The Association of Americans Resident Overseas estimates 5.5 million Americans were living abroad as of October 2024, up from 5.4 million the prior year.
This trend continued to evolve last year, with an estimated 180,000 U.S. citizens leaving the country in 2025, the largest single-year outflow in decades.
Europe has become a major destination for Americans moving abroad, with more than 1.5 million U.S. nationals estimated to be living across the continent.1
But what’s driving this shift to relocate? Which destinations are Americans most interested in and what’s motivating them to consider a house move?
To find out, we surveyed 999 Americans to uncover where they would most like to relocate to, including what’s driving their desire for life abroad.2
The survey revealed that over two-thirds of Americans are likely to move within the next five years (67%) and almost two in five LGBTQ+ residents are dreaming of moving abroad (39%).
Almost two in five LGBTQ+ residents want to move abroad
The research revealed that LGBTQ+ respondents are more likely than non-LGTBQ+ respondents to choose another country over another U.S. state if they move, with 39% saying they would do so, compared with 33% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents.
The dream of moving abroad also coincides with many Americans not seeing their long-term future in the U.S., with almost one in five LGBTQ+ respondents (19%) stating this alongside 12% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents.
Just a shocking one in twelve respondents across both groups admitted they don’t plan on moving at all (8%).
While relocating appears as the new ‘American dream’ for many, over a third (35%) of all respondents admit they haven’t taken any action into making this a reality with a similar 35% admitting they’ve only done some general research and not yet taken practical actions.
Government policies, political instability and personal safety are the driving forces behind relocating
When it comes to the factors driving the relocation dream, government policies (44%), political instability (43%) and personal safety or crime (41%) are among the biggest concerns for LGBTQ+ respondents living in the U.S.
LGBTQ+ respondents were also more likely to cite civil rights or personal freedoms (34% vs. 19%) and discrimination or lack of inclusion (26% vs. 12%) as reasons to move.
Instead, Americans are looking overseas, hoping that a life abroad will give them a brighter future.
When asked which aspects of life abroad appeal most, respondents said it was the prospect of lower cost of living (65%), better quality of life (64%), and better work-life balance (35%).
While LGBTQ+ Americans appear more open to the idea of leaving the country, that doesn’t necessarily mean they feel it would be easy to do. The research found that 62% of LGBTQ+ respondents see an international move as realistic, compared with 67% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents.
What’s Driving the Dream to Relocate for LGBTQ+ residents?
It’s clear the idea of relocating is becoming the new “American dream.” But what’s shaping this decision for LGBTQ+ residents specifically?
When respondents were asked why they’d prefer to move to another country over another U.S. state, cost of living was revealed as one of the strongest motivations, cited by 60% of LGBTQ+ respondents and 63% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents.
But, for LGBTQ+ respondents specifically, better quality of life takes the top spot. Nearly two-thirds (64%) say it would motivate them to move compared with 59% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents.
Healthcare creates one of the clearest differences between the groups. 58% of LGBTQ+ respondents cite better healthcare, compared with 42% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents. The gap is 16 percentage points, putting healthcare among the issues that most distinguish LGBTQ+ respondents' motivations for considering an international move.
The biggest difference of all comes from better protections for LGBTQ+ people, which has a 28.1 percentage-point gap between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ respondents. Taken together, the data suggests that LGBTQ+ Americans aren’t simply looking for a cheaper place to live.
Europe is the Most Popular Relocation Destination for Americans
The research revealed that Europe is the leading relocation destination for both groups, with over a third of respondents revealing this region appeals most (35%).
Canada is selected by 23% of LGBTQ+ respondents and 19% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents, while Australia and New Zealand attract 7% of LGBTQ+ respondents and 5% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents. The Caribbean, on the other hand, is somewhat more popular among non-LGBTQ+ respondents (14% vs. 12%). Asia shows a similar pattern, with 9% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents selecting it compared with 7% of LGBTQ+ respondents.
Europe, however, remains the common ground.
