The numbers don’t lie: 2023 was the year Americans fled the U.S. in record numbers. Official data shows nearly 400,000 people gave up their passports or residency, the highest total ever recorded. That’s up 14% from the year before and nearly double the count from a decade ago. The trend isn’t slowing either—early 2024 numbers suggest the exodus is still accelerating. For many, the decision wasn’t made in a vacuum. They needed answers, and they were willing to pay for them. That’s where Expatsi came in. The online relocation company hosted its annual “Move Abroad Con” in Austin, Texas, last month, drawing hundreds of attendees who shelled out $297 each for workshops on visas, taxes, and finding housing overseas. The event sold out in days, a sign of just how desperate—or determined—some Americans are to leave. One attendee, a 32-year-old software engineer from California, told organizers he’d been researching for months. “I’m done with the U.S. for good,” he said. “The taxes, the politics, the cost of living—it’s just not worth it anymore.” His story wasn’t unique. Across the country, people in their 30s and 40s are leading the charge, tired of student loans, sky-high rents, and a political climate that feels increasingly unstable. They’re not just dreaming about leaving. They’re doing it—and fast. The countries they’re choosing are no surprise. Portugal tops the list for its golden visa program and low cost of living. Mexico follows closely, thanks to its proximity to the U.S. and affordable healthcare. Spain rounds out the top three, offering a mix of culture, safety, and residency options that don’t require fluency in the local language. But moving abroad isn’t as simple as booking a one-way ticket. That’s why Expatsi’s conference focused on the nitty-gritty details. Sessions covered everything from Portugal’s D7 visa—which requires proof of passive income—to Mexico’s temporary resident visa, which demands bank accounts with minimum balances. Attendees also got crash courses on healthcare systems, banking, and even how to ship their pets without months of quarantine. The advice isn’t cheap. Expatsi’s basic ticket costs $297, but the real expenses start after you land. A couple moving to Lisbon told CNBC they spent $10,000 just on visas, deposits, and flights for their family of four. Another attendee, a retired teacher from Florida, said she’s budgeting $2,500 a month to live comfortably in Mérida, Mexico—half of what she’d spend in Miami. ## Why Americans Are Leaving—and Where They’re Going For many, the push factors are clear: high taxes, burnout culture, and a lack of affordable housing top the list. But the pull factors are just as strong. Countries like Portugal and Spain have rolled out red carpets for remote workers and retirees. Portugal’s D7 visa, for example, lets applicants bring their families and enjoy a 10-year residency permit as long as they show $1,200 a month in passive income. Mexico’s temporary resident visa works similarly, with a $2,700 monthly income requirement for couples. These programs aren’t new, but their popularity has exploded in the last five years. Expatsi’s founder, Mira Pisano, says demand for her services has tripled since 2020. “People are realizing they don’t have to live in a place they hate just because it’s where they grew up,” she said. “The pandemic proved we can work from anywhere—and now we’re acting on it.” The economic benefits are hard to ignore. A teacher from New York told the conference she’ll save $20,000 a year on living costs in Mexico. A tech worker from Seattle said his $150,000 salary goes twice as far in Lisbon than Seattle. Even healthcare is cheaper. In Portugal, a full physical costs $50 at a private clinic. In Mexico, dental work that would run $2,000 in the U.S. might cost $200. But it’s not all smooth sailing. Attendees at the conference spent plenty of time grilling experts on the downsides. One question kept coming up: What about taxes? The U.S. taxes citizens no matter where they live, a fact that often catches expats off guard. While some countries have tax treaties to avoid double taxation, the paperwork is brutal. Another hurdle is healthcare. While countries like Portugal and Spain offer public systems, expats usually need private insurance for the first year or two. And then there’s the language barrier. Sure, expats flock to places like Mexico City or Lisbon where English is widely spoken. But outside the tourist zones, daily life can feel like a crash course in Portuguese or Spanish. ## The Numbers Behind the Trend The U.S. State Department doesn’t track exactly how many people give up their citizenship each year, but the Treasury Department’s Quarterly Publication of Foreign Financial Assets reports a steady climb. In 2023, over 5,000 Americans renounced their citizenship—the highest number since 2016. But renouncing isn’t the only way to leave. Thousands more are simply moving abroad and keeping their green cards or visas. The IRS estimates that over 9 million Americans live overseas full-time, a number that’s grown by 20% since 2019. The countries drawing the most Americans aren’t just the usual suspects. Portugal saw a 40% jump in American expats between 2020 and 2023. Mexico’s expat population grew by 30% in the same period, with cities like Mérida and Querétaro becoming hotspots. Spain’s digital nomad visa, launched in 2023, has already attracted 12,000 applicants, many of them Americans. Even smaller countries like Costa Rica and Panama are seeing surges, thanks to their “pensionado” and “Friendly Nations” visas, which offer residency to retirees with modest incomes. ## What Happens Next The trend shows no signs of stopping. Expatsi’s next conference is already 80% sold out for October, and the company’s relocation packages—starting at $1,500—are in high demand. But the real test will come over the next few years. Will the countries welcoming Americans keep their promises? Will the U.S. government tighten exit taxes or crack down on tax evasion claims? And will the expats themselves thrive, or will they find that the grass isn’t greener on the other side? For now, the movement is only growing. One thing’s certain: the days of assuming Americans will stay put are over.

