Planning & Logistics
Quick answers on where to start, what documents you need, how long residency takes, and what to do before you leave and after you land.
Where do I start when researching retirement abroad?
Start with yourself, not countries. Before researching destinations, get clear on your non-negotiables: your exact monthly income, your healthcare requirements, your mobility needs, whether pets are coming, and how far you're willing to be from the US. Most people do this backward — they fall in love with a country and then try to make the finances work. The right order saves months of misdirected research.
Read the full guide to how to start your research →Is it worth shipping your car overseas?
Usually not. Shipping costs $1,000–$5,000+, many countries have age restrictions that block older vehicles entirely, and import taxes can add significantly to the cost. Most expat destinations have affordable local transportation options. The exceptions: if you have a newer vehicle, live rurally, have mobility equipment mounted in the car, or are moving somewhere with genuinely limited transportation. Get a quote before assuming either way.
Read the full guide to shipping your car vs starting over →What documents do I need to move abroad?
Core documents: valid passport (renew if within 6 months of expiring), birth certificate with apostille, proof of income (benefit award letters, pension statements), background check with apostille, and marriage or divorce certificates if relevant. Many countries require official translations. Start gathering these 12+ months before your target move date — apostille processing takes time and some documents require multiple steps.
Download the free Moving Abroad Action Planner →How long does the residency process take?
Plan for 6–18 months from starting document collection to approved residency. Panama and Costa Rica are among the faster options. European visas typically take longer. The clock starts when you begin gathering documents — not when you submit the application. Start early on background checks and apostilles; these have the longest lead times and gate everything else.
Download the free Moving Abroad Action Planner →What should I do before I leave the US?
The essentials: renew passport, gather and apostille key documents, research and price healthcare coverage, set up a U.S. mailing address or mail forwarding, notify Social Security or pension payer of your move if required, open a fee-free international bank account, arrange first-week cash in local currency, pack medications with documentation, and bring copies of all key documents in physical and digital form.
Download the free Moving Abroad Action Planner →What do I need to set up in the first 90 days after I arrive?
Register with local authorities if required, activate or enroll in local healthcare coverage, open a local bank account, register pets locally if needed, find your essential services — doctor, pharmacy, market, transit — and connect with expat community. Give yourself time to adjust; the paperwork ends but settling in is its own season.
Download the free Moving Abroad Action Planner →Where can I download a retirement abroad planning checklist?
The free Moving Abroad Action Planner covers the full process — residency and legal, money and banking, healthcare and insurance, housing, pets, logistics, safety net, and the first 90 days after you land. Fillable PDF or print. The Destination Determination Workbook helps you figure out where before you plan how to get there. Both are free.
Get the free tools →