Where to move abroad with your family: countries, costs, residence permits

21.03.2026

Moving abroad with the whole family is an important decision that requires careful preparation and understanding of numerous nuances. Many people wonder where to move abroad with their entire family to ensure comfort, safety, and a stable future for children and adults. When choosing a destination, it's important to consider not only the standard of living but also factors such as access to education, healthcare, cost of living, and prospects for obtaining residency.

Equally important is the question of where it's easiest to move abroad with the whole family and where it's easiest to obtain a residence permit for all family members, as this determines the speed of adaptation and legality of residence in the new country. Immigration lawyers identify three countries where it's easiest to move to Europe from Russia and obtain a residence permit: Montenegro, Serbia, and Turkey.

In this article, we'll examine popular destinations for family emigration, compare the cost of living, residence permit processing times, and discuss which countries offer the most favorable conditions for family relocation.

Our company, GoMonte, helps families with relocation to Montenegro, specifically: obtaining a residence permit (based on employment, business, digital nomad visa, and real estate purchase). We also assist with business registration and remote residence permit registration, as well as finding real estate for rent or sale. Our website offers attractive installment plans and affordable housing in top coastal cities. Our team includes a lawyer who can assist with immigration matters related to the move.

View our property catalog on our website: gomonte.me

Remote company registration and opening. Read more: https://gomonte.me/blog/post/96/

Contact us for a consultation: +382 67 322 888, Viber/WhatsApp/Telegram, gomonte3000@gmail.com

A well-planned family relocation plan helps avoid common mistakes and reduce the stress associated with the move. It's important to set a budget in advance, research document requirements, and choose a safe country for family relocation that offers favorable living conditions for children.

1. Criteria for Choosing a Country for Family Relocation

1.1. Safety and Quality of Life

The first thing to consider is the Safety Index. For families with children, the ability to peacefully walk in parks in the evening and a generally low crime rate are critical. Quality of life is a complex concept. It includes:

Ecology: Clean air, availability of green spaces, and quality drinking water.
Infrastructure: Convenient public transportation, bike paths, and accessibility of government services.
Political and Economic Stability: Confidence in the future and protection of the rights of foreign citizens.

Take a closer look at Adriatic countries, such as Montenegro. It is one of the safest countries in Europe, according to many studies.

1.2. Cost of Living and Housing Affordability

Your budget for moving abroad should be consistent with the reality of the chosen region. It's important to evaluate not only the cost of renting or purchasing real estate, but also monthly operating expenses:

Utilities and taxes.
Basic food prices.
Communication and internet costs.

1.3. Education and healthcare for children

Availability of international schools: Do they offer programs in English (IB, Cambridge) or the local language?
Availability of kindergartens: What are the costs and are there waiting lists?
Healthcare system: How developed is pediatrics, how does insurance-based healthcare work, and how quickly can you get help from a specialist?

When choosing a country, focus on regions where a local school diploma is recognized by leading universities worldwide, and where private clinics meet high European standards.

1.4. Language barrier and adaptation

Difficulty of the local language: How close is it to your native language? Will it be easy for children to learn it at school?
Mentality and attitudes toward expats: How friendly are the local populations to foreigners?

Countries with a developed Russian-speaking community and similar cultural codes (for example, Slavic countries) significantly simplify the adaptation process. Children in such an environment make friends much more quickly, and adults overcome feelings of isolation.

2. Popular Locations for Moving Abroad

Popular countries for family relocation in 2026 include: European countries, some Asian countries, and Latin America. Let's explore why they are popular.

2.1. Europe

Montenegro, Serbia

Why choose: This country has the lowest entry barrier. A residence permit (boravak) can be obtained by opening a company or purchasing real estate.
Advantages: The absence of visa barriers for many countries and the ease of legalization are attractive. It's safe, environmentally friendly, and the local mentality is extremely child-friendly. The proximity to the sea and mountains makes life healthy, and housing and service prices remain significantly lower than in neighboring Croatia or Italy.

Portugal

Ideal for those seeking a mild climate and a high-quality European education, although the cost of living in large cities (Lisbon, Porto) has risen significantly recently.

Read more about Montenegro's residence permit on our website: https://gomonte.me/services/residence-permit/

2.2. Asia

Thailand: Developed infrastructure, accessible world-class healthcare, and an abundance of international schools. Popular locations include Phuket and Koh Samui.
Vietnam (Da Nang): A rapidly developing destination with very low food and service costs. Suitable for those prepared for a unique lifestyle and climate.
Indonesia (Bali): The island has long been a hub for digital nomads. Entire communities for families with children have been established here, including alternative schools (Green School).

2.3. Latin America

Paraguay: One of the easiest countries to legalize. Simply prove your financial independence, and you'll receive permanent residency, and after a few years, you'll be eligible for a passport.
Mexico: Attractive due to its proximity to the US, warm climate, and excellent cuisine. Families are often granted residence permits based on the birth of a child (jus soli).
Argentina: Renowned for its high-quality (and often free) higher education and healthcare. The country is experiencing economic difficulties, but for those who earn foreign currency, the standard of living here is very high.

3. Where is it easiest to obtain a residence permit for the whole family?

3.1. Countries with simplified residence permit programs: Montenegro, Serbia, Paraguay.

Montenegro: Perhaps the simplest option in Europe. A residence permit is issued based on opening a business, employment, remote work, or owning residential property. The process takes about a month.

