In short
Madrid is the cheaper capital: a single person with a central 1-bedroom spends about €2,150 a month, against about €2,430 in Paris. Spain offers Americans a digital nomad visa and a retirement visa. France offers Americans a retirement visa. Citizenship takes about 10 years of residence in Spain and 5 in France. Every figure below is checked against official sources.
The verdict
Which Country Fits You?
Where one side is clearly better for most Americans, it gets the point — the rest depends on your plans.
Choose Spain if…
- You want lower costs — about €280 a month less for a single person with a central 1-bedroom in Madrid.
- You have a job offer — the EU Blue Card salary bar is lower: €41,356 a year (2026).
- You work remotely: Digital nomad visa — about €2,849 a month (€34,188 a year); permit up to 3 years. France has none.
- You want to apply after arriving visa-free: for the digital nomad and entrepreneur permits — at the UGE, also during a visa-free stay.
Choose France if…
- You live on a pension or savings and want the lower bar: Visitor visa — income at least €1,477.93 net a month; no work in France.
- You want citizenship sooner: 5 years, B2 French and a civic exam; dual citizenship allowed.
- You are a founder: Carte talent "company creation" — €30,000 investment.
Cost of Living
Madrid Is About €280 a Month Cheaper
| Spain | France | |
|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment, city centre | Spainabout €1,332 (Madrid)✓ | Franceabout €1,385 (Paris) |
| 1-bed apartment, outside centre | Spainabout €1,066 (Madrid) | Franceabout €1,035 (Paris)✓ |
| Everyday costs, single person (no rent) | Spainabout €820 (Madrid)✓ | Franceabout €1,045 (Paris) |
| Total a month — single, central 1-bed | Spainabout €2,150 (Madrid)✓ | Franceabout €2,430 (Paris) |
Living costs: Numbeo estimates for the capital (2026), as shown with sources on each city guide and in the key facts below.
Visas & Residence
Visas & Work Permits Compared
| Spain | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Main work permit | SpainEmployer permit with a labour-market test unless the job is on the shortage list | FranceCarte talent — skilled employee from €39,582 a year; up to 4 years |
| EU Blue Card salary | Spain€41,356 a year (2026)✓ | France€59,373 a year (2026) |
| Apply from inside the country | SpainYes for the digital nomad and entrepreneur permits — at the UGE, also during a visa-free stay✓ | FranceNo — long-stay visas are applied for before travel (TLScontact in the US) |
| Digital nomad visa | SpainAbout €2,849 a month (€34,188 a year); permit up to 3 years✓ | FranceNone |
| Retirement / passive-income visa | SpainNon-lucrative visa — €2,400 a month; no work at all, not even remote | FranceVisitor visa — income at least €1,477.93 net a month; no work in France✓ |
| Golden (investor) visa | SpainClosed since 3 April 2025 | FranceNone |
| Founders & startups | SpainEntrepreneur permit — innovative business with a favourable ENISA report | FranceCarte talent "company creation" — €30,000 investment |
Settling In
France Leads to Citizenship Sooner
| Spain | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent residence | SpainLong-term residence after 5 years | France10-year carte de résident after 5 years, with B1 French and a civic exam |
| Citizenship | Spain10 years for Americans, plus A2 Spanish and civics exams | France5 years, B2 French and a civic exam; dual citizenship allowed✓ |
| Public healthcare | SpainPublic SNS for workers; others can buy in after 1 year — €60 a month under 65 | FrancePUMa: workers from day one, others after 3 months of stable residence |
Tax & Business
Taxes & Company Rules
| Spain | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Special tax regime | SpainBeckham regime — 24% flat up to €600,000 for 6 years (incl. digital nomads) | FranceImpatriate regime — tax relief until the end of the 8th year |
| Usual company | SpainSL — capital from €1; online formation through CIRCE | FranceSAS or SARL — capital deposited with a bank or notary |
| Corporate tax | Spain25% (23% or less for smaller companies, 15% for new ones) | France25% (15% on the first €42,500 for SMEs) |
| US tax treaty | SpainSigned 1990, 2013 protocol; Social Security agreement since 1988 | France1994 treaty with a 2009 protocol |
US citizens & Green Card holdersThe US still taxes you
Wherever you live, the US taxes its citizens on worldwide income. You keep filing a US return, and an FBAR once your foreign accounts total more than $10,000 at any time in the year.
