🌎 World Aware

Welcome to World Aware, your weekly roundup of global news and insights that actually matter if you travel internationally, live abroad, or you're thinking about it.

Did you see the two videos we posted in the past week? Saturday's video set the record straight on why we left Ecuador, while Wednesday's video was our first about the Pros & Cons of Panama.

Now that we've simplified the recording and editing of our videos, it looks like we'll be able to post two per week. At least that's our goal for now.

We have so much to share following 6 months of radio silence that one video per week just isn't enough to get it all out! 😂

I received a lot of replies from last week's newsletter about an additional pathway to residency in Panama that we haven't mentioned.

It's specifically for U.S. citizens and it's valid for one year. It can be renewed up to 5 times, but it doesn't lead to permanent residency.

It's ideal if you want to move to Panama, but you aren't quite retired yet so you don't qualify for the pensionado visa. This will allow you to live there until you do qualify.

Social Security is 8 years away for me and 5 years away for Amelia from the earliest we could claim it (we'll probably wait a bit longer than that) so this alternative pathway doesn't work for us. The renewal clock would run out before we qualify for the pensionado visa.

Plus, we would each like to qualify for a permanent visa rather than going the dependent route again (like we did in Ecuador). If something happens to one of us, we don't want the other to have to start the process over (like Amelia would in Ecuador).

It doesn't look like Mexico is going to work for us either. At least not right now. We're going to talk about why "Mexico Doesn't Want Us" in an upcoming video so stay tuned for that.

Nothing is ever easy, certain or straightforward when it comes to visas. That's why it's always good to have multiple options.

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Come Sail Away With Us 🛳️

The Panama City Leap sold out quickly, but you can still join us for a week at sea next April 2027 on our inaugural Turtle Travel Club Flotilla.

The cruise is open to ALL club members. A small refundable deposit made to the cruise line will secure your spot. The special rates we've negotiated expire on June 5th so if you're thinking about going, now is the time to sign up.

The full details and booking instructions for the cruise are in the Turtle Flotilla Booking Info space inside our Mighty community.

Come set sail with us next April and be part of Amelia's first cruise experience 🥳

World Aware News

Here's what we learned about the world this week...

Expat News

More Americans Are Seriously Considering Moving Abroad

Interest in leaving the United States is rising sharply, with new research showing growing numbers of Americans actively exploring relocation rather than simply fantasizing about it. Rising living costs, political dissatisfaction, healthcare concerns, and quality-of-life issues were among the top reasons cited, while countries in Europe and Latin America are attracting attention for affordability and public services. The report also notes a steady increase in U.S. citizenship renunciations and long waitlists for appointments. [Source]

Americans Retiring Abroad Can Usually Keep Their Social Security

Most Americans who retire overseas can continue receiving Social Security payments without major changes, provided they move to countries where the U.S. allows benefit distribution. The main exceptions are places like Cuba and North Korea, while several former Soviet states have additional restrictions unless retirees qualify for exemptions. Payments can typically be sent through U.S. bank accounts, international direct deposit, or mailed checks, though direct deposit is considered the safest and easiest option. We recommend maintaining direct deposits to your same U.S. bank account rather than introducing the complexity of international transfers. [Source]

European Towns Are Offering Incentives to Attract American Expats

Several European countries, including Italy, Spain, Ireland, Greece, and Portugal, are using tax breaks, housing grants, and relocation incentives to attract new residents, especially retirees and remote workers. Many of the offers target rural or declining communities and often require buyers to renovate homes, stay long term, or meet residency and income requirements. Greece and Italy stand out for extended flat-tax programs, while Portugal continues promoting relocation through its digital nomad visa pathway. If you’re considering a move abroad, these programs could lower relocation costs significantly, but many require committing to smaller towns, property restoration, or minimum residency periods. [Source]

American Digital Nomads Still Owe U.S. Taxes While Living Abroad

As more Americans work remotely from overseas, many are discovering that moving abroad does not end their U.S. tax obligations. U.S. citizens must still report worldwide income, though strategies like the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion can reduce taxes if residency and travel requirements are met. Foreign bank accounts, state tax ties, and overseas business structures can create unexpected filing rules and penalties if handled incorrectly. If you plan to live abroad while working remotely, tracking travel days, residency status, and financial accounts are just as important as choosing where to go. [Source]

Switzerland Tops the List of Best Countries to Move to in 2026

Switzerland ranked as the world’s best country to move to in Remitly’s 2026 Immigration Index, which evaluated 82 countries on factors including salaries, healthcare, safety, housing costs, education, and quality of life. Iceland, Luxembourg, Australia, and Germany rounded out the top five, with European countries dominating the rankings overall. It's important to keep in mind that rankings like these seldom consider how difficult it is to obtain residency. Most of these have few or no paths to long-term residency for retirees. [Source]

Travel News

El Salvador Emerges as a Safer, Easier Central America Getaway

El Salvador is drawing more international travelers after major security reforms helped lower safety concerns and improve tourism confidence. The country combines volcano hikes, surf beaches, colonial towns, and coffee regions within short driving distances, making it easy to explore in a single trip. Tourism has grown quickly, with more than four million visitors in 2025, while digital infrastructure and Bitcoin adoption have added another layer of appeal for some travelers. You can now move between San Salvador, beach towns, and mountain areas in under an hour, making shorter multi-stop trips far more practical than in much of the region. [Source]

New Disease Outbreaks Are Renewing Questions About Global Travel Safety

Recent hantavirus and Ebola outbreaks are highlighting how quickly infectious diseases can spread through international travel, even as global tourism returns to pre-pandemic levels. Travelers heading to major international events or crossing multiple borders may increasingly encounter health screenings, vaccination checks, or changing entry rules during future outbreaks. [Source]

Whisky Tourism Is Turning Spirits Into a Global Travel Experience

Whisky culture is increasingly shaping how enthusiasts travel, with festivals, distillery tours, tasting trains, and destination whisky bars drawing visitors across regions like Scotland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada. Whisky tourism has evolved beyond traditional Scotch regions, with emerging producers in Oceania gaining international attention and helping travelers explore local culture through spirits. It also reflects on how shared interests around whisky can connect travelers across backgrounds and countries. If you enjoy food and drink travel, whisky-focused destinations now offer a growing mix of cultural experiences, guided tastings, and niche travel opportunities well beyond the traditional distillery circuit. [Source]

Solo Travel Is Becoming More Flexible and Less Intimidating

Experienced solo travelers are pushing back against the idea that traveling alone has to be lonely, expensive, or extreme. Solo trips can range from short domestic weekends to quiet resort stays, with travelers tailoring experiences around their own budgets, interests, and schedules rather than packed itineraries. Many solo travelers are using trips as extensions of work travel or family events rather than full-time adventures. If you’ve been hesitant to travel alone, shorter and lower-pressure trips closer to home may offer an easier and more affordable way to start. [Source]

That's all for this week. Let me know if you have any questions.

Safe travels.

JP (Amelia Says Hola)​
​AmeliaAndJP.com | TurtleTravelClub.com​

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