Moving to Spain from the US: Which Visa Fits You and How to Apply

Short answer: as an American you can spend up to 90 days in any 180 in Spain without a visa. To live here you need a long-stay visa, and you apply for it in person at the Spanish consulate that covers the state where you live, before you move. Which visa depends on how you will support yourself. The table below sorts that out in a minute, and the rest of this guide takes you from the first document to your residence card.

Which visa fits you if you are American

If your spouse, registered partner or parent is a Spanish or EU citizen living in Spain, start with the family route in our guide to the Spain spouse and partner visa. Otherwise, pick the row that describes how you will pay your way (study, family and arraigo are compared in our guide to all the routes to residency in Spain):

The golden visa is gone: Spain stopped accepting new applications on 3 April 2025, and only golden visa renewals continue. In our enquiry records from American clients since 2021, the non-lucrative visa is the route asked about most, followed by the digital nomad visa and then the student visa. Many of those retirees do not realise the non-lucrative visa bans all work, including remote consulting for a US client, so check that before you choose. The rules for both are in Royal Decree 1155/2024 and Law 14/2013. If you are close to retirement age, our guide to the Spain retirement visa for US citizens goes deeper.

Which Spanish consulate you apply at

You do not choose your consulate. You file at the one whose area covers your home address, and each one runs its own appointment system with small differences in the paperwork, which is where most delays start. Spain has nine offices in the US that handle long-stay visas: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, San Juan (Puerto Rico) and the consular section of the embassy in Washington, DC.

California comes first by a wide margin, and Florida ranks above both New York and Texas. For every other state and the contacts of each office, see our page on the Spanish consulates in the United States.

1. Visa Requirements for US Citizens

US citizens may enter Spain without a visa for short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period under the Schengen Agreement. This is suitable for tourism or short business trips only.

If you plan to stay longer than 90 days, you normally apply for a long-stay visa before travelling to Spain. The digital nomad route is the main exception: you can also apply from inside Spain while your visa-free stay is still valid. The type of visa will depend on the purpose of your stay. Below are the most common options available to US citizens:

1.1 Non-Lucrative Visa (Visado No Lucrativo)

• Purpose: For individuals who wish to reside in Spain without carrying out any work or professional activity in the country.
• Ideal for: Retirees, individuals with passive income from investments, pensions, or savings.
• Main requirements:
  • Proof of sufficient financial means (at least €28,800/year for the main applicant, plus €7,200/year per dependent).
  • Comprehensive private health insurance in Spain.
  • Clean criminal record (FBI background check with apostille, plus a certificate from any other country you lived in during the last five years).
• Processing time: consulates usually take 4 to 8 weeks from the day you submit. The legal maximum is one month for Spain to decide the residence permit and one month more for the consulate to issue the visa.

1.2 Digital Nomad Visa (Visado para Nómadas Digitales)

• Purpose: For remote workers employed by companies outside Spain, or self-employed professionals with foreign clients.
• Ideal for: Remote employees, freelancers, entrepreneurs in the tech or services sector.
• Main requirements:
  • Proof of remote work activity and income of at least €2,850 a month in 2026 (200% of the Spanish minimum wage), more with family.
  • Private health insurance in Spain.
  • Clean criminal record.

1.3 Work Visa (Visado de Trabajo)

• Purpose: For those with a job offer from a Spanish employer.
• Ideal for: Professionals recruited by Spanish companies.
• Main requirements:
  • Valid employment contract approved by the Spanish authorities.
  • Employer sponsorship for the visa process.

1.4 Self-Employment Visa (Visado de Trabajo por Cuenta Propia)

• Purpose: For entrepreneurs or self-employed professionals who plan to establish a business in Spain.
• Main requirements:
  • Approved business plan demonstrating economic viability.
  • Proof of investment funds.
  • Necessary professional licenses or qualifications.

1.5 Student Visa (Visado de Estudios)

• Purpose: For individuals enrolled in an accredited Spanish educational institution.
• Main requirements:
  • Proof of enrolment in full-time studies.
  • Financial means to cover living expenses.
  • Private health insurance or proof of coverage.

Legal Note:
Long-stay visa applications are submitted in person at the Spanish consulate that covers your state of residence. A representative can file for you only in the cases the law allows, such as serious difficulty travelling to the consulate. Documents issued in the US must be legalised with the Apostille of The Hague and, where necessary, translated into Spanish by a sworn translator.

2. Essential Relocation Checklist: Documents You’ll Need

Moving from the United States to Spain requires preparing a set of official documents that must comply with Spanish immigration law and the specific requirements of the consulate where you apply. Having these documents complete, correctly legalised, and translated is essential to avoid delays or refusals.

Below is a detailed checklist of the most common requirements for US citizens applying for a long-term visa:

2.1 Valid US Passport

• Must be valid for at least one year on the day you apply for a long-stay visa.
• All pages must be in good condition and without damage.
• We recommend renewing your passport before applying if it is due to expire soon.

2.2 Proof of Financial Means

• Required for visas such as the Non-Lucrative Visa or Digital Nomad Visa.
• Examples of accepted proof:
  • Recent bank statements.
  • Pension or investment income certificates.
  • Employment contracts showing remote income.
• Minimum amounts vary depending on the visa. For the Non-Lucrative Visa in 2026, the minimum is €28,800/year for the applicant plus €7,200/year per dependent.

2.3 Comprehensive Private Health Insurance

• Must be valid in Spain for the entire duration of your stay.
• Should provide full coverage without co-payments and with no waiting periods.
• Travel insurance is not sufficient for long-term visas.

2.4 Criminal Background Check (FBI and/or State Level)

• Must be issued within the last 90 days prior to application.
• Requires legalisation via the Apostille of The Hague.
• Translation into Spanish by a sworn translator (traductor jurado) is mandatory.

2.5 Medical Certificate

• Must confirm you are free from contagious diseases according to International Health Regulations.
• Issued by a licensed doctor within the last 90 days.
• Requires apostille and sworn translation if issued in the US.

2.6 Proof of Accommodation in Spain

• Accepted documents include:
  • Long-term rental contract.
  • Property deed if you own real estate.
  • A letter from the person you will live with, with a copy of their deed or lease (some consulates accept it).

2.7 Official Spanish Translation of Documents

• All US documents must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator recognised in Spain.
• Incorrect or unofficial translations are a common cause of delays in visa processing.

3. Arriving and Settling in Spain

Once your visa has been approved and you arrive in Spain, there are several legal and administrative steps you must complete to finalise your relocation. These steps are essential for your residency status, tax obligations, and daily life in the country.

At My Spain Visa, we assist clients in completing these procedures correctly and on time, avoiding the common mistakes that can lead to fines or delays.

3.1 Obtaining Your NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero)

• Purpose: This is your personal identification number in Spain, required for most legal, financial, and administrative transactions.
• Use cases: Signing rental contracts, opening a bank account, registering with local authorities, paying taxes.
• How to obtain: Issued by the Spanish National Police or Foreigners’ Office (Oficina de Extranjería). In most cases, your visa approval includes your NIE number.

3.2 Applying for Your TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)

• Purpose: The TIE is the physical residence card that proves your legal status in Spain.
• When to apply: Within one month of arrival.
• Requirements:
  • Visa and passport.
  • Proof of address in Spain.
  • Payment of the relevant government fee (Modelo 790).
  • Passport-sized photographs.
• Process: Appointment at the local police station for fingerprinting and card collection.

3.3 Registering with the Local Municipality (Empadronamiento)

• Purpose: Official registration of your residence with the Town Hall (Ayuntamiento).
• Benefits: Access to local healthcare, school enrolment for children, and certain municipal services.
• Required documents:
  • Passport and visa.
  • Proof of address (rental contract or property deed).

3.4 Opening a Spanish Bank Account

• Purpose: Necessary for rent payments, utilities, and daily expenses.
• Requirements:
  • Passport and NIE.
  • Proof of address in Spain.
  • Some banks may request proof of income or employment.

3.5 Enrolling in the Spanish Healthcare System (If Eligible)

• Eligibility: Non-lucrative visa holders typically rely on private insurance, but certain work or student visa holders may access the public system.
• Process: Register with Social Security (Seguridad Social) through your employer or as a self-employed resident.

Legal Note:
Our firm offers a post-arrival legal service that ensures all these steps are completed in compliance with Spanish regulations, providing full support in scheduling appointments, preparing documentation, and representing you before the authorities.

4. Life in Spain: What to Expect

Moving to Spain from the United States is not only a legal process, it’s also a cultural and lifestyle transition. Understanding what daily life will be like helps you plan realistically and avoid unexpected challenges.

4.1 Cost of Living

A single person spends about €1,036 a month in Spain before rent, private health cover included, and a family of four about €2,405. Rent is what moves the total: an asking rent for a two-bedroom flat went from €601 in Lugo to €2,118 in Barcelona in September 2026. Healthcare is where most Americans notice the gap, since a private policy that meets visa rules costs a fraction of US premiums. Our breakdown of the cost of living in Spain compared to the US has the figures by city and by household, with their sources.

4.2 Taxes for US Expats in Spain

US citizens are required to comply with tax obligations both in Spain and in the United States. However, the two countries have signed a Double Taxation Agreement, which helps prevent paying taxes twice on the same income.

Key points to consider:

• If you are considered a tax resident in Spain, you must declare your worldwide income to the Spanish tax authorities.
• The treaty between the US and Spain determines where different types of income are taxed.
• Certain exemptions and credits may apply, depending on your situation.

Which country taxes each part of your income depends on the type of income and on how many days you spend in Spain. Our own tax advisors work this out with you before you move.

4.3 Finding Housing

Options include renting or purchasing property:

• Rental market: In high-demand cities, competition can be strong; landlords often require proof of income and a security deposit.
• Purchasing property: Non-EU nationals may buy property freely. Our firm can assist with property purchase due diligence to ensure legal security.

Where Americans actually live in Spain, according to the official register

Forget the forum guesses. Spain’s statistics office counted 57,379 American citizens registered as residents on 1 January 2025, almost double the 30,183 of 2015. The figure of about 50,000 you may see elsewhere is the count a year earlier. Where Americans settle is not where the British go: a quarter live in the province of Madrid and a fifth in Barcelona.

City by city, Madrid comes first, then Barcelona and Valencia, with Seville and Malaga well behind. Valencia is now clearly the third American city in Spain. The notarial register tells the same story from the buying side: in the twelve months to June 2026 Americans were among the five largest groups of foreign buyers in Madrid, Barcelona and Seville, and in the old town of Valencia (postcode 46001) they were the largest group of all, with 18% of purchases. The full picture, with the count for every city and the visas Americans actually use, is in our page on how many Americans live in Spain.

4.4 Cultural Adjustment and Language

While English is spoken in many professional and tourist settings, knowledge of Spanish is highly recommended for integration into daily life.

• Cultural norms: More emphasis on face-to-face interaction and a slower pace of life compared to the US.
• Public holidays and regional customs can affect administrative processes and business hours.

Legal Note:
Adapting to life in Spain involves both cultural integration and legal compliance. At My Spain Visa, we provide guidance not only on immigration procedures but also on the practical aspects of settling successfully, from tenancy agreements to tax registration.

FAQs About Moving to Spain from the USA

Legal Note:
Every relocation case is unique. At My Spain Visa, we provide personalised legal guidance, ensuring that your move to Spain is fully compliant with immigration regulations and that your application has the highest chance of success.

Every case turns on details: a pension that is partly work income, a spouse with another passport, a consulate with a long wait for appointments. Book a consultation and one of our immigration attorneys will tell you which route works for you and what it needs. We file the application for you.

Other moving guides

• Moving to Spain from the UK
• Moving to Spain from Canada
• All long-stay visa types in Spain
• 90-day rule calculator for scouting trips before the visa