Daily Life
Daily Life in Madrid and Paris
| Spain | France | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (capital) | SpainAbout 3.5 million; 7.1 million in the region | FranceAbout 2.10 million; 12.6 million in Île-de-France |
| Public transport (capital) | SpainZone A monthly pass €32.70 (2026) | FranceNavigo monthly pass €90.80, all zones incl. airports |
| Nonstop flights to the US | SpainIberia nonstop from 8 US cities, plus American, Delta, United | FranceNonstop to Paris from many US cities |
| Currency | SpainEuro | FranceEuro |
FAQ
Spain or France? Your questions
Is Madrid or Paris cheaper?
Madrid is cheaper: a single person with a central 1-bedroom spends about €2,150 a month there, against about €2,430 in Paris (Numbeo, 2026). Rent for a central 1-bedroom is about €1,332 in Madrid and €1,385 in Paris.
Does Spain or France have a digital nomad visa?
Spain: About €2,849 a month (€34,188 a year); permit up to 3 years. France has no digital nomad visa.
How long until I can get citizenship?
Spain: 10 years for Americans, plus A2 Spanish and civics exams. France: 5 years, B2 French and a civic exam; dual citizenship allowed.
Do I still pay US taxes if I move?
Yes. The US taxes its citizens on worldwide income wherever they live. You keep filing a US return, and an FBAR once your foreign accounts total more than $10,000. Foreign tax credits and the treaties usually prevent paying twice on the same income.
Spain vs France: key factsLast verified 30 September 2026
| Spain: 1-bed apartment, Madrid | about €1,332 a month in the centre, €1,066 outside (Numbeo, October 2026) estimate Source: Numbeo – Cost of Living in Madrid |
|---|---|
| Spain: Living costs, single person (Madrid) | about €820 a month without rent — about €2,150 with a central 1-bedroom estimate Source: Numbeo – Cost of Living in Madrid |
| France: 1-bed apartment, Paris | about €1,385/month in the centre, €1,035 outside estimate Source: Numbeo: cost of living in Paris (Sep 2026) |
| France: Living costs, single person (Paris) | about €1,045/month without rent estimate Source: Numbeo: cost of living in Paris (Sep 2026) |
| Spain: Work permit | The employer applies; a labour market test applies unless the job is on the shortage list; first permit 1 year, renewals 4 years Source: Hoja 12 – Autorización inicial de residencia temporal y trabajo por cuenta ajena (Ministerio de Inclusión) · El Gobierno aprueba un nuevo reglamento de extranjería (Ministerio de Inclusión press release) |
| France: Carte talent | Multi-year card up to 4 years: skilled employee €39,582/yr; EU Blue Card €59,373/yr; company creation €30,000 investment (2026) Source: Service-Public: carte talent (multi-year residence card) |
| Spain: EU Blue Card | Salary of at least €41,356.36 a year (1.4× the average salary, 2026), or €33,085.09 for recent graduates and shortage occupations; handled by the UGE, permits up to 3 years Source: Tarjeta azul-UE: la Orden PJC/44/2026 fija el umbral salarial mínimo (laboral-social.com) · Nota informativa: modificaciones introducidas en la Ley 14/2013 por la Ley de empresas emergentes (ECIJA) |
| Spain: Digital nomad permit length | Visa from a consulate for up to 1 year, or a residence permit of up to 3 years applied for inside Spain at the UGE (also during a visa-free stay), decided in 20 working days; renewals of 2 years with no overall cap Source: Regulación de la residencia de nómadas digitales (Sepin) · Consulate General of Spain in Houston – Telework Visa (Digital Nomad Visa) · Consulate General of Spain in Washington – Telework (Digital nomad) Visa |
| France: Where to apply | Long-stay visas are applied for before travel — in the US through TLScontact (10 centres, any of them) Source: France-Visas: applying in the United States · Service-Public: long-stay visa (3 months to 1 year) |
