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Compare European Countries for Your Move

Forty country pages, and a side-by-side table of the official facts that shape an American’s paperwork in 40 countries: EU and Schengen membership, the currency, and whether the United States has an income tax treaty and a Social Security agreement with each one.

Facts checked: September 25, October 4, 7 and 8, 2026Countries compared: 40Official sources: 23
01 · Country pages

Our Country Pages

Each page covers the routes to residence, taxes, healthcare, housing and daily life for Americans. Every fact on each page is numbered to an official source.123456789

Southern Europe

Portugal

Capital
Lisbon
Official languages
Portuguese
Read the Portugal page →
Southern Europe

Spain

Capital
Madrid
Official languages
Spanish
Read the Spain page →
Southern Europe

Italy

Capital
Rome
Official languages
Italian
Read the Italy page →
Southern Europe

Greece

Capital
Athens
Official languages
Greek
Read the Greece page →
Southern Europe

Malta

Capital
Valletta
Official languages
Maltese, English
Read the Malta page →
Southern Europe

Cyprus

Capital
Nicosia
Official languages
Greek
Read the Cyprus page →
Southern Europe

Andorra

EU
Not a member
Schengen
Not a member
Read the Andorra page →
Southern Europe

San Marino

EU
Not a member
Schengen
Not a member
Read the San Marino page →
Western Europe

France

Capital
Paris
Official languages
French
Read the France page →
Western Europe

Ireland

Capital
Dublin
Official languages
Irish, English
Read the Ireland page →
Western Europe

United Kingdom

EU
Not a member
Schengen
Not a member
Read the United Kingdom page →
Western Europe

Netherlands

Capital
Amsterdam (government in The Hague)
Official languages
Dutch
Read the Netherlands page →
Western Europe

Belgium

Capital
Brussels
Official languages
Dutch, French, German
Read the Belgium page →
Western Europe

Luxembourg

Capital
Luxembourg
Official languages
Luxembourgish, French, German
Read the Luxembourg page →
Western Europe

Monaco

EU
Not a member
Schengen
Not a member
Read the Monaco page →
Central Europe

Germany

Capital
Berlin
Official languages
German
Read the Germany page →
Central Europe

Austria

Capital
Vienna
Official languages
German
Read the Austria page →
Central Europe

Switzerland

EU
Not a member
Schengen
Member
Read the Switzerland page →
Central Europe

Liechtenstein

EU
Not a member
Schengen
Member
Read the Liechtenstein page →
Central Europe

Czech Republic

Capital
Prague
Official languages
Czech
Read the Czech Republic page →
Central Europe

Poland

Capital
Warsaw
Official languages
Polish
Read the Poland page →
Central Europe

Hungary

Capital
Budapest
Official languages
Hungarian
Read the Hungary page →
Central Europe

Slovakia

Capital
Bratislava
Official languages
Slovak
Read the Slovakia page →
Central Europe

Slovenia

Capital
Ljubljana
Official languages
Slovenian
Read the Slovenia page →
Southeast Europe

Croatia

Capital
Zagreb
Official languages
Croatian
Read the Croatia page →
Southeast Europe

Montenegro

EU
Candidate country
Schengen
Not a member
Read the Montenegro page →
Southeast Europe

Albania

EU
Candidate country
Schengen
Not a member
Read the Albania page →
Southeast Europe

Romania

Capital
Bucharest
Official languages
Romanian
Read the Romania page →
Southeast Europe

Bulgaria

Capital
Sofia
Official languages
Bulgarian
Read the Bulgaria page →
Southeast Europe

Serbia

EU
Candidate country
Schengen
Not a member
Read the Serbia page →
Southeast Europe

North Macedonia

EU
Candidate country
Schengen
Not a member
Read the North Macedonia page →
Outside the EU

Georgia

EU
Not a member
Schengen
Not a member
Read the Georgia page →
Outside the EU

Türkiye

EU
Candidate country
Schengen
Not a member
Read the Türkiye page →
Northern Europe

Denmark

Capital
Copenhagen
Official languages
Danish
Read the Denmark page →
Northern Europe

Sweden

Capital
Stockholm
Official languages
Swedish
Read the Sweden page →
Northern Europe

Finland

Capital
Helsinki
Official languages
Finnish, Swedish
Read the Finland page →
Northern Europe

Norway

EU
Not a member
Schengen
Member
Read the Norway page →
Northern Europe

Iceland

EU
Not a member
Schengen
Member
Read the Iceland page →
Northern Europe

Estonia

Capital
Tallinn
Official languages
Estonian
Read the Estonia page →
Northern Europe

Latvia

Capital
Riga
Official languages
Latvian
Read the Latvia page →
02 · Side by side

40 Countries: The Official Basics

Five facts that decide how many days you can visit, which currency you will live in, and whether you risk paying tax or social contributions twice. They are not a ranking; they are where your own questions start.

