Emigration - another sideeffect of the new Trump administration (1 Viewer)

[Dragon]

After the U.S. election in November, Denmark and other European nations have experienced a significant surge in work visa applications from U.S. citizens. Some countries have reported an increase of more than 50%.

I came across this article today, which explores various perspectives on the issue. One of the article’s most prominent claims is the potential danger of a "brain drain," where the U.S. risks losing some of its top scientists and researchers. This could severely weaken the country's global position and influence, leading to long-term consequences for its industries. If key talent relocates to Europe or Asia, the U.S. could fall behind in critical sectors, giving competitors a substantial advantage.

 

[CajuninVA]

My wife and I are starting to discuss this a lot more frequently. Not sure how serious we are yet. At this point, the US likely wouldn’t notice or care that we were gone. But, all three of my children are straight A students and will likely be positive contributors to whatever society they are a member of. If we decide to leave, this country would definitely be less better off because of it.

 

[efil4]

My wife and I are starting to discuss this a lot more frequently. Not sure how serious we are yet. At this point, the US likely wouldn’t notice or care that we were gone. But, all three of my children are straight A students and will likely be positive contributors to whatever society they are a member of. If we decide to leave, this country would definitely be less better off because of it.

same. We have "talked" but with one about to enter grad school and the other her senior year and still having college to do, it would be 4-5 years out.

My girls are totally not opposed to living abroad but i would have to do some real magic financially - im 54. I have a really decent nest egg/savings, but still would need to work for the next 10-15 years as im not close to retiring nor exactly a "desired hire" in my industry with no real remote work available especially if there is a 5-7 hr time differential. But you never know what opportunities exist 5 years from now and im not closing the book.

 

[efil4]

After the U.S. election in November, Denmark and other European nations have experienced a significant surge in work visa applications from U.S. citizens. Some countries have reported an increase of more than 50%.

I came across this article today, which explores various perspectives on the issue. One of the article’s most prominent claims is the potential danger of a "brain drain," where the U.S. risks losing some of its top scientists and researchers. This could severely weaken the country's global position and influence, leading to long-term consequences for its industries. If key talent relocates to Europe or Asia, the U.S. could fall behind in critical sectors, giving competitors a substantial advantage.

i dont think that really matters to the ones with the power at this point. Actually, i think they would welcome that and maximize the opportunity to partner with others to exploit that aspect of what the country would be.

someone replied to a post on Bluesky that i wrote- said " US is morphing into 19th Century Mercantile empire that relies on gunboat diplomacy"

 

[Dragon]

same. We have "talked" but with one about to enter grad school and the other her senior year and still having college to do, it would be 4-5 years out.

My girls are totally not opposed to living abroad but i would have to do some real magic financially - im 54. I have a really decent nest egg/savings, but still would need to work for the next 10-15 years as im not close to retiring nor exactly a "desired hire" in my industry with no real remote work available especially if there is a 5-7 hr time differential. But you never know what opportunities exist 5 years from now and im not closing the book.

Yes, it can be challenging if you have children in that age group. However, one important factor to consider is that college education is free for residents in most European countries, including Denmark. This could lead to significant savings in the long run.

As for job opportunities, it largely depends on your field, but in many industries, are is not a major concern. The company I worked for employed people from all over Europe and even a few from overseas because they struggled to find enough qualified employees in Denmark. With its strong economy, businesses here are actively competing for skilled workers—especially in IT, technology, and the energy sector (oil, wind, and solar). This demand extends across most of Scandinavia as well.

 

[Dragon]

i dont think that really matters to the ones with the power at this point. Actually, i think they would welcome that and maximize the opportunity to partner with others to exploit that aspect of what the country would be.

someone replied to a post on Bluesky that i wrote- said " US is morphing into 19th Century Mercantile empire that relies on gunboat diplomacy"

Gunboat diplomacy only works in the short term, as history has repeatedly shown. When enough people—or nations—stand together, the cost of maintaining such operations eventually outweighs the benefits. Over time, resistance, economic strain, and political consequences make it unsustainable.

 

[efil4]

Yes, it can be challenging if you have children in that age group. However, one important factor to consider is that college education is free for residents in most European countries, including Denmark. This could lead to significant savings in the long run.

