Moving to Spain From the US: Which Visa Do You Need? Non-Lucrative vs. Digital Nomad (2026)

Quick answer: a US citizen can visit Spain without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period (a rule shared across the Schengen Area), but living there requires a residence visa. The two routes most Americans ask about are the non-lucrative visa (you live on savings or passive income and don't work in Spain) and the telework visa (you work remotely for a company outside Spain). Both need an FBI background check, health insurance and proof of income, and the rules are applied by each consulate, so confirm yours before you spend money.

Information as of October 12, 2026. This is a general guide based on the Spanish consulate in New York's published pages, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change and consulates differ.

First, a reality check

Moving countries is a paperwork project that takes months. Before comparing visas, answer three questions:

1. Will you work, and for whom? Working for a foreign employer remotely points to the telework visa. Not working at all points to the non-lucrative visa. Working for a Spanish employer or opening a Spanish business is a different category (not covered here).
2. How much stable income can you prove? Both visas have minimum income thresholds based on Spanish benchmarks.
3. Which consulate covers where you live? Spain assigns applicants to a consular district, and you generally apply in person in the one that covers your state of residence.

The two main routes compared

	Non-lucrative visa	Telework visa (digital nomad)
Who it is for	People who can live without working in Spain	Remote workers or freelancers for companies outside Spain
Income rule (per consulate page)	At least 400% of IPREM for the applicant, plus 100% of IPREM per dependent	At least 200% of the monthly minimum wage (SMI); 75% of SMI for the first family member and 25% for each additional one
2026 figures	IPREM: €600/month	SMI: €1,221/month (14 payments)
Rough minimum (our arithmetic)	About €2,400/month	About €2,442/month
Work history	None required	At least 3 months with the company or client, and a degree or 3+ years of comparable experience
Can you work in Spain?	No (not as an employee)	Remote work for foreign companies; up to 20% for a Spanish company
Background check	FBI check, no older than 6 months, apostilled	FBI fingerprint check, no older than 6 months, apostilled and sworn translation
Decision time (per consulate)	Up to 3 months	10 days, extendable

The "rough minimum" figures are our own simple multiplication of the published percentages by the 2026 benchmarks (IPREM €600 and SMI €1,221 per month, according to OCU). They are not official amounts: how the consulate calculates the threshold, and whether you need more for family members, can differ. Ask your consulate.

Non-lucrative visa: what the consulate asks for

According to the Consulate General of Spain in New York:

• Financial means: originals showing regular income or capital that produces it. Foreign bank account details must include the bank name and address, the December 31 balance from the previous year and the average balance over the last year.
• Health insurance: a policy from an insurer authorized in Spain, covering the risks included in Spain's public health system, with no co-payment or deductible and no cap on coverage. A travel policy will usually not do.
• Criminal record: for US applicants, only an FBI certificate is accepted, no older than six months, apostilled and translated into Spanish if needed.
• Medical certificate: stating you have no disease that could seriously affect public health under the 2005 International Health Regulations, with an official Spanish translation.
• Fee form and process: a fee form (form 790, code 052), an in-person appointment booked by email, a legal decision period of 3 months, a 90-day visa to enter Spain, and a residence card (TIE) request within a month of arrival.

Telework visa: what the consulate asks for

From the same consulate's telework page:

• Who qualifies: non-EU nationals working remotely for companies outside Spain.
• Seniority: employees need at least three months with the company and written authorization to work remotely; the self-employed need a contractual relationship of at least three months. The company must have been incorporated at least one year earlier.
• Qualifications: a recognized degree or at least three years of comparable professional experience.
• Insurance and background check: private health insurance valid in Spain, and an FBI fingerprint check apostilled and sworn-translated.
• Passport: at least one year of validity and two blank pages.
• Validity: one year, or the length of the residence permit if shorter.
• Prerequisite: the page lists a Spanish tax ID (NIE) as something to obtain before applying.

What about the Golden Visa?

According to EIG Law, Spain's real-estate "golden visa" ended on April 3, 2025. If an article or agent still offers it, check the date and the source.

Costs to plan for

We don't quote fee amounts because they change and depend on the consulate. Budget for: the consulate fee, FBI check and apostille, sworn translations, medical certificate, Spanish health insurance, and the first months of living costs. Official fees are published on the consulate's page.

Common mistakes

• Starting without checking your consulate's district. Applying to the wrong one wastes time.
• Buying travel insurance instead of full Spanish health insurance.
• Letting documents expire. FBI checks and medical certificates have a six-month shelf life.
• Skipping the apostille or the sworn translation.
• Assuming a visa lets you work however you like. Each visa limits who you can work for.
• Paying anyone who guarantees approval. Nobody can.

Next steps

1. Find your consulate's district on the consulate's website.
2. Decide non-lucrative or telework and check the income test against your real numbers.
3. Order the FBI check early, because it is the slowest piece.
4. Get your insurance quote in writing to confirm it meets the "no co-payment, no deductible" rule.
5. Book your appointment and bring originals and copies.

Money questions come with the move: our 50/30/20 budget example helps you plan a monthly budget, and our guide to freezing your credit is a good idea before you share documents widely.

Frequently asked questions

Can a US citizen live in Spain without a visa?

No. A US citizen can visit for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, but staying longer to live there requires a residence visa.

Which is easier: the non-lucrative or the telework visa?

Neither is "easy". The telework visa has a faster stated decision time (10 days, extendable) but requires work history and qualifications. The non-lucrative visa has no work history requirement but expects larger proof of savings or passive income and has a longer decision window of up to 3 months.

How much money do I need?

Per the consulate pages: 400% of IPREM for the non-lucrative visa and 200% of the monthly minimum wage for the telework visa, with extra amounts for family. In 2026, IPREM is €600 and SMI is €1,221 per month, which gives roughly €2,400 and €2,442 per month. Confirm with your consulate.

Do I need an FBI background check?

Yes for both. Only an FBI certificate is accepted for US applicants, issued within six months before applying, with an apostille.

Does Spain still offer the Golden Visa?

According to EIG Law, it ended on April 3, 2025.