​​Spain Immigration Lawyers: Expert Advice for Moving to Spain from US

With the upcoming changes to the visa requirements for US citizens even for short-term visits, the visa application requirements can feel more intimidating than ever. Our team of Spanish immigration lawyers at Total Law recognises how important it is to receive a positive outcome when requesting a visa and we have spent decades helping applicants like you succeed with just that.

Whether you are taking the first steps or have already started your visa application, our team of immigration experts has detailed knowledge of all the nuances of the different Spanish visas and their requirements, and we will be happy to offer you specialized help with your specific circumstances.

Contacting us is the first step towards lifting the stress of the application process off your shoulders. You will be connected with a dedicated expert who will take the time to talk through and understand your situation, before walking you through your possible options. You will also receive advice on how to get ready for your application and what you will need to do to apply. We are also able to help you if you have already received a visa rejection or have any other special circumstances or questions.

With the legal assistance of our immigration experts, you can be sure that your application is the best it can be, giving you the highest chances of success with minimal extra trouble or delays.

Page Contents

• Looking for a Spanish Immigration Lawyer in the USA?
• Spain Immigration Areas We Cover
• Corporate Immigration
• Permanent Residence and Citizenship
• Dual Citizenship
• Our Packages and Services
• How Difficult Is It to Apply for a Spanish Visa on My Own?
• How Much Does a Spanish Immigration Lawyer Cost?
• Why Choose Total Law Immigration Lawyers?
• FAQ

The Spanish immigration options are divided into a variety of categories to suit different needs and circumstances. Our specialists can help you understand Spanish immigration law, the available visa options, and assist you with the preparation and visa application process.

Whether you have just started looking into your options or have already tried to apply, we can offer you advice at any stage and even help you appeal if you have previously been rejected for a visa.

Our services and expertise cover all areas of Spanish immigration, including short-stay visas such as the different Schengen visa categories which may be required for US residents with non-US nationality, or long-term residential visas such as the national visas which include the following immigration pathways:

• Work visas – including employment and transfers, independent work and the entrepreneur visa, as well as Spanish digital nomad visa arrangements
• Student visa – usually for students who have been accepted to study at an accredited Spanish educational institution. It may occasionally be recommended for other applicants such as volunteers or Au pairs
• Family reunification visa – allowing you to reconnect with family members in Spain, including your spouse, parent, or children.
• Non-lucrative visa – a savings-based immigration pathway without work permission that is often applied for on retirement grounds

Our immigration specialists at Total Law are also experts in the corporate aspects of immigration, meaning that we can help employers navigate the process of hiring foreign talent and work visa applications for employers that are required for certain employment visa pathways such as the Highly Qualified Worker visa, intra-company transfers, or seasonal worker permissions.

We can help you obtain the correct ICTs and will be able to advise you on any requirements that might come into place depending on your company and the prospective employee’s circumstances.

Beyond initial visa applications, our immigration lawyers will be able to help you on your path toward establishing permanent residency in Spain and even gaining citizenship.

If you wish to visit Spain for an extended period and establish proper residence, you will need to qualify via one of the available national visas, which usually permit you to apply for a permanent Spanish residency permit after five years, offering you the permission to stay in Spain for another five years to meet the ten-year residential requirement that is commonly needed before you may qualify for Spanish citizenship.

Beyond the residential-based citizenship, our immigration specialists can help you figure out if you may qualify for naturalization under one of the other available citizenship pathways, which might be through marriage to a Spanish national, or through family lineage under the Spanish citizenship by descent or Spanish citizenship by option pathways.

Our immigration lawyers can support you at any stage of your residence process and help you gather the right evidence when applying to upgrade your status. Additionally, once you qualify, we can help you understand what to prepare for when taking the two required citizenship tests and how to apply for your Spanish passport.

While Spanish citizenship may be your ultimate immigration goal, it is also important to understand the implications as Spain doesn’t offer dual citizenship for most foreign nationals including US citizens. This means that to get a Spanish passport, you will usually have to give up your US citizen status.

We understand that you might not want to do this and that the limitations on dual-nationality can be disappointing and limiting when it comes to your ability to truly build the life that you want to live. While Spain’s rules on dual-nationality are strict, we can help you explore the benefits and downsides of changing your citizenship or help you explore possible alternatives. You can call us today at +1 844 312 4979 and one of our specialists will be happy to get you started.

Immigration Process for US Citizens

As a US citizen, you can visit Spain without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but you cannot live or work there on that basis. To move for longer, you need a national visa such as the non-lucrative visa, the digital nomad visa a work visa, a student visa or a family reunification visa.

You apply in person at the Spanish consulate that covers your US state. Applications usually need an FBI background check with a US Department of State apostille, a medical certificate, private health insurance from a Spanish-authorized insurer with no co-payments, proof of income, and sworn Spanish translations. Decisions typically take a few weeks to three months.

After you arrive, register your address and apply for your TIE card within one month. You can apply for permanent residency after five years and citizenship after ten. Call us on +34 919015010  or +1 844 312 4979 to find the right visa for you.