Region

Only countries with (choose any)

40 of 40 countries shown

EU and Schengen dates are the year a country joined (full Schengen membership for Romania and Bulgaria from January 1, 2025). “Tax treaty” means a U.S. income tax treaty is in force, on the IRS list of U.S. income tax treaties (Hungary’s stopped applying from January 1, 2024); “Totalization” means a U.S. Social Security agreement is in force. Sources checked September 25, 2026; the IRS and Social Security lists and the Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Poland rows on October 4, 2026; the Luxembourg, Bulgaria, Slovakia and Norway rows on October 7, 2026; the IRS and Social Security lists and the Andorra, Estonia, Georgia, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, North Macedonia, Romania, San Marino, Serbia and Türkiye rows on October 8, 2026.
CountryEU member1034567Schengen (90/180 rule)2118Euro12113U.S. tax treaty14Totalization9
Portugal1986Since 1995Euro, since 1999YesYes
Spain1986Since 1995Euro, since 1999YesYes
Italy1958 (founder)Since 1997Euro, since 1999YesYes
Greece1981Since 2000Euro, since 2001YesYes
Malta2004Since 2007Euro, since 2008YesNo
Cyprus2004No: national rules; joining in progressEuro, since 2008YesNo
AndorraNoNo: you arrive through Spain or FranceUses the euro under a monetary agreement with the EUNoNo
San MarinoNoNo: you arrive through ItalyUses the euro under a monetary agreement with the EUNoNo
France1958 (founder)Since 1995Euro, since 1999YesYes
Ireland1973No: opt-out, national rulesEuro, since 1999YesYes
United KingdomNoNo: ETA, up to 6 monthsNoYesYes
Netherlands1958 (founder)Since 1995Euro, since 1999YesYes
Belgium1958 (founder)Since 1995Euro, since 1999YesYes
Luxembourg1958 (founder)Since 1995Euro, since 1999YesYes
MonacoNoNo: you arrive through FranceUses the euro under a monetary agreement with the EUNoNo
Germany1958 (founder)Since 1995Euro, since 1999YesYes
Austria1995Since 1997Euro, since 1999YesYes
SwitzerlandNoYes (non-EU member)NoYesYes
LiechtensteinNoYes (non-EU member)No: Swiss francNoNo
Czech Republic2004Since 2007No: Czech korunaYesYes
Poland2004Since 2007No: Polish zlotyYesYes
Hungary2004Since 2007No: Hungarian forintNoYes
Slovakia2004Since 2007Euro, since 2009YesYes
Slovenia2004Since 2007Euro, since 2007YesYes
Croatia2013Since 2023Euro, since 2023NoNo
MontenegroNo: candidateNoUses the euro; not a euro-area memberNoNo
AlbaniaNo: candidateNoNoNoNo
Romania2007Since 2024; fully from 2025No: Romanian leuYesYes
Bulgaria2007Since 2024; fully from 2025Euro, since 2026YesNo
SerbiaNo: candidateNoNo: Serbian dinarNoNo
North MacedoniaNo: candidateNoNo: Macedonian denarNoNo
GeorgiaNoNoNo: Georgian lariDisputed: the IRS applies the 1973 U.S.–Soviet treaty; Georgia’s Ministry of Finance does not list it1516No
TürkiyeNo: candidateNoNo: Turkish liraYesNo
Denmark1973Since 2001No: Danish krone (euro opt-out)YesYes
Sweden1995Since 2001No: Swedish kronaYesYes
Finland1995Since 2001Euro, since 1999YesYes
NorwayNoYes (non-EU member)No: Norwegian kroneYesYes
IcelandNoYes (non-EU member)No: Icelandic krónaYesYes
Estonia2004Since 2007Euro, since 2011YesNo
Latvia2004Since 2007Euro, since 2014YesNo
03 · Reading the table

What the Table Shows

Nine countries have neither agreement

Albania, Andorra, Croatia, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino and Serbia have no income tax treaty in force with the United States14 and no Social Security totalization agreement9. A U.S.–Croatia treaty was signed in 2022 but is not yet in force171819. Croatia is in the EU, Schengen and the euro area, so it can look like its neighbors on paper; in its tax and Social Security agreements with the United States it is not.

Self-employed? Check the last column

A self-employed U.S. citizen pays self-employment tax abroad under generally the same rules as at home, on all net profit, even when claiming the foreign earned income exclusion20. Where an agreement leaves you subject only to U.S. self-employment tax, a certificate of coverage from the Social Security Administration establishes your exemption from the foreign tax20. Bulgaria, Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Malta and Türkiye have tax treaties but no totalization agreement149.

Two EU countries sit outside Schengen

Ireland and Cyprus issue visas under their own national rules, not the Schengen rules11. A Schengen visa or residence permit can also be used to travel to Cyprus, but a Cypriot visa or permit is not valid for travel in the Schengen area11.

