Every year, millions of Americans pack their bags and head abroad, chasing adventure, retirement dreams, or simply a change of scenery. Some land in places that feel like a warm hug from a stranger. Others arrive somewhere the welcome mat has been quietly pulled inside.
In 2025, official reports and global survey data show a dramatic surge in U.S. citizens choosing to relocate overseas, with more than 5 million Americans now residing outside the United States. Choosing where to go has never mattered more. So let’s get into it – the five countries where Americans are genuinely embraced, and the five where things can go sideways fast.
1. Panama – The Gold Standard For American Expats
Honestly, Panama keeps showing up at the top of every credible list, and it’s not hard to see why. Panama topped the InterNations Expat Insider list as the friendliest country for expats in 2024, with expats loving the affordable housing, great weather, and easy visa process. That’s a hard combination to beat.
The cost of living is much lower than in the U.S., and Panama’s quality of life and level of human development are among the highest in Central America. Healthcare is excellent, the economy is strong, and both native Panamanians and the sizable expat community are known for their welcoming natures.
Panama allows Americans to spend up to six months living in the country without needing a visa. Its use of the U.S. dollar makes transitioning easy for expats, and retired residents get access to high-quality government benefits, including discounts on utility bills, movie tickets, and medical visits. That last part is practically unheard of anywhere else.
2. Portugal – Europe’s Most Welcoming Door
Portugal has quietly become the darling of American expats looking for a European base. Portugal has quickly risen as a leading destination for Americans, and in 2024, Lisbon attracted over 14,000 U.S. expats. The country offers a cost of living roughly 35% lower than in the U.S., with a Mediterranean climate that makes it an appealing option for those seeking affordable living without sacrificing quality.
Positioned right next to Spain at Europe’s western tip, Portugal blends ample greenery and beaches with excellent healthcare, and the Portuguese people are known for their friendliness and warmth, with many speaking at least rudimentary English.
Lisbon is also one of the safest cities in Western Europe, and the Portuguese D7 visa program allows retirees and those with passive income to easily relocate, while the healthcare system offers high-quality care at a fraction of the cost of the U.S. For Americans who want Europe without the attitude, Portugal delivers every time.
3. Mexico – Warmth Without Borders
Mexico is a fascinating case. It sits right next door, yet it feels like a completely different world in all the best ways. Mexico came in at number two in InterNations’ 2024 friendliness rankings for expats, with nearly nine in ten expats saying they are happy living there, thanks to friendly locals, a strong sense of welcome, and a culture that’s easy to adapt to. Making friends is a breeze, and life feels affordable from housing to everyday costs.
The most popular destination for American expats, Mexico offers a low cost of living, great food, modern conveniences such as high-speed internet and reliable utilities, and a wide range of climates and lifestyles from which to choose. That versatility is genuinely rare.
Mexico has ranked among the top five countries in InterNations’ annual survey consistently since 2014. That kind of sustained performance over more than a decade speaks volumes. Just be smart about where you go and stay informed about local conditions – more on that later in this article.
4. Italy – La Dolce Vita Is Real For Americans
There’s a reason so many Americans dream about moving to Italy. Beyond the food and architecture, the people genuinely seem to like Americans. A study that polled over 2,200 residents across 22 European countries to understand current perceptions of American travelers in 2025 found that responses highlight how experiences, stereotypes, and even politics shape hospitality abroad.
Top of the European friendliness list are Belgium and Italy, with just 1.9% of Belgian respondents and 2% of Italians saying their countries are unwelcoming to Americans. Those numbers are strikingly low compared to some of Italy’s European neighbors.
Italy also ranked as one of the most-requested destinations in the 2024 Expatsi report. According to that report’s data, the most requested countries by prospective American expats included Portugal, Spain, the UK, Canada, Italy, Ireland, France, Mexico, New Zealand, and Costa Rica. Italy’s consistent cultural appeal keeps it firmly on that list year after year.
5. Ireland – The Friendliest Handshake In Europe
I think Ireland might be the most underrated destination for Americans on the entire planet. Over recent years, many people from the U.S. have moved to England and Ireland, and there is an exceptional bond between the two countries, including similar values, culture, and a common language making it one of the friendliest and easiest countries to visit.
The shared language makes daily life immediately accessible, but it goes far deeper than words. Ireland’s beauty has inspired artists, writers, and visitors for centuries with its magical landscape and friendly people. Americans of Irish descent especially feel a pull that is almost spiritual.
Ireland remains one of the most consistently welcoming English-speaking nations in Europe for American travelers and expats alike. Other notably welcoming European destinations include Estonia, the Netherlands, and Poland, all hovering around the three percent mark for locals who view Americans unfavorably. Ireland sits comfortably in that same friendly tier, making it a genuinely safe and warm choice.
6. France – Beautiful Country, Complicated Welcome
Now we flip the script. France is breathtaking. The food is world-class. The history is incredible. Yet here’s the thing: the welcome for Americans has been, let’s say, complicated. France ranked as the least welcoming European country in a 2025 study, with 15% of locals saying they view their country as unfriendly toward U.S. tourists. That is the highest rate among all 22 countries surveyed.
