USA → Europe · Spain
Moving to Spain from the USA: visas, taxes and costs in 2026
Spain gave Americans more residence permits than any other European country: 15,638 in 2024. Most come on the non-lucrative visa (retirees and people with passive income) or the digital nomad visa (remote workers). The golden visa for property buyers ended in April 2025.
Visa options
| Visa | For | 2026 requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Non-lucrative visa | Passive income, pensions, savings; no work in Spain | €2,400 a month (€28,800 a year), plus €600 a month per family member |
| Digital nomad visa | Remote work for companies or clients mostly outside Spain | About €2,850 a month (200% of the 2026 minimum wage) |
| Work permit / highly qualified | A job offer from a Spanish employer | Employment contract |
| Student visa | Studies, with limited work rights | Enrolment and proof of funds |
Spain’s minimum wage for 2026 is €1,221 a month in 14 payments. Consulates can ask for more and assess each case.
Taxes
- Spanish residents pay income tax (IRPF) from 19% to 47% depending on the region, plus social security. See our Spain tax guide.
- The Beckham law lets new arrivals with a Spanish job, and many digital nomads, pay a flat 24% on Spanish work income up to €600,000 for six years.
- Residents must declare foreign assets above €50,000 (Modelo 720), including US bank and brokerage accounts.
- You keep filing US taxes; in most cases the foreign tax credit removes the US bill.
What it costs
| Madrid | Barcelona | Valencia | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bedroom, city centre | €1,320 | €1,499 | €1,273 |
| 1-bedroom, outside centre | €1,028 | €1,140 | €936 |
| 3-bedroom, city centre | €2,462 | €2,303 | €1,989 |
Typical monthly rents from our 34-city rent calculator.
On a $100,000 salary converted to euros, a resident employee in Spain would take home about $5,411 a month. Housing is under pressure: Spain has seen mass protests over rents this autumn and votes in a snap election on 29 November 2026. See our renting guide.
First steps
- Apply at the Spanish consulate for your US state of residence; book early, as appointments fill up.
- Get your NIE (foreigner identity number) and register your address (empadronamiento) after arrival.
- Collect your residence card (TIE) within a month of arriving.
- Arrange private health insurance; the non-lucrative and digital nomad visas require it.
Check rents in Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia →
Sources
This guide is general information based on the tax rules we could verify for 2026, not tax or financial advice. Rules change and personal situations differ, so check with the tax authority or a qualified adviser before you act. Spotted a mistake? Email [email protected].