Global mobility and relocation to Florida: Key tax, immigration, and strategic considerations

While lifestyle and climate are often cited as motivating factors, relocation decisions are more commonly driven by tax efficiency, immigration strategy, regulatory certainty, and long-term financial planning. Relocating to Florida is not a single event, but a coordinated global mobility process that requires careful planning across multiple jurisdictions.

One of Florida’s most notable features is the absence of state personal income tax. However, this advantage does not eliminate exposure to US federal taxation or international reporting obligations. Individuals relocating from abroad must assess US tax residency rules, the treatment of foreign income and assets, and the interaction between US tax law and their home country’s system. Timing of arrival, treaty considerations, and the management of foreign tax credits can materially affect outcomes when addressed proactively rather than retroactively.

Beyond core tax issues, global mobility involves a range of indirect and often underestimated considerations. These include establishing US banking relationships and credit history, coordinating payroll and compensation reporting, evaluating social security or totalisation agreements, and ensuring that estate and financial planning structures remain effective under US law. Failure to align these elements early can lead to compliance gaps or long-term inefficiencies.

Immigration planning is a critical pillar of the relocation process and should be evaluated alongside tax and financial considerations. Investors and executives must assess whether temporary visa options, such as the E‑2 treaty investor visa or the L‑1 intracompany transferee visa, are appropriate compared to immigration pathways like the EB‑5 investor programme or employment-based permanent residency visa (green cards). Temporary visas may offer speed and flexibility but typically do not provide permanent residency and can introduce uncertainty around long term US tax residency and planning. In contrast, immigration options involve greater upfront commitment but offer a clearer framework for permanent residence, long-term tax structuring, and estate planning. Early visa decisions often shape future flexibility and should be made with a long-term perspective.

Expatriates relocating to Florida must also navigate administrative and cultural complexities unique to the US environment. Healthcare systems, insurance requirements, financial disclosures, and ongoing reporting obligations often differ significantly from those in Europe and other regions.

Florida’s economic profile does contribute to its appeal. The state continues to experience strong population growth and international capital inflows, supported by sectors such as financial services, real estate, technology, logistics, and international trade. Understanding these regional dynamics is particularly relevant for individuals whose relocation is tied to investment activity or business expansion.

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Feliza Bahamonde is the Managing Partner at Visa and Go. She studied law at the Universidad Católica, Chile and at the Universidad Internacional de La Rioja, Spain. She also holds a Master’s in Digital Law and New Technologies from the University of Salamanca, Spain. She's Global Chair of the GGI Global Mobility Solutions Practice Group.

Andrea Fantozzi is a partner and director of the Italian Group in the international department of Prager Metis CPAs, a member of Prager Metis International. 

Hillary Green, Juris Doctorate, is a senior manager for the international tax department of Prager Metis, a member of Prager Metis International Group. She has extensive expertise in international taxation and mid-market client services.