Expat Money, Explained in Plain English
No jargon, no fear-mongering, no 40-page PDFs. Practical guides on the money questions every American abroad actually runs into — written by people who understand both sides of the ocean.
The Guides Readers Use Most
How to Keep Your US Bank & Brokerage Accounts When You Move Abroad
Which US banks close expat accounts, which don't, and the address strategy that keeps your accounts safe when you move overseas.
Read ArticleThe PFIC Trap: Why Americans Abroad Can't Just Buy Local Funds
Buying a normal foreign index fund can trigger the harshest tax treatment in the US code. What PFICs are and how to avoid them entirely.
Read ArticleThe 90-Day Financial Checklist for Moving Abroad
Everything to open, close, transfer and notify before you fly - the free version of our flagship International Move Financial Planner.
Read ArticleAll 30 Guides, By Topic
How to Keep Your US Bank & Brokerage Accounts When You Move Abroad
Which US banks close expat accounts, which don't, and the address strategy that keeps your accounts safe when you move overseas.
Read ArticleProtecting Your US Credit Score While Living Overseas
Your US credit history is worth protecting from 5,000 miles away. The accounts to keep open, the traps to avoid, and how to monitor it.
Read ArticleThe Best US Banks and Credit Unions for Americans Abroad
The US banks and credit unions that welcome foreign addresses, refund ATM fees worldwide, and won't panic when you move abroad.
Read ArticleHow Americans Can Open a European Bank Account (Even Before Moving)
Where Americans can actually open European accounts, which banks accept US persons despite FATCA, and what documents you'll need.
Read ArticleDo You Need a US Address as an Expat? Options and Risks Explained
Virtual mailboxes, family addresses, or none at all? The honest pros, cons and compliance risks of each US address strategy for expats.
Read ArticleWhy European Banks Reject Americans (and What to Do About It)
FATCA makes some foreign banks refuse US customers. Why it happens, which institutions are friendly, and how to get an account anyway.
Read ArticleThe PFIC Trap: Why Americans Abroad Can't Just Buy Local Funds
Buying a normal foreign index fund can trigger the harshest tax treatment in the US code. What PFICs are and how to avoid them entirely.
Read ArticleInvesting as an American Abroad: The Complete Starter Guide
Which brokerages accept expats, what you can and can't buy from Europe, and how to keep building wealth compliantly while overseas.
Read ArticleUS Brokerages That Accept Expats (and What to Do If Yours Doesn't)
Some brokerages freeze expat accounts, others welcome them. The current landscape and your options if your broker shows you the door.
Read ArticleWhy You Can't Buy US ETFs From Europe (PRIIPs, Explained)
EU rules block many US ETFs for European residents - and EU funds are PFICs. The squeeze on American investors abroad and the ways around it.
Read ArticleRoth IRA and Retirement Contributions While Living Abroad
Can you contribute to a Roth IRA from overseas? How the earned income rules and FEIE interact - and the mistake that triggers penalties.
Read ArticleThe 7 Most Expensive Investment Mistakes American Expats Make
From PFICs to panic-selling brokerage exits, these are the investment mistakes that cost Americans abroad the most - and how to dodge each.
Read ArticleSocial Security Abroad: What You Get, Where, and How It's Taxed
Yes, you can collect Social Security overseas. How payments work, which countries tax them, and what totalization agreements mean for you.
Read ArticleWhat Happens to Your 401(k) and IRA When You Move Abroad?
Keep it, roll it, or cash it out? What each choice really costs, plus the contribution and withdrawal rules most expats get wrong.
Read ArticleRetiring in Europe on US Savings: The Complete Money Picture
What retirement in Portugal, Spain or Italy really costs, how your US income streams behave abroad, and how to structure the money side.
Read ArticleMedicare and Moving Abroad: Keep It, Drop It, or Pause It?
Medicare doesn't cover you overseas - but dropping it has consequences. Part B penalties, re-entry planning, and what expats actually do.
Read ArticleForeign Pensions and US Taxes: What Expats Need to Know
Employer pensions abroad can be tax traps for US persons. How foreign pensions are treated, reported, and planned around.
Read ArticleThe Real Cost of Moving Money Abroad (and How to Cut It)
Banks hide currency costs inside the exchange rate. How transfers are actually priced and how expats routinely save thousands a year.
Read ArticleYour Expat Currency Strategy: Which Currency to Earn, Hold and Spend
Living in euros with dollar income (or vice versa) needs a plan. How to split cash between currencies and stop exchange rates running your life.
Read ArticleExchange-Rate Risk in Retirement: Protecting a Dollar Income Abroad
A weak dollar can cut your overseas retirement income by double digits. Practical ways retirees abroad manage exchange-rate risk.
Read ArticlePaying US Bills From Abroad: Cards, Accounts and Automation
US mortgages, cards, subscriptions and taxes don't stop when you move. The clean setup for handling US payments from overseas.
Read ArticleHealth Cover Abroad: What Happens to Your US Insurance
Most US health cover stops at the border. Public systems, private expat plans and what health cover really costs Americans in Europe.
Read ArticleLife Insurance for US Expats: Does Your Policy Still Work Abroad?
Some US life policies quietly stop paying when you move abroad. How to check yours, and how expats buy new cover from overseas.
Read ArticleTravel Insurance vs Expat Health Insurance: Which Do You Need?
Travel insurance is for trips; expat insurance is for a life. The real differences, what each covers, and when to switch from one to the other.
Read ArticleThe 90-Day Financial Checklist for Moving Abroad
Everything to open, close, transfer and notify before you fly - the free version of our flagship International Move Financial Planner.
Read ArticleCost of Living: Europe vs the US, Honestly Compared
Where Europe is genuinely cheaper, where it isn't, and how to estimate your own numbers - plus our free moving-abroad calculator.
Read ArticleMoving Abroad With Kids: The Family Money Checklist
School costs, 529 plans, child accounts, healthcare and dual-currency budgets - the money side of relocating a family overseas.
Read ArticleThe Two-Country Emergency Fund: How Much and Where to Keep It
Expats need emergency money that works in two countries and two currencies. How much to hold, where to keep it, and in which currency.
Read ArticleEstate Planning for Americans Abroad: Wills, Beneficiaries and Two Legal Systems
A US will may not work as expected abroad. Cross-border estate basics: wills, beneficiaries, forced heirship and getting documents in order.
Read ArticleHow to Organise Your Entire Financial Life (The Expat Edition)
The folder structure, account inventory and emergency pack that put your whole financial life in order - especially across two countries.
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Every Guide, At a Glance
Banking
Keep Your US Bank & Brokerage Accounts Abroad Protecting Your US Credit Score Overseas The Best US Banks for Americans Abroad Opening a European Bank Account as an American Do You Need a US Address as an Expat? Why European Banks Reject Americans (FATCA)Investing
The PFIC Trap, Explained Investing as an American Abroad: Starter Guide US Brokerages That Accept Expats Why You Can't Buy US ETFs From Europe (PRIIPs) Roth IRA Contributions While Living Abroad The 7 Most Expensive Expat Investment MistakesRetirement
Social Security Abroad: Payments & Taxes Your 401(k) and IRA When You Move Abroad Retiring in Europe on US Savings Medicare Abroad: Keep It, Drop It, or Pause It? Foreign Pensions and US TaxesCurrency
The Real Cost of Moving Money Abroad Your Expat Currency Strategy Exchange-Rate Risk in Retirement Paying US Bills From AbroadThe Expat Money Letter
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