Key Takeaways
- Almost anyone can establish Florida residency with genuine intent
- No minimum day requirement - you don't need to physically live in Florida
- Travel nurses, digital nomads, and expats are ideal candidates
- Be careful of the 183-day rule in high-tax states like CA and NY
Who Qualifies for Florida Residency?
Almost anyone can establish Florida residency if they meet certain basic requirements. Unlike some states, Florida has no minimum day requirement for residency.
Basic Requirements
To establish Florida residency, you must:
- Be a US citizen or legal permanent resident
- Have genuine intent to make Florida your permanent home
- Have a physical Florida address (not a PO Box or commercial mail service)
- Be willing to complete residency documentation
Good to Know: "Genuine intent" is the key factor. Courts look at where you intend to return after traveling - if it's Florida, you can establish residency even while working assignments elsewhere.
Who Benefits Most?
Travel Nurses
Travel nurses are ideal candidates because:
- You work on temporary assignments, so Florida can be your permanent "home base"
- Your per diem and housing stipends can remain tax-free
- You can maintain your tax home even while on assignment
Save $5,000 - $15,000+
Average annual savings for travel nurses leaving high-tax states
Digital Nomads & Remote Workers
If you work remotely, Florida residency provides:
- A stable domicile while traveling
- No state income tax on your earnings
- Professional mail handling while you're away
US Expats
Americans living abroad benefit because:
- Florida has no state income tax even on foreign-earned income
- You maintain a US address for banking and legal purposes
- FEIE and Florida's 0% tax can eliminate most US tax liability
Tip: Expats combining the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) with Florida's 0% state tax can often reduce their total US tax liability to near zero on qualifying income.
Who May NOT Qualify
Florida residency may not be appropriate if:
- You have no genuine intent to make Florida your home
- You're only seeking to evade taxes from another state
- You maintain stronger ties to another state (spouse, children, primary home)
- You spend more than 183 days in a state that uses the statutory resident test
Note: Your residency should be based on genuine intent to make Florida your permanent home. Our documentation helps you establish legitimate domicile that's legally recognized by all states.
The 183-Day Rule
Many states use a 183-day rule to determine residency. If you spend 183 or more days in another state, that state may claim you as a resident regardless of your Florida domicile. This is especially important for:
- California, New York, and New Jersey residents
- Anyone with extended work assignments in high-tax states
Learn more about the 183-day rule
Critical: Track your days carefully! In New York, even a brief presence counts as a full day if you have a permanent place of abode there. Keep detailed records of your location.
Next Steps
If you meet these requirements: