Spain visa for US citizens

Front-loaded answerA US citizen settles in Spain through one of two national visas applied for at a Spanish consulate in the US: the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) if you live on passive income, or the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) if you work remotely. Both reach permanent residency at 5 years. The investment-based Golden Visa was abolished on 3 April 2025.

Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) — retirees & passive income

The NLV suits Americans living on pensions, Social Security, dividends, or rental income. You must show 400% of Spain's IPREM — €2,400/month (about €28,800 a year, ~$32,000) — plus €600/month for each dependent. Crucially, it does not permit working in Spain, including remote work.

Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) — remote workers

The DNV (from Spain's 2023 Startups Law) is for Americans working remotely for non-Spanish companies, or freelancers whose Spanish clients are no more than 20% of income. The income bar is 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI) — about €2,760/month in 2026. You can apply for up to 1 year from abroad or up to 3 years from inside Spain, and you can elect the 24% Beckham-Law flat tax.

The Golden Visa is closed

2025 changeSpain ended its investor Golden Visa on 3 April 2025. Buying real estate — which drove 94% of those visas and was blamed for housing pressure in Madrid and Barcelona — no longer grants residency. Applications filed before that date are still processed, and existing holders can renew, but new investors must use a different route.

• ✓No new Golden Visa applications since 3 April 2025
• ✓Buying property is still legal — it just no longer comes with residency
• ✓Investors now look to the Digital Nomad Visa or other national permits

Frequently asked

How much income do I need for a Spanish residency visa?

The Non-Lucrative Visa requires €2,400/month of passive income (plus €600 per dependent). The Digital Nomad Visa requires about €2,760/month (200% of the Spanish minimum wage) from remote work for a non-Spanish employer.