Recent changes

Romania and Bulgaria joined Schengen on March 31, 20241 and became full members on January 1, 20252. Bulgaria adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, making 21 euro countries112. The EU’s Entry/Exit System has recorded visa-free visitors at Schengen borders since April 10, 202621.

The United Kingdom has its own authorization

Americans usually need an electronic travel authorization (ETA) rather than a visa to visit the UK; it costs £20 and lets you travel there for up to 6 months8. Time in the UK is outside the Schengen area2.

The euro outside the euro area

Andorra, Monaco and San Marino use the euro as their official currency under monetary agreements with the EU; Montenegro and Kosovo use it as a de facto domestic currency, without an agreement13. None of them is a euro-area member. Albania, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye are EU candidate countries34567.

Questions About Comparing Countries

Which European countries have no income tax treaty with the United States?

Of the 40 countries we compare, Albania, Andorra, Croatia, Hungary, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino and Serbia have no U.S. income tax treaty in force on the IRS list of U.S. income tax treaties14; Hungary’s treaty stopped applying from January 1, 2024. The other 30 do. Georgia is on it: the IRS applies the 1973 U.S.–Soviet treaty to Georgia, but Georgia’s Ministry of Finance does not list that treaty1516. A U.S.–Croatia income tax treaty was signed in 2022 but is not in force: it went to the U.S. Senate on September 14, 2026, and Croatia’s parliament passed its ratification law on September 25, 2026171819. The U.S. foreign tax credit still applies to income tax a foreign country imposes on you22.

Which have no Social Security totalization agreement with the United States?

Of the 40, Albania, Andorra, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Georgia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, San Marino, Serbia and Türkiye have no agreement in force9. Agreements stop you paying into both systems for the same work9; without one, a self-employed American generally still owes U.S. self-employment tax, even when claiming the foreign earned income exclusion20.

Which EU countries are not in the Schengen area?

Cyprus and Ireland. They issue visas under their own national rules; the EU’s common rules for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period apply in the 29 Schengen countries112. Ireland has an opt-out, and Cyprus is in the process of joining1.

Can I receive Social Security by direct deposit in these countries?

All 40 appear on the Social Security Administration’s list of international direct deposit countries23.

Sources for This Page

  1. EU country profiles (capital, official languages, currency, euro and Schengen dates), one page per country, e.g. Portugal. European Union. Official page. Checked , , and .
  2. Schengen area: 29 countries, and the latest to join. European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs. Official page. Checked .
  3. Montenegro: membership status, candidate country. European Commission, Enlargement. Official page. Checked .
  4. Albania: membership status, candidate country. European Commission, Enlargement. Official page. Checked .
  5. Serbia: candidate country, accession negotiations. European Commission, enlargement policy. Official page. Checked .
  6. North Macedonia: membership status, candidate country. European Commission, Enlargement. Official page. Checked .
  7. EU enlargement: candidate countries. European Union. Official page. Checked .
  8. Applying for an electronic travel authorization (ETA). GOV.UK, UK Visas and Immigration. Official page. Checked .
  9. International social security (totalization) agreements in force, POMS GN 01701.005. Social Security Administration. Official page. Checked .
  10. EU countries: membership, euro area and Schengen dates. European Union. Official page. Checked .
  11. Entry and exit requirements for non-EU nationals (Schengen rules; Cyprus and Ireland). Your Europe, European Union. Official page. Checked .
  12. Countries using the euro (21 of 27 EU countries). European Union. Official page. Checked .
  13. The euro outside the euro area (Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and the Vatican by monetary agreement; Montenegro and Kosovo without one). European Commission, Economy and Finance. Official page. Checked .
  14. United States income tax treaties, A to Z. Internal Revenue Service. Official page. Checked .
  15. Georgia: tax treaty documents (page updated August 9, 2026). Internal Revenue Service. Official page. Checked .
  16. Double taxation treaties in force. Ministry of Finance of Georgia. Official page. Checked .
  17. The United States and Croatia sign an income tax treaty (press release JY1148, December 7, 2022). U.S. Department of the Treasury. Official page. Checked .
  18. Treaty Document 119-2: tax convention and protocol with Croatia, transmitted to the Senate September 14, 2026. U.S. Government Publishing Office (govinfo.gov). Official page. Checked .
  19. Final bill ratifying the Croatia–U.S. tax convention (PZ 327): filed July 31, 2026, debated September 18 and passed September 25, 2026. Croatian Parliament (Sabor). Official page. Checked .
  20. Self-employment tax for businesses abroad. Internal Revenue Service. Official page. Checked .
  21. Entry/Exit System (EES). European Commission, Migration and Home Affairs. Official page. Checked .
  22. Foreign tax credit. Internal Revenue Service. Official page. Checked .
  23. List of international direct deposit countries, POMS GN 02402.220. Social Security Administration. Official page. Checked .

General information, not advice. Quantum Jetset does not give legal, tax, immigration, financial or investment advice. A treaty or agreement changes how rules apply to you only in the ways its text sets out; check the official source and speak to a qualified professional before you act.

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