Guides to retiring in Spain, Portugal and France
Free, plain-English answers to the questions Americans ask most before moving to Spain, Portugal or France, or before spending months there each year. Each guide links to a free calculator and to the course lessons that go deeper.
Comparing countries and the rules they share
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The Schengen 90/180 rule for Americans, explained
How the Schengen 90 days in any 180 rule works for US citizens, how to count your days, the EU Entry/Exit System, and how to stay longer in France legally.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Spain, Portugal or France? Comparing them for American retirees
How Spain, Portugal and France compare for Americans retiring on Social Security and IRAs: visas, residence rules, how each taxes US retirement income, wealth and inheritance, and part-year options.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Tax planning before you move to Europe: why the date matters
Why Americans moving to Spain, Portugal or France should plan before their residence abroad starts, when that date falls in each country, and what a course adds that a checklist can't.
Updated 2026-10-25
Spain
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How to retire in Spain as an American
The non-lucrative visa, Spain's residence tests, how Spain taxes Social Security and IRAs, wealth tax, healthcare and housing, for Americans retiring to Spain.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Spain's non-lucrative visa: the income requirement and the steps
The 2026 income requirement for Spain's non-lucrative visa (400% of IPREM), in euros and dollars, the health insurance rules, the steps and the renewals, for American retirees.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Spain's tax residency rules: the 183-day rule and the tests that aren't about days
When Spain treats you as a tax resident: more than 183 days in a calendar year, your economic interests, the family presumption, no split year, and the US-Spain treaty tie-breaker.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Does Spain tax US Social Security, 401(k)s and IRAs?
How the US-Spain tax treaty treats Social Security, 401(k), IRA, Roth, HSA, government pensions, dividends and interest for Americans living in Spain, and who gives the credit.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Owning a home in Spain as a non-resident: Modelo 210 and the yearly taxes
What Americans pay each year on a home in Spain they don't live in full time: imputed income tax on Modelo 210, IBI, rent tax if you let it, and what happens when you sell.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Renting in Spain as an American retiree
How renting in Spain works for American retirees: long-term and seasonal leases, deposits and guarantees, who pays the agency, rent rises, and what landlords ask foreigners for.
Updated 2026-10-25
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The cost of living in Spain for American retirees
What retiring to Spain costs an American, in euros and dollars: housing by region, healthcare, daily life, utilities, and how the exchange rate changes your budget.
Updated 2026-10-25
Portugal
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How to retire in Portugal as an American
The D7 and Golden Visa, Portugal's residence tests, how Portugal taxes Social Security and IRAs now that NHR is closed, healthcare and housing, for Americans retiring to Portugal.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Portugal's D7 visa: the income requirement and the steps
The 2026 income and savings requirement for Portugal's D7 visa, in euros and dollars, the NIF and bank account, the AIMA appointment and the permits, for American retirees.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Portugal's tax residency rules: 183 days in any 12 months, and the habitual home
When Portugal treats you as a tax resident: more than 183 days in any 12-month period, a home kept as your habitual residence, split years, and the US-Portugal treaty tie-breaker.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Does Portugal tax US Social Security, 401(k)s and IRAs?
How the US-Portugal treaty treats Social Security, 401(k), IRA, Roth, government pensions, dividends and interest for Americans in Portugal now that NHR is closed, and the Social Security question.
Updated 2026-10-25
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The Portugal Golden Visa for retirees in 2026
What the Portugal Golden Visa costs now that real estate no longer qualifies, its seven-day stay requirement, the path to permanent residence and citizenship, and why it isn't tax residence.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Renting in Portugal as an American retiree
How renting in Portugal works for American retirees: lease terms, the limits on deposits and advance rent, guarantors, registering the lease for the D7, rent rises and seasonal lets.
Updated 2026-10-25
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The cost of living in Portugal for American retirees
What retiring to Portugal costs an American, in euros and dollars: housing in Lisbon, Porto, the Algarve and beyond, healthcare, daily life, and the exchange rate.
Updated 2026-10-25
France
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How to retire in France as an American
Visas, tax residence, the US-France tax treaty, healthcare and housing for Americans retiring to France on Social Security, IRAs and 401(k)s.
Updated 2026-10-25
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France tax residency rules: the four tests, and why 183 days isn't the whole story
France makes you tax resident if any one of four tests points to France. The household, main-stay, work and economic tests, and the treaty tie-breaker.
Updated 2026-10-25
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France's long-stay visitor visa for retirees: income requirement and steps
France's long-stay visitor visa for US retirees in 2026: the minimum income in euros and dollars, health insurance, and how to apply, validate and renew.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Does France tax US Social Security, 401(k)s and IRAs?
How the US-France tax treaty treats Social Security, 401(k), IRA, pension, Roth and HSA withdrawals, dividends and interest for Americans in France.
Updated 2026-10-25
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French social charges (CSG) on US dividends, interest and gains
How France's social charges (18.6% from 2026) apply to Americans' US dividends, interest and gains, the treaty question, and how to reduce them.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Spending part of the year in France without becoming a tax resident
How Americans can spend three to six months a year in France and stay US tax residents only: visas, France's four tests, housing, healthcare and US tax.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Medicare and health insurance for Americans in France
Does Medicare work in France? Health cover for American retirees: Medigap abroad, private insurance, French public healthcare (PUMa) and keeping Part B.
Updated 2026-10-25
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The cost of living in France for American retirees
What retiring to France costs an American, in euros and dollars: housing by region, healthcare, daily life, and how the exchange rate changes your budget.
Updated 2026-10-25
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Renting in France as an American retiree
How renting in France works for American retirees: furnished and unfurnished leases, the rental file, guarantees, deposits and move-in costs.
Updated 2026-10-25
Education, not advice. These guides explain general rules. Confirm your own situation with a qualified adviser in each country.