Month 12: Country research and shortlist
Research 3-5 countries based on lifestyle, climate, language, healthcare, and cost preferences. Use country profiles in this blueprint as starting points. Watch YouTube videos from expats actually living there — not the polished tourism content.
Sample question to filter: 'Could I see myself in this language environment for 5+ years?' If you have zero language exposure and the country isn't English-friendly, factor in 200-400 hours of language study before move.
Month 11: Country exploration trips
Visit your top 1-2 countries for 2-4 weeks. Stay in the city or region you'd actually live in, not just tourist areas. Visit a local hospital. See local rentals. Attend a local expat meetup. Many people return with their plans completely changed.
Budget: $4,000-$8,000 per exploration trip including flights, lodging, food, and a rental car. This is research spending — not vacation spending. Take detailed notes.
Month 10: Tax planning consultation
Engage a CPA who specializes in expat tax returns. Typical cost $1,500-$3,000/year for ongoing services, $500-$1,000 for an initial consultation. Discuss: state tax exit (CA, NY, NM, SC, VA are problem states), foreign tax credit, NHR or equivalent local incentives, Social Security claiming strategy, Roth conversion timing, RMD planning.
Two specialty resources: Greenback Tax Services and TaxesForExpats. Both have flat-fee structures and decades of expat experience.
Month 9: Visa application research
Research the specific visa pathway for your chosen country: passive income, retirement, investor, golden visa, or family reunification. Each has different income/asset requirements, processing times, and tax implications.
Application paperwork commonly required: FBI background check (3-6 months), apostilled birth/marriage certificates, bank statements, pension or income proof, health insurance proof, criminal background check from any country you've lived in 5+ years.
Start the FBI background check NOW — it's the single most time-consuming document.
Months 8-6: Visa application + property/banking decisions
Submit visa application at the consulate in your home country. Portugal D7 takes 6-9 months, Spain Non-Lucrative 3-6 months, Mexico Residente Temporal 30-90 days.
Decide on US property: sell now, sell later, rent out, or keep as a foothold. Implications: capital gains exclusion (up to $500K married), tax treatment, ongoing management costs.
Open a Wise (formerly TransferWise) account for currency conversion. Open a Schwab Investor Checking or Fidelity Cash Management for fee-free international ATM access.
Months 5-3: Logistics — household + medical
Sell or store furniture. International movers (UPakWeShip, Schumacher, Allied) handle small loads at $3,000-$8,000 per shipment. Most expats sell almost everything and ship 1-3 boxes.
Medical: get a complete physical in the US. Stockpile any specialty prescriptions. Get medical records on USB or in a portal you can access abroad.
Decide on Medicare strategy: keep Part A (free), drop Part B (saves $202.90/mo) or keep Part B as backup. Use the Medicare-and-expats guide from SmartSeniorX for the specific math.
Months 2-1: Final logistics
Get an unlocked phone. Order a SIM card to pick up on arrival. Set up a US mailing service (Anytime Mailbox, Earth Class Mail) for any remaining US mail.
Set up VPN for accessing US streaming and banking. ExpressVPN or NordVPN are common.
Notify SSA of your foreign address if SS direct deposit is going to a foreign bank. Notify investment accounts of address change. Update IRS address.
Final week: pack, fly, hand keys to property manager. Take pictures of the empty US home for records.
Arrival to month 6: Integration
Register with local authorities within 30 days (timing varies by country — Portugal's SEF, Spain's Empadronamiento, Mexico's INM).
Get a local SIM card. Open a local bank account (some countries require residency before opening).
Attend an expat meetup. Join Facebook groups for your specific city. Make 3 local-expat friends in the first 2 months.
Within 6 months: you'll have a routine. The discomfort of the first 60 days is normal. Don't make big decisions about returning to the US during that period.