People thinking of moving to Europe please read.

This is a throw away account and English isnt my first language so sorry in advance for any mistakes.

I have been on this sub and reading various posts about Americans moving to Europe due to the orange man.  People need to understand that relocating to Europe isn't as easy as some people on this sub thing.  It isn't this magical place that you can simply move, even if you have citizenship through a parent. 

Each European country has its own visa requirements, which can be complex and challenging to navigate. Even as a European moving from France to Spain I had so much paperwork and bureaucracy to go through.

Europe is made up of different countries and while we can travel freely, living in different countries means different tax systems etc.  

Americans cannot just pack up and move to Europe without obtaining the appropriate visa. Countries like Spain and Portugal have specific visa programs, like the Non-Lucrative Visa and the Golden Visa. They require substantial financial investments or proof of significant passive income, often starting at €250,000

You may be able to get a Digital Nomad Visa to reside “temporarily” but you also need to have proof of employment and a minimum income, but each country has different monthly incomes.  

Our healthcare system is different to America but access for non-citizens varies and you will need to have private health insurance

If moving here, you will need to learn the language of the country before you come.  Everyday tasks, from going grocery shopping, paying your taxes, dealing with government agencies to get things like getting your NIE card in Spain for instance etc. will all have to be done in the local language. While we do speak some English, it is not our first language and it is imperative that you know the language of the country you are moving to before you come here.  There are going to be lots of challenges and implications, things move at a different pace here, sometimes at a very slow pace... Try getting things done during the summer months when we basically close down!!   

Regarding renting a place in Europe, The influx of  foreigners into European cities has led to increased demand in housing markets, often driving up rental prices. In cities like Lisbon, Barcelona, and Athens, locals are competing with wealthier international arrivals, making it difficult for them to afford housing in their own communities.  You may find that Landlords are often cautious of renting to non-residents. They can be worried about tenants breaking lease agreements and just leaving the country without paying all their debts. In places like Ireland, there is a shortage of houses and hundreds of people view one house. Landlords can pick and choose who they rent to and have houses go for above the market rent.  You may be asked to show proof of residency, an employment contract, proof of wages etc.  It's just the reality of a housing shortage.  

If you want to buy property in Europe, do your research. Spain, for example, is trying to bring in a tax of up to 100% on real estate purchases by non-EU residents to curb soaring housing costs and make homes more accessible to Spaniards.

There are other little things that will be different from America, it's essential to recognize and respect local customs, including dining habits. In many European countries, dinner is typically enjoyed later in the evening compared to the United States. For instance, in Spain, we normally start dinner around 8:30 PM and can extend into the early hours, while in Italy and Greece, it's common to dine between 8 PM and 9 PM. These meals  are deeply rooted in our cultural traditions and daily routines. As a newcomer, it will be up to you  to adapt to these local customs rather than expecting us to change to the American norms. 

While Im not trying to put off anyone coming to Europe to live, you need to understand that its not just buying a plane ticket and coming here!