| Spain: Digital nomad visa | Gross income of at least 200% of the minimum wage — €34,188 a year in 2026 (about €2,849 a month; US consulates quote €2,442 × 14) — plus 75% of the minimum wage for the first family member and 25% for each other; a degree or 3 years of experience; at least 3 months with your employer or clients, an employer operating for 1 year, and freelancers may earn up to 20% from Spanish clients Source: Consulate General of Spain in Washington – Telework (Digital nomad) Visa · Consulate General of Spain in Houston – Telework Visa (Digital Nomad Visa) |
| Spain: Non-lucrative visa | Passive income or savings of 400% of IPREM — €2,400 a month or €28,800 a year in 2026 — plus €600 a month (€7,200 a year) per dependant; no work of any kind, including remote work Source: Consulate General of Spain in New York – Non-Working Residence Visa · Consulate General of Spain in Chicago – Non-Lucrative Residence Visa |
| France: Visitor visa (visiteur) | For people living on their own means who will not work in France; income at least the net SMIC — €1,477.93 a month (from June 2026) Source: Service-Public: temporary residence card "visiteur" · Service-Public: SMIC (minimum wage) |
| Spain: Golden visa | Closed: Organic Law 1/2025 repealed the investor visa from 3 April 2025. Applications filed before that date are decided under the old rules, and existing holders can renew Source: Inversores – Unidad de Grandes Empresas (Ministerio de Inclusión) |
| Spain: Entrepreneur permit | For an innovative business with a favourable ENISA report; visa for 1 year or a permit of up to 3 years applied for inside Spain at the UGE, decided in 20 working days Source: Nota informativa: modificaciones introducidas en la Ley 14/2013 por la Ley de empresas emergentes (ECIJA) · Consulate General of Spain in Houston – Telework Visa (Digital Nomad Visa) · Billin - La visa de emprendedor en España (Ley 14/2013) |
| Spain: Long-term residence | After 5 years of continuous legal residence (no absence over 6 months, 10 months in total), with health insurance and sufficient resources; card renewed every 5 years Source: Hoja 50 – Autorización de residencia de larga duración UE (Ministerio de Inclusión) |
| France: Carte de résident | After 5 years; 10-year card; income at least the gross SMIC, B1 French (under 65) and a civic exam Source: Service-Public: EU long-term resident card · Service-Public: French language and civic exam for multi-year cards and the carte de résident |
| Spain: Citizenship | 10 years of legal, continuous residence for Americans (2 for Ibero-American countries, Portugal, Andorra, the Philippines and Equatorial Guinea; 1 if married to a Spaniard), plus the DELE A2 Spanish and CCSE civics exams Source: Código Civil (BOE) arts. 22–23 · Instituto Cervantes – Nacionalidad española (DELE A2 y CCSE) |
| France: Citizenship | 5 years (2 after two years of French higher education); B2 French from 2026, civic exam and interview; fee €255; dual citizenship allowed Source: Service-Public: naturalisation by decree · US Department of State: dual nationality |
| Spain: Healthcare | Workers and the self-employed are covered by the public SNS; others can buy in through the Convenio Especial after 1 year on the padrón — €60 a month under 65, €157 from 65 Source: Convenio especial de prestación de asistencia sanitaria (Ministerio de Sanidad) |
| France: Public health insurance (PUMa) | Workers from the start of their job; others after 3 months of stable residence Source: Service-Public: universal health protection (PUMa) |
| Spain: Beckham regime | 24% on employment income up to €600,000 (47% above) for the year of arrival plus 5 years, if you were not resident in the previous 5 years and move for a job, remote work (incl. the digital nomad visa), a directorship or an innovative business — not for non-lucrative visa holders. Optional: file Modelo 149 within 6 months of starting work Source: Artículo 93 Ley del IRPF (Iberley – consolidated text) · Modelo 149 – Instrucciones para cumplimentar la comunicación (Agencia Tributaria) |
| France: Impatriate regime | Tax relief for people recruited from abroad, until the end of the 8th year Source: impots.gouv.fr: impatriate regime |