As for job opportunities, it largely depends on your field, but in many industries, age is not a major concern. The company I worked for employed people from all over Europe and even a few from overseas because they struggled to find enough qualified employees in Denmark. With its strong economy, businesses here are actively competing for skilled workers—especially in IT, technology, and the energy sector (oil, wind, and solar). This demand extends across most of Scandinavia as well.

yeah for me its insurance for 30 years. Retail ( agency ) side not carrier/insurer/company side. If the latter, then i would have ZERO issue finding something with one of the major European giants ( HannoverRe, SwissRe, AON etc etc )

im a dull creature of habit and change is not one of my strong points at this point in the game. But that is starting to recede ( my aversion to change ) ...slowly lol.

 

[CajuninVA]

same. We have "talked" but with one about to enter grad school and the other her senior year and still having college to do, it would be 4-5 years out.

My girls are totally not opposed to living abroad but i would have to do some real magic financially - im 54. I have a really decent nest egg/savings, but still would need to work for the next 10-15 years as im not close to retiring nor exactly a "desired hire" in my industry with no real remote work available especially if there is a 5-7 hr time differential. But you never know what opportunities exist 5 years from now and im not closing the book.

My kids are 10, 13, and 15. So now would be doable. The two oldest are bilingual (Spanish), but the rest of us are typical US citizens and only speak one language. My wife is a nurse, so she is very versatile. I am management in manufacturing. Not sure how much of a need that is internationally.

We have a decent nest egg, but most is in IRAs or 401ks that we can’t touch without penalty at this point. I am only 49 and she is 44, so we have a ways to go and in the meantime we will need to keep earning a paycheck. We’ve done some research, but not sure which countries would want us. Also, afraid that the current administration will start trying to penalize emigrants and take their retirement somehow through penalties.

 

[efil4]

My kids are 10, 13, and 15. So now would be doable. The two oldest are bilingual (Spanish), but the rest of us are typical US citizens and only speak one language. My wife is a nurse, so she is very versatile. I am management in manufacturing. Not sure how much of a need that is internationally.

We have a decent nest egg, but most is in IRAs or 401ks that we can’t touch without penalty at this point. I am only 49 and she is 44, so we have a ways to go and in the meantime we will need to keep earning a paycheck. We’ve done some research, but not sure which countries would want us. Also, afraid that the current administration will start trying to penalize emigrants and take their retirement somehow through penalties.

yeah thats the other thing, currently expats will still get Social Security retirement benefits. But that could change at the drop of a hat.

My sister and husband are really high on Costa Rica ( Pacific Coast side ) and we have friends who are looking at Belize.

Both are seemingly "remote" and while i do enjoy solitude, i really dont think i could do remote area. I need to see/interact with folks and if i didnt, i dont think id last very long without looking to move.

 

[Dragon]

My kids are 10, 13, and 15. So now would be doable. The two oldest are bilingual (Spanish), but the rest of us are typical US citizens and only speak one language. My wife is a nurse, so she is very versatile. I am management in manufacturing. Not sure how much of a need that is internationally.

We have a decent nest egg, but most is in IRAs or 401ks that we can’t touch without penalty at this point. I am only 49 and she is 44, so we have a ways to go and in the meantime we will need to keep earning a paycheck. We’ve done some research, but not sure which countries would want us. Also, afraid that the current administration will start trying to penalize emigrants and take their retirement somehow through penalties.

Language is not a problem in most of northern Europe. As a matter of fact the official company language in both the companies I have worked for the last 20 years were english because we had employees from all over the world. One company was Scandinavian and the other German and both used english at the office and in official documentation, manuals etc..

 

[CajuninVA]

Language is not a problem in most of northern Europe. As a matter of fact the official company language in both the companies I have worked for the last 20 years were english because we had employees from all over the world. One company was Scandinavian and the other German and both used english at the office and in official documentation, manuals etc..

But what is required for kids to be allowed to attend school or to get medical benefits, etc? Trying to think long term here and how to stay for a long time/raise a family.

 

[Dragon]

But what is required for kids to be allowed to attend school or to get medical benefits, etc? Trying to think long term here and how to stay for a long time/raise a family.

When one of the parents have a work permit and pays taxes (at least in Denmark) then the whole family is covered by the national health insurrance and also most other benefits like free education. Immigrants and their families will get a danish CPR# (social security # - both adults and children get their own) - once they have that they have the same rights as everyone else. Most of scandinavia is the same way. I do not know the rules for other countries.


Edit: I just checked the law. Students arriving in Denmark with their parents can apply to get (and has legal rights to) the same rights when it comes to studying as if you were a danish citizent

" If you are a foreign citizen, you can be granted equal status according to Danish rules and apply for SU for a study programme in Denmark. You can apply for equal status with Danish citizens if you came to Denmark together with your parents"

That means tuition is free and SU is a living stipend that all students who qualify can get every month.