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, it’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 system—legally, clearly, and confidently.
🇺🇸 Do U.S. Citizens Need a Visa for Spain?
Yes—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).
🛂 Best Visa Options for Americans Moving to Spain
💻 Digital Nomad Visa
Perfect for remote workers earning income outside of Spain
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💵 Income requirement: approx. €2,650/month
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✅ Must work for a U.S. or foreign employer or as a freelancer
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👨👩👧 Dependents can apply with you
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🔁 Renewable and leads to permanent residency
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🛂 Work permit included
🏖 Non-Lucrative Visa
Ideal for retirees and those with passive income
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💰 Show financial means of ~€2,400/month (plus extra for dependents)
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❌ Not allowed to work or generate income inside Spain
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🏡 Must reside in Spain for most of the year
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🔁 Renewable, and leads to long-term residency
💼 Work Visa
For U.S. citizens with a Spanish job offer
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👔 Spanish employer must sponsor the application
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🗂 Must meet skill, salary, and legal requirements
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🧾 Full residency and employment authorization
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🔁 Renewable, path to permanent residency & citizenship
🎓 Student Visa
For university or language school enrollment
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📚 Must be accepted to an accredited institution
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💼 Can work up to 20 hours/week
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🔁 Renewable annually
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🔄 Can later convert to a work visa or other residency
👨👩👧 Family Reunification
For U.S. citizens with family members in Spain
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🧾 Legal residents can sponsor spouses, children, and dependent parents
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🏠 Must prove relationship, housing, and income
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🛂 Provides residence permit with access to education and healthcare
📄 Required Documents (General Visa)
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🇺🇸 Valid U.S. passport
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🏠 Proof of accommodation in Spain
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💶 Proof of income or job offer (depending on visa)
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🏥 Private health insurance
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🧑⚖️ FBI background check (apostilled)
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📄 Medical certificate
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🈂️ Certified Spanish translations (Traductor Jurado)
✅ Borderless Lawyers helps you gather, legalize, and translate all documents.
🏛 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:
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🇪🇸 Consulate of Spain in New York
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🇪🇸 Consulate of Spain in Los Angeles
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🇪🇸 Consulate of Spain in Miami
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🇪🇸 Consulate of Spain in Chicago
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🇪🇸 Consulate of Spain in Houston
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🇪🇸 Consulate of Spain in San Francisco
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🇪🇸 Consulate of Spain in Boston
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🇪🇸 Consulate of Spain in Washington, D.C.
Each consulate may have slight variations in document requirements and timelines.
👣 Immigration Process for Americans – Step by Step
1️⃣ Personalized Legal Consultation
🎯 We evaluate your goals and choose the visa that fits your lifestyle, budget, and timeline.
2️⃣ Document Preparation & Translation
📑 We help you collect, legalize, and translate all documents into Spanish—including apostilles and certified translations.
3️⃣ Application Filing
🛂 We assist in scheduling your visa appointment at the Spanish consulate and ensure your application is complete and compliant.
4️⃣ Arrival in Spain & Residency Card
🏡 After visa approval, we help you:
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Register your address (Empadronamiento)
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Apply for the TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero)
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Set up healthcare and tax ID (NIE)
5️⃣ Ongoing Legal Support
🔁 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).
⚖️ 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:
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✅ Expert visa guidance
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📄 End-to-end document and consulate support
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👨👩⚖️ Family-based and individual applications
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🌐 Multilingual legal service
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📍 On-the-ground assistance in Spain
⚠️ Common Mistakes Americans Make
🚫 Applying for the wrong visa
🚫 Submitting incomplete or untranslated documents
🚫 Booking flights before approval
🚫 Ignoring tax and healthcare obligations in Spain
✅ With Borderless Lawyers, you avoid these costly errors.
🇪🇸 Dual Citizenship – 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:
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10 years of legal residency
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1 year if married to a Spaniard
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2 years if from a Latin American or Sephardic background
We guide you through citizenship eligibility, integration exams, and full application processing.
🚀 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 them—with the legal clarity and confidence you need.