How to Immigrate to Spain from the USA โ€“ Complete Legal Guide

Why More Americans Are Moving to Spain

Spain offers an unbeatable blend of lifestyle, climate, healthcare, and cultural richness. Whether you’re a remote worker, retiree, student, or entrepreneur, itโ€™s one of the most attractive destinations for U.S. citizens looking to start fresh in Europe.

At Borderless Lawyers, we help Americans navigate the Spanish immigration systemโ€”legally, clearly, and confidently.


๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Do U.S. Citizens Need a Visa for Spain?

Yesโ€”if you’re planning to stay longer than 90 days, a Spanish national visa is required.

U.S. citizens can visit Spain as tourists for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. For anything beyond that (residency, work, study), you need an official visa and residency card (TIE).


๐Ÿ›‚ Best Visa Options for Americans Moving to Spain


๐Ÿ’ป Digital Nomad Visa

Perfect for remote workers earning income outside of Spain

  • ๐Ÿ’ต Income requirement: approx. โ‚ฌ2,650/month

  • โœ… Must work for a U.S. or foreign employer or as a freelancer

  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Dependents can apply with you

  • ๐Ÿ” Renewable and leads to permanent residency

  • ๐Ÿ›‚ Work permit included


๐Ÿ– Non-Lucrative Visa

Ideal for retirees and those with passive income

  • ๐Ÿ’ฐ Show financial means of ~โ‚ฌ2,400/month (plus extra for dependents)

  • โŒ Not allowed to work or generate income inside Spain

  • ๐Ÿก Must reside in Spain for most of the year

  • ๐Ÿ” Renewable, and leads to long-term residency


๐Ÿ’ผ Work Visa

For U.S. citizens with a Spanish job offer

  • ๐Ÿ‘” Spanish employer must sponsor the application

  • ๐Ÿ—‚ Must meet skill, salary, and legal requirements

  • ๐Ÿงพ Full residency and employment authorization

  • ๐Ÿ” Renewable, path to permanent residency & citizenship


๐ŸŽ“ Student Visa

For university or language school enrollment

  • ๐Ÿ“š Must be accepted to an accredited institution

  • ๐Ÿ’ผ Can work up to 20 hours/week

  • ๐Ÿ” Renewable annually

  • ๐Ÿ”„ Can later convert to a work visa or other residency


๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€๐Ÿ‘ง Family Reunification

For U.S. citizens with family members in Spain

  • ๐Ÿงพ Legal residents can sponsor spouses, children, and dependent parents

  • ๐Ÿ  Must prove relationship, housing, and income

  • ๐Ÿ›‚ Provides residence permit with access to education and healthcare


๐Ÿ“„ Required Documents (General Visa)

  • ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Valid U.S. passport

  • ๐Ÿ  Proof of accommodation in Spain

  • ๐Ÿ’ถ Proof of income or job offer (depending on visa)

  • ๐Ÿฅ Private health insurance

  • ๐Ÿง‘โ€โš–๏ธ FBI background check (apostilled)

  • ๐Ÿ“„ Medical certificate

  • ๐Ÿˆ‚๏ธ Certified Spanish translations (Traductor Jurado)

โœ… Borderless Lawyers helps you gather, legalize, and translate all documents.


๐Ÿ› Where to Apply for a Spanish Visa in the USA

Applications must be submitted in person at a Spanish consulate in your U.S. region:

  • ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Consulate of Spain in New York

  • ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Consulate of Spain in Los Angeles

  • ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Consulate of Spain in Miami

  • ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Consulate of Spain in Chicago

  • ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Consulate of Spain in Houston

  • ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Consulate of Spain in San Francisco

  • ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Consulate of Spain in Boston

  • ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Consulate of Spain in Washington, D.C.

Each consulate may have slight variations in document requirements and timelines.


๐Ÿ‘ฃ Immigration Process for Americans โ€“ Step by Step


1๏ธโƒฃ Personalized Legal Consultation

๐ŸŽฏ We evaluate your goals and choose the visa that fits your lifestyle, budget, and timeline.


2๏ธโƒฃ Document Preparation & Translation

๐Ÿ“‘ We help you collect, legalize, and translate all documents into Spanishโ€”including apostilles and certified translations.


3๏ธโƒฃ Application Filing

๐Ÿ›‚ We assist in scheduling your visa appointment at the Spanish consulate and ensure your application is complete and compliant.


4๏ธโƒฃ Arrival in Spain & Residency Card

๐Ÿก After visa approval, we help you:

  • Register your address (Empadronamiento)

  • Apply for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)

  • Set up healthcare and tax ID (NIE)


5๏ธโƒฃ Ongoing Legal Support

๐Ÿ” We support renewals, family reunification, and transitions to long-term residency or Spanish citizenship (eligible after 10 years; only 2 years if you have Latin American ancestry).


โš–๏ธ Why U.S. Clients Trust Borderless Lawyers

We make your move to Spain smooth, lawful, and stress-free. Our U.S. and Spain-based immigration lawyers offer:

  • โœ… Expert visa guidance

  • ๐Ÿ“„ End-to-end document and consulate support

  • ๐Ÿ‘จโ€๐Ÿ‘ฉโ€โš–๏ธ Family-based and individual applications

  • ๐ŸŒ Multilingual legal service

  • ๐Ÿ“ On-the-ground assistance in Spain


โš ๏ธ Common Mistakes Americans Make

๐Ÿšซ Applying for the wrong visa
๐Ÿšซ Submitting incomplete or untranslated documents
๐Ÿšซ Booking flights before approval
๐Ÿšซ Ignoring tax and healthcare obligations in Spain

โœ… With Borderless Lawyers, you avoid these costly errors.


๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ Dual Citizenship โ€“ Can Americans Become Spanish Citizens?

Spain does not allow dual citizenship with the U.S. (exceptions for Latin American citizens). However, U.S. citizens can still apply for Spanish citizenship after:

  • 10 years of legal residency

  • 1 year if married to a Spaniard

  • 2 years if from a Latin American or Sephardic background

We guide you through citizenship eligibility, integration exams, and full application processing.


๐Ÿš€ Start Your Spain Immigration Journey

Thousands of Americans have already chosen Spain for retirement, remote work, and a new way of life. Let us help you join themโ€”with the legal clarity and confidence you need.

error: Content is protected !!