Emigrating from the USA to Europe

[Militsia]

Hello,

This is a serious question: If someone wanted to permanently relocate from the USA to Europe, which countries would be viable options? And once inside the EU would such family be free to relocate to the country of choice?

[Lacadaemon]

Pick one where you speak the language.

[Norstal]

I can recommend the European nations you should NOT go to.

Greece, Ireland, and Spain.

[Militsia]

Pick one where you speak the language.

It is not my family. The father in the family knows a little German from high school, other than that they are a English speaking family. Isn't it so that virtually all in Europe speaks some English, so it should not be that hard for them to resettle anywhere and learn the local language after arrival.

[Marcurix]

Hello,

This is a serious question: If someone wanted to permanently relocate from the USA to Europe, which countries would be viable options? And once inside the EU would such family be free to relocate to the country of choice?

Depends if you speak any other language besides English. If not you've got few places. Namley The UK or the Republic of Ireland.

And once inside the EU would such family be free to relocate to the country of choice?

Only if you had an EU member citizenship, in which case you could go to any country in the EU with no trouble, as long as you find employment and pay taxes you stay.

[Lacadaemon]

Pick one where you speak the language.

It is not my family. The father in the family knows a little German from high school, other than that they are a English speaking family. Isn't it so that virtually all in Europe speaks some English, so it should not be that hard for them to resettle anywhere and learn the local language after arrival.

No. Virtually all of Europe does not speak some English. You are generally okay in the bigger cities around the touristy areas, and Scandinavia and the low countries, but in many places people don't speak enough for it to be a good idea to move there. Also, it really hampers getting any sort of job, finding a place to live &c. if you can't deal with the local lingo.

Also, Europeans, like everyone else don't like it when people move to their country and don't speak the language. Tourists are different (except in France, where French is mandatory at all times and in all places).

Honestly, for English speakers, really the UK or Ireland is the best bet.

Of course, if there is some sort of absolute love for Italy or someshit, or a particular career opportunity thingy, then that's different. But I would bone up on the local lingo first in any case.

Why are they moving though?

[Innsmothe]

Norway or Sweden.

[Neo-Pangaea]

Hello,

This is a serious question: If someone wanted to permanently relocate from the USA to Europe, which countries would be viable options? And once inside the EU would such family be free to relocate to the country of choice?

I think this depends a lot on the background of the prospective immigrant. Each EU-country has its own laws regarding immigration by people from outside the EU. The immigrant may have to show an employment offer from a company in the specific country, only certain jobs may be desired, and there may be requirements regarding language proficiency. Turning an immigration into a permanent relocation may be more or less difficult, requiring renewal of various permits every few years or becoming naturalized, which tends to be a lengthy process.

[Lackadaisical2]

Heres a thought: don't.

Unless they're commies, then they by all means, leave.

[Alesyium]

Ireland actually wants people to emigrate to it because it has population problems. So that is good you can generally get a good deal on housing and find a job. However although everyone there speaks English you will find a lot of stuff written in Irish which is tough to learn. However it shouldn't be a massive problem.

The United Kingdom is obviously good for speaking English and culturally its fairly similar to the United States. However I wouldn't emigrate to there unless you already had a job lined up, because work is relatively difficult to come by and house prices are high.

Der Bundesrepublik Deutschland (little test ) is lovely but the whole family should at least speak a little German to begin with and learn at least a bit of its culture. Its a lovely place but you will find it hard to get a job away from the larger urban areas.

In France at least both adults should speak fluent french and the children should have some basics. see United Kingdom for jobs

Italy, if you can get a house.....well done

Norway or Sweden are also good, though I can't tell you much about them

If you become a naturalised citizen of any European member you are then in turn a member of the E.U which makes it a lot easier to re emigrate within the E.U

[Velgrae]

I'd not mind living in Ireland or the U.K. I just read that there's 20 Million Irish Pureblood Americans, and only 5 Million Irish in Ireland

[Umbagar]

Hello,

This is a serious question: If someone wanted to permanently relocate from the USA to Europe, which countries would be viable options? And once inside the EU would such family be free to relocate to the country of choice?

