Moving from the US to Europe: a guide for American families

Published 4 November 2026 · ATLAS MAISON editorial team

US tax

US citizens remain subject to US tax filing wherever they live

France

Long-stay visitor visas for those who will not work in France

Italy

The elective residence visa, and a flat tax of €300,000 a year on foreign income for qualifying new residents

Switzerland

Lump-sum taxation in many cantons for non-working residents

Advisers

Licensed lawyers and tax advisers in both countries, working together

For many American families, Europe has become more than a summer destination. Some move for good, others divide the year between New York or Florida and the Riviera, Lake Como, London or the Alps. Each country has its own rules, and US citizens carry one important difference with them wherever they go.

Why Europe

Families tell us the same things: a slower pace, schools that open the world to their children, food, culture and safety, and the ease of moving between countries once they are settled. Many keep a home in the United States and spend part of the year in Europe, which shapes every decision that follows.

US citizenship and tax

Unlike most countries, the United States taxes its citizens on their worldwide income wherever they live, and US citizens abroad generally continue to file US tax returns and report foreign accounts. The interaction between US rules and those of the new country, including tax treaties and credits, is what makes advice from licensed cross-border advisers essential. We do not give tax or legal advice; we coordinate the advisers who do.

The main routes

France: long-stay visitor visas suit families who will not work in France and can show sufficient resources; other routes exist for entrepreneurs and investors. See our guide to relocating to France. Italy: the elective residence visa is designed for those living on their own means, and qualifying new residents may opt for a flat tax of €300,000 a year on foreign income; see our Italy guide. Switzerland: many cantons offer lump-sum taxation for non-working residents; see our Switzerland guide. United Kingdom: London remains a natural first base for many American families, with its own visa and tax rules. Requirements change, so every route is confirmed with licensed advisers.

Home and schools

International and bilingual schools in Paris, the Riviera, Milan, Geneva and London often have waiting lists, so school applications usually come before the house. We shortlist homes to rent first, so the family can live in the area before buying, and coordinate notaries, surveyors and banks when the time comes.

The move itself

Shipping, pets, cars, staff, health insurance, banking and the first weeks in a new country: a move across the Atlantic has hundreds of moving parts. Our relocation concierge keeps them in one plan, with one contact, from the first conversation to the first school day.