GayRealEstate.com Relocation Index: Top 5 European Countries for LGBTQ+ Americans
To help turn the relocation dream into a reality, we’ve combined LGBTQ+ respondents’ destination preferences with third-party data on LGBTQ+ legal equality, affordability, English accessibility, and migration, to rank the top five European countries for LGBTQ+ Americans to relocate to.3
1. United Kingdom - Relocation Index Score: 74.3/100
The UK is the most popular European destination, selected by 25% of LGBTQ+ respondents and 25% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents.
Its popularity is notable given its obvious practical advantage for Americans: English is the primary language. However, its 2026 Rainbow Map score of 43.9 is lower than several other destinations in this ranking, showing that survey appeal doesn’t necessarily follow legal-equality rankings.
2. Spain - Relocation Index Score: 69.4/100
Spain was selected by 15% of LGBTQ+ respondents, compared with 11% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents.
As one of the warmer places to relocate to with LGBTQ+-friendly protections, it also stands out across several third-party measures. Spain has the highest Rainbow Map score in the supplied dataset (88.7), a consumer price level of 91.3 compared with the EU average of 100, and recorded 25,559 arrivals from the U.S. in 2024 (the highest figure among the countries benchmarked).
Together, these figures make Spain an interesting example of a destination combining strong LGBTQ+ legal protections with relatively lower consumer prices.
3. France - Relocation Index Score: 64.4/100
Ranking third is France, with 20% of LGBTQ+ respondents selecting it, compared with 18% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents.
Its 2026 Rainbow Map score of 59.47 puts it above the UK and Italy on legal equality. However, its consumer price level is higher than the EU average at 111.2, while English accessibility is relatively low at 42%.
4. Ireland - Relocation Index Score: 62.2/100
Selected by 16% of LGBTQ+ respondents, compared with 14% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents, was Ireland.
Its biggest practical advantage may be language: 97% English accessibility in the supplied European Commission data is the highest among the countries benchmarked. Ireland also has a 2026 Rainbow Map score of 61.34.
However, its consumer price level of 136.8 is considerably above the EU average, highlighting the trade-offs that can come with choosing a destination for reasons beyond affordability.
5. Denmark - Relocation Index Score: 61.4/100
Denmark makes the top five after being selected by 13% of LGBTQ+ respondents, compared with just 8% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents.
Its 81.60 Rainbow Map score places it among Europe's stronger performers for LGBTQ+ legal equality, while English accessibility stands at 90%. However, Denmark's consumer price level is 140.7, showing that strong LGBTQ+ protections and language accessibility can come alongside higher living costs.
Which European countries appeal most to Americans?
Italy is the biggest outlier in the European results. It ranks second overall, but 25% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents selected it compared with just 19% of LGBTQ+ respondents.
One possible piece of context is its LGBTQ+ legal environment. Italy's 2026 Rainbow Map score is 24.11, considerably below the countries in the top five. Data also shows that some LGBTQ+ people in Italy report avoiding certain places because of concerns around harassment or assault.
Italy has strong overall appeal among Americans considering Europe, while its appeal is noticeably lower among LGBTQ+ respondents, reflecting the greater importance LGBTQ+ respondents place on protections, inclusion, and political factors when considering where to build a future.
Relocation Costs are the Biggest Barrier to Relocating.
The research found that over half of respondents feel the cost of relocation is the biggest barrier to moving abroad (54%), with 63% of LGBTQ+ respondents citing this and 50% of non-LGBTQ+ respondents.
Overall, 44% also stated that not having enough savings is a key factor, followed by visa or residency restrictions (31%) and a lack of clear relocation information (22%).
There’s another barrier that’s harder to measure in dollars or paperwork: 42% of LGBTQ+ respondents cite being away from family and friends as a primary concern about moving, which becomes especially relevant with community being such a major part of having an LGBTQ+ identity.
For those contemplating an international move, housing can become part of the decision long before an airplane ticket is booked.
For homeowners, relocating can mean weighing up whether to rent or sell before moving.
And, for those who don’t own, the challenge shifts to finding rental housing that’s both suitable and affordable.
How to Make Relocating a Reality:
For some Americans, the first step may not be booking a flight or choosing a new country. It’s simply reconsidering what they want from the place they call home. Whether that means moving overseas, relocating to another state, selling an existing property, or simply exploring new LGBTQ+ homebuying options, housing is part of that decision.
