Canada not the top choice, why Americans are skipping Trump's '51st state' for a much smaller country
For decades,
Canada
has been the default fantasy for Americans seeking a fresh start abroad—so much so that US President Trump has evidently desired to make it the '51st state.' But in 2025, a new trend is emerging: Americans are increasingly bypassing their northern neighbor and setting their sights on
Portugal
, now the undisputed top pick for US expats.
A major survey by
Expatsi
, a relocation services company, polled over 116,000 Americans considering relocation, found that Portugal is now the number one country Americans want to move to, outpacing Canada and every other destination. While Canada still makes the top four, it no longer dominates the American imagination as it once did.
Instead, the list of most-desired countries for relocation in 2025 reads:
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Portugal
Spain
United Kingdom
Canada
Italy
Ireland
France
Mexico
New Zealand
Costa Rica
Canada, once the perennial favorite, now sits at number four—behind three European nations.The reasons are as diverse as the destinations. According to the Expatsi survey, 61% of Americans cited adventure and personal enrichment as their main motivation, while over half pointed to political division or ultraconservatism at home. Affordability, safety, and quality of life are also key drivers, and Portugal's cost of living—about 35% lower than the U.S.—is a major call.
Recent migration data supports this trend. Portugal has seen a 239% increase in American residents since 2017, with over 14,000 Americans now calling it home and a record 585,800 overnight stays by U.S. visitors in May 2024 alone. Americans have also become the leading nationality for Portugal's coveted
Golden Visa
program.
Live Events
Reuters recently noted that Portugal's 'blend of affordability, safety, and lifestyle is drawing a new wave of U.S. arrivals, both tourists and long-term residents,' a sentiment echoed by Expatsi's CEO, who said, 'Once Americans discover the ease of Portuguese residency and the quality of life, it's hard for other countries to compete.'
The idea of Canada as the '51st state,' floated by President Trump, has been met with skepticism and even resistance among Canadians and Americans alike. Canadians overwhelmingly value their independence, and the practicalities of such a merger are daunting. Moreover, many Americans are seeking a more dramatic change in lifestyle, climate, and culture than Canada can provide.
So while Canada remains a solid choice, the American dream of relocation is now painted in the pastel hues of Lisbon and Porto, not the maple red of Montreal. Maybe the
51st state
is just a little further east than anyone expected.
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