Planning Your Roving European Retirement--International Living
Living overseas part-time is becoming increasingly popular, especially for those keen to try on a 'roving retirement' lifestyle in Europe for size. A new report from the editors at International Living details the pros and cons of a roving retirement and offers advice on how to enjoy extended time in Europe while staying within the rules.
BALTIMORE, Aug. 31, 2021 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- A 'roving retirement' lifestyle is a great way of exploring the planet— it turns the traditional expat experience on its head, emphasizing flexibility and slow travel over the rigid idea of deciding on a country, buying a property there, and moving in permanently.
These days, a fulfilling part-time life abroad is very achievable thanks to attractive global visa and residency options. Plus there's a wealth of safe, affordable, ultra-liveable countries to choose from.
"For employees with the flexibility to login to work from anywhere and for retirees not yet ready to commit to a single spot abroad, a flexible, shorter-term overseas solution can make smart sense—and in Europe, you have great options," says Jennifer Stevens, Executive Editor, InternationalLiving.com.
"This roving solution allows you to test drive lots of places in a substantive way. You're not dropping by for a week—you're spending two or three months, and that can give you a really good sense for whether you've landed in a place you might want to come back to one day."
A roving retirement is more than just an extended vacation. For many, it's a way of life. Expats living it say it stems from an urge to replace the tourist mindset with a live-like-a-local approach, viewing a country's culture from the inside rather than the outside.
Retirees, pre-retirees, online entrepreneurs (of every age), and nomadic adventurers continue to discover the joys of a low-key expat lifestyle tailored to their personal circumstances. Many report they're ultimately on the prowl for a place to settle but enjoy trying various places on for size, a few months at a time.
For many Americans and Canadians, Europe sits firmly at the top of the list when it comes to enchanting possibilities for part-time living. With stunning beaches and breath-taking forests, there's more than enough variety in culture, geography, and weather to suit all tastes. Delectable cuisine, intriguing history, and vibrant social interactions are guaranteed in every corner of Europe, so the toughest decision may to choose where to start exploring.
European travel rules can change rapidly, so always obtain the most up-to-date visa information before traveling.
The new report examines some of the pros and cons of a part-time move to Europe…
The Pros
Lower Cost of Living
Despite preconceived notions, expats find many of Europe's most liveable countries are easier on the budget than life in North America is. Portugal, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Poland, Romania, and the Czech Republic are just a few examples of nations where dollars go much further.
A More Organic Approach to Living Abroad
The more European countries folks try out for a few months, the more confidence they gain and the easier it gets. Travels are adaptable and low-stress — it's all about seeing where the journey takes you, rather than committing to a single foreign location.
World-class Healthcare
Medical services in most European nations are first-rate, and are generally more affordable than in the U.S. That's why so many North Americans flock to Europe for major procedures, cosmetic enhancements, and high-quality, low-cost pharmaceuticals.
Exit Strategy
Enjoying a roving European retirement is minimally committal. If folks eventually decide it's not for them or they get homesick, they can return to North America more easily than if tied down to a more permanent situation that includes owning a house abroad.
The Spice of Life
Europe has it all: unique wildlife, sunny beaches, luscious mountain villages, and welcoming cities complete with imposing castles, cultural wonders, and inviting cafes wedged into narrow, cobblestoned lanes. When expat life consists of staying in one place for months at a time, folks get the best of both worlds—the chance to become part of a local community for a while and the constant anticipation of future travels.
The Cons
Missing Friends and Family
Even if folks choose to spend half the year in Europe and the rest in North America, they'll still have to deal with some physical separation from loved ones. But Skype and FaceTime can help.
Less Time to Learn How Each Country Works
The more folks move around, the less time is left to absorb all the little tips and nuances that make living in a new country easier: how to get around, where the locals find free entertainment, which grocery stores stock favorite foods, etc. Absorbing the language, making new lifelong friends, and learning to navigate a country's bureaucracy, traditions, and lifestyle take longer than just a month or two.
Less Stability
The very thing that makes a roving retirement so much fun (more travel), can take its toll over time. The increased culture shock associated with living in different countries over a year is very real. The shorter the stay, the harder it is to establish comfortable routines.
How Does the Schengen Zone Work?
In Europe, 26 countries currently fall under the Schengen visa scheme. At present, U.S. and Canadian passport holders are allowed to stay in Schengen countries visa-free for a total of 90 days out of 180 days. For border control purposes, the Schengen zone acts somewhat like a single country, with easier freedom of movement between each country within the zone.
Once folks have enjoyed 90 days in Schengen, they must then spend 90 days outside the zone before re-entering. And beware: overstaying within Schengen can result in a hefty fine and/or deportation, so don't leave exit to the last minute. Those 90 days in Schengen include arrival and departure days. The days don't need to be consecutive, but they're treated as cumulative.
"This system will soon change a bit, with an added requirement expected to be fully implemented by the end of 2022," says Kevin Casey, IL contributor. "The ETIAS precondition will apply to both Canadian and U.S. citizens traveling in the Schengen zone. ETIAS is a visa waiver introduced to pre-screen visa-exempt travelers to Schengen countries. It aims to keep all travelers safer by reducing illegal immigration and managing potential security threats within Schengen nations, including terrorism.
"Getting the new ETIAS authorization is pretty easy: you apply online from the U.S. or Canada (which takes about 20 minutes) and if all's well, you'll then receive an electronic multi-entry travel authorization that's valid for three years."
For further information about ETIAS for both U.S. and Canadian travelers, go here: How Does the Schengen Zone Work?
"This visa waiver doesn't allow free reign to travel all over Europe—it's only for Schengen countries," Casey notes.
"Fortunately, there are a number of European countries that aren't part of the Schengen zone, so if you plan to wander around Europe indefinitely, that's not a problem at all. When it's time to leave Schengen, simply hop out for at least 90 days into one or more of the non-Schengen nations such as Albania, Croatia, Republic of Ireland, Cyprus, the U.K., Romania, Monaco, Turkey, etc. Other possibilities include skipping across the Mediterranean to North Africa (Morocco is popular) or spending time in one or more of the non-Schengen ex-Soviet states such as Ukraine, Armenia, Georgia, etc."
The full report can be found, here; Planning Your Roving European Retirement
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