Americans Flock to Eastern Europe for New Lives

Dual citizenship, lower costs, and a better quality of life draw US citizens to lesser-known EU destinations.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 9:05am

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A high-contrast silkscreen print of a suitcase icon repeated in a grid pattern, rendered in bright neon colors and heavy black outlines, conceptually representing the trend of Americans relocating to Eastern Europe.As Americans seek a better quality of life abroad, Eastern European countries are offering new options for relocation, from flexible citizenship requirements to lower costs of living.NYC Today

A growing number of Americans are choosing to emigrate to Eastern European countries like Romania, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Poland, Albania, and Estonia, taking advantage of flexible citizenship requirements, lower costs of living, and a slower pace of life compared to the US. Couples like Antoni Scarano and Natalie Boruk have made the move, citing factors like safety, affordability, and the ability to pursue their passions as key reasons for relocating.

Why it matters

As popular European destinations like Italy, Portugal, and France tighten immigration rules, Eastern European countries are offering more enticing options for American relocation, including tax incentives and more flexible citizenship requirements. This trend reflects a broader desire among Americans, especially younger generations, to seek out a better quality of life abroad.

The details

Scarano, a Romanian-born American, reconnected with his birth family in Romania in 2019 and eventually moved there with his wife in 2024. Boruk, whose parents immigrated to the US from Poland, moved with her husband to Krakow in 2025, taking advantage of her dual US/Polish citizenship. Other Americans are drawn to countries like Albania and Estonia for their low costs of living, flexible residency policies, and tech-savvy environments.

  • In 2019, Antoni Scarano visited Romania for the first time since being adopted as a newborn.
  • In May 2024, Scarano and his wife moved from New York to a small village in Transylvania, Romania.
  • In May 2025, Natalie Boruk and her husband moved from Virginia to Krakow, Poland.
  • In 2024, Poland saw a 37% increase in foreigners acquiring Polish citizenship compared to 2023.
  • In early 2025, actor Jesse Eisenberg received Polish citizenship in a ceremony with the Polish President.

The players

Antoni Scarano

A 34-year-old New Yorker who was adopted from Romania as a newborn and recently moved back to the country with his wife.

Samantha Attaguile

Scarano's wife, who moved with him from New York to a small village in Transylvania, Romania.

Natalie Boruk

A US citizen who moved from Virginia to Krakow, Poland in 2025 with her husband, taking advantage of her dual US/Polish citizenship.

Dragoș Poede

The CEO of Door to Romania, a firm that has seen a five-fold increase in US clients looking to relocate to Romania over the last 18 months.

Jean-Francois Harvey

The global managing partner of Harvey Law Group, an immigration law firm that has seen a surge in inquiries from Americans about relocating to lesser-known European destinations.

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What they’re saying

“It was like a party. It turned into a big love fest, really. We really hit it off, and it felt like we picked up where we left off, you know, all those years ago.”

— Antoni Scarano

“When we got (to Romania), we went to a festival outside, and I turned to him, and I was like, 'there's no chance of us getting shot here.' I didn't realize that was even something that I lived with on my shoulders.”

— Samantha Attaguile

“In the States we didn't even have the time to think about pursuing those passions, and here we actually get paid to perform, which is such a gift and a privilege.”

— Samantha Attaguile

“When people ask us, 'Why (do) your clients choose Romania?,' many expect a complex answer or some hidden secret. But in reality, the answer is 'everyday factors, like essential elements without which it is difficult to enjoy your life, like safety in public spaces, access to a high-quality healthcare system, education, taxes, business environment, a very low cost of living.'”

— Dragoș Poede, CEO, Door to Romania

“They understand the American dream, it's not like it used to be.”

— Dragoș Poede, CEO, Door to Romania

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This trend of Americans relocating to lesser-known European destinations reflects a broader desire for a better quality of life, with factors like safety, affordability, and the ability to pursue passions drawing people away from the high-stress, high-cost lifestyle in the US. As popular immigration destinations tighten their rules, Eastern European countries are offering more enticing options, leading to a surge in American interest in places like Romania, Poland, and Albania.