Trump’s policies and actions have led to a significant surge of anti-American sentiments across Europe, and France in particular has leaned into a posture of strategic independence from the U.S. France has used this period of U.S.-European tension to position itself as the leader of a strategically independent Europe.
Popular travel destinations such as France fell into the ranks of unfriendly countries in the InterNations survey, placing 27th out of 53 countries. Paris is still worth visiting. Just go in with realistic expectations and brush up on your French pleasantries before you land.
7. Russia – A Hard No For American Travelers
Russia has been a deeply hostile environment for American citizens for several years, and 2025 and 2026 have only made things worse. Anti-American sentiments have been the strongest and most widespread in Belarus, Russia, and several countries in the Greater Middle East region. Russia sits firmly at the extreme end of that spectrum.
Nations such as Ukraine, Libya, Sudan, Pakistan, and Russia all pose significant security concerns for travelers. The geopolitical landscape between Washington and Moscow makes any American traveling there a potential diplomatic pawn. That is not a metaphor. It has happened to real people.
The contentious 2025 Trump-Zelenskyy Oval Office meeting fueled European discontent regarding the administration’s approach to the Russo-Ukrainian war, adding yet more instability to U.S.-Russia dynamics. The U.S. State Department continues to advise against non-essential travel to Russia, and the risk of wrongful detention for American passport holders remains real and documented.
8. Venezuela – One Of The Most Dangerous Places For Americans
Venezuela is not just unfriendly to Americans. It is, by most credible accounts, one of the most genuinely dangerous countries on earth for a U.S. passport holder. Venezuela, despite its natural beauty and cultural allure, is one of the most dangerous countries due to rampant crime and political instability. Armed robbery, carjacking, and kidnappings are common, and the judicial system rarely prosecutes criminals.
Since the re-election of President Nicolás Maduro in July 2024, civil unrest has only escalated. Violent demonstrations, killings, and mass arrests have made Venezuela a no-go for American tourists. The situation shows no meaningful signs of improvement.
With looming Western sanctions on the Maduro government for its handling of the 2024 elections, Western travelers, especially Americans, also face the threat of arbitrary detention. Traveling to Venezuela is not recommended for Americans. The Council on Foreign Relations even flagged the possibility of direct U.S. military action in Venezuela as a high-impact scenario for 2026, adding another layer of risk for any American considering a visit.
9. North Korea – Off-Limits, Full Stop
This one should require no debate, but it keeps coming up in travel conversations. North Korea is categorically off-limits for American citizens and has been for years. North Korea’s inclusion on any danger list is not because of violent street clashes or rampant crime but due to the extreme risk of wrongful detention. American tourists have been arrested and imprisoned for trivial or fabricated offenses.
The U.S. government specifically warns against travel to North Korea, citing terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping, and crime. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. There is effectively zero consular assistance available if things go wrong.
The Council on Foreign Relations elevated North Korea to a Tier I conflict concern for 2026. North Korea rose in the CFR conflict rankings to Tier I for 2026, reflecting heightened concern from American foreign policy experts. American citizens are banned from traveling there under U.S. law without a special validation passport, and for genuinely good reason.
10. France’s Neighbor In Hostility – The Broader Anti-American Tide In Parts Of Europe
It is worth zooming out for a moment. Several European nations have seen measurable spikes in anti-American sentiment recently, shifting the experience for traveling Americans in ways that were less common just a few years ago. In Denmark, roughly half of consumers reported deliberately refraining from buying U.S. products since Trump’s inauguration. Swedish polls indicated that the vast majority of Swedes had considered or actively participated in boycotting U.S. products.
Rounding out the least hospitable European countries in the 2025 study were Hungary, Norway, Denmark, and Spain, with unfavorable rates toward Americans ranging from about seven to nearly nine percent. These are not catastrophic numbers, but they are trending in a direction that every American traveler should be aware of.
Anti-Americanism sharply rose in Denmark and Greenland in response to the Greenland crisis, in which the second Trump administration announced its intention to seize Greenland, a Danish territory. Geopolitics and street-level hospitality are connected more tightly than many travelers realize. Knowing where the tension currently lives is simply smart travel planning.
Conclusion
The world remains remarkably open and generous to American travelers in many places. Panama, Portugal, Mexico, Italy, and Ireland stand out as destinations where the data and real-world expat experience consistently point to genuine warmth and welcome. These are not just pretty postcards – they are places where Americans build real lives and feel at home.
On the other side of the ledger, Venezuela, Russia, North Korea, and a handful of increasingly tense European corners deserve serious caution. The risks there are not theoretical. They are documented, growing, and in some cases, legally enforced.
The world is enormous, and most of it wants your curiosity and your company. Choose wisely, stay informed, and never assume last year’s travel wisdom still applies today. Which of these destinations surprised you most? Drop your thoughts in the comments below.