Can you relocate abroad and keep your US citizenship in 2026?

Yes. Moving abroad, even permanently, does not cost you U.S. citizenship. You lose citizenship only by formally renouncing it, which is a deliberate legal process. What does continue is your obligation to file U.S. taxes and, if you qualify, your ability to renew your passport, vote and pass citizenship to eligible children.

TL;DR

Living abroad does not change your U.S. citizenship; only a formal act of renunciation does.
U.S. citizens generally still file U.S. tax returns while abroad.
You can generally renew a U.S. passport and vote from abroad.
Dual citizenship is generally allowed under U.S. law, though your destination country's rules vary.

Why this matters

The question often comes from a worry that moving abroad creates a choice between countries. It does not. You can be a U.S. citizen and a resident of another country for as long as you like.

What can change is your tax and reporting situation, your access to certain services and, if you naturalize elsewhere, your relationship to the other country's rules.

What stays the same

These continue:

Citizenship: Unchanged unless you formally renounce it.
Passport: You can generally renew it through a U.S. embassy or by mail if you qualify.
Voting: Citizens abroad can generally vote absentee in federal elections.
Taxes: U.S. citizens generally file U.S. returns on worldwide income.
Children: Eligible children born abroad may qualify for citizenship; check current rules.

What can change

Your daily life abroad will involve local rules, and those may include local taxes, healthcare and residency obligations. If you become a citizen of another country, check that country's rules on dual citizenship before you apply.

Renouncing U.S. citizenship is different and has tax and legal consequences, including potential exit tax rules for some people. It is irreversible in practice and needs professional advice.

Question	Short answer
Does moving abroad end my citizenship?	No
Do I still file U.S. taxes?	Generally yes
Can I get a second citizenship?	Often yes, depending on the other country's rules
Can I renew my passport abroad?	Generally yes, through an embassy or consulate or by mail if eligible
Does renouncing have consequences?	Yes, including potential tax consequences

Plan the practical side of living abroad as a U.S. citizen

Explore ROS™ planning to cover passports, tax filings, residency and documents in the right order.

Explore relocation planning

Practical steps

Keep your passport valid with plenty of time before expiration, register for absentee voting if you want to vote, and track tax obligations from your first year. If you plan to have children abroad, check the documents needed to record their U.S. citizenship.

Frequently asked questions

Do I lose my U.S. citizenship if I live abroad?

No. Only a formal renunciation ends it.

Can I hold dual citizenship?

U.S. law generally allows it, but check the other country's rules.

Do I still pay U.S. taxes?

U.S. citizens generally file U.S. returns on worldwide income, with credits and exclusions that may reduce tax.

Can I vote from abroad?

Citizens abroad can generally vote absentee in federal elections.

Can I renew my passport overseas?

Generally yes, through a U.S. embassy or consulate, or by mail if you qualify.

Is this legal advice?

Confirm your situation with a qualified professional before acting.

One last thing

Citizenship is not what you give up when you move. What you manage is paperwork: passports, taxes, voting and documents for your family.