These 2 Amazing European Countries Allow Americans To Stay A Whole Year Without A Visa
If you’re a U.S. citizen who has had it with the incendiary world of politics, regardless of where you stand, not to mention the high cost of living across most urban centers, you might be thinking whether now isn’t the time to contemplate a move to Europe, but where?
After all, moving abroad isn’t as simple as packing your bags, grabbing your passport, and heading to the next airport: staying long-term in Europe usually involves being required to apply for a visa, and if you’re a low to middle-income earner, we’re sorry to say, it won’t cut it for the financial threshold.
Still, not all hope is lost: there are a couple of options if you dream of moving to the Old Continent with lower levels of bureaucracy and financial strain.
More specifically, they are two hugely underrated countries that, despite being farther to the East than you might have envisioned, offer Americans a decent quality of life, the infusion of culture they may be missing, and even more safety than Paris, London, and the like.
The best part? You can stay for a whole year visa-free by virtue of being a U.S. passport holder only:
Albania
Have you ever been to Italy or Croatia, and the second you landed, the first intrusive thought that popped into your mind was… ‘should I move here?’
Well, you might encounter some hurdles trying to settle in those particular countries as a non-European with fewer qualifications and no job offer, but your future lounging by a Mediterranean beach, exploring picture-perfect coastal towns, and gorging on fresh seafood isn’t lost:
How about Albania instead?
Located directly opposite Italy, in the Balkan Peninsula, and south of Croatia and north of Greece, it is an ancient land, one of Europe’s oldest nations, at that, hugged by the turquoise Med waters and boasting historical wealth like no other.
Albania is best represented internationally by its quirky little capital, Tirana, a sea of communist-era apartment blocks and bunkers-turned-museums that has its fair share of cozy cafes and laptop-friendly eateries––shout out to our fellow digital nomads out there!
If you’re heading straight for the coast, however, you’re probably thinking of the resort city of Vlora, home to a long, golden-sand beach and a pastel-colored Old Town, or maybe the laid-back village of Ksamil, at the heart of the Albanian Riviera, and a feature on Travel Off Path’s Top Lesser Known Destinations for last year.
Albania is not as developed as other European states, lying both outside the European Union and the Schengen Area and suffering from concentration of capital at an elite level, though it is part of NATO and strongly Western-aligned:
Walking the streets of Tirana, you won’t find hints of Western Europe’s ongoing illegal immigration issue, nor will you feel as if you must walk with keys between your knuckles as a woman, especially in the Downtown area.
Along the coasts, settlements are largely peaceful and crime-free, and despite Albania’s struggle with the formation of smuggling gangs and circulation of illicit drugs, tourists aren’t targets for criminals, and levels of violence are extremely low.
Additionally, you can live in Albania for much cheaper than the average European country: in Tirana, going out for a meal at a local restaurant will set you back by a round $10, as per Numbeo data, and we’re talking a sumptuous presentation, with a meat-heavy soup for starter and a main.
As for renting, a one-bedroom apartment in the center costs $607 per month, approximately 58% less than in New York, considerably less than the average rent in Fort Wayne, Indiana, found to be the cheapest city to live Stateside.
In case you’re wondering, that would run you up roughly $1,233 per month on rent alone.
I guess it’s the perfect time to reveal that, as an American citizen, you’re eligible to stay in Albania a whole entire year without visas! You read that right:
One of Europe’s cheapest, most fascinating Mediterranean countries is essentially beckoning you to make the Transatlantic voyage and settle for a while, and if you end up falling in love with Albania and you do decide on extending your stay––why not? It’s the perfect base for exploring Europe––you can try and call up the immigration service to see about a residence permit application.
It’s not like they’d be opposed to the idea of Americans moving there permanently, anyway.
Georgia
The second one is a tad controversial, as many do not consider Georgia a European country, but allow us to explain:
It is located east of Turkey, directly south of Russia, and very close to the Middle East, which would in theory place it in Western Asia, but before you fret and close this page already, hear us out:
Georgia is considered European by its staunchly Orthodox populace and post-Soviet culture, and unless you run a DNA test on Georgians, you’d have a hard time telling them apart from most Eastern European populations.
Before we delve into some of the reasons why you should consider Georgia for relocation, however, let us address the elephant in the room: yes, it is within firing distance of some of the unfriendliest countries right now, and no, it’s not protected by NATO.
That being said, Georgians are in their vast majority strongly anti-Russian and oriental influences, so much so massive protests have erupted in the capital, Tbilisi, in recent months to denounce Russian interference in local elections, and their main goal is to one day join the European Union.
As a matter of fact, the country has already taken one step further towards that goal, as the EU has granted them official candidate status, regardless of the geographical isolation.
On the Russia issue, their Slavic neighbors tend to mess with the world of Georgian politics more than they tend to launch full-scale invasions affecting regular people––in reality, Georgia is a surprisingly safe destination with low crime and low terrorism.
Political upheavals are a whole ‘nother ball game, but it’s not like they affect the future of foreigners who aren’t citizens, anyway.
As for Tbilisi, the vibrant, largest city and administrative center, it is an architecturally eclectic hub where you’re as likely to stumble upon Persian and Ottoman-inspired monuments as you are Orthodox churches and European-style medieval fortifications.
The Old Town is particularly scenic, with a row of brightly-painted facades and protruding balconies lining narrow, cobbled lanes, and as it’s the standard rule in Europe, a hilltop fort––Narikala––dominates the cityscape.
For digital nomads out there, Tbilisi is a well-known name in the community, thanks to its plethora of incredible cafes––think a well-frequented Fabrika or the gorgeous brunch spot that is Coffee Lab in Kazbegi Avenue––and affordable prices.
Now, we must note that since the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the flocking of Russians and Ukrainians alike into Tbilisi, those once-dirt-cheap room rates have soared compared to what they once were.
On the bright side, by American and Western European standards, Tbilisi remains inexpensive.
A single-dish meal in the Old Town will cost an average $10.49, while a three-course meal for two is an acceptable $41.96––when it comes to rent, you’re looking at a minimum $685 for a modest Downtown rental, or $1,365 for a three-bedroom apartment in the same area.
There are other cities to consider in Georgia, such as Batumi, on the Black Sea Coast––black in all but name––an equally fascinating cultural center distinguished by its innovative skyscrapers, pebbly beach straddling azure seas, and stately squares.
Or maybe you’re looking to beat the crowds and truly cut down costs: in that case, the inland Kutaisi, where Georgia’s low-cost flights operated by WizzAir arrive, is the ideal option (just don’t expect the same exciting nightlife and established international community as in the other two).
In your free time, you can explore all of Georgia’s natural and manmade wonders, including deep gorges filled with turquoise waters and densely forested areas, fairytale castles and monasteries perched atop snow-capped peaks, and peaceful spa towns nestled up in the mountains.
Ready for it?
Similarly to Albania, you can stay in Georgia for a year as an American citizen: while you may find the journey there troublesome, as it is of course far, far East, there’s nothing a layover in Amsterdam or Paris can’t solve, and there is no need to apply for a visa in advance.
You can enter as a regular tourist, and you’ll be issued a 365-day stamp.
There is more: if you choose to stay longer, all it takes is doing a border run, either to the neighboring countries of Turkey or Armenia––we wouldn’t be going to Russia at the minute, mind you––or flying to ‘mainland’ Europe and back, and there you go, another 365 days.
Naturally, this is at the discretion of border officers––between us, they’re very receptive to Americans, unlike Russians, so it’s not like you’ll face major problems renewing your tourist stamp through this loophole.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.