Residency in Spain for US Citizens
Spanish residency is available for both European Union (EU) and non-EU citizens alike. US citizens may live legally in Spain with the right permission without having to give up their nationality.
Total Law work around the clock with citizens all around the world to help them obtain the necessary visas, permissions and residency permits to travel internationally. Learn more about our services and speak to a qualified immigration lawyer when you message us online, or call on +1 844 290 6312.
Spain Residence Permit: Overview
While citizens of EU nations enjoy visa free access to travel, live, study and work in accompanying states without the need for visas or residence permits, US citizens must obtain the relevant residency permission for the purpose of their stay.
Generally speaking, there are two types of residency in Spain for Americans: Temporary Residency and Permanent Residency. The latter cannot be applied for without the former first being obtained.
Want to live in Spain long term or permanently but aren’t looking to give up your American citizenship? Call +1 844 290 6312 to speak to one of the Total Law team and learn more on how the process works to work toward a permanent residence permit.
Page Contents
- Spain Residence Permit: Overview
- Types of Residence Permits in Spain
- Spain Residency Requirements for US Citizens
- Financial Requirements for a Spanish Residence Permit
- How to get residency in Spain as a US Citizen?
- Timelines of Temporary and Permanent Residency Applications
- Fees for Residence Permit in Spain
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Types of Residence Permits in Spain
Spanish residency is split into two broad categories dependent on intended duration of stay: temporary residency and permanent residency.
Temporary Residence Permit in Spain
The Spanish Temporary Residence Permit is issued to allow stays of US citizens for up to one year; but may then be renewed continuously for a maximum of five years (at which point permanent residency may be applied for).
A Temporary Residence Permit for Spain is most commonly issued to American citizens who:
- Have been offered a job in Spain (either with an overseas or Spanish company) but do not yet meet the requirements to obtain permanent residence
- Are enrolled in a Spanish educational program and have an offer of admission from a Spanish university or higher education college
- Are married to a Spanish citizen, or are the children or parents of a Spanish citizen (known as family reunification)
- Self employed in Spain and are able to prove their business’ economic viability
- Are making a significant investment in Spain to either start a business or purchase property
Permanent / Long-term Residence Permit in Spain
The status of permanent residency in Spain is known as ‘Tarjeta Comunitaria Permanente’. This residency card permits indefinite leave to reside in Spain and may be applied for once an individual has lived in the country for a period of at least five years continuously.
A Tarjeta Comunitaria Permanente may be applied for provided that the applicant has travelled to Spain on any valid visa route, providing they continue to meet all the relevant requirements.
Long term residency in Spain permits the holder to bring their spouse, dependent children and parents to Spain, and permit residency for them too; a considerable advantage compared to the individual family reunification that temporary residency allows.
Spain Residency Requirements for US Citizens
A valid residency permit for Spain may only be applied for once the applicant holds a valid visa for travel. A residency permit will only be valid for such duration as the visa allows.
The applicant must, therefore:
- Be able to demonstrate that they hold a valid visa for their stay and continue to meet the requirements of that visa
- Be able to prove they have paid the corresponding residence permit fee
- Be able to supply a wholly and accurately filled EX-11 form
- Be able to supply a copy of their valid passport
- Be able to supply a copy of their current residency card (in the case of renewals)
- Be able to supply a copy of their tax return and payroll records (in the case of a business visa)
- Be able to supply a copy of a clean criminal record from the police in the US
If you’re unsure of your eligibility for a Spanish residence permit, contact Total Law on +1 844 290 6312 to discuss your circumstances.
Financial Requirements for a Spanish Residence Permit
Many Spanish visas hold specific financial requirements that applicants must meet in order to demonstrate their financial viability for self-support while in the country; and this will have been demonstrated as part of the successful visa application.
The residency permit also holds some monetary requirements, including (as of September 2024):
- Proof of annual income being 400% or more of IPREM (Indicador Publico de Rentas de Efectos Multiples). This is an income indicator used by the Spanish government to identify benefits and aids that applicants are eligible for. For non-EU citizens, it must be proven that the applicant earns at least 4x this, as well as an additional 100% of the IPREM amount for any direct family member that will be living with them. IPREM currently sits at €600 per month, so a minimum monthly income of €2,400 is required
- Proof of either private health insurance cover or enrolment in the Spanish National Health System (Sistema Nacional de Salud, SNS)
- Proof of any investments made (where the applicant is resident in Spain under the Spanish Golden Visa)
- Proof of remote worker status and income (where the applicant is resident in Spain under the Spanish Digital Nomad Visa)
How to get residency in Spain as a US Citizen?
