In short
US citizens can visit Spain visa-free for 90 days in any 180 but cannot work. The non-lucrative visa needs €2,400 a month in 2026 and allows no work; the digital nomad visa needs €34,188 a year from work outside Spain and can be requested inside Spain for a 3-year permit. The golden visa closed in April 2025. A new immigration regulation has applied since 20 May 2025 — most renewals now last 4 years and students can work 30 hours a week. After arriving you register on the padrón, get your TIE card within a month and become tax-resident after 183 days; the Beckham regime (24%) is optional for people who move to work. Public healthcare comes with a job or costs €60 a month (€157 from 65) after a year. Citizenship takes 10 years with A2 Spanish. A single person spends about €1,525 (Seville) to €2,320 (Barcelona) a month including central rent.
Living in Spain: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Visits | US citizens can stay visa-free up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area, without working; entries are registered in the Entry/Exit System (fully running since 10 April 2026)# Source: Entry/Exit System (EES) – European Commission Migration & Home Affairs |
|---|---|
| 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 |
| 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) |
| 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 |
| 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) |
| New immigration regulation | Royal Decree 1155/2024 has applied since 20 May 2025: first permits usually last 1 year and most work and residence renewals 4 years (the non-lucrative visa keeps 2-year renewals)# Source: EY alerta – Nuevo Reglamento de Extranjería · El Gobierno aprueba un nuevo reglamento de extranjería (Ministerio de Inclusión press release) · Hoja 7 – Renovación de la autorización de residencia temporal no lucrativa (Ministerio de Inclusión) |
| Family reunification | After 1 year of residence with a permit valid for at least another year; income of 150% of IPREM (€900 a month) for two people, +50% per extra person# Source: Hoja 8 – Autorización de residencia temporal por reagrupación familiar |
| NIE | Foreigner identity number, requested on form EX-15 at a consulate or police office; fee €9.84; issued as a paper certificate# Source: Application for NIE for international individuals (Oficina Nacional de Extranjería / one.gob.es) |
| TIE card | Apply within 1 month of arrival with a fingerprint appointment; fee about €16 (2026)# Source: Consulate General of Spain in New York – Non-Working Residence Visa |
| Padrón | Everyone living in Spain must register with the town hall where they live (empadronamiento)# Source: Ley 7/1985 Reguladora de las Bases del Régimen Local (BOE) |
| Tax residence | Tax-resident if you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year or have your main economic interests there# Source: Ley 35/2006 del IRPF (BOE) |
| Income tax | Combined state and regional rates from about 19% up to 45% in Madrid, 47% in most regions, 50% in Catalonia and about 54% in Valencia; savings income 19–30%# Source: Tramos IRPF 2026: tabla actualizada (OIE) |
| 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) |
| Modelo 720 | Residents must declare foreign assets when any category (accounts, securities, property) exceeds €50,000, by 31 March# Source: Modelo 720 – Declaración informativa sobre bienes y derechos situados en el extranjero (Agencia Tributaria) |
| 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) |
| US Social Security | Under treaty article 20 the US may tax it, and Spain taxes it as your country of residence with a credit for US tax# Source: Convenio US–Spain income tax treaty text (IRS) |
| US reporting | FBAR if your foreign accounts exceed $10,000 in total at any time; Form 8938 above $200,000 at year-end or $300,000 at any time for a single filer abroad# Source: Comparison of Form 8938 and FBAR requirements (IRS) |
| 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) |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
Spain's residence rules are mostly the same for all non-EU citizens. A few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Citizenship | 10 years for Americans and most others; 2 years for citizens of Ibero-American countries, Portugal, Andorra and the Philippines. |
|---|---|
| Social security | In force since 1 April 1988 — avoids paying into both systems (posted workers up to 5 years) and lets you combine credits; it does not cover health care. Other countries have their own agreements. |
| Home-country tax | US citizens stay taxable in the US on worldwide income; most other nationals are taxed only where they live. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them. Add an official Spanish translation.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
Overview
Spain — Your Complete American Expat Guide
Spain has 49.8 million people, about 7.4 million of them foreign nationals, and is the EU's 4th-largest economy. About 50,600 Americans live there, and a record 15,638 received a first residence permit in 2024. The rules changed in 2025: the golden visa closed in April, and a new immigration regulation took effect in May with longer renewals and new arraigo routes.
We help you choose the right visa, prepare your documents and settle into Spanish life.
Spain still works well for Americans — but match your route to how you earn. The non-lucrative visa forbids even remote work; the digital nomad visa is built for it.
Our Services
Your Pathway to Spain
Route analysis
Non-lucrative, digital nomad, entrepreneur or work permit — matched to your income and plans.
Application support
FBI check, apostilles, sworn translations, insurance and the consulate or UGE application.
Arrival
Padrón, TIE appointment, bank account and Social Security registration.
Tax set-up
Tax residence, the Beckham option, Modelo 720 and how US income is taxed under the treaty.
Long-term planning
Renewals, long-term residence and citizenship with DELE A2 and CCSE.
Visas & Residency
Navigating Spain Visas & Residency
Most routes start at the Spanish consulate for your US state. The permits under Law 14/2013 — digital nomad, entrepreneur, highly qualified and Blue Card — are handled by the Large Companies Unit (UGE) and can also be requested inside Spain while you are there legally, including during a visa-free stay. Royal Decree 1155/2024 has applied since 20 May 2025: first permits usually last 1 year and most work and residence renewals 4 years (the non-lucrative visa keeps 2-year renewals).
