Overseas & Territories
Veteran Compass
Rank 75 destinations by how far your VA disability, retirement, and GI Bill actually stretch. Live cost of living, domicile tax, WEAMS schools. No signup.
What brings you here?
Pick a lane. You can still change filters later.
Already headed overseas on orders?
Germany, Japan, Italy, Korea, and more — OHA, DoDEA, SOFA, and the first 90 days on the ground.
Open overseas guidesRead this before you move
- VA disability is fully portable and federally tax-free — same rate nearly everywhere you live.
- Medicare does not cover overseas care. Plan for FMP (service-connected only) plus local private insurance.
- CHAMPVA covers dependents overseas with reimbursement via VA Form 10-7959a.
- U.S. citizens owe U.S. tax on worldwide income. FEIE applies to earned wages only — not pensions or disability.
- Visa, tax, and healthcare rules change frequently. Verify with embassy, a cross-border tax attorney, and VA before moving.
- EFMP families: use the specialty-care filter before you fall in love with a country. FMP covers service-connected care only, not dependent specialty needs.
Questions that come up
Can I keep my VA disability if I live abroad?
Yes. VA disability is paid at the same rate in nearly every country via International Direct Deposit. Only Treasury-restricted countries (currently Cuba and North Korea) are excluded.
Does the GI Bill work at foreign schools?
Yes — at any school in the VA WEAMS database. 2026-27 rates: $2,522/mo MHA at foreign schools in-person ($1,261 online), up to $30,908.34/yr tuition. U.S. territories use location-based MHA (often similar to CONUS zip rates). Active duty and transferor spouses receive $0 MHA.
What about U.S. territories?
Territories use the full VA healthcare system (not FMP), location-based GI Bill MHA, and no visa or foreign tax filing. They function as stay-in-the-system with a reset on cost of living.
Where is the only VA clinic outside the U.S.?
The Philippines — Manila VA Clinic on Roxas Boulevard. Everywhere else, FMP covers service-connected conditions only.