Quick Facts for Americans

Can Americans Actually Move to Spain?

Yes, and the numbers keep growing. The US State Department counts roughly 30,000 registered American residents in Spain, though the real number is higher when you factor in digital nomads on tourist visas and those who never bothered to register.

COVID changed the game. When American tech workers realized they could do their jobs from a beachside apartment in Valencia for half what they paid in San Francisco rent, many never went back. Spain noticed and launched the Digital Nomad Visa in January 2023 specifically to capture this crowd.

But moving here as an American comes with complications you wont find if youre coming from, say, Germany or Mexico:

• The IRS follows you everywhere. The US is one of two countries on Earth (Eritrea is the other) that taxes citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Youll file Form 1040 from Spain every April.
• FATCA makes banking annoying. Many Spanish banks dont want American customers because reporting to the IRS costs them money. Youll need to choose your bank carefully.
• Dual citizenship in practice. Spain requires a formal renunciation declaration, but the US does not recognize it. Most Americans who naturalize end up with both passports. Still, many prefer permanent residency to avoid the paperwork.
• Your Social Security travels with you. The US-Spain Totalization Agreement ensures you dont pay into both systems simultaneously, and your benefits follow you abroad.

Best Visa Options for Americans

Digital Nomad Visa (Remote Workers)

If you work remotely for a US company or have American freelance clients, this is your visa. Spain wants your spending power without you taking local jobs.

What you need:

• Minimum €2,763/month income (about $3,000 at current rates)
• At least 3 months working for a company thats been operating 1+ year
• Bachelors degree OR 3 years professional experience in your field
• Private health insurance from a Spanish-authorized provider
• Clean FBI background check with apostille

W-2 employees are eligible as of April 2026. If youre on someones payroll rather than a contractor, youll need a Certificate of Coverage from the Social Security Administration proving youre still paying into the US system.

The Beckham Law tax break is available to digital nomads. Instead of Spains regular income tax rates (up to 47%), you can opt for a flat 24% on your first €600,000 of income. Most Americans qualify if they havent been Spanish tax residents in the previous 5 years.

Non-Lucrative Visa (Retirees and Passive Income)

Designed for people who dont need to work. Retirees love this one, but younger folks with investment income or trust funds use it too.

What you need:

• €28,800/year in passive income (about $31,000)
• Sources: pensions, Social Security, rental income, dividends, 401k distributions
• Private health insurance with full coverage
• No working in Spain. Not even remotely for US clients

The average US Social Security check is around $1,900/month. That alone wont meet the threshold, but combined with a pension or retirement account withdrawals, most retirees qualify easily.

One thing catches Americans off guard: Medicare doesnt work here. Zero coverage outside the US. Youll need private insurance until youve lived in Spain long enough to access the public system (usually 1 year, varies by region).

The Tax Situation (Its Complicated)

Being American in Spain means dealing with two tax systems. Not optional.

What You Still Owe the IRS

Form	Who Files	Deadline
Form 1040	All US citizens	June 15 (auto-extended for expats)
FBAR (FinCEN 114)	If foreign accounts exceed $10,000	April 15, extended to October
FATCA (Form 8938)	If foreign assets exceed $200,000 single / $400,000 married	With tax return

Avoiding Double Taxation

The US-Spain tax treaty helps, but you need to claim the right exclusions:

• Foreign Earned Income Exclusion: Knock up to $126,500 (2024 figure) off your US taxable income if you pass the bona fide residence or physical presence test.
• Foreign Tax Credit: Credit Spanish taxes paid against what you owe the IRS. Often better than FEIE for high earners.
• Totalization Agreement: You pay Social Security taxes to one country only, not both.

Get a tax professional who knows US-Spain cross-border issues. This is not DIY territory.

Spanish Consulates in the US

You must apply at the consulate with jurisdiction over your US address. No exceptions.

Appointment availability varies wildly. Miami and LA often have 2-3 month waits. Chicago and Boston tend to be faster. Some Americans book at a different citys consulate and make a trip of it, which is technically allowed.

Documents You Need from the US

FBI Background Check

This is the one that trips people up because of timing. The process:

1. Get fingerprinted at a USPS location or approved channeler
2. Submit to FBI (channelers are faster than mailing directly)
3. Wait 1-4 weeks for results
4. Get it apostilled by the US Department of State (add 4-8 weeks, or use an expediting service)

Spanish consulates usually require the FBI check to be less than 3-6 months old. Do the math backwards from your appointment date and start early.

Other US Documents

• US passport valid for at least 1 year beyond your intended stay
• 3-6 months of bank statements showing required income
• Employment verification letter (Digital Nomad Visa)
• Social Security statement (retirees)
• Health insurance from a Spanish-authorized insurer (US insurance doesnt count)

Cost of Living: What Your Dollars Buy in Spain

Most Americans find they can live on 40-60% of their US budget and maintain the same lifestyle. Or keep spending the same and live significantly better.

Your Timeline: Arrival to Citizenship

The Citizenship Question

After 10 years of legal residency, Americans can apply for Spanish citizenship. Spain formally requires you to renounce your US citizenship during the naturalization process. However, the US does not recognize renunciations made to foreign governments. In practice, most Americans who naturalize as Spanish end up keeping both passports.

What you gain: EU citizenship, Spanish passport (visa-free to 190+ countries), freedom from US worldwide taxation (after exit tax and compliance period), full political rights across the EU.

What you lose: US citizenship, easy entry to the US (youll need ESTA or a visa), some Social Security implications, potential complications with US property and inheritance, exit tax on unrealized gains.

In our experience, most Americans choose permanent residency instead of citizenship. You get nearly all the practical benefits without giving up the blue passport. Only pursue citizenship if EU mobility is genuinely important to your plans.

Frequently Asked Questions

We Handle Everything

Moving from the US to Spain involves layers of complexity that catch even organized professionals off guard. Tax planning across two countries with wildly different systems. Visa documentation that must be perfect the first time. Spanish bureaucracy that moves slowly, inconsistently, and without explanation when things go wrong.

At Legal Fournier, we dont just advise. We handle everything. Visa applications prepared and submitted correctly the first time. Tax planning coordinated between US and Spanish obligations. NIE registration, empadronamiento, social security enrollment, bank accounts, and housing assistance. You focus on your career, your family, and your new Spanish life. We manage the bureaucracy.

Spanish administration books appointments weeks out. Requirements change without notice. Consulates reject applications for minor documentation errors. And dont explain what went wrong. Trying to navigate this alone while also settling into a new country burns time and energy you dont have. Our American clients arrive ready to live in Spain, not ready to fight paperwork.

This guide provides general information about moving from the United States to Spain. Immigration rules and tax regulations change regularly. For planning tailored to your specific situation, contact our team for a comprehensive consultation.