Before You Leave: Pre-Move Checklist
Choose Your Visa Type
American citizens need a visa to stay in Spain longer than 90 days. Your main options: Digital Nomad Visa (remote workers), Non-Lucrative Visa (retirees, passive income), or Golden Visa (investors). Choose and begin the application process 3–6 months before your intended move date.
Apostille & Document Preparation
All US documents used for your Spanish visa need an Apostille — a legal certification recognized by Hague Convention countries. The US Secretary of State (or relevant state authority) issues Apostilles. Key documents: birth certificate, marriage certificate (if applicable), FBI background check, university degrees.
FBI Background Check
Required for all long-stay visa applications. Request via the FBI Identity History Summary program at fbi.gov/services/cjis/identity-history-summary-checks. Allow 6–10 weeks. The result needs to be apostilled at the US Department of State.
Health Insurance Setup
Arrange Spanish-approved health insurance before applying for your visa. Sanitas, Adeslas, and DKV all offer plans to applicants based in the US. See our healthcare guide.
Visa Options for Americans
A quick comparison of the three main visa routes for American expats:
| Visa | Who it's for | Can I work? | Tax rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa | Remote workers | Yes (remote) | 24% (Beckham) |
| Non-Lucrative Visa | Retirees / passive income | No | Standard IRPF |
| Golden Visa | Property investors | No (unless resident) | Flexible |
First Week in Valencia
Get Your NIE & Register on the Padrón
Your two most urgent priorities: get your NIE number and register on the Padrón (municipal census). The NIE unlocks your ability to do almost anything official. The Padrón registers your residence and is required for healthcare, school enrollment, and residency applications.
Open a Spanish Bank Account
You'll need a Spanish bank account to pay rent, utilities, and taxes. BBVA, Sabadell, and CaixaBank are expat-friendly. N26 and Wise are good interim options if your NIE is still being processed — they don't require a Spanish address.
Get a Spanish Phone Number
A Spanish SIM is needed for banking (SMS verification), government portals, and daily life. Orange, Vodafone, and Movistar all offer low-cost prepaid SIMs with no NIE required initially.
Finding Housing
Search on Idealista.com and Fotocasa.es. Most landlords require a NIE, payslips or bank statements (3x monthly rent), and a deposit of 1–2 months. See our full renting guide for the complete process. For families, Patraix and Extramurs offer the best value.
Taxes: US Obligations While Living Abroad
FBAR, FATCA & Modelo 720
US citizens must file a US tax return every year regardless of where they live. If your foreign bank accounts exceed $10,000 at any point in the year, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN 114). FATCA reporting applies to higher account balances. In Spain, if your overseas assets exceed €50,000 per category, you must also file Modelo 720. This dual-reporting requirement is the biggest tax complexity for American expats — budget for a specialist US/Spain accountant.
US-Spain Double Taxation Treaty
The US-Spain tax treaty generally prevents you from paying full tax on the same income in both countries. However, the treaty has quirks — particularly for Social Security, government pensions, and investment income. An accountant familiar with both systems is strongly recommended.
Shipping Your Belongings
Door-to-door container shipping from the US to Valencia: approximately $3,000–6,000 for a partial container, $6,000–12,000 for a full 20ft container. Transit time: 3–5 weeks. Consider: EU import duty may apply on items over 6 months old if you are not yet officially a Spanish resident — declare residency status carefully with your customs agent.
Driving in Spain with a US License
You can drive in Spain with a US license for 6 months after becoming resident. After that, you must exchange it for a Spanish license — a process that typically requires sitting the Spanish driving test (theory and practical), as the US is not on Spain's reciprocal exchange agreement list. Budget: €800–2,000 for the full Spanish license if starting from scratch.