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.
In last week's newsletter, I mentioned that Amelia is growing tired of living out of a suitcase so we're on the hunt for a second residency, which we discussed in this week's video.
We've already received a lot of questions about why we didn't include Panama in our shortlist.
If you already watched the video, we mentioned our requirements at the beginning, and the biggest requirement is the country must have a visa that will work for us.
Panama has several visa options, but we simply don't qualify for any of them.
The pensionado (retirement) visa doesn't allow you to work and the income required to qualify must be passive. That's not us 👎
The digital nomad visa doesn't lead to permanent residency and that's a primary goal so that won't work for us either 👎
The friendly nations visa requires a $200,000 real estate investment or bank deposit in a 3-year CD. Most of our money is locked up in retirement accounts so that won't work either 👎
Panama is one of our top choices for retirees, but it's not a good option if you're still working and don't have $200K to lock up in a non-liquid investment.
We'll keep you updated as we continue our pursuit of our second residency, but Panama won't be it unless its visa laws change or our financial situation does.
Ecuador will continue to be part of our global living plan, but having a second visa gives us more options and that's never a bad thing.
If you want to know the truth about why we left Ecuador, we're going to share a special video discussing that tomorrow (Saturday May 23rd) at noon Eastern Time in response to lots of recent comments. It's not what everyone seems to think.
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Come Sail Away With Us 🛳️
Amelia has NEVER been on a cruise before, so we thought, what better way to break in her sea legs than with a group of travel buddies!
You can sail away with us and see Amelia's reactions for yourself next April 2027 at our inaugural Turtle Travel Club Flotilla on one of the newest, nicest ships currently in operation.
It's open to all members of our Turtle Travel Club, which may be the coolest thing we've ever created.
It's hard to put into words what this travel club has become, but you can listen to what a few members had to say about it in this video 👇
The full details and booking instructions for the cruise are in the Turtle Flotilla Booking Info space inside our Mighty community.
It only takes a small refundable deposit made to the cruise line to 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.
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
Exporting Our Elderly for Affordable Care Abroad
Rising nursing home costs and gaps in long-term care coverage are pushing some American families to relocate elderly relatives overseas, particularly to Mexico, where assisted living and dementia care can cost a fraction of U.S. prices. Families must navigate difficult tradeoffs between affordability, quality of care, and staying close to loved ones, as demand for eldercare grows faster than the American system can support it. [Source]
More Americans Are Giving Up Citizenship, Unseen Since 1929
New migration estimates suggest the U.S. may have experienced net outward migration in 2025 for the first time in decades, while a growing number of Americans are also renouncing their citizenship altogether. [Source]
Mérida Named Latin America’s Top Retirement City for Expats
Mérida has been ranked the best retirement destination in Latin America for expats, thanks to its combination of affordability, safety, healthcare access, and quality of life. The study found that many retirees are increasingly choosing smaller regional cities over larger capitals or resort hubs, with other high-ranking destinations including Oaxaca, Cuenca, and Medellín. Researchers pointed to lower living costs, established expat communities, and more accessible residency options as key advantages across the region. Americans considering retirement abroad may find significantly lower housing and daily expenses in these cities while still maintaining access to modern healthcare and established infrastructure. [Source]
Lisbon Tops New Global Ranking for Expats in 2026
A new global ranking of expat-friendly cities has placed Lisbon first for overall livability, followed by Amsterdam and Melbourne. The study compared 35 cities using factors like affordability, healthcare, safety, air quality, English proficiency, and ease of settling in. European cities dominated the list, while Tokyo, Singapore, and Seoul also ranked highly for infrastructure and quality of life. [Source]
More Americans Are Considering Retirement Abroad Despite Low Actual Move Rates
About 712,000 Americans currently receive Social Security payments overseas, representing less than 1% of all beneficiaries, even as interest in retiring abroad continues to rise. Surveys show many older Americans are drawn by lower living costs, healthcare access, and political dissatisfaction, with popular destinations including Japan, Canada, Mexico, and Portugal. [Source]
US Tax Rules Are Making Banking Difficult for Americans Living in Spain
A growing number of Americans moving to Spain are running into unexpected banking hurdles because of FATCA, a U.S. law requiring foreign banks to report American account holders to the IRS. While many Spanish banks still allow basic checking accounts, investment accounts and financial products are often restricted or delayed due to the extra compliance burden and reporting requirements. Americans relocating abroad may face limited access to local investment services, more paperwork, and slower banking approvals simply because they hold a U.S. passport. [Source]
France Ranked the Best Country for Expat Healthcare in 2026
France has been named the top destination for expat healthcare in 2026, with rankings highlighting its universal system, relatively affordable costs, and broad access to medical care. Expats can typically join the public healthcare system after three months of residency, while many also use supplemental private insurance for additional coverage. [Source]
Travel News
Thailand Cuts Visa-Free Tourist Stays to 30 Days
Thailand is shortening visa-free tourist stays from 60 days back to 30 days for visitors from dozens of countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, and much of Schengen Area. Officials say the tighter rules are aimed at reducing illegal business activity, visa overstays, and crimes involving foreign nationals, while still allowing travelers to apply for one extension through immigration offices. The move reverses a more relaxed visa policy introduced after the pandemic to help revive tourism. [Source]
Retirees Are Using Smarter Planning to Travel More on Fixed Incomes
Many retirees are continuing to travel extensively despite fixed incomes by traveling during shoulder seasons, using travel rewards cards, booking longer stays, comparing destinations by exchange rates, and avoiding peak tourism periods. Some retirees reported spending a month abroad for less than the cost of a short domestic hotel stay in the U.S. [Source]
European Locals Say These Common Habits Make American Tourists Stand Out
Everyday travel habits make American tourists easy to spot in Europe because of differences in speaking volume, dining customs, clothing, and social behavior. Common observations include speaking more loudly in public, wearing athletic clothing outside gyms, eating dinner earlier, expecting large drinks with ice, and tipping more generously than local norms require. [Source]
Bali Warns Tourists and Influencers Over Unpaid Work on Visitor Visas
Bali is tightening enforcement around tourist visa rules, warning foreign visitors that unpaid promotional work, collaborations, and content creation may violate immigration conditions. Authorities said influencers, photographers, DJs, yoga instructors, and wellness practitioners are among the groups facing greater scrutiny, especially when activities provide commercial, portfolio, or promotional value even without direct payment. Officials indicated that travelers engaging in collaborations or business-related projects may need business, performer, volunteer, or work visas instead of standard tourist permits. [Source]
Italy’s Ancient Pilgrimage Trails Are a Major Slow-Travel Draw
Italy’s network of historic pilgrimage routes is attracting renewed attention as travelers increasingly seek slower, more immersive ways to explore Europe. Routes including the Via Francigena, Via di Francesco, and Cammino di San Benedetto connect medieval towns, rural landscapes, and historic religious sites while tracing centuries-old paths once used by pilgrims traveling to Rome. The article highlights how walking tourism has become one of Europe’s fastest-growing travel sectors, with Italy positioned as a leading destination because of its dense concentration of certified long-distance trails. Travelers looking for lower-impact, longer stays may find these routes offer a more affordable and culturally immersive alternative to crowded city tourism and fast-paced itineraries. [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