I temporarily moved from the US to Germany a few months ago and I'm here for a few more. It's a pretty nice place to live, and a lot of people speak English (at least in Berlin) and they are fairly polite (much more polite than most Parisians, that's for sure). The only drawback might possibly be some of the excessive government forms and the strict gun control laws if you are into firearms. Many Europeans countries share this characteristic, so it's not really important. Also, German is fairly similar to English and seeing as your Dad already has a little German knowledge that will be beneficial, but the language is pretty easy to pick up. Germany has a strong economy and plenty of job opportunities and since it's an EU nation you can travel to all other EU nations freely. All in all, I'd say Germany is one of the best place in Europe to live. Feel free to ask me if you have any questions.

[Risottia]

And once inside the EU would such family be free to relocate to the country of choice?

Not quite. Non-EU citizens can relocate to the country of choice provided they have a valid immigration visa for that country (tourism visas are a different matter - and give basically free movement within the Schengen area iirc).

[Nobel Hobos]

EDIT: post removed. I shouldn't use the name of a poster who I intend to Ignore.

[Shofercia]

It could be that Militsia's relatives/friends are in one of those professions where unemployment rate is 30% in the US. Overall unemployment rate here is 20%. It's extremely high, and part of the reason why Dems got booted in Midterms. Obama was supposed to create jobs, he failed at that. So they could be trying to figure out where to move, due to lack of a job. In America, people only have savings for about 2 months, so if a person lost a job and cannot find another within a month - panic sets it. Personally, although I'm not considering moving to the EU, I find this thread helpful.

[--Europe--]

NO! Capitalist Americans will not reloacate from evil United States of America to glorious European Union of Soviet Socialist Republics!!

[Der Teutoniker]

I had heard that German-descended Russian citizens could apply for citizenship to German if their families had emmigrated during the reign of Catharine the Great. Does anyone know if this is true, and if it would apply to am American citizen (of German descent) who's family moved to Russia under Catharine the Great?

I've considered applying for citizenship under such a condition... so long as I can convince my wife to go along. I'd love to repatriate to Germany.

[Der Teutoniker]

In America, people only have savings for about 2 months,

Few American's have this much in savings.

[Lackadaisical2]

In America, people only have savings for about 2 months,

Few American's have this much in savings.

Im even stranger than I thought then...

[Der Teutoniker]

Im even stranger than I thought then...

I should say that cautiously. I'm pretty sure that few American's have much at all (if anything) in savings in general. I know that the recommendation is to have six weeks in savings (the average length of a job search - though that's higher now, I'm sure.)

[Robarya]

If I were an American, I would stay in the U.S., considering English is only the native language in the United Kingdom and Ireland. I can't speak for Ireland, but I would stay the hell away from the U.K. and its extensive CCTV surveillence. Besides, the U.S. seems to have a far better view on one's right to self-defense than we have here in Europe, together with a more liberal economy (although it should be noted that Europe is far from socialist, except its eastern parts).

[Lackadaisical2]

Im even stranger than I thought then...

I should say that cautiously. I'm pretty sure that few American's have much at all (if anything) in savings in general. I know that the recommendation is to have six weeks in savings (the average length of a job search - though that's higher now, I'm sure.)

That just goofy... 6 weeks. I prefer 2 years. Thats how I could be on vacation for the past year.

[Laerod]

Hello,

This is a serious question: If someone wanted to permanently relocate from the USA to Europe, which countries would be viable options?

All of them? I dunno, "viable" can be a really subjective term. Likewise, I can't recommend moving to a European country without knowing the local language if you don't have a job lined up. Finding one without a decent grasp of the local tongue could be really, really hard.

And once inside the EU would such family be free to relocate to the country of choice?

Nyeh. The EU isn't really what's key here, it's the Schengen area. This would include Switzerland and Norway, but exclude the UK (though as an EU citizen, I've never had problems getting there). Best ask at an embassy to be sure.

[Laerod]

Heres a thought: don't.

Unless they're commies, then they by all means, leave. :P

Funny. Back when I was a kid, it was the communists that discouraged people from leaving.

[Lackadaisical2]

Heres a thought: don't.

Unless they're commies, then they by all means, leave.

Funny. Back when I was a kid, it was the communists that discouraged people from leaving.

Quite right, although ours is more a problem of keeping people out than in.