Non-Lucrative Visa
€2,400 a month (€28,800 a year) plus €600 a month per dependant, Spanish-authorised insurance with no co-payments, FBI check. No work of any kind.
- Min. income
- €2,400/month
Digital Nomad Visa
€34,188 a year gross (+75% of the minimum wage for a partner, +25% per child) from foreign employers or clients; a degree or 3 years of experience. Visa for 1 year, or a 3-year permit applied for in Spain; renewals of 2 years.
- Min. income
- €34,188/year
- US visa fee
- $190
Golden Visa — Closed
No new applications since 3 April 2025. Existing holders can renew.
- Status
- Closed
Entrepreneur Permit
An innovative business with a favourable ENISA report — up to 3 years, from the UGE.
- Decision
- 20 working days
Work Permit & Blue Card
The employer applies; a labour market test applies unless the job is on the shortage list. Blue Card from €41,356 a year.
- Renewals
- 4 years
Long-term Residence & Citizenship
Long-term residence after 5 years; citizenship after 10 years with DELE A2 and CCSE.
- Citizenship
- 10 years
The Democratic Memory Law route closed to new applications on 22 October 2025. Pending applications filed in time are still being processed.
Cost of Living
Spain Cost of Living for Americans
Asking rents rose 5.6% in a year to €15.1/m² nationally — €23.4 in Madrid, €20.1 in Barcelona and about €16.3–16.5 in Valencia and Málaga (Idealista, September 2026). For a single person:
| City | 1-bed centre | Everyday costs | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barcelona | about €1,493 | about €827 | about €2,320 |
| Madrid | about €1,332 | about €820 | about €2,152 |
| Málaga | about €1,316 | about €722 | about €2,038 |
| Valencia | about €1,271 | about €732 | about €2,003 |
| Alicante | about €898 | about €734 | about €1,633 |
| Seville | about €831 | about €692 | about €1,523 |
Numbeo, single person, October 2026. Source: Numbeo: Madrid · Numbeo: Barcelona · Numbeo: Málaga · Numbeo: Alicante
Utilities and internet run about €130–200 a month and subsidised monthly transport passes about €23–35 in 2026. Leases run at least 5 years at the tenant's option (7 if the landlord is a company); deposit 1 month; rent caps apply only in declared stressed zones (none in the Madrid region).
Where to Live
Top Destinations for American Expats in Spain
Madrid
The capital — jobs, the US Embassy and the most US flights. Living in Madrid guide →
Barcelona
Spain's dearest city, with rent caps in declared stressed zones and a strong start-up scene. Lisbon vs Barcelona compared →
Valencia
Mediterranean beaches and about 1 h 40–1 h 50 to Madrid by high-speed train.
Málaga and the Costa del Sol
Over 2,900 hours of sunshine a year and United flights from Newark in summer.
Seville and Alicante
The lowest costs of the cities we checked — about €1,525 and €1,635 a month including central rent.
Expat Tips
Essential Tips for Americans Relocating to Spain
Get your NIE early
Foreigner identity number, requested on form EX-15 at a consulate or police office; fee €9.84; issued as a paper certificate. You need it to sign a lease, open a bank account or buy property.
Register and get your TIE
Everyone living in Spain must register with the town hall where they live (empadronamiento). Apply within 1 month of arrival with a fingerprint appointment; fee about €16 (2026).
Decide on Beckham in time
The 6 months run from the start date on your Social Security registration (or US certificate of coverage), not from becoming tax-resident.
Declare foreign assets
Residents must declare foreign assets when any category (accounts, securities, property) exceeds €50,000, by 31 March. Beckham taxpayers are exempt.
Understand pension tax
Under treaty article 20 the US may tax it, and Spain taxes it as your country of residence with a credit for US tax. Private pensions, IRAs and 401(k)s are taxed in Spain as your country of residence, with US tax credited.
Why Partner With Us
Expert Guidance for Your Spanish Relocation
We work with Spanish immigration lawyers and tax advisers (asesores fiscales) who handle non-lucrative, digital nomad and company cases for Americans.
We check every route against the 2025 regulation and 2026 figures before you commit.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Can I apply for residence after entering Spain visa-free?
For the digital nomad, entrepreneur, highly qualified and Blue Card permits, yes — at the UGE while you are legally in Spain. The non-lucrative visa must be obtained from a consulate before you move.
Can I work remotely on the non-lucrative visa?
No. Consulates state that it allows no work, including remote work for US clients. Remote workers should use the digital nomad visa.
How long until Spanish citizenship?
10 years of legal, continuous residence for Americans, plus DELE A2 Spanish and the CCSE civics test. Long-term residence comes after 5 years.
Does the Beckham Law apply automatically with the digital nomad visa?
No. Digital nomads can opt in if they meet the conditions, but you must file Modelo 149 within 6 months of starting work.
Do I need to learn Spanish?
Not for the visa. Citizenship needs DELE A2, and daily life outside central Madrid and Barcelona is much easier with Spanish — Spain ranks 36th of 123 countries for English.
Spain
Everything about moving to Spain
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