Americans usually move to Spain to retire or live on savings, to work remotely, or to study and teach as language and culture assistants. Visa-free entry makes scouting trips easy, but living in Spain requires a residence visa, almost always applied for at your consulate. Here are the usual routes and how to prepare documents in the United States.
Key facts
- Entry: US passport holders can stay in the Schengen area visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. This does not allow work and does not, on its own, let you settle.
- Citizenship: the general requirement is 10 years of legal, continuous residence, with the CCSE and DELE A2. At the oath you must declare that you renounce US nationality (art. 24 of the Civil Code); its effect in the US depends on US law. If you were born in Puerto Rico and hold the Puerto Rican citizenship certificate, the period may be 2 years.
- Documents: the US applies the Hague Convention, so an apostille is enough. English-language documents need a sworn translation.
- Driving: there is no exchange agreement. Once resident you can drive for six months on your US licence; after that you must take the Spanish theory and practical tests.
- Social security and tax: the Spain–US social security agreement lets you combine contribution periods. The US taxes its citizens wherever they live, and if you spend more than 183 days a year in Spain you will also be Spanish tax resident: speak to a tax adviser before moving.
How people usually move
- Non-lucrative residence. The classic route for retirees and people living on savings, pensions or passive income. It does not allow work in Spain (nor remote work, in many consulates’ view) and requires private health insurance with no co-payments or waiting periods, a medical certificate and a criminal record check. Non-lucrative residence
- Digital nomad. For people working remotely for companies or clients outside Spain, with a relationship of at least three months. You can apply at the consulate or from Spain while legally there. Digital nomad
- Studies and language assistants. A master’s, degree or course with a study authorisation (work up to 30 hours a week in higher education or vocational training). The Ministry of Education’s language and culture assistant programme (NALCAP) lets you teach in Spanish schools on a student visa. Study permit
- Skilled work. Highly qualified professional, EU Blue Card or intra-company transfer, processed by the Large Companies Unit (UGE). Highly qualified professional
- Family. Marriage or registered partnership with a Spanish or EU citizen. If you also hold an Ibero-American nationality of origin or an EU nationality, it may open a simpler route. Family member of a Spanish or EU citizen
Documents and apostille
- Criminal record: the FBI Identity History Summary, fingerprint-based. State or local police certificates are not accepted. It usually has to be recent.
- Federal apostille: the FBI report is apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.; a state apostille is not valid for this document. Allow several weeks.
- Birth and marriage certificates: these are state documents, so they are apostilled by the Secretary of State of the issuing state.
- Sworn translation into Spanish of the FBI report and, depending on the consulate, of the apostille and civil records too.
- Medical certificate and health insurance for non-lucrative residence and studies: a doctor must certify that you have no illness with serious public health implications, and the insurance must cover you in Spain with no co-payments or waiting periods.
What to keep in mind
- Spain has consulates general in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco and San Juan (Puerto Rico), plus the consular section of the Embassy in Washington. You apply at the one covering your state of residence. Most take applications by appointment through BLS International.
- The bottleneck is usually the FBI check with federal apostille: request it first, but not so early that it expires before your appointment.
- Common mistakes: a state apostille on the FBI report, non-sworn translations and health insurance with co-payments for non-lucrative residence.
- In Spain: register at the town hall (padrón) and apply for your TIE within the first month. Keep track of visits: the 90 visa-free days are now recorded by the Entry/Exit System (EES).
Frequently asked questions
Can I work remotely on a non-lucrative visa?
That is not what it is for: non-lucrative residence does not authorise work, and many consulates refuse applications that rely on ongoing employment income. If you work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain, the right route is the digital nomad visa.
Which criminal record do I need and how is it apostilled?
The FBI Identity History Summary (fingerprint-based), apostilled by the U.S. Department of State in Washington, plus a sworn translation into Spanish. An apostille from your state’s Secretary of State is not valid for the FBI document. If you lived in another country in the last 5 years, you need that country’s certificate too.
Can I exchange my US driver’s licence?
No. Spain has no exchange agreement with any US state. You can drive on your licence for the first six months of residence; after that you need a Spanish licence by passing the DGT theory and practical tests.