Expat Starter Kit

The Complete Expat Starter Kit

Everything you need to plan, prepare, and execute a move abroad — from choosing a country to building a life that lasts. Practical, experience-based, and nothing you don’t need.

Last updated: July, 2026 • Read time: ~20 min • Written by Carlos Grider

Who This Is For

You’ve decided — or are seriously considering — making a permanent or semi-permanent move abroad. You’re not a tourist. You’re not just traveling for a few months. This guide is for people building a real life outside their home country: choosing where, getting legal, managing money, and making it sustainable long-term.

Which Stage Are You In?

The expat journey isn’t one decision — it’s a sequence of them. Most people get stuck because they’re trying to answer Stage 3 questions before they’ve settled Stage 1. Figure out where you are.

Exploring — You know you want to leave, but not where or how

Focus on: destination research, cost-of-living comparisons, lifestyle research. Don’t obsess over visa specifics yet.

Deciding — You have 1–3 countries shortlisted and are narrowing down

Focus on: visa pathways, income requirements, healthcare access, tax residency implications.

Executing — Country chosen, move planned within 12 months

Focus on: the pre-departure checklist, housing research, bank account setup, legal documentation.

Settling — You’re there and building a sustainable life

Focus on: residency registration, local banking, healthcare enrollment, community building, tax filing setup.

Choosing Your Country

The single biggest mistake most aspiring expats make is choosing a country based on vacation feelings rather than long-term livability. Here’s the framework that matters.

The Six Filters That Actually Matter

Filter	What to Look For	Common Mistake
Visa pathway	Is there a residency visa you qualify for? What’s the path to permanence?	Choosing a country with no long-term visa option for your income type
Cost of living	Monthly budget at your lifestyle level, not averages	Using Numbeo averages, which blend tourist and local spending
Tax exposure	Does the country tax foreign income? Does it trigger US FBAR/FATCA obligations?	Discovering a 183-day tax trap after 6 months in country
Healthcare access	Quality of private healthcare; expat insurance options; residency-linked public access	Assuming travel insurance covers long-term expat healthcare
Language & integration	Realistic English-accessibility for daily life; community size	Underestimating language friction for bureaucracy and healthcare
Political & legal stability	Property rights for foreigners; banking protections; political risk	Buying property in a country with no foreign ownership protections

ABA Field Insight

Spend at least 4–8 weeks in a country as a slow traveler before committing to residency. Tourist feelings and resident reality are very different things. Feeling great on week two of a vacation is not data.

Top Expat Destinations by Profile

Retirees on Fixed Income

Portugal, Panama, Mexico (Lake Chapala), Costa Rica, Colombia. Strong infrastructure, low cost, expat communities.

Remote Workers & Self-Employed

Portugal, Georgia, Paraguay, Malaysia, Thailand (LTR Visa). Good internet, low tax, business-friendly.

Families with Children

Portugal, Spain, Mexico, Costa Rica, Colombia. Quality international schools, safety, infrastructure.

Low-Tax Optimization Focus

Paraguay, Panama, Georgia, UAE, Malaysia (MM2H). Territorial or no tax on foreign income.

→ See the full Best Countries for Expats guide ** with cost, visa, and tax scores for 30+ destinations.

Visas & Legal Status

Your legal pathway is the most important practical decision you’ll make. Get this wrong and everything else is built on sand.

The Visa Ladder

Tourist/Visa-Free Stay

Duration: 30–90 days. No right to work. Starting point only — not a sustainable strategy.

Temporary Residency

Duration: 1–5 years, renewable. Requires proof of income, clean criminal record, health insurance. Right to live; limited work rights depending on country.

Permanent Residency

After 5+ years in most countries. Full legal rights minus voting. Path to citizenship available in many countries.

Citizenship / Second Passport

After 5–10 years of legal residency in most countries. Full rights. The long-game objective for sovereign expats.

