Should I give zakat locally or abroad?

Local first

When the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ sent Mu'adh to Yemen, he told him that zakat would be taken from the wealthy of that land and given to its poor (Sahih al-Bukhari 1395). Scholars understood this as a guideline: zakat should first meet needs in the community where it's collected. Poverty exists in every Western city, and local Muslim families, converts and students can be in real need. See Can I receive zakat as a new Muslim?

When sending abroad is fine

• Greater need: famine, war or disaster elsewhere.
• Relatives in need in another country (often the best recipients).
• No eligible recipients where you live, or local needs are already covered.

Mu'adh himself reportedly sent surplus zakat from Yemen to Medina when Yemen's poor had been taken care of.

What the schools say

• Hanafi: allowed but disliked without a reason; fine for relatives or greater need.
• Maliki: allowed when the need elsewhere is greater.
• Shafi'i and Hanbali: traditionally stricter, preferring local distribution, though many later scholars in these schools allow it for need.

Today, most fatwa councils in the West allow both, as long as the recipients are eligible. See Who can receive zakat?

Splitting it

A practical approach many people use: give part locally (to your mosque's zakat fund or people you know) and part to an emergency appeal abroad. Choose organizations with clear zakat policies so the money reaches the right people wherever it goes. See How do I choose a trustworthy charity for my zakat?