Best Countries for American Families Moving Abroad in 2026

Families are the fastest-growing segment of American emigration. While digital nomads and retirees get most of the headlines, an increasing number of American families with children are making the leap — driven by concerns about school safety, healthcare costs, work-life balance, and the desire to give their kids a more international upbringing. The pandemic proved that remote work could sustain a family anywhere with decent internet, and many parents never looked back.

Moving abroad with kids is a fundamentally different calculation than moving as a single adult or a couple. Schools become the anchor of your decision. Healthcare needs to cover the whole family. Safety is non-negotiable. And you need a community where your children can thrive, make friends, and feel at home — not just survive.

This guide covers what American families need to evaluate, profiles the countries that consistently rank highest for families, and walks through the practical decisions around schools, healthcare, and finances. If you are still deciding whether moving abroad is right for your family, our guide to leaving the US covers the broader picture.

What American Families Need

Before diving into specific countries, it helps to define what “family-friendly” actually means for American expat families. The priorities that come up consistently in expat family communities are:

• Quality schools with English-language options: Either international schools following American, British, or IB curricula, or local school systems strong enough that immersion is a viable path.
• Safety: Low crime rates, safe neighborhoods for kids to play outside, and a general sense of security that many American families feel they have lost at home.
• Accessible healthcare: Pediatric care, emergency services, and ideally a healthcare system that does not bankrupt you when your kid breaks an arm on the playground.
• Family-oriented culture: Societies where children are genuinely welcomed in public spaces, where parks and playgrounds are well-maintained, and where the pace of life allows for actual family time.
• Expat community: Other English-speaking families going through the same experience. This matters enormously for both parents and children during the adjustment period.
• Reasonable cost of living: International school tuition can be the single biggest expense. A country with affordable everything-else helps offset that cost.

Top Countries for American Families

Portugal

Portugal has become the default recommendation for American families in Europe, and for good reason. The country is remarkably safe (one of the top 10 safest in the world by the Global Peace Index), the cost of living is 40–60% lower than most US cities, the healthcare system is excellent, and the expat community — particularly in Lisbon, Porto, and the Algarve — is large and well-established. See Portugal's full profile.

International schools in Lisbon and Porto range from $8,000 to $20,000 per year — a fraction of comparable schools in the US. The public school system is free for residents, and while instruction is in Portuguese, many families report that children under 10 adapt to the language within 6–12 months. The D7 visa provides a clear path for families with passive income, and the digital nomad visa works for remote workers.

Spain

Spain offers a similar Mediterranean lifestyle to Portugal with a larger economy, more diverse geography, and an even stronger international school network. Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Malaga all have thriving expat family communities. Spain's public healthcare system is consistently ranked among the best in Europe, and residents get access at minimal cost. Explore Spain's data.

The digital nomad visa (introduced in 2023) includes the “Beckham Law” tax benefit — a flat 24% income tax rate for qualifying remote workers, compared to Spain's standard rates that can reach 47%. International schools cost $6,000–$18,000 per year, and the country's emphasis on family life, outdoor culture, and reasonable working hours creates an environment where kids and parents both thrive.

Germany

Germany stands out for one reason that matters enormously to families: the education system is essentially free, including university. Public schools are high quality, and while instruction is in German, immersion works well for younger children. For families that prefer English-language education, international schools are available in major cities, though they are pricier than in Southern Europe ($15,000–$25,000 per year). View Germany's profile.

Healthcare is universal and excellent. The social safety net is robust — generous parental leave, child benefits (Kindergeld of approximately $250 per child per month), and subsidized childcare. The trade-off is a higher cost of living than Portugal or Spain, a more bureaucratic culture, and winters that can test anyone's resolve. Berlin, Munich, and Hamburg are the most popular cities for American families.

Netherlands

The Netherlands punches above its weight for families. The Dutch education system consistently ranks among the best globally, and a UNICEF study ranked Dutch children as the happiest in the developed world. English proficiency is near-universal, making the transition smoother than in most non-English-speaking countries. The cycling infrastructure means kids gain independence early — Dutch children bike to school from a young age, a freedom that is hard to replicate in car-dependent American suburbs. See the Netherlands profile.

The DAFT (Dutch American Friendship Treaty) visa is a unique option for American entrepreneurs, requiring only a $5,000 investment to start a business. International schools are plentiful in Amsterdam, The Hague, Rotterdam, and Eindhoven. The main downside is cost: housing in the Randstad (Amsterdam/Rotterdam/The Hague corridor) is expensive and competitive.

Japan

Japan is the outlier on this list, but it deserves its place. The country is extraordinarily safe (children as young as six routinely walk to school and ride trains alone), the healthcare system is world-class and affordable, and the education system is rigorous. Japanese culture places enormous emphasis on community, cleanliness, and respect — values that many American families find deeply appealing after experiencing them firsthand. Explore Japan's data.

The challenge is language. Japanese is significantly harder for English speakers than European languages, and while international schools exist in Tokyo, Osaka, and other major cities, they are expensive ($15,000–$30,000 per year). Families who commit to Japanese public school immersion report extraordinary outcomes for younger children, but it requires patience and parental support. The cost of living in Japan has become remarkably affordable due to yen depreciation, making it more accessible than at any point in decades.

Costa Rica

Costa Rica is the top choice for American families who want to stay close to the US while gaining a dramatically different lifestyle. The country has no military and invests heavily in education and environmental protection. The “Pura Vida” culture is genuinely family-oriented, and the country's biodiversity turns every weekend into a nature documentary for kids. View Costa Rica's profile.

Flight times from the US are 3–6 hours depending on your origin, making visits from grandparents straightforward. The digital nomad visa requires $3,000/month income for individuals or $4,000/month for families. International schools in the Central Valley (San Jose metro area) range from $3,000 to $12,000 per year. Healthcare through the public CAJA system is included with residency, and private care is excellent and affordable.

Singapore

Singapore is the premium option. If budget is not the primary constraint, Singapore offers arguably the best combination of safety, education, healthcare, and infrastructure in the world. The country is virtually crime-free, English is an official language, the public school system is consistently top-ranked globally, and the international school network is extensive. See Singapore's profile.

The cost is the catch. International school tuition runs $20,000–$40,000 per year, and housing is among the most expensive in Asia. But for families with the income to support it, Singapore delivers an unmatched quality of life. The geographic position also makes it an ideal base for exploring Southeast Asia on weekends and holidays.

Canada

For families that want the least disruptive move possible, Canada offers cultural familiarity with meaningful quality-of-life improvements. Universal healthcare, excellent public schools, a strong social safety net, and a society that feels similar enough to the US that culture shock is minimal. Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Calgary all have large American expat communities. View Canada's data.

The Express Entry immigration system makes Canada one of the most accessible countries for skilled workers. The main trade-offs are cost (particularly housing in Toronto and Vancouver), weather (long winters outside of British Columbia), and a somewhat higher tax burden than the US. For families prioritizing stability and continuity over adventure, Canada is hard to beat.

International Schools vs. Local Schools

This is the single biggest decision for expat families with school-age children. International schools offer continuity — your child can follow an American, British, or IB curriculum that transfers seamlessly if you move again or return to the US. Instruction is in English, and the student body is typically a mix of expat and local families, providing a built-in social network.

Local schools offer immersion — full language acquisition, deep cultural integration, and a fundamentally different educational experience. They are also free or very cheap in most countries. The trade-off is academic disruption (your child may fall behind in English-language subjects initially), social challenges (being the only non-local kid in the class), and curriculum differences that can complicate a return to the US system.

The general wisdom from expat families: children under 8–10 adapt to local schools remarkably well. They pick up the language within months and integrate fully. Children over 12 typically do better in international schools, where the social dynamics are less established and the English-language curriculum prevents academic gaps. The 8–12 range is a judgment call that depends on your child's personality and the quality of the local school.

Healthcare for Your Family

Children get sick, get hurt, and need regular checkups. Healthcare access is non-negotiable for families, and this is actually one of the strongest arguments for moving abroad. In most of the countries listed above, a family of four can get comprehensive coverage — including pediatric care, dental, and emergency services — for less than the monthly premium of a mid-tier US health insurance plan.

In countries with universal healthcare (Portugal, Spain, Germany, Canada, Costa Rica, Japan), residents typically gain access to the public system. Private insurance supplements this for shorter wait times and English-speaking doctors. In countries without universal coverage for expats (Singapore, some visa categories in other countries), international health insurance plans designed for families typically run $400–$800 per month for a family of four — still less than many US employer-sponsored plans.

The Financial Picture

Moving abroad with a family changes the financial math in both directions. On the savings side: lower rent, cheaper groceries, reduced or eliminated healthcare premiums, no car payments (many expat families go car-free), and often cheaper childcare. On the cost side: international school tuition (if applicable), flights back to the US for visits, international health insurance, and the one-time costs of the move itself.

For a family of four moving from a mid-cost US city to Portugal or Costa Rica, the net savings typically range from $20,000 to $50,000 per year, even after accounting for international school tuition. Use our cost of living comparison tool to model the specific numbers for your situation and destination.

Making the Decision

Moving abroad with children is not a decision to take lightly, but it is also not the irreversible leap it might feel like. Many families frame it as an experiment: commit to one or two years, give it an honest try, and evaluate. If it works, stay longer. If it does not, you have given your kids an invaluable international experience and you return home with perspective.

The families who thrive abroad are the ones who move toward something, not just away from something. Having a clear vision of what you want your family's daily life to look like — more outdoor time, language immersion, a slower pace, a stronger sense of community — gives the move purpose and helps you weather the inevitable adjustment challenges.

Start by exploring country profiles for the destinations that interest you most. Our country matching quiz filters 95 countries against your specific priorities, and the best countries for families ranking provides a broader overview. For a step-by-step walkthrough of the moving process, see our guide to leaving the US step by step.