Overview
It should be noted that the process between applying for a visa to Spain from the US and applying for temporary residence permits or obtaining permanent residency are entirely separate.
Applicants must already hold a valid visa for travel to and a duration of stay in Spain ahead of applying for residency.
To apply for a residency permit, US citizens must:
Obtain valid Spanish visa
In order to visit Spain, American nationals must first obtain a valid visa for the duration of their stay. This incurs the payment of a vis fee and a separate application process. Such travel documents will need to be presented in order to apply for either temporary or permanent residency.
Collate supporting documents
To demonstrate eligibility for either temporary or permanent residency, evidential documentation must be supplied to the Spanish authorities. This includes evidence of the applicant’s valid visa, demonstration of sufficient financial means to support themselves while in Spain and proof of valid private health insurance. All of these documents should be collated ahead of time to avoid any delays in residency card processing.
Attend immigration office or local police station and pay fee
Once the correct visa and residency option has been identified and settled upon, applicants can attend either the immigration office most local to their Spanish address or their local police station with their supporting documents. The application for temporary or permanent residency can be lodged here and the residence fee paid (payable per application and per valid family member).
Attend interview (if invited)
In some instances, applicants may be invited to a further interview with an immigration officer to supply more information on their application. This may include the provision of further details on private health insurance or a medical certificate (particularly in the case of applicants with pre-existing conditions), investment details (in the case of the Spanish Golden Visa), where residency has been declined in other EU countries or Western European countries, and/or where further details are required.
Collect residency card
Once the application has been successfully processed and residency granted, the temporary or permanent residency card will be available for collection from the local immigration office or police station and will be valid with immediate effect. In some cases, for more rural addresses, it may be posted out to the applicant.
Need help with any stage of the temporary or permanent residency application process? Call +1 844 290 6312 for guidance from Total Law’s expert immigration team.
Timelines of Temporary and Permanent Residency Applications
On average it takes less than two months to obtain a residence permit in Spain for a US citizen. In the case of renewals, it is always recommended therefore that an application is lodged 60 days before the expiry of the existing residence card, in case of delays.
Left it too late? Need advice on speeding up the residency process? Call +1 844 290 6312 for a consultation with a Total Law immigration solicitor today.
Fees for Residence Permit in Spain
Moving to Spain from the US can be an expensive business; with visa fees, document collation costs and the demonstration of sufficient financial means (and investments, in the case of the Spain Golden Visa) all to be provided.
However, relatively speaking, the cost of the residency permits are fairly cheap compared to what you’re likely to pay as a visa fee, and as of 2025, are around €75.
It should be noted that this does not include any associated indirect costs such as travel to and from the immigration office or translation costs if you do not speak Spanish/hold Spanish documents.
How Can Total Law Help?
Total Law are a firm of dedicated immigration lawyers who work around the clock to help citizens of all nations obtain the relevant visas, work permit permissions and residence cards for their desired destinations.
We aim to communicate clearly and jargon-free to help take the stress out of your visa and residency application and appeals process, and utilize our strategic relationships with Spanish authorities to maximize your chances of application success.
Call the Total Law team today on +1 844 290 6312 or fill out the online contact form, to discuss your options for free, with no obligation to proceed. You may just be surprised at how close your dream move to Spain could really be.
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Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
A residence permit for Spain does not make the holder a Spanish citizen, but rather a legal resident in the country. In order to apply for a Spanish passport, legal residents must undergo a full citizenship application. Permanent residency can be considered a pathway to Spanish citizenship but it does not automatically confer that right.
Health insurance cover (be it private health insurance or registration with the Spanish health system) should provide a minimum of €30,000 treatment per annum and must be valid in all Schengen zone states.
Student visas are one of many options for travel to Spain but are not necessarily the cheapest. What is most appropriate for the applicant is determined by their intended purpose for state and eligibility.
The visa application form is part of a separate application process for residency. There is no need to specify any intention to apply for residency on a visa application form as it will be assumed that the applicant will apply if their visa requires it (ie. if the visa is valid for a period of more than 90 days).
Visa fees are part of an entirely separate process to residency applications and so the payment of a visa fee does not contribute toward any residence permit. This fee must be paid separately at the time of application at either a local immigration office or police station.
An EU Registry Certificate is a document intended for Swiss nationals, and so US citizens need not apply for this as they will not be eligible.
The exact details of any medical insurance cover held by applicants in the US can be verified with the insurance provider. However, in most cases, separate medical insurance cover is required to cover off the necessary amount (€30,000) to be valid in Spain for residency and to ensure cover is provided through all Schengen Zone states.
