Safe Harbor Index · Veterans
Best Countries for US Veterans Moving Abroad
Two things matter most: whether a US Social Security totalization agreement protects your benefit credits, and whether the VA Foreign Medical Program and a real veteran community exist on the ground. Argentina and Mexico have NO totalization agreement — your SS credits don't transfer.
Updated June 2026 · 11 countries assessed
Strong fit
Law, services and community all line up.
🇩🇪 Germany
US-Germany totalization in force. Largest US-veteran community in Europe — Ramstein, Wiesbaden, Stuttgart hubs. VA FMP coverage for service-connected conditions.
🇮🇹 Italy
US-Italy totalization in force. Italy hosts several US military bases — Aviano, Vicenza, Naples — with veteran communities and VA reciprocity at those base hospitals.
🇵🇹 Portugal
US-Portugal totalization in force. VA FMP covers service-connected conditions. Strong US-veteran community in the Algarve and Cascais.
Good, with caveats
Workable — read the note for the catch.
🇪🇸 Spain
US-Spain SSA totalization in force; VA Foreign Medical Program covers service-connected conditions at any Spanish hospital you pay first and claim back. No dedicated veteran visa — use the regular non-lucrative or Digital Nomad visa.
🇨🇦 Canada
US-Canada totalization in force. US veterans use VA Foreign Medical Program for service-connected care; routine care via the provincial public plan once a resident.
🇬🇧 United Kingdom
US-UK totalization in force. RAF/USAF veteran community at Lakenheath and Mildenhall. UK Armed Forces Covenant grants veterans housing and healthcare priority — for UK veterans only.
🇮🇪 Ireland
US-Ireland totalization in force. Smaller US-veteran community than Germany/Italy; VA FMP covers service-connected conditions at any Irish hospital.
🇵🇱 Poland
US-Poland totalization in force since 2009. US troop presence in Poznań and Powidz is growing; veteran community building but smaller than Germany.
🇭🇺 Hungary
US-Hungary totalization in force. Smaller US-veteran community; VA FMP coverage for service-connected conditions.
Check carefully
Significant legal or practical gaps for this group.
🇲🇽 Mexico
US-Mexico has NO totalization agreement. VA Foreign Medical Program covers service-connected conditions — Mexico has the largest VA FMP enrollment outside US. Large US-veteran community in Ajijic, San Miguel, Mérida, Rosarito.
🇦🇷 Argentina
US-Argentina has NO totalization agreement — US social security credits do not transfer. VA FMP covers service-connected conditions.
Your move, mapped to who you are
GoThere builds your relocation plan around these exact considerations — visa matches, safety notes and curated resources for your situation, in the Decide wizard.