Yes it can be a pain in the A*$$ as mentioned before.

You have to take the JAA medical which will cost about $750 US for the first medical. The subsequent medicals are comparable to that of the FAA medical. There is talk that the first class medical may be an annual event starting this September rather than every 6 months. Depending on your flying experience and total hours of PIC on transport category aircraft, you may have to take all 14 exams at a cost of $100 per exam. The CAA may reduce this to 2 exams which is the JAR Law and Operations exams. The distance course, which is a series of prep books and CD, will cost about $2,400 US. The cost obtaining a JAR certificate will cost about $250 every six months until you complete all of the required exams the CAA requires. I am using the CAA as an example. Each country varies as to what their requirement may be. The period from the time you initiate and complete the certificate conversion is the validation process. You will be required to keep your FAA certificate and medical current until this process is completed.

As far as taxes, talk to your accountant as to how you can be exempt from paying taxes over here. But in doing so you may be on your own as far as retirement and medical benefits go. You can purchase medical insurance in the US that will provide full coverage in most countries in Europe. I am sure this would apply in Asia as well. But you would also need to talk to an insurance broker or company regarding this subject as well.

With the prospects in the US being what they are, flying overseas is the best game in town. It’s not a bad way to see the world and experience different cultures and life styles too.

You can find some pretty affordable housing in Spain and Portugal. The UK, France, and Netherlands are probably the most expensive countries in Europe to live in.