You’ve seen the headlines. Every few years, whenever a major election rolls around or the tax laws in California get a bit too "aggressive," we start hearing about a massive Hollywood exodus. People love to roll their eyes and say, "Yeah, right, they’ll never actually pack their bags." But honestly? This time feels different.
By the start of 2026, the question of what celebrities are leaving the country has shifted from mere internet gossip to actual real estate listings and international visa applications. We aren’t just talking about vague threats on Twitter anymore. High-profile stars are literally selling off their Montecito compounds and buying farmhouses in the English countryside or villas in Spain.
The Names You’re Seeing: Who Really Left?
Let’s get into the actual names because that's what everyone is looking for. It’s a mix of political frustration, personal "cancellation" fallout, and just wanting a quieter life for their kids.
Ellen DeGeneres and Portia de Rossi
This is arguably the biggest move. Ellen and Portia didn’t just talk about it; they cleared out. By July 2025, they had already unloaded their last major U.S. property—a place in West Hollywood that went for about $5.2 million. They’ve settled in the Cotswolds in the UK.
It’s an $18 million farmhouse situation. Ellen has been pretty open about it, too. During a talk in Cheltenham, she basically admitted that the 2024 election results were the "final straw" that turned a part-time vacation idea into a permanent move. She mentioned seeing snow for the first time and loving the "simpler way of life." Though, let’s be real, a $30 million estate (which they later listed to find even more space for Portia’s horses) isn’t exactly "simple" for the rest of us.
Eva Longoria
Eva Longoria’s departure caused a massive stir, though she’s been quick to clarify the "why." She’s spent the last few years splitting time between Spain and Mexico with her husband, José Bastón.
👉 See also: Charlie Kirk's Kids: How Old They Are and What Really Happened
In a Marie Claire interview that went viral, she described the U.S. vibe as "dystopian" and "scary." While she’s a proud Texan, she’s made it clear that she feels the "California chapter" of her life is just done. She cited everything from homelessness to taxes. She’s filming Searching for Spain now, so her life is very much centered in Europe these days.
Rosie O'Donnell
Rosie has been a vocal critic of the current administration for decades. But she finally made the jump, settling in Ireland in early 2025. She’s even in the process of seeking Irish citizenship. For her, it wasn't just about the politics—it was about her non-binary child. She’s mentioned on TikTok that she wants to be somewhere she feels her family is "safe" and where the culture isn't so polarized.
America Ferrera
The Barbie star is another one looking at the UK. Reports have surfaced of her scouting private schools in South West London. Apparently, she’s looking for a better environment for her kids, Sebastian and Lucia. It’s a classic move: keeping the Hollywood career on life support while raising the family in a place where "discourse" feels a bit more civilized.
Is it Always About Politics?
Not always. Sometimes it’s just about family or a fresh start. Take Richard Gere. He’s 75 now and decided to sell his Connecticut mansion to move to Madrid. Why? Because his wife, Alejandra Silva, is Spanish.
He basically said she spent six years in his world, so it was only fair to spend the next six in hers. It’s kinda romantic, actually. They’re raising their young sons there, though Alejandra did recently mention they might come back for summers because of the kids' camps. It’s less of a "fleeing" and more of a "rebalancing."
✨ Don't miss: Celebrities Born on September 24: Why This Specific Birthday Breeds Creative Giants
Then you have Courtney Love, who has been a London fixture for a while but recently doubled down on getting British citizenship. She’s just... over it. She wants the tea, the rain, and the distance from the Los Angeles bubble.
Where Are They Going? (The Popular Destinations)
If you're wondering where everyone is heading, the map is pretty specific. Nobody is moving to random spots.
- The UK (specifically The Cotswolds and London): This is the top pick. It has the same language, a massive film industry (Pinewood Studios is huge), and a perceived "politeness" that stars like Ellen have gushed about.
- Spain (Madrid and Marbella): With its high quality of life and "Golden Visa" programs (though those have been changing lately), it’s a magnet for stars like Longoria and Gere.
- Ireland: Increasingly popular for those with family roots or those looking for a very quiet, rural escape.
- Greece: We even saw Kimberly Guilfoyle head to Athens in late 2025 as a U.S. Ambassador. While that’s a government job, it’s still a significant high-profile relocation.
Why This Matters for the Rest of Us
When we ask what celebrities are leaving the country, we’re usually looking for a signal. Are things really that bad? Or is this just "rich people problems"?
The truth is nuanced. Most of these celebrities are incredibly privileged. They can afford the "Global Talent" visas or the $10 million investment properties that buy them residency. For the average person, "moving to Canada" or "fleeing to Europe" is an administrative nightmare that usually ends in a rejected application.
But for the entertainment industry, this is a "brain drain." If the big producers, actors, and creators move their base of operations to London or Madrid, the "center" of the culture starts to shift. We're seeing more international productions than ever because that's where the talent actually lives.
🔗 Read more: Brooks Nader Naked: What Really Happened with That Sheer Dress Controversy
What You Can Do If You’re Considering a Move
If the celebrity exodus has you thinking about your own exit plan, don't just pack a suitcase. Most people get the "how" completely wrong.
- Check Your Ancestry: Many people don't realize they might be eligible for citizenship by descent. If you have a grandparent from Ireland, Italy, or Poland, you might have a "golden ticket" you didn't know about.
- Look Into Digital Nomad Visas: Countries like Spain, Portugal, and even Japan have launched visas for people who work remotely. You don't need to be a movie star; you just need a steady paycheck from a U.S. company.
- Tax Implications: This is the big one. The U.S. is one of the only countries that taxes you based on citizenship, not residency. Even if you live in Timbuktu, the IRS still wants a cut unless you renounce your citizenship—a process that is expensive and permanent.
- Visit in the Off-Season: Ellen moved to the UK in November and saw snow. She loved it. Most people move to a "dream" country in July and realize by February that they hate the gray skies. Try before you buy.
The trend of celebrities leaving the U.S. in 2026 isn't just a flash in the pan. It's the result of years of cultural tension, high costs of living in California, and a globalized world where you can run a production company from a laptop in a Spanish olive grove. Whether they stay away forever or come back when the "vibe" changes remains to be seen.
To stay ahead of these moves, keep an eye on international real estate trends and changes to EU residency laws. If you're seriously looking to follow their lead, your first step should be consulting an immigration attorney rather than a travel blog. Knowing the difference between a "tourist" and a "resident" is the only way to make the move stick.
Practical Next Steps:
- Research the "Foreign Earned Income Exclusion" to see how living abroad affects your U.S. taxes.
- Check the official government sites for Spain or the UK to see the current requirements for Digital Nomad or Global Talent visas.
- Audit your family tree for any direct European ancestors to see if "Citizenship by Descent" is an option for you.