Immigrate to Spain from USA
US citizens can move to Spain to work, join family or retire. Learn your residence permit options and requirements and get support from our lawyers.
If you plan to immigrate to Spain from the USA, our immigration lawyers are at your disposal with information about all your options and requirements to meet the necessary criteria. You can rely on us for the necessary support in applying for a residence permit in Spain.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Residence permit types | Temporary permits, permanent residence permits, non-lucrative residence permits |
Time needed to obtain the temporary residence permit (approx.) | Approx. 3 months |
Temporary residence permit validity | 1 – 5 years |
| Documents for obtaining temporary residence | Application form, valid passport, proof of means to support oneself for the duration of stay, residential address, other documents depending on the relocation reason. |
| Mandatory registrations with state authorities (i.e. with the population/municipality register) | Registration with the local municipality after relocation, enrollment with the tax authorities (obtain NIE number) and with the national healthcare system |
| Dependents can join the temporary permit holder (Yes/No) | NO, dependents must apply for residence permits |
| Temporary or permanent residency for investment purposes | NO for new applicants – the investor (golden) visa was abolished on 3 April 2025; an entrepreneur visa for innovative business projects remains |
| Minimum temporary residence before applying for permanent residence | 5 years |
| Documents for obtaining permanent residence | Passport and residence permit, proof of residential address, health insurance, proof of stable and sufficient resources, criminal record certificate where applicable |
| Sponsorship requirement (YES/NO) | No |
| Naturalization requirements | 10 years of living in Spain |
| Relocation steps | – prepare immigration papers, – apply for the visa at the Spanish consulate in the USA, – after arrival, apply for the foreigner identity card (TIE) |
Special conditions to respect in terms of short-term residency | US citizens may stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period; their entry and exit are registered in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES, in operation since 12 October 2025). ETIAS travel authorisation has not yet started. |
Easiest ways to move to Spain from the USA | – the non-lucrative visa, – employment, – the digital nomad visa (the golden visa closed on 3 April 2025) |
| Special requirements to secure a work contract (if any) | No |
| Special requirements when moving to Spain as a dependent (if any) | No, American citizens moving as dependents do not need to meet any special requirements. |
| Possibility to retire to Spain as a US citizen (YES/NO) | Yes, retirement is an option for American citizens. |
| Retirement options (if any) | – non-lucrative residence visa (the golden visa closed to new applicants on 3 April 2025) |
| Support in visa refusal (YES/NO) | Yes, however, such cases are rare. |
| Support in renting/buying Spanish properties (YES/NO) | Yes, our immigration lawyers in Spain can assist with the practical side of the relocation procedure. |
| Support in registering with local authorities (YES/NO) | Yes, you will need to register for taxation and health insurance. |
| Tax benefits for American citizens (if any) | Foreign nationals who move to Spain for work and were not Spanish tax residents in the previous 5 years may opt for the special impatriate regime ('Beckham Law'): 24% on employment income up to EUR 600,000 for 6 tax years. |
Do I need an entry visa for Spain when moving from the USA?
No, you do not need to apply for an entry visa if your stay does not exceed 90 days. Also, if you plan to move to Spain from the USA in the long term, you can apply directly for the type of permit associated with the reason for relocation.
What are the main reasons for moving to Spain from the USA?
If you want to emigrate to Spain, you have several visas you can apply for. Among these, the most popular choices are:
- the employment visa which enables a non-EU citizen to hold employment in Spain;
- the entrepreneur visa (the investor 'golden' visa closed on 3 April 2025), which is an option for US founders of innovative businesses seeking to obtain permanent residence here;
- the non-lucrative visa which enables a US citizen to move to Spain without granting them the right to work here;
- the student visa under which once arrived in Spain, the US citizen can relocate here if he or she finishes the studies and finds employment;
- US citizens established in other EU countries can easily move to Spain based on the visa issued by the respective states.
What are the steps for immigrating from USA to Spain?
The steps for US citizens interested in immigration in Spain depend on the chosen visa. In most cases, the first step implies obtaining information on the documents that need to be filed with the Spanish Embassy in the US. Then:
- the US citizen must file the visa application together with the requested documents to the Embassy;
- the Embassy will forward the documents to the competent authorities in Spain;
- once the application is approved, the applicant will need to pick it up within a specific period of time;
- once arrived in Spain, the immigrant will need to report with the police station in the province he/she lives in and apply for the foreigner identity card (TIE), which shows the NIE (foreigner identification number).
Our immigration lawyers can offer more information on the procedure to move from the USA to Spain.
We have also created a scheme about how to immigrate to Spain from the USA:
What are the required documents if I immigrate to Spain from the United States?
You need to prepare the following:
- the application form;
- the valid passport;
- valid health insurance;
- proof of financial sustainability for the duration of stay;
- proof of accommodation.
Where can I apply for the immigration documents?
Applications are processed by the Spanish consulate with jurisdiction over your US state of residence; for DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and North Carolina this is the Consular Section of the Spanish Embassy in Washington, on 2375 Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington DC 20037.
What are the documents I need to apply for a temporary residence permit as an American citizen in Spain?
You need to prepare the following:
- the residence application form;
- the valid passport;
- recent photographs;
- proof of financial stability;
- residence certificate;
- medical certificate;
- clean criminal record for the past 5 years;
- health insurance;
- residence permit issuance fee receipt.
How long does it take to have a Spanish temporary residence permit issued?
1 to 2 months.
What must I do after I immigrate to Spain from the USA?
One of the most important steps of immigrating to Spain is to obtain the NIE number.
What is the validity of a temporary residence permit?
Most temporary permits are issued for one year with the possibility of renewal.
If you want to immigrate to Spain from US and need help, our lawyers will help you. We have also created a video on this theme, and you can watch it below:
After how much time can I apply for permanent residence in Spain as an American citizen?
After 5 years of living here.
What documents do I need to supply to obtain a Spanish permanent residence permit as an American?
The following:
- valid passport;
- application form;
- Spanish residence card (TIE);
- proof of having resided in Spain for the past 5 years;
- valid health insurance;
- proof of financial means;
- clean criminal record.
How long does it take for a permanent residence permit to be issued?
It can take up to 3 months.
We provide personalized assistance and take into consideration your particular situation when you decide to move to Europe. Contact our Spain immigration agents for complete information about how we can assist you.
Laura Fusté, Attorney at Law · 2 October 2026