Europe (EU / Schengen)
Spain
A grounded look at living in Spain — visas, costs, healthcare, and what daily life really looks like for Americans.
- Cost of living
- 63
- US = 100
- Safety
- 80
- 0–100
- Healthcare
- 89
- 0–100
- English
- Moderate
What this country's membership in bigger zones means for someone who ends up with residency or citizenship here.
Citizens of EU member states can live, work, study, and retire in any other EU country without a visa or work permit. Naturalizing here is one of the most powerful ways to unlock long-term mobility across Europe.
Passport-free travel across 29 European states for short stays. A long-term residence permit from one Schengen country does not automatically grant residency in the others, but day-to-day travel within the area is seamless once you're legally in.
Visa types available to foreign nationals. Not all will fit every profile — log in for a personalised shortlist.
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Digital Nomad VisaOfficial source
Spain's digital nomad visa, launched in 2023 under the Startup Law, allows remote workers employed by foreign companies to live in Spain. Requires working for a company outside Spain (with no more than 20% of income from Spanish clients) and earning at least 200% of Spain's minimum wage (~€2,646/month). Initial 1-year visa converts to a 3-year residence permit, renewable for 2 more years.
Initial: 12 mo From $2,646/mo income -
Non-Lucrative Residence VisaOfficial source
Spain's non-lucrative visa is popular with retirees and those with passive income (pensions, dividends, rental income) who don't intend to work in Spain. You must prove sufficient funds (€27,800+/year for the primary applicant in 2024) and private health insurance. You cannot work for Spanish employers but may receive foreign income. Renews annually for up to 5 years, then you can apply for long-term residency.
Initial: 12 mo -
Student Visa (Visado de Estudios)Official source
Spain's student visa allows Americans to study at Spanish universities, language schools, or accredited institutions. Requires proof of enrollment, financial means (~€600/month), health insurance, and accommodation. Spain has outstanding public universities, particularly in medicine, law, and the arts. Tuition at public Spanish universities is a fraction of US costs. After completing studies, students can apply for a job-seeker authorization for 12 months to find work.
Initial: 12 mo -
Startup Visa (Ley de Startups)Official source
Spain's 2023 Startup Law introduced a dedicated startup founder visa for entrepreneurs launching innovative companies in Spain. ENISA (Spain's public financing agency) evaluates whether the business is sufficiently innovative. A business plan demonstrating the startup's value and the founder's ability to support themselves is required. Part of the broader Ley de Startups reform to attract international talent.
Initial: 12 mo -
Family Reunification VisaOfficial source
Americans who are spouses, registered partners, dependent children, or dependent parents of a legal Spanish resident can apply for family reunification. The Spanish sponsor must have held residency for at least one year and have sufficient income and accommodation. Grants a residence authorization renewable for 2-year periods, with permanent residency available after 5 years of legal residence.
Initial: 12 mo
- Permanent residency
- 5 years
- earliest after legal residency
- Citizenship
- 10 years
- earliest after legal residency
- Estimated US population
- ~90,000
- Overall expat scene
- Very Large
- From NYC
- ~7.5h
- From LAX
- ~11.5h
- IE University QS #196
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