Move to Spain from USA
Spain is a beautiful country with a strong economy, excellent schools, a convenient location, and numerous professional opportunities. As such, many Americans choose to move to Spain.
However, applying for a Spanish visa can be difficult. At Total Law, our legal experts can help you to make the process as smooth as possible. Contact us today on +44 (0) 333 305 9375 to learn more.
Immigrate to Spain from USA: Overview
If you are an American looking to move to Spain, it is likely that you will require a visa. There are a number of different categories of Spanish visas, such as:
- Work visas
- Study visas
- Family Reunion visas
- Tourist (Schengen) visas
- Retirement visas
Each of these individual visa categories also contains a number of specific visas, some of which will be explored in the next section of this article.
If you are an American citizen looking to visit Spain for up to 90 days as a tourist, you will likely not require a visa. However, if you are an American resident who does not have US citizenship, a visa may still be necessary for you. This will depend on your specific nationality and any agreements between your home country and Spain.
Note that, if you are an EU citizen, you will not require a visa to live, work, or study in Spain.
Top Visas for Americans Entering Spain
Spain offers a wide range of visas for those looking to move to the country. While American citizens do not generally require a visa for stays of up to 90 days, visas may still be required in the case of non-American US residents or American citizens looking to remain in Spain for longer than 90 days.
Some of the main visa routes are as follows:
Work visas
Spain offers numerous Work visas, which vary depending on the nature of the work and the duration of stay. Some of the main Spanish Work visas are as follows:
- Digital Nomad visa: This visa allows workers employed remotely by overseas companies to live in Spain.
- Highly Qualified Residence Permit and EU Blue Card: These visa permit allow highly qualified or highly experienced non-EU workers to live and work in Spain.
- Intra-Corporate Transfer visa: This visa allows the employee of an overseas company to work in that company’s Spanish office.
- Seasonal Worker visa: This visa allows the holder to perform temporary seasonal work in Spain, often during Spain’s peak tourism season.
- Entrepreneur visa and Self-Employed visa: These visas allow the holder to start a business in Spain, provided it is viable and will contribute to the Spanish economy. Note that, in the case of the Entrepreneur visa, the business idea must be unique and innovative, whereas the Self-Employed visa allows the holder to start a business which already has an equivalent in the Spanish market.
The exact route which is right for you will depend on the type of work which you intend to perform in Spain and the duration of your role. Additionally, not all Work visas provide a route to permanent settlement.
Study visas
Student visas allow the holder to study in Spain. In many cases, they also allow the holder to work for up to 30 hours a week.
In most cases, international students will be granted the Type D visa.
If you are planning to complete undergraduate or postgraduate study in Spain, this is likely the right route for you.
Family Reunion visas
Family Reunion visas allow non-Spanish residents of Spain to be joined by their immediate family members. In general, the eligible categories of family member are as follows:
- Minor or dependant children (in most cases, your children will need to be under 18 in order to be eligible, but any dependant adult children may also be eligible under this route)
- Dependant parents (in most cases, your parents will need to be over 65 in order to be eligible, but exceptions may be made on humanitarian grounds if there are extenuating health circumstances, for example)
- Spouse or partner (you will generally need to either be married or have a relationship which is comparable to marriage, e.g. cohabitation and shared finances)
If your family members are successful in obtaining a visa, they will generally be granted a foreigner identity card upon arrival in Spain.
Tourist (Schengen) visas
Tourist visas are intended to allow short stays in Spain, generally of up to 90 days, where the primary reason for the visit is tourism. Note that, if you are a US citizen, you will not require a Tourist visa in order to visit Spain for stays of up to 90 days.
Schengen visas are not limited to Spain but are available in other countries in the Schengen Area. Note that, if Spain is not the main Schengen country which you will be visiting, you should instead apply for your visa via the Schengen country which is your main destination.
If you enter the country on a Schengen visa, you will not be authorized to work during your stay.
Non Lucrative visa
The Non Lucrative visa allows the holder to live in Spain if they are already financially self-sufficient through other means of income and so will not need to work when in Spain. These alternative sources of income could take numerous forms, such as interest on dividends or rental payments from non-Spanish property/ies which are owned abroad.
