Here's something that surprises some of my American clients: buying a home in Spain doesn't give you the right to live in it full-time. Your passport and your visa decide that, not your property.
For years, Spain's Golden Visa offered residency to non-EU buyers who invested