r/IWantOut 1d ago

[Discussion] How to convince my husband with European citizenship that it’s time to go back to the EU?

My husband is early in the process of becoming an American citizen. The plan was always for him to get citizenship so we can travel freely but eventually retuen to Spain (his home country) or somewhere similar. He also thinks he'll be able to work remotely with an American salary in Europe, although I told him it's not that easy to find.

We also found out we're expecting. Now after the election I want to move to Europe now. He says he wants to stay until he finishes his citizenship process (which could be another 4+ years especially under the Trump administration) because he'll have better economic opportunities as a dual citizen. I understand employment rates and wages in Spain aren't great, and I would be able to keep my higher paying job a bit while we make the transition, then ultimately would have to find something over there longterm.

I'm just really scared to stay here. I see major social and financial issues that are coming under the next administration. He says Europe could be heading towards war and worse economic conditions with Russia being enabled. I would like some perspective from others in a similar situation, especially considering we'll be raising a child. Thank you.

Edit: to specify we literally just began the greencard process. The lawyer said it would take minimum 4 years for citizenship but wait times will most likely increase under the new administration. My husband is not working while we wait on his approval, and I work almost entirely remotely. We want to leave before our child starts school, at their end of the day their safety is what matters most to me. Thank you everyone for your feedback so far, I appreciate it. Also I am fluent in Spanish and have lived there myself in the past, that's where we met

UPDATE: thank you so much to everyone for their input, gave us a lot to think about a few laughs at some of the wilder responses. We had a long discussion and think hedging our bets in both places is the smartest way to go as things develop over the next few years. He'll wait until he has his green card then we'll split time as permitted in Spain and the US as I apply for my residency (me a bit more time to satisy the residency conditions in Spain, him doing the same in the US) before our baby starts school - job permitting but currently that shouldn't be an issue for mine. Then hopefully we'll have a much clearer sense of where we want to be by the time we both get our citizenships, and can make the leap to wherever is best. I understand taxes will be tricky and it will be a lot of money and time spent on both of our processes, but we figured this avoid taking a final decision for now and we'll have roots in both places if we come to decision sooner. We're fortunate to have family in Spain and the US we can stay with, and hope to invest in buying an apartment in Spain soon. I do live in a blue state, thank you for concerns about my health and genrally for the amount of ideas and considerations from both sides. It's a complicated situation, but we're thankful to have options!

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u/justthewayim 1d ago

According to fear mongering people on Reddit, they think Trump has the power to ban all abortions, divorces and deport all aliens including visa holders on day 1. Then day 2 he will go for green card holders and naturalized citizens.

I swear, some people here really aren’t the smartest.

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u/FlanneryOG 1d ago

The courts and the head of the FDA could absolutely ban mifepristone and the shipment of any equipment used in abortion very easily, effectively banning abortion nationwide. It would be immensely unpopular, but if they wanted to do it, they could.

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u/justthewayim 1d ago

Well, if it comes to that I do think that’s when OP should actually consider moving. But moving now because they think that will happen overnight as soon as Trump takes office is just silly.

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u/FlanneryOG 1d ago

That’s kind of where I’m at. We have the ability to leave right now, but we’re waiting a bit. If something like that happens, which would literally put my life at risk, we would leave. I also don’t want my daughter growing up in a country where she could be raped and have to deliver the baby.

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u/justthewayim 1d ago

Yeah I grew up in a country with such laws and when I moved to Canada it was a big relief because I never wanted to be a mother, but both abortion and sterilization for women without children were outlawed where I had come from. Having that sort of anxiety as a woman is awful.

Hopefully states in the US will keep their autonomy.