Interesting. Did not think about this. BTW. Spouse is also Swiss
As far as Uncle Sam is concerned, a second citizenship is irrelevant. A US citizen always falls under US tax law, world wide. So unless your spouse is going to renounce, it would be prudent to research, plan, structure your finances with whatever effect marriage to a US citizen might have on you in mind - even if you chose not to apply for US citizenship yourself.
It's a lot to think about, especially if your future plans are unknown.
But my two cents/5Rp:
If your future plans are unknown, were it me I'd lean towards keeping as many options open as possible. Simply because you never know what will happen - why close doors if you do not need to?
Thirty some years ago I could never have contemplated leaving the US. Twenty years ago I thought I'd stay in Switzerland forever. Now as retirement approaches I have no idea where we want, should, and most importantly might be allowed to go... But I do know I wish I had more options.
All the best.
Kinda on this but my wife and I were going to the US for a funeral (I'm the US Cit, Daughter (about 10) is US Cit, Wife is DE with CH C-Pass). A while ago after we moved to swiss we inquired about if we needed to surrender her Green Card as no longer a resident of the US. Someone said no just hole onto it. It was someone 'official' or whatever, was a long while ago.
Well upon returning for a funeral and we were going thru the airport process, the border people saw her green card and her DE Passport presumed we were returning home to the US. We said no, we resided abroad and going to a funeral...
Wrong answer... She was figuratively dragged into a separate room, and practically interrogated about why she had the green card as a NON US resident. Mind you I was forbidden to come with, and my daughter (who again was a US Cit blue pass holder) had to go with her for this discussion. When they finally let them in, she was shaking and almost in tears. Apparently she was automatically guilty or whatever until finally someone said she'd have to give up the card, but at a later date.
Apparently there was talk about sending her back to the point of departure, WITH OUR DAUGHTER, WHO IS A US CITIZEN, while I'm right there waiting for them and without a clue as to what's going on, because what happens with my family doesn't concern me or something. We made our connection flight but just. Was unbelievable.
We were bewildered as to what about us screamed NEFARIOUS but I guess nowadays just don't know so they error on the side of "prove yourself."
To the thread OP, if you plan on permanently residing outside the US and you hold a green card, you'll need to surrender it. Don't hold me to this but I think the 90-day rule applies. If you plan on returning, you'll need to reapply, etc. That if you get the Citizenship and you leave the US, as a US NON-Resident will have to file all the wonderful taxes like the rest of us do. I just love spending a chunk of cash to be told, "You don't make enough and are under the allowable." Really lame.
So there's my 2 cents. Choose wisely.
Lemon, as you are researching the various issues that may influence your decision to apply for US citizenship, a good resource for Americans living outside the US is Americans Abroad:
https://www.americansabroad.org
This site discusses issues that (some) Americans living abroad potentially face. Browsing this site could help you think about whether any of these issues might touch you personally if you chose to become a US citizen, and then move abroad.
thank you for sharing. I wonder who one would contact for further personal consultation. International tax expert?
I am often amazed at the number of people who seem to think of the Green Card as something to use as a long term visitor’s visa, either without realizing that it isn’t meant for that, or by maintaining a fiction that they do intend to return. I’m a little curious what “official” voices have ever said this.
On the other hand, it is intended that Green card holders can make longer trips out of the US, so long as the trip is temporary. For example, requesting an reentry permit before travel provides some protection for trips in the 1-2 year range.