It's generally cheaper to live in Europe overall due to significantly lower healthcare costs and often lower housing/transportation in many areas, but this varies wildly by country, with places like Switzerland being very expensive, while Southern/Eastern Europe is much cheaper than most of the U.S.; the U.S. offers higher average salaries and cheaper gas/cars but with higher taxes for social services and out-of-pocket medical expenses, making life potentially better for high earners in the States, while Europe can be more affordable for average earners, especially those prioritizing social safety nets like universal healthcare and paid time off, notes Quora, Yahoo, and Investopedia.
Almost all the countries in Europe have a universal healthcare system. There are people who call it a “free healthcare” system but it is actually not free. Each nation has its own variation; however, a common feature is that everyone has to pay for healthcare as a society.
Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru deliver some of the lowest costs of living and most accessible pension visas in Latin America, where a typical $2,000 monthly Social Security check can comfortably cover housing, healthcare, and everyday expenses.
Top European countries for American expats include:
No, U.S. health insurance generally does not work in Europe; domestic plans (like employer, Medicare, or Medicaid) offer little to no coverage abroad, with exceptions for some limited emergency care in specific private plans or rare Medicare situations, but you'll likely pay out-of-pocket or need separate travel health insurance for emergencies and routine care, as most European countries now require proof of coverage.
Countries with universal healthcare include Austria, Belarus, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, and the United ...
According to the latest 2025 CEOWORLD Health Care Index, Taiwan once again ranks as the country with the best healthcare in the world, maintaining its top position with an overall score of 78.72. South Korea (77.7) and Australia (74.11) remain in second and third place, respectively.
The "Europe 3 month rule" primarily refers to the Schengen Area's 90/180-day rule, allowing non-EU/Schengen citizens (like U.S. or Canadian passport holders) to stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa, but requiring a wait of another 90 days outside the area before re-entry if the limit is reached. Additionally, passports must generally be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned departure date from the Schengen Zone.
For English speakers in Europe, the best places to live are typically the UK & Ireland (native English) and the Netherlands, Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, Finland), Malta, and Germany, where proficiency is extremely high, making daily life, work, and official matters smooth, with strong expat communities in many areas.
Among these, the average monthly rent for a furnished room stands at €990 in Amsterdam, €850 in Rotterdam, and €808 in Munich. At the other end of the spectrum, room rents remain considerably lower in cities such as Budapest (€370), Athens (€400), and Valencia (€430).
France, Portugal, Spain, Costa Rica, and Panama all offer high-quality healthcare that expats say rivals U.S. care, but at a fraction of the cost. Private healthcare is affordable and widely available in these countries, while residents can also access low-cost public systems.
The German healthcare system does not provide 100% free healthcare coverage to everyone. It does not use a socialized single-payer system like Medicare-for-all. Residents still need to pay for health insurance in Germany.
The United States remains the only country in the developed world without a system of universal healthcare. According to the 2018 U.S. Census, 8.5% of Americans, or 27.5 million people, do not have health insurance.
Be aware that you will likely have to pay out of pocket for any medical treatment, even if your insurance company provides international health care coverage. A visit to the emergency room can be free or cost only a nominal fee, or it can be expensive, depending on where you are and what treatment you need.
The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan has you covered worldwide. If you need medical care outside the U.S, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands you can rest assured that the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan offers worldwide coverage.
Only public hospitals offer treatment free of charge. Make sure you show your European Health Insurance Card upon admission, otherwise you will be charged as a private patient. Costs incurred for private treatment are non-refundable.
Lower cost of living. In countries such as Portugal, Panama or Costa Rica, many Americans find that housing, healthcare, and daily expenses are significantly lower than in major US cities, while still enjoying a comparable or improved standard of living.
Valencia, Spain, has been named the top global destination for expats due to its high quality of life, affordability, and personal safety, according to InterNations' 2024 Expat City Ranking. With 300 days of sunshine, it excels in areas like public transportation, recreational sports, and cost of living.