Spain is one of the top destinations for Americans looking to live abroad — and with good reason. Whether you’re dreaming of retiring on the Costa del Sol, working remotely in Barcelona, or joining a partner in Madrid, there’s a Spanish visa option for U.S. citizens to match your goals.
This guide compares the main residency visas available to US nationals so you can confidently choose the right legal path.
🛂 Main Spain Visas Available to US Citizens
1. 🔹 Non-Lucrative Visa
Best for: Retirees, remote income earners, long-term stays without local work.
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Requires proof of financial self-sufficiency.
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Minimum income: ~€2,400/month + €600 per dependent (indexed annually).
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Cannot work for a Spanish company.
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Renewable yearly, leading to long-term residency.
✅ Very popular for Americans over 50 and FIRE expats.
2. 🔹 Digital Nomad Visa (Visado para teletrabajadores internacionales)
Best for: Remote workers, freelancers, and digital business owners earning from abroad.
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Must prove employment or contracts with non-Spanish clients.
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Must be earning ≥200% of Spain’s minimum wage (~€2,600+/month).
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Can bring family (as dependents) under one application.
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Tax benefits under the special expat regime (“Beckham Law”).
✅ Top choice for U.S.-based tech workers, creatives, and consultants.
3. 🔹 Student Visa
Best for: Americans enrolled in full-time Spanish programs.
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Proof of enrollment in a recognized course (university, language school, etc.).
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Health insurance and financial support required.
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Allows part-time work (up to 20 hrs/week).
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Can be converted into a work or residence visa after studies.
✅ Great entry point for younger Americans or language learners.
4. 🔹 Family Reunification Visa
Best for: Joining a spouse, child, or parent who is a legal resident or citizen of Spain.
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The sponsoring family member must prove income and accommodation.
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Available for spouses (including same-sex partners), children, and parents.
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Leads to residency card upon arrival.
✅ Streamlined if your spouse or parent is a Spanish citizen or EU national.
5. 🔹 Work Visa (Highly Skilled or Sponsored Job)
Best for: U.S. professionals with a job offer in Spain.
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Requires employer sponsorship from a Spanish company.
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Must prove job could not be filled by EU citizens.
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Common in tech, education, medicine, and research.
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Time-consuming and not suitable for freelancers.
✅ Best for Americans already working with multinational companies.
6. 🔹 Investor Visa (Golden Visa – Now Removed)
⚠️ The Spanish Golden Visa was officially removed by the government and is no longer available for real estate investors. New alternatives include:
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Entrepreneur Visa
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Digital Nomad Visa
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Non-Lucrative Visa with property ownership
⚖️ Choosing the Right Visa: A Quick Comparison
| Visa Type | Work Allowed in Spain | Family Reunification | Leads to Residency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Lucrative | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Digital Nomad | ✅ (remote only) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Student | ✅ (part-time) | ✅ (limited) | ✅ |
| Family Visa | ✅ | N/A | ✅ |
| Work Visa | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
📌 What Documents Will You Need?
Most visas require:
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Valid U.S. passport
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FBI background check (apostilled)
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Private health insurance in Spain
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Proof of income or employment
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Spanish visa application form
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Passport-sized photos
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Medical certificate (sometimes)
👨⚖️ How Borderless Lawyers Helps
Our team assists U.S. clients with:
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Personalized visa eligibility assessments
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Preparing and submitting applications to the Spanish consulate
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Translations and apostilles
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Family reunification cases
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Post-arrival procedures (TIE, empadronamiento)
📞 Call to Action
Confused about which visa fits your situation?
Our English-speaking Spanish immigration lawyers help Americans choose and apply for the right Spanish visa.