas travel is not cheap, its heartbreaking when someone has to urgently fly 'home' because a parent is sick and often they have to go on their own because of cost so they dont have the support of their spouce or partner or children at often a very difficult and /or sad time
- Joined
- May 15, 2014
- Messages
- 5,361
Exactly, Portugal has the golden visa which you can get in a few different ways. Also, not sure of your heritage, but some countries like Italy and Ireland will give passports if you have ancestors that fit into certain criteria. I have friends who have gotten both Italian and Irish passports. The nice thing about the golden visa is you can live there full time or not. It gives you access to many EU countries and you can apply for citizenship after what I think is 5 years. You do have to have some proficiency in Portuguese to get the citizenship (but not the visa), but I don't think that you need to be completely fluent.
newdiamondworld
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2021
- Messages
- 202
My husband has dual citizenship as well, and his EU passport is looking especially appealing today. I wish we could just pack up and move...
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2003
- Messages
- 9,266
Unfortunately I do not meet the requirements for Italian citizenship by descent as my maternal grandparents became naturalized before before 1992. The paternal side is a mystery so that option is closed also.
- Joined
- May 15, 2014
- Messages
- 5,361
I thought it didn't matter how many generations it went back as long as you could claim to be a descendant of an Italian who hadn't renounced their Italian citizenship and that the ancestor was alive or been born after 1861. Maybe I misunderstood as I couldn't pursue it due to the same "mystery" issue. The only side I can prove is the German side, but they don't offer the passport the same way.
empliau
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2022
- Messages
- 425
For Italian citizenship, you have to prove lineal descent from an immigrant, and on the mother's side after 1948. On the father's side, you can go back to (but not before) the establishment of Italy in the mid-nineteenth century. Important that children born after the parent is naturalized as a citizen of another country lose their right to citizenship iure sanguinis.
Source: got my Italian citizenship this year. And it isn't easy. The Boston consulate, one of the busiest, is booking citizenship appointments for 2029 - if you can get one. They only open up one day per month for booking, and the appointments disappear almost immediately.
Source: got my Italian citizenship this year. And it isn't easy. The Boston consulate, one of the busiest, is booking citizenship appointments for 2029 - if you can get one. They only open up one day per month for booking, and the appointments disappear almost immediately.
- Joined
- May 15, 2014
- Messages
- 5,361
So just as I understand what you are saying, hypothetical that my grand mother (father's mother) was born in Italy in 1881 but immigrated in 1897. Had my father while still an Italian citizen (still registered in the U.S. as an alien) in the U.S. in 1911, then I should be eligible but it's from the male side because it's a paternal grand mother? Or not, because she was the female? Or does it mean my mother who was the Italian doesn't count? Also, I'm missing is what the "after 1948" means. What does that benchmark relate to? my mother's mother immigration date? Her birth date? My birth date? It's very confusing to me. I know you're not an advisor about this but wondering if I should pursue. Not sure that I can because of the documents that I have, but I do have some.
Last edited:
empliau
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2022
- Messages
- 425
- A person born before January 1st, 1948 can claim Italian citizenship only from his/her father, who was not a naturalized citizen of another country before his child's birth.
- A woman can transfer citizenship only to her children born after January 1st, 1948, if she was not a naturalized citizen of another country before her child's birth.
Mreader
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2018
- Messages
- 6,839
That’s how I got my EU passport! Having an Irish grandparent. It enabled me to work in France without going through all that red tape.
Mreader
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2018
- Messages
- 6,839
It has to be a grandparent or a parent. It can’t be further out than that. And what you do is you get the certificate such as birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc. proving the lineage.
- Joined
- May 15, 2014
- Messages
- 5,361
Okay, so it doesn't relate to my father and his mother. I need to track down the info on his father, who was also born in Italy after 1861 and immigrated to the U.S. but never became citizen.
- Joined
- May 15, 2014
- Messages
- 5,361
I don't think that is correct if you are claiming through the male line.
empliau
Shiny_Rock
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2022
- Messages
- 425
Mreader
Ideal_Rock
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2018
- Messages
- 6,839
I can’t say for Italy - but it was for Ireland. My paternal grandfather was Irish. I got my passport in the 90s, but my cousin got hers just this year.
- Joined
- May 15, 2014
- Messages
- 5,361
From what I've read, I think that is correct. My problem is all of my Italian ancestors were peasants so finding birth certificates in Italy is next to impossible. My father, born in the U.S but at home, didn't even have a birth certificate. Needed to use a baptismal record to get a passport. I have the green cards for his parents, but going back to find birth certs in Italy would be futile.
- Joined
- May 15, 2014
- Messages
- 5,361
Well, I had an Irish grandfather... I'll check that out too. thanks.
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2011
- Messages
- 3,038
The grass is not necessarily greener in Europe. There are lots of issues whichever country you look at. Italy, for example, has elected a right wing government, there are many young Italians studying in my country (Scotland), who don’t intend going back. I don’t know much about Portugal but it is a small country, with a difficult language. The contrast with the US will likely be huge. Most people who leave the UK, usually for sunnier climes, end up in Spain or France.
There are huge economic problems too- inflation has been much higher in Europe and there is a large amount of illegal migration. Italy has been particularly affected.
Maybe buy a holiday home in the country of your choice and spend a lot of time there instead?
There are huge economic problems too- inflation has been much higher in Europe and there is a large amount of illegal migration. Italy has been particularly affected.
Maybe buy a holiday home in the country of your choice and spend a lot of time there instead?
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2003
- Messages
- 9,266
I'm not looking for greener grass, just different grass temporarily. I think it would be great if all Americans had the opportunity to spend extended time in different countries. Book learning is good for initial exposure. I believe the face-to-face learning about the peoples and cultures of the world makes us better thinkers by challenging our status quo and helps us develop better solutions to the problems we face where ever we call home and whatever we call abroad because whatever happens here effects there in some way and vice versa.
- Joined
- Mar 11, 2013
- Messages
- 1,947
Why not try living as an expat in an Asian country temporarily, if you are only looking for a change and to get away from a tumultuous and polarized America. Hopefully this is temporary. Or you could start by simply traveling there.
Some people love Japan. I hear Singapore is open to expats (obv both expensive). And Vietnam was Anthony Bordain’s favorite place. The observed differences from “Western” society was eye opening for me and Asia had many things to love. Then you also see what you might miss. I found Asian experiences presented such a contrast, it made me love America more, and ALSO feel that our country could be changed for the better.
Some people love Japan. I hear Singapore is open to expats (obv both expensive). And Vietnam was Anthony Bordain’s favorite place. The observed differences from “Western” society was eye opening for me and Asia had many things to love. Then you also see what you might miss. I found Asian experiences presented such a contrast, it made me love America more, and ALSO feel that our country could be changed for the better.
300x240.png)