🇪🇸 Spain visas for Americans
Last verified: September 6, 2026
Americans moving to Spain have 2 main visa routes: Digital Nomad Visa (Teletrabajo) and Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV). The fastest is the Digital Nomad Visa (Teletrabajo) at 3–10 weeks. None of them requires a job offer. Every requirement below links to the official government source.
Compare Spain visas
| Visa | Processing | Gov. fee | Job offer | Family | PR path |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digital Nomad Visa (Teletrabajo)nomad | 3–10 weeks | $150 | Not required | Yes | Yes |
| Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)retirement | 4–12 weeks | $150 | Not required | Yes | Yes |
Spain visa guides for Americans
Digital Nomad Visa (Teletrabajo)
nomadFor Americans who work remotely for employers or clients outside Spain. The 2026 threshold is EUR 2,849 a month — 200% of the Spanish minimum wage — plus EUR 1,068 for your first family member and EUR 356 for each additional one. No more than 20% of your income may come from Spanish clients, and you need either a degree or three years of relevant experience, plus evidence your employer has traded for at least a year. Applying from a US consulate gets you a one-year visa; applying from inside Spain during a legal 90-day tourist stay gets a three-year permit directly, which is usually the better move. Note the threshold rose in 2026 with the minimum wage, while the non-lucrative visa's did not — compare both before assuming this is the right route.
Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
retirementThe passive-income route, popular with American retirees and people living on investments. You need EUR 2,400 a month — 400% of the IPREM — plus EUR 600 for each family member. Because Spain passed no national budget for 2026 the IPREM rolled over unchanged, so unlike the digital nomad visa this threshold did not rise, making the NLV comparatively more accessible this year. The catch is absolute and frequently misunderstood: the NLV prohibits all work, including remote work for a US employer. If you intend to keep working you need the digital nomad visa instead, and getting this wrong can mean losing your residency. It does count toward permanent residence after five years and citizenship after ten.
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Check my eligibilityFrequently asked questions
- What is the fastest Spain visa for Americans?
- The Digital Nomad Visa (Teletrabajo) typically processes in 3–10 weeks, the shortest of the 2 routes we track. Add time for gathering documents, translations, and apostilles.
- Can Americans move to Spain without a job offer?
- Yes. The Digital Nomad Visa (Teletrabajo) and the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) do not require a job offer from a Spain employer.
- What is the cheapest Spain visa for Americans?
- The Digital Nomad Visa (Teletrabajo) has the lowest government fee at about $150. Translations, apostilles, insurance, and courier costs come on top of every route.
- Which Spain visas let Americans bring family?
- The Digital Nomad Visa (Teletrabajo) and the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) allow accompanying family members with additional documentation.
- Which Spain visas lead to permanent residency for Americans?
- The Digital Nomad Visa (Teletrabajo) and the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) offer a path to permanent residency after the qualifying period.