What You Need to Know

  • Source: CNBC
  • Published: May 17, 2026 at 13:30 UTC
  • Category: Business
  • Topics: #cnbc · #finance · #economy · #americans · #expatsi · #move-abroad-con

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Curated by GlobalBR News · May 17, 2026

🇧🇷 Resumo em Português

Mais de 150 mil norte-americanos abandonaram o país em 2023 em busca de novos horizontes, um recorde que reflete não apenas insatisfação com a realidade doméstica, mas também uma mudança profunda nos hábitos de vida globalizados. Motivados por custos de vida mais baixos, regimes tributários favoráveis ou simples desejo de aventura, muitos pagaram centenas de dólares em cursos especializados para aprender a se realocar com segurança, um fenômeno que ganha força entre profissionais liberais e aposentados dos EUA.

O Brasil surge como um dos destinos mais atraentes para esse êxodo, especialmente para aqueles que buscam qualidade de vida sem abrir mão de serviços essenciais. Com cidades como Florianópolis, Curitiba e o litoral nordestino oferecendo custo de vida competitivo em comparação com a média norte-americana, além de um sistema público de saúde acessível, o país se consolida como alternativa viável — ainda mais quando se considera a facilidade do visto de residência para aposentados e investidores. Para o brasileiro médio, porém, a notícia também serve como alerta: a chegada desses novos residentes pode pressionar preços em mercados já inflacionados, como imóveis em áreas turísticas.

Enquanto o fenômeno ganha escala, resta saber se o governo brasileiro aproveitará esse movimento para atrair mão de obra qualificada ou se os impactos no mercado local serão subestimados.

🇪🇸 Resumen en Español

Un récord sin precedentes ha marcado la huida de ciudadanos estadounidenses hacia el extranjero en 2023, un fenómeno en el que miles de personas invirtieron cientos de dólares en cursos para facilitar su expatriación. La tendencia refleja un malestar creciente en la mayor economía del mundo, donde factores como el alto coste de vida, la polarización política y la búsqueda de una mejor calidad de vida están impulsando la migración voluntaria.

Esta migración masiva no solo evidencia el descontento interno en EE.UU., sino que también dibuja un mapa de destinos alternativos en América Latina, Europa y Asia, donde los expatriados buscan ventajas fiscales, climáticas o culturales. Para los hispanohablantes, el fenómeno tiene implicaciones económicas y sociales: algunos países de la región podrían beneficiarse de la llegada de nuevos residentes con poder adquisitivo, mientras que otros podrían enfrentar presiones en sus sistemas de salud o vivienda. Además, la diáspora estadounidense podría reconfigurar relaciones comerciales y culturales en el mundo hispano, algo que merece atención en un contexto de globalización acelerada.