Common Residency Visa Types

Visa Type	Best For	Typical Income Req.	Example Countries
Passive Income / Retirement	Retirees, investors	$1,000–$2,500/mo	Portugal D7, Panama Pensionado, Costa Rica
Digital Nomad Visa	Remote workers, freelancers	$2,000–$3,500/mo	Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, Thailand LTR
Investment / Golden Visa	Property investors, high net worth	$250K–$500K investment	Portugal (pre-2023), Greece, UAE, Spain
Self-Employment / Entrepreneur	Business owners	Varies	Mexico, Colombia, Estonia e-Residency
Ancestry / Heritage	Those with eligible heritage	None typically	Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Poland

Important

Visa rules change frequently. This table reflects general categories, not current requirements. Always verify with an immigration attorney or the country’s official immigration authority before applying. See our Expat Tax & Legal resources for vetted advisors.

Banking & Money

Banking is where expat logistics get genuinely difficult, especially for Americans. Plan this before you move, not after.

The Banking Stack

Home country bank — keep it. Charles Schwab (US) or Starling (UK) are the gold standards for expats: no foreign transaction fees, ATM fee reimbursements globally.
Wise or Revolut — your transfer layer. Low-cost international transfers and multi-currency accounts. Not a replacement for a real bank.
Local bank account — your target. Essential for paying rent, utilities, and taxes in country. Usually requires proof of address and residency permit — hence why you open this after you’re legal, not before.

US Citizens: FBAR & FATCA

If you hold foreign bank accounts, you may be required to file an FBAR (FinCEN 114) if aggregate balances exceed $10,000 at any point in the year. FATCA requires foreign banks to report US account holders. This isn’t optional. See the Expat Tax guide **.

Managing Currency Risk

If your income is in USD/GBP/EUR and your expenses are in local currency, a strong local currency year can significantly increase your effective cost of living. Strategies to manage this:

Keep 3–6 months of local expenses in local currency at all times
Use Wise to convert in batches when your home currency is strong
Avoid converting at airport bureaux or local tourist-rate exchange shops

Tax Obligations: The Non-Negotiable Basics

This section is an orientation, not tax advice. Read it to know what questions to ask your tax advisor.

Your Home Country

US citizens: You owe US taxes on global income regardless of where you live. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) and Foreign Tax Credit (FTC) are your main tools to avoid double taxation.
UK citizens: You may be able to claim non-UK domicile status. UK taxes on a sliding scale depending on time abroad.
Most other countries: Citizenship-based taxation is rare. Once you establish tax residency elsewhere and deregister, you typically cease to be taxed at home.

Your New Country

The 183-day rule: spend more than 183 days in most countries and you trigger tax residency.
Territorial tax countries (Panama, Paraguay, Georgia, Malaysia) only tax locally-earned income. Foreign income is exempt. High-value for expats with foreign income sources.
Global income countries (Indonesia, France, Germany) tax all income regardless of source.

→ Full breakdown: Single-Page Tax Guide for Expats **

Finding Housing Abroad

The Three-Phase Housing Strategy

Arrival Housing (Weeks 1–4)

Airbnb, extended-stay hotel, or furnished apartment on a short lease. This gives you time to learn the city before committing. Budget: 2–3x your eventual monthly rent target.

First Real Lease (Months 1–6)

Furnished rental. Don’t commit to unfurnished until you know you’re staying. Use a local agent — fees are typically paid by the landlord in most expat markets.

Long-Term Setup (Month 6+)

Unfurnished lease or property purchase (with legal counsel). Never buy property in a foreign country without a local attorney who represents only you.

Never Do This

Don’t sign a long-term lease on an apartment you found online before you’ve arrived and seen it in person. Photos lie, neighborhoods shift, and landlord quality is nearly impossible to assess remotely.

Healthcare & Insurance

Option	Best For	Monthly Cost (Est.)	Notes
International Health Insurance	Pre-residency or high mobility	$100–$300	Cigna Global, AXA, Allianz. Needed for most visa applications.
Local Private Insurance	Settled expats with residency	$50–$150	Much cheaper than international plans once you’re legal. Country-specific.
National Healthcare (Public)	Countries with expat access	Often via taxes	Portugal, Spain, Mexico allow access after legal residency. Quality varies.
Self-Pay / Medical Tourism	Low-cost countries with high-quality care	Variable	Thailand, Mexico, Colombia: private consultations $20–$60. Practical for routine care.

