Moving to Spain from the USA

A step-by-step checklist for Americans moving to Spain — the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, NIE and TIE, padrón, healthcare, and what to do in your first 30 days.

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Visa & legal right to stay

Pick a visa route: Non-Lucrative (NLV), Digital Nomad (DNV), or work-sponsored
Must
NLV bans local work and needs ~€2,400/mo passive income. DNV allows remote employment.
Book a consulate appointment
Must
You must apply from the consulate covering your US state of residence — no shopping around.
Plan for in-person fingerprinting at the consulate

Paperwork to gather before you fly

Apostilled FBI background check (under 90 days at submission)
Must
Apostilled birth and marriage certificates
Sworn (jurada) Spanish translations of every apostilled document
Must
Must be done by a translator on the MAEC's official list.
Spanish-government-compliant medical certificate
Must
Private health insurance with full coverage in Spain, no copays, no waiting period
Must
Sanitas, Adeslas, and Cigna Global all offer compliant policies.
Proof of funds: bank statements showing the income threshold for your route

Money & banking

Get an NIE (foreigner ID number) at the consulate or after arrival
Must
Open a non-resident bank account before arrival if possible
Sabadell, BBVA, and Wise all work for newcomers.
Switch to a resident account once you have your TIE
Understand Spain's wealth tax and Beckham Law options
The DNV qualifies you for the Beckham Law (24% flat for 6 years on Spanish-source income).

Housing

Book 30–60 days on Spotahome or Idealista's furnished section as a landing pad
Hunt for long-term leases on idealista.com or fotocasa.es
Budget 1 month deposit + 1 month rent + 1 month agency fee
Landlords often want a Spanish payroll or guarantor — a 6-month rent deposit (fianza extra) is the usual workaround.
Get a contrato de arrendamiento de vivienda habitual
Long-term leases are protected at up to 5 years for individuals.

Healthcare

Keep the private policy from your visa for the first year
Must
Once you're an autónomo or employee, enroll in the public sistema sanitario
Consider the convenio especial as a bridge to public coverage
~€60–157/mo depending on age.

First 30 days on the ground

Empadronamiento: register your address at the local ayuntamiento
Must
Book your TIE fingerprinting appointment at the extranjería within 30 days of arrival
Must
Get a Spanish SIM (Movistar, Vodafone, Orange, or Digi)
Buy a regional transit card (Abono Transporte in Madrid, T-mobilitat in Barcelona)
Apply to exchange your US license — only available to residents from certain US states
Otherwise you have 6 months before you need a Spanish driving test.

FAQ

Can I apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa with remote US income?

Officially no — Spain has historically rejected NLVs where the income comes from work, even remote. Use the Digital Nomad Visa for remote employment.

How strict is the health insurance requirement?

Very. Travel insurance, policies with copays, or anything with waiting periods get rejected. Buy a Spain-specific expat plan.

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NextLatitude is for organization and guidance only. Visa rules, tax thresholds, and procedures change — always confirm with the relevant consulate or a licensed professional before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-01.