# Has anyone expatriated to Europe? **URL:** \ **Category:** Maritime Employment\ **Created:** [June 29, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/has-anyone-expatriated-to-europe/72882 "2025-06-29T16:14:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rawdog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/76d3ee/32.png) [@rawdog](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/rawdog)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 4:14pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/has-anyone-expatriated-to-europe/72882/1 "2025-06-29T16:14:07Z")
Question, for anyone who has expatted, countries like Germany are offering blue cards for seafarer jobs, but its difficult to find employers, and resources. Does anyone have any experience with this? Thanks, -R ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/has-anyone-expatriated-to-europe/72882/2 "2025-06-29T17:06:45Z")
Please tell us more about Blue Cards? ---
**Author:** ![ombugge](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/user_avatar/forum.gcaptain.com/ombugge/32/11217_2.png) [@ombugge](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/ombugge)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 7:20pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/has-anyone-expatriated-to-europe/72882/3 "2025-06-29T19:20:48Z")
There is an EU-wide Blue Card, It is offered to skilled workers from outside EU to live and work, not only in Germany: > **[EU Blue Card Network](https://www.apply.eu/)** > > The European Blue Card is a Work Permit that facilitates Migration of Educated Third Country Nationals to Europe to continue a career working in highly skilled jobs, and a residence permit enabling family reunification. There are several types of Blue Cards offered by Germany: > **[Understanding the Different Types of EU Blue Cards in Germany (2025 Guide)](https://www.jobbatical.com/blog/understanding-germany-eu-blue-card-types-latest-differences)** > > Explore the differences between EU Blue Card types in Germany for 2025, including requirements, salaries, and benefits for professionals, IT specialists, and young talents. What can you do in Germany with a EU Blue Card?: > **[EU Blue Card](https://www.make-it-in-germany.com/en/visa-residence/types/eu-blue-card)** > > The Federal Government's website explains how the EU Blue Card enables foreign graduates to take up qualified work in Germany. ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 9:05pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/has-anyone-expatriated-to-europe/72882/4 "2025-06-29T21:05:42Z")
Thank you for your informative and helpful post. ---
**Author:** ![Sand\_Pebble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c2a13f/32.png) [@Sand\_Pebble](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/Sand_Pebble)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2025, 10:36pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/has-anyone-expatriated-to-europe/72882/5 "2025-06-29T22:36:16Z")
One of the many cool things about our profession is we can almost live anywhere in the world without having to worry about getting their work visas. Same with worrying about their sometimes lower wages, smaller job markets/less job opportunities or joining foriegn labor unions that really don’t like outsiders. Maybe keep your current job or find a US maritime job that has a flexible schedule, okay pay & reasonable travel benefits & just live in Germany or another EU country on your offtime? Tickets to Portugal, Spain & Northern Italy are usually reasonable from the US Northeast. I’ve read it is easy to migrate to Portugal or Spain & cost of living is reasonable outside of the big, artsy cities. > **[Move To Europe: 6 Easy Countries For Americans To Get A Job](https://www.forbes.com/sites/laurabegleybloom/2022/10/25/move-to-europe-6-easy-countries-for-americans-to-get-a-job/)** > > Want to know how to move to Europe? Here's the scoop on five countries where it’s easy to get a work visa—plus one more on the horizon. > **[Easiest Countries for Americans to Move to from the US: Residency Options in...](https://immigrantinvest.com/blog/easiest-countries-for-americans-to-move-to/)** > > Discover the 11 easiest countries for Americans to move to. ➤ Explore visa options, language barriers, cost of living, and more to find the best destination for your new life abroad. > **[9 Best Countries for Americans to Move to from USA | Visa Routes](https://iasservices.org.uk/the-9-best-countries-for-americans-to-move-to/)** > > We explore how to immigrate from the USA, and the 9 best countries to move to based on lifestyle, visa, and citizenship pathways. Compare options here. ---
**Author:** ![MMC121595](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@MMC121595](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/MMC121595)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/has-anyone-expatriated-to-europe/72882/6 "2025-07-29T14:50:53Z")
Any particular reason why you want to expatriate? Just curious. ---
**Author:** ![tugsailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a9adbd/32.png) [@tugsailor](https://forum.gcaptain.com/u/tugsailor)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 5:28pm UTC](https://forum.gcaptain.com/t/has-anyone-expatriated-to-europe/72882/7 "2025-07-29T17:28:00Z")
There is a Trump backlash. Americans are now much less welcome in Europe and Canada. Officially, the are 1.6 million Americans living in Mexico. As a result of inflation and gentrification there is now a backlash against Americans. Similar issues in other Latin American cities.