Moving to Spain from US Checklist

Start planning six to twelve months before you move. Key steps include:

• Choose your visa, then order your FBI background check and apostille, which can take several weeks
• Arrange Spanish-authorized private health insurance. Medicare does not cover care in Spain
• Get a medical certificate and sworn translations of your documents
• Review your taxes. You will still file US returns, and you may need to file an FBAR if your foreign accounts exceed $10,000. Spanish tax residents must also declare foreign assets over €50,000 per category on Modelo 720
• Plan for driving. Your US license is usually valid for about six months after you become a resident, and there is no exchange agreement, so you will need to take the Spanish tests
• On arrival, register your address, apply for your TIE card within one month and open a Spanish bank account

Cost of Living

Spain is generally cheaper than most large US cities, and housing is the biggest difference. According to idealista’s September 2026 index, average asking rents are about €15 per square meter across Spain, rising to about €23 in Madrid and €20 in Barcelona, and falling to about €13 in the Valencian Community. A 70 square meter apartment would therefore cost roughly €1,640 a month in Madrid city and €1,150 in Málaga.

Everyday costs are lower. Groceries typically cost €200 to €300 a month for one person, utilities and internet around €140 to €250, and public transportation €30 to €60. A single person living comfortably in a mid-size city typically spends €1,400 to €2,000 a month including rent, and a couple €2,200 to €3,000. Add 20 per cent to 30 per cent in Madrid or Barcelona. These are estimates, and your costs will depend on where and how you live.

Education

Education is compulsory in Spain from age 6 to 16 and free in public schools for all resident children, including children of US citizens. Public schools teach in Spanish and, in some regions, in a co-official language such as Catalan, Valencian or Basque, and many offer language support for new arrivals. Concertada schools are privately run and publicly funded, with teaching free by law. International and private schools teach in English and often follow American, British or IB curriculums, with annual fees ranging from about €5,000 to more than €25,000 at the top end.

To enroll a child, first register your address at your town hall, then apply through your region’s admission process, which usually runs in spring for a September start. Children who arrive during the year can usually be placed through the regional education office. Students with US high school qualifications need to have them validated before entering Bachillerato or university, so check the process early. Adults who wish to study in Spain need a student visa.

Accommodation

Most Americans rent first. A standard long-term lease for your main home gives you the right to stay for up to five years if the landlord is an individual, or seven years if it is a company, even if the contract says one year. The deposit is one month’s rent, and under the Housing Law the landlord pays the agency fee when the landlord instructed the agency. Seasonal contracts are for genuinely temporary stays and do not carry the same protection. You will need your rental contract to register your address, and some consulates ask for proof of accommodation, so check before signing.

Foreigners can buy property in Spain with an NIE (foreigner identification number), but buying no longer gives you residency, because the real estate Golden Visa ended in April 2025. Expect taxes and fees of around 8 to 14 per cent of the price.

Healthcare

Spain has a high-quality public health system and a large private sector. Employees and self-employed workers who pay into Spanish Social Security are covered by the public system. If you move on a non-lucrative visa, you cannot use it at first. After a year of registered residence, you can join it through the “convenio especial,” currently about €60 a month for under-65s and €157 for those 65 and over.

Most residency visas require private health insurance from a Spanish-authorized insurer, covering all treatment in Spain with no co-payments or waiting periods. US plans, including Medicare, do not cover care in Spain and are not accepted for visa applications. Premiums depend on your age and level of cover, but typically start at around €50 to €90 a month for adults in their thirties and forties.

Once you are eligible, contact your regional health authority to get your health card and register with a local doctor.

Spanish visa applications can be a complex and involved process that is intimidating to navigate, especially if you do not have any past experience. Besides deciding that you want to visit or live in Spain, you will need to have a clear understanding of your current circumstances and plans for the future, as well as of the different visa types and how you may qualify for them based on your situation.

The visa you pick will decide a large portion of what you will be able to do once in Spain and how you may move forward in the future, so it is important to make a well-thought-out choice.

A Spain immigration lawyer can help you understand why a certain visa may be better than another and support you on the often numerous steps of the application process. Depending on your application pathway, you will be asked to support numerous legal documents and you may also need to pass tests or apply for accompanying licenses or permissions.

Missing even one essential step in your visa requirements can lead to significant delays or rejection and might even have legal implications with the Spanish government if you are not careful, so it is always best to make sure that you are fully covered.

The Spanish visa application process can vary widely, depending on your circumstances and the visa permission or immigration document that you are planning to apply for. Due to this, there are no set fees when seeking support from one of our immigration lawyers at Total Law. Instead, we will offer you an initial free consultation where you can discuss your plans and requirements so that we can offer you a custom quote based on your needs.

Keep in mind that there will be other costs that come with your visa application, such as the visa fee itself, as well as possible additional licenses and, of course, travel costs. We will be happy to advise you on these aspects as well, so you can plan ahead and see what might be most suitable for your needs.