Serbia: Popular due to the ease of setting up a sole proprietorship and its friendly attitude towards foreigners.
Paraguay: A country with minimal document requirements, where permanent residency can be obtained almost immediately after submitting an application.

3.2. Residence permit through real estate purchase

Turkey and Montenegro: Despite increased thresholds, purchasing an apartment in certain areas still qualifies for a residence permit based on real estate.
Greece and Cyprus: Offer programs where purchasing a property for a certain amount opens the door to EU entry for the investor, spouse, and children.

View our real estate catalog in Montenegro on our website: gomonte.me. Important: The cadastral value of the property for a residence permit must be at least €150,000.

3.3. Residence Permit through Work, Business, or Remote Income

Digital Nomad Visa: Spain, Portugal, and Hungary issue these visas to families with a remote income of €2,500 per month, while Montenegro offers a Digital Nomad residence permit for two years with subsequent renewal and an income of €1,800.
Business Immigration: Opening a company in Montenegro, either remotely or locally, allows you to obtain a residence visa for the entire family in 30 days.

3.4. Family Visas and Reunification Programs

Most countries allow the main applicant (the holder of a residence permit) to "join" family members:

Reunification: Spouses and minor children receive status automatically based on kinship, including in Montenegro.
Student visas: In some Latin American countries (for example, Argentina), one parent's enrollment in a local university entitles the entire family to a residence permit.

Montenegro remains the most accessible European destination today due to its lack of strict capital requirements. If speed and remote income are important, consider Latin American countries or Digital Nomad visas in Southern Europe.

For more information on how to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro and its costs, visit our website: gomonte.me/services/residence-permit-in-montenegro

Get a consultation from our specialists or lawyers: +382 67 322 888 Viber/WhatsApp/Telegram, gomonte3000@gmail.com

4. How much does it cost to move abroad with the whole family: a complete budget calculation

The cost of moving abroad depends on the location, but on average it will cost between $7,000 and $15,000. Georgia, Montenegro, Serbia, and Armenia remain the most affordable countries to start with, while the United States, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland are the most expensive. We'll break this down below.

Planning a budget for a family relocation requires considering not only visa fees but also a safety net for the first 3-6 months. For a comfortable move to Europe (including popular destinations like Montenegro or Spain), a family will need between $10,000 and $15,000, factoring in high rental deposits and legalization costs.

In Southeast Asian countries (Thailand, Bali, and Vietnam), the entry barrier is significantly lower—a good start will cost between $5,000 and $8,000, thanks to an accessible real estate market and low service costs.
Latin America (Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay) offers a "golden mean": for $7,000–$10,000, you can provide your family with a high standard of living and a simplified path to citizenship, making this region a strong competitor to European destinations in 2024.

For more information on the cost of moving to Montenegro, visit our website: gomonte.me/blog/post/100

4.1. Documentation Costs

Visa Fees: Consular and service fees (from €80 to €500 per person, depending on the visa type).
Legalization: Translations by sworn translators, notarization, and apostilles for birth certificates, marriage certificates, and diplomas.
Legal support: Immigration lawyer assistance (from €500 to €3,000 per case for the entire family).

4.2. Housing and Rent Costs

Down Payment: In most countries (Turkey, Serbia, Montenegro, EU countries), you must pay the first month's rent, the last month's rent, and a refundable deposit (a total of three rent payments).
Utilities: From €100 per month.

4.3. Monthly Living Expenses

Southeast Asia and the Balkans: A family of three can get by on $1,500–$2,500.
Western Europe and the UAE: You'll need €3,500–$5,000 to maintain a comfortable standard of living.

4.4. Additional Costs (Schools, Healthcare, Insurance)

Education: Private international schools cost between $500 and $2,000 per month. Public schools are often free but require knowledge of the local language.
Logistics: Plane tickets, transporting pets, and shipping personal belongings in a container.
Medical expenses: Private doctor's appointments from $45.

5. Step-by-step plan for moving abroad with the whole family:

Preparatory stage: Consultation with an immigration lawyer
Collecting documents and submitting applications
Moving and taking your first steps
Adaptation and integration

6. How to Choose the Best Country for Family Living

Choosing a country to move to is always a compromise between the cost of living, the quality of healthcare, and the prospects for your children. There's no one-size-fits-all solution, but the ideal destination usually lies at the intersection of your financial means and personal comfort. When making your final decision, rely not on travel brochures, but on real expat reviews and current immigration regulations.

7. Why Consider Montenegro as a Relocation Location?

Ease of Legalization: You can obtain a temporary residence permit (boravak) here by opening a company or purchasing real estate, and the document requirements are minimal compared to other European countries.
Safety and Environment: Montenegro is one of the safest countries in the region, with a unique climate where sea air combines with mountain air. It's an ideal place to raise children.
Affordable Education: The country offers high-quality international and Russian-language schools, and integration into the local environment is quick thanks to the close cultural and linguistic ties. Taxes: A flat personal income tax rate (9%) makes Montenegro extremely attractive for freelancers and entrepreneurs.

May your journey to a new home be easy and predictable!

Read other articles about moving and living in Montenegro:

How to obtain a residence permit in Montenegro: gomonte.me/blog/post/53

Helpful tips for moving and adapting: gomonte.me/blog/post/83

How to buy real estate and obtain a residence permit: gomonte.me/blog/post/70

Want to move to Montenegro and obtain a residence permit? Contact us: +382 67 322 888, Viber/WhatsApp/Telegram, gomonte3000@gmail.com

View the listings on our website: gomonte.me