Pre-Departure Checklist

Complete all of these before you get on the plane. The more of these you leave for after arrival, the harder your first 90 days will be.

Documentation

Passport valid for 12+ months beyond intended stay (many countries require this)
Passport photos (10+ physical copies — bureaucracy demands them constantly)
Certified translations of: birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), degree certificates
Police clearance certificate from your home country (apostilled)
Medical records and vaccination history in portable format
Digital copies of all documents stored in encrypted cloud storage

Financial

Open a Wise or Revolut multi-currency account
Notify all home-country banks and credit cards of move abroad
Set up Charles Schwab (US) or Starling (UK) if you haven’t — these are your no-fee travel banking tools
Set up automatic payments for home-country financial obligations (taxes, insurance, loan payments)
Establish power of attorney for someone at home for financial and legal matters
Review US FBAR/FATCA obligations with a tax advisor if you are a US citizen

Tax & Legal

Consult an expat tax professional about your filing obligations post-move
Understand your home country’s exit tax or reporting requirements
Research your target country’s tax residency trigger (usually 183 days)
Have a destination immigration attorney on retainer or at least identified

Logistics

International health insurance in place from day 1
Destination SIM card or international plan arranged
First 4–6 weeks of accommodation confirmed and paid
Key medications: 3–6 month supply or confirmed availability abroad
Will updated to reflect international assets and intentions

First 90 Days Checklist

The first 90 days are bureaucracy-heavy. Expect it and build time for it.

Weeks 1–2: Establish Base

Secure medium-term accommodation (not a hotel)
Get a local SIM card with data
Learn to navigate: grocery stores, pharmacy, bank, hospital location
Register your presence with your home country’s embassy (recommended)

Weeks 2–8: Get Legal

Begin residency visa application process (engage a local lawyer)
Apply for local tax ID number (NIF, RFC, RUC — depends on country)
Register at the local municipal office if required
Open local bank account (requires tax ID in most countries)

Months 2–3: Settle In

Identify a local doctor (GP) and dentist for routine care
Establish a local healthcare insurance plan if appropriate
Confirm your tax residency implications with an advisor
Find your community: expat groups, coworking spaces, local clubs
Evaluate and commit to or vacate your initial accommodation

The 6 Most Common Expat Mistakes

Moving without a clear visa pathway

Overstaying tourist visas, assuming you’ll “figure it out,” or relying on visa runs is not a residency strategy. It ends in forced departure or legal exposure.

Ignoring tax obligations

US citizens owe US taxes on global income forever unless they renounce citizenship. Other nationals have various exit and residency rules. Ignoring this creates compounding problems.

Buying property too early

Buying within your first year, before you truly understand the market, the neighborhood, and your own long-term plans, is one of the most expensive expat mistakes.

Underestimating bureaucracy timeline

Residency applications in most countries take 3–12 months. Plan your finances and accommodation around that reality, not around an optimistic timeline.

No community building

Loneliness is the #1 reason people return home. Building social infrastructure — expat groups, language classes, local clubs — is not optional; it’s the life support of your move.

No financial runway

Moving abroad with less than 6 months of living expenses in liquid savings puts every bureaucratic delay and unexpected expense on a crisis footing. The minimum is 6 months. 12 is better.

RESOURCES

Recommended Resources

External Tools & Resources

Numbeo — Cost of living comparisons (directional, not precise)
Nomad List — City scores for remote workers and expats
InterNations — Expat community network in 420+ cities
Wise — Low-cost international money transfers and multi-currency accounts

Sovereign Expat Services

For personalized expat tax strategy, residency planning, and financial optimization, see Sovereign Expat Services — Carlos Grider’s financial planning and tax strategy practice for expats and location-independent professionals.