Options for United States Nationals
US citizens benefit from one of the world's strongest passports but face uniquely burdensome worldwide taxation obligations under FATCA and FBAR regardless of where they live. Careful tax planning, including understanding the FEIE and exit tax provisions, is essential before any international relocation or renunciation.
Your Passport
Passport Rank
#7
Visa-Free
186
destinations
allowed
citizenship based
Key Considerations for United States Nationals
- 01FATCA requires foreign financial institutions to report US person account details to the IRS, complicating overseas banking.
- 02The US taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of residency, with the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) capped at approximately $120,000.
- 03FBAR filing is required for US persons with aggregate foreign financial accounts exceeding $10,000 at any point during the year.
- 04State-level residency ties—particularly California and New York—can create ongoing state tax obligations even after physical departure.
- 05An exit tax applies to long-term residents and citizens who renounce, treating unrealized gains as if sold on the day before expatriation.
- 06Social Security and Medicare taxes continue to apply to self-employment income regardless of country of residence.
Program Restrictions
estonia-ou: Controlled Foreign Corporation (CFC) rules under US tax law can complicate use of an Estonian e-Residency OÜ for US citizens, requiring careful structuring.
malta-citizenship: Malta's program involves enhanced due diligence for US applicants; processing times and scrutiny are higher than average.
Visa Programs Available to You
72 programsPortugal D7 Passive Income Visa
Portugal PRT
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$820
Citizenship
5y
Portugal D8 Digital Nomad Visa
Portugal PRT
Processing
2mo
Min. Income
$3,280
Citizenship
5y
Portugal Golden Visa (ARI)
Portugal PRT
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
5y
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa
Spain ESP
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$2,800
Citizenship
10y
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Spain ESP
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$2,800
Citizenship
10y
Italy Elective Residence Visa
Italy ITA
Processing
3mo
Min. Income
$33,000
Citizenship
10y
Greece Golden Visa
Greece GRC
Processing
4mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
7y
Malta Permanent Residence Programme (MPRP)
Malta MLT
Processing
6mo
Min. Income
—
Citizenship
No
Ancestry / Descent Options
Based on common ancestry patterns for United States nationals.
Italian Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis)
Italy
Est. Cost
$2,000– $15,000
Processing
6–48mo
Irish Citizenship by Descent / Foreign Births Registration
Ireland
Est. Cost
$500– $3,000
Processing
12–36mo
German Citizenship by Descent (§ 4 StAG / Restoration under Art. 116 GG)
Germany
Est. Cost
$500– $8,000
Processing
6–24mo
Polish Citizenship by Descent (Confirmation of Polish Citizenship)
Poland
Est. Cost
$1,000– $8,000
Processing
6–24mo
Banking That Accepts Your Passport
5 optionsCompany Formation Jurisdictions
12 jurisdictionsUK Private Limited Company (Ltd)
Setup: $50
25% (19% for profits under GBP 50,000; marginal relief between GBP 50,000–250,000)
Banking: moderate
US Delaware LLC
Setup: $200
0% at state level (no Delaware state income tax on out-of-state activity); federal tax depends on election (pass-through by default or C-Corp election)
Banking: moderate
US Wyoming LLC
Setup: $100
0% at state level (no Wyoming state income tax); federal tax depends on entity election
Banking: moderate
Estonia OÜ (Private Limited Company)
Setup: $265
0% on retained earnings; 20% on distributed profits (unique deferred distribution tax model)
Banking: difficult
Dubai DMCC Free Zone Company
Setup: $8,500
9% UAE Corporate Tax (effective June 2023) on taxable profits over AED 375,000; 0% for Qualifying Free Zone Persons meeting substance requirements
Banking: moderate
Dubai IFZA Free Zone Company
Setup: $5,500
9% UAE Corporate Tax on profits over AED 375,000; 0% for Qualifying Free Zone Persons on qualifying income
Banking: moderate
Singapore Private Limited Company (Pte Ltd)
Setup: $400
17% headline rate; effective rate often 8–10% due to startup tax exemptions (75% exemption on first SGD 100,000 for first 3 years)
Banking: moderate
Hong Kong Private Limited Company
Setup: $500
16.5% standard; 8.25% on first HKD 2 million of assessable profits (two-tiered regime)
Banking: difficult
BVI Business Company (BC)
Setup: $2,000
0% (no corporate income tax, capital gains tax, or withholding tax)
Banking: difficult
Cayman Islands LLC
Setup: $3,500
0% (no corporate tax, income tax, capital gains tax, or withholding tax; 20-year tax exemption certificate available)
Banking: difficult
Portugal Lda (Sociedade por Quotas)
Setup: $1,200
21% standard IRC; 17% on first EUR 25,000 for SMEs; municipal surcharge up to 1.5%; RFAI and other incentives available
Banking: moderate
Georgia Individual Entrepreneur (IE) with Virtual Zone
Setup: $50
1% on turnover up to GEL 500,000/year (Small Business Status); 0% on IT/software exports for Virtual Zone Person status; standard rate 15% corporate + 5% dividend withholding
Banking: easy
Citizenship by Investment
10 programsMalta Citizenship by Naturalisation for Exceptional Services by Direct Investment
Malta
From
$690,000
Processing
14mo
Visa-Free
186
Due Diligence
extensive
St Kitts and Nevis Citizenship by Investment
St Kitts and Nevis
From
$250,000
Processing
6mo
Visa-Free
157
Due Diligence
enhanced
Commonwealth of Dominica Citizenship by Investment
Dominica
From
$100,000
Processing
5mo
Visa-Free
144
Due Diligence
enhanced
Antigua and Barbuda Citizenship by Investment
Antigua and Barbuda
From
$130,000
Processing
6mo
Visa-Free
151
Due Diligence
enhanced
Grenada Citizenship by Investment
Grenada
From
$150,000
Processing
6mo
Visa-Free
148
Due Diligence
enhanced
St Lucia Citizenship by Investment
St Lucia
From
$100,000
Processing
5mo
Visa-Free
146
Due Diligence
enhanced
Turkish Citizenship by Investment
Turkey
From
$400,000
Processing
4mo
Visa-Free
110
Due Diligence
standard
Vanuatu Citizenship by Investment (DSP / VDSP)
Vanuatu
From
$130,000
Processing
2mo
Visa-Free
113
Due Diligence
standard
Egyptian Citizenship by Investment
Egypt
From
$300,000
Processing
6mo
Visa-Free
53
Due Diligence
standard
Jordanian Citizenship by Investment
Jordan
From
$750,000
Processing
9mo
Visa-Free
57
Due Diligence
enhanced