Bloomberg

03/19/2025

A rising number of Americans are exploring a move overseas to escape the tumult of Donald Trump’s administration. But those looking to Europe are seeing their options narrow by the day.

Restrictions on skilled worker visas, tougher rules on citizenship-by-ancestry programs and pressure on the once widespread golden visa programs are all eroding the legal avenues Americans — and other migrants — can take to live in Europe. Popular nations such as Italy, which once offered flexible rights to those who could show ties to the country, are making the move more difficult.

The changes are fueling a race among those Americans with a clear shot at residency on the continent, such as through direct family, to secure visas and passports while they still can. Others are exploring creative strategies ranging from nomad visas to permits intended for retirees. And for some specialists, universities and research institutes across Europe are looking to attract scientists who’ve lost their jobs in the US, or are worried about further cuts to federal funds.

Data from San Francisco-based global human resource company Deel shows a 16% increase in the number of Americans hired by European companies between January and April. At the same time, there’s been a surge of people searching for jobs in Ireland and Portugal, according to recruitment website Glassdoor.

“It’s definitely different from what we’ve ever seen,” said Kelly Cordes, founder of Illinois-based Irish Citizenship Consultants. “People are really worried, they have this sense of urgency to have citizenship.”