Jorge Alonso, a Managing Broker at GayRealEstate.com, has shared their top tips to help LGBTQ+ homeowners navigate a move abroad:
1. Check the visa and residency rules first
“Before you start seriously looking at homes, find out which visa and residency credentials you actually need to live in that country. The rules can be quite different from the U.S. and buying a property doesn’t necessarily give you residency. It’s much better to know what’s possible at the start than get halfway through a purchase and find there’s a problem with the move itself.”
2. Choose the neighborhood as carefully as the country
“Where you live within a country can completely change your experience of it. Spend some time looking at the areas you’re considering and think about the things you’d need if you were actually living there, rather than visiting.
“For LGBTQ+ Americans, try and speak to people locally to get a feel for the place. A country can have strong protections on paper, but you still want to know whether you’re going to feel comfortable in the particular town, city or neighborhood you’re moving to.”
3. Make sure your budget covers the actual move
“Property prices are obviously a big part of the calculation, but there are plenty of other costs that can catch people off guard. Depending on where you’re buying, you could have local taxes and legal fees on top of visa costs, moving costs and currency exchange.
“There may also be a period where you’re paying for accommodation while everything gets sorted out. Try and make sure you have taken all of this into account rather than basing the whole move on the purchase price.”
4. Think about renting before you buy
“If you know a place really well already, buying right away might make sense. If you don’t, I’d be wary of rushing it. Living somewhere for a few months is very different from spending a week there. You start to work out which areas you actually like, what traveling around is like and whether the lifestyle you imagined is realistic. Renting gives you a bit of time to figure that out before putting a lot of money into a home.”
5. Decide what you’re doing with your home in the U.S.
“For anyone who already owns property in the U.S., this is a big part of the financial planning. Some people will need to sell to fund the move, others might prefer to keep the property or rent it out, particularly if they want some flexibility while they settle in. I’d look at those options quite early because the decision can change what you can realistically afford to do abroad.”
6. Don’t expect the buying process to work like it does in the U.S.
“Every country has its own way of doing things when it comes to property. The legal process might be different, buyers can face different fees and the protections you’re used to in the U.S. may not apply in the same way. Use a reputable local lawyer or property professional who understands overseas buyers and ask questions if there’s anything you’re unsure about. You shouldn’t feel pressured to move at a pace you’re not comfortable with.”
Ready to make a house move your reality? Here at GayRealEstate.com, we can help connect buyers and sellers with LGBTQ+-friendly real estate professionals and allies to ensure a friendly buying process. Whether you’re moving locally, selling before a potential relocation, or thinking more carefully about where you want to put down roots. Connect with one of our real estate agents today to start your journey to a new life.
Sources and Methodology
1. https://americanemigration.com/news/180000-americans-emigrated-in-2025-largest-outflow-in-decades
2. The survey was commissioned by GayRealEstate.com and surveyed Americans who had passed a relocation-consideration screener. The overall findings are based on 750 respondents, while comparisons between LGBTQ+ and non-LGBTQ+ respondents use a combined sample of 999 people: 337 LGBTQ+ and 662 non-LGBTQ+ respondents. The LGBTQ+ group was intentionally oversampled, so these figures show differences between the survey groups rather than representing all U.S. adults.
3. The GayRealEstate.com Relocation Index combines first-party survey data with third-party European benchmark data. LGBTQ+ respondents’ destination preferences account for 50% of the overall score, LGBTQ+ legal equality for 25%, affordability for 10%, English accessibility for 10% and migration from the U.S. for 5%.
Destination preference is based on the percentage of LGBTQ+ survey respondents who selected each country. LGBTQ+ legal equality uses ILGA-Europe’s Rainbow Map 2026; affordability uses Eurostat’s 2024 household consumer price level index; English accessibility uses the European Commission’s Special Eurobarometer 540; and migration uses Eurostat’s 2024 immigration data based on previous country of residence.
Each metric was normalized to a 0-100 scale across the countries included in the European benchmark, with higher scores representing stronger performance. The affordability measure was inverted so that lower consumer prices received a higher score. Where comparable third-party data was unavailable for a country, that metric was excluded and the remaining available weights were proportionally rebalanced. Missing values were not treated as zero.