Note that, after living in Spain for 6 months, you may still need to pay tax on your income, even if it is not earned in Spain.
Retirement visa
While Spain does not have a specific Retirement visa, it does have some routes which can allow you to spend your retirement in Spain. The two most popular routes are the Non Lucrative visa and the Golden visa, as described above. Note that, due to the imminent discontinuation of the Golden visa program, the Non Lucrative visa is likely to be a better option for those looking to retire to Spain in the next few years.
Why Hire A Spanish Immigration Lawyer?
Overview
Spain is a popular destination for many Americans looking to move overseas. It has strong cultural ties with the US, beautiful scenery, a strong economy, and easy access to the rest of the EU. As such, moving to Spain provides many benefits.
When applying for a Spanish visa, many US citizens choose to seek legal assistance with their application. This offers numerous advantages. At Total Law, we guarantee high-quality, bespoke legal advice which will help to make your application as smooth as possible. Our legal advisors can assist you with each stage of the application process and can guide you through the process. Whether you are at the beginning of your immigration journey or are already a resident in Spain and looking to be joined by your family, we can help you each step of the way.
Our Packages
At Total Law, we can help with every stage of the application. However, we also offer a range of packages, designed to help with specific parts of the process.
For those looking for general legal advice, we offer an Advice Package. As part of this package, our immigration experts will provide you with bespoke legal advice.
For those looking for help with their application, we offer an Application Package. If you select this package, we will help ensure that your application process runs as smoothly as possible.
For those needing to apply by a certain deadline, we offer our Fast Track Package. If you are working to a tight deadline and need your application submitted as quickly as possible, this is likely to be the best route for you.
If you have already applied for one of Spain’s visas and have been unsuccessful, we also offer an Appeal Package. As part of this package, we work with you throughout the entire appeal process and provide you with legal representation.
Obtaining Residency in Spain
Once you have had Spanish residency for at least 5 years, you may be eligible for permanent residency. This will allow you to settle permanently in Spain. As part of the application process, you will be expected to provide a range of evidence, such as your visa and Residence permit, a clean criminal record, proof of private health insurance, and information on your financial circumstances.
If you successfully obtain Spanish permanent residency, you will be granted a residency card. Note that this must be renewed after 5 years; failure to do so could jeopardize your legal status in the country.
Obtaining Spanish Citizenship
After being a resident of Spain for at least 10 years, you may be eligible for Spanish citizenship. This provides a number of advantages, such as the right to vote in Spanish elections and the ability to obtain a Spanish passport. With a Spanish passport, you will be eligible for visa-free travel to the rest of the EU, where you are also free to live, work, and study.
Note that, if you have spent time in Spain on either a Tourist or Student visa, this will not count towards your 10 year period of minimum residence.
How Can Total Law’s Spain Immigration Lawyers Help
Spain is a thriving European country which offers many benefits to US citizens looking to move abroad. Many Americans are drawn by the strong cultural ties between Spain and the US, the numerous professional opportunities, the warm climate, and the numerous areas of natural beauty.
However, if you are a US citizen looking to visit Spain for more than 90 days, it is likely that you will require a visa. As this process can be long and complicated, many applicants choose to pursue legal assistance with their application. At Total Law, our legal advisors are adept at advising on cases exactly like this. Contact us today on +1 844 290 6312 to learn more about our full range of services.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are certain visas which provide a route to permanent settlement in Spain, yes. In order to be eligible for permanent settlement, you will generally need to live and work in Spain for at least 5 years, under an eligible visa, such as the EU Blue Card or the Entrepreneur visa. For Spanish citizenship, this increases to 10 years.
When applying for one of Spain’s visas as a US citizen, it is likely that you will need to visit your local consulate or embassy. In the US, these can be found in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco, and Washington DC. There is also a Consulate General in Puerto Rico.
There are a range of documents which are generally required to apply for one of Spain’s visas, though the exact list will depend on the application in question. In general, you should expect to provide a combination of the following documents: valid passport, clean criminal record, health certificate, evidence of private health insurance, proof of employment (where applicable), proof of familial relationships (where applicable), proof of financial means to support your stay, and proof of enrollment in an authorized educational institution (where applicable).
For an exact list of the documents which will be required for your application, contact Total Law today on +1 844 290 6312.