| Spain: SL (limited company) | Minimum capital €1 since October 2022, fully paid in; below €3,000, 20% of profits must go to a reserve and founders are liable for the shortfall up to €3,000 if the company is wound up Source: Uría Menéndez - La Ley Crea y Crece: menos trabas y costes para crear, operar y financiar negocios · Real Decreto Legislativo 1/2010, Ley de Sociedades de Capital (consolidated) |
| France: Capital deposit | Deposited with a bank or a notary; at least 50% paid in at formation for an SAS, 20% for a SARL Source: Service Public Entreprendre: depositing share capital |
| Spain: Corporate tax | 25% standard; in 2026 companies under €10M turnover pay 23% and under €1M 19% on the first €50,000 and 21% above; new companies 15% for their first 2 profitable years and certified startups 15% for up to 4 Source: PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - Spain: Taxes on corporate income (reviewed 30 Jun 2026) |
| France: Corporate tax | 25%; 15% on the first €42,500 of profit for SMEs (turnover ≤ €10M, capital paid up, 75%+ held by individuals) Source: Service Public Entreprendre: corporate income tax |
| Spain: US tax treaty | Signed 1990; the 2013 protocol has applied since 27 November 2019 — dividends 15%, 5% (10%+ holding) or 0% (80%+); the US still taxes its citizens Source: Treasury Announces Entry into Force of Tax Treaty Protocols with Japan and Spain (US Treasury) · PwC Worldwide Tax Summaries - Spain: Withholding taxes |
| France: US tax treaty | Treaty of 1994 with 2009 protocol; saving clause lets the US tax its citizens Source: IRS: US–France income tax convention · IRS: 2009 protocol to the US–France treaty |
| Spain: Madrid population | 3,497,277 (1 January 2026), about 19% foreign nationals; 7.11 million in the Madrid region Source: Ayuntamiento de Madrid – Padrón Municipal: Primeros resultados 2026 · Madrid Economía 2026 (Observatorio Económico, Ayuntamiento de Madrid) |
| France: Population | France 69.1 million (1 Jan 2026); Paris 2.10 million; Île-de-France 12.6 million Source: INSEE: demographic report 2025 · INSEE: legal population of Paris · INSEE: Île-de-France population |
| Spain: Madrid transport pass | Zone A monthly pass €32.70 in 2026 (40% subsidy on €54.60), €10 under 26, free from 65; discounts confirmed to 31 December 2026 Source: Xataka Móvil – Madrid confirma precios del abono transporte para 2026 · Merca2 – La bonificación del transporte público en Madrid extiende su descuento hasta final de año |
| France: Paris transport | Navigo monthly pass €90.80 (all zones, including airports); single ticket €2.55 (2026) Source: Île-de-France Mobilités: fares 2026 |
| Spain: Flights from the US | Iberia flies nonstop to Madrid from New York (JFK and Newark), Boston, Miami, Chicago, Washington, Dallas, Los Angeles and San Francisco; American, Delta, United and Air Europa add more, and United also flies Newark to Barcelona, Málaga, Palma, Bilbao and Santiago (some seasonal) Source: BoltFlight – Iberia evaluates four new nonstop US routes (21 Jul 2026) · Aviación al Día – United Airlines … new cities in Spain for summer 2026 |
| France: Flights from the US | Nonstop to Paris from many US cities; Nice also has nonstops; Toulouse and Marseille routes are due in 2027 Source: Connexion: new US–France direct flights |
Go deeper
The full guides
Across Europe
Every guide and comparison
- OverviewMove to Europe
- CountriesAll 29 Countries
- LivingExpat Guides
- RetirementRetire by Country
- CitiesBest Cities to Live In
- BusinessCompany Formation
- FoundersStartup Visas
- InvestorsGolden Visas
- Remote workDigital Nomad Visas
- RetirementRetirement Visas
- CitizenshipCitizenship by Descent
- CostsCost of Living
- HealthHealthcare
- TaxTax Residency
- PetsMoving with Pets
- DrivingUS Driver's License
- PropertyBuying Property
- EducationStudy in Europe
- SafetySafety & Stability
- WorkWork-Life Balance
- TravelTravel & Schengen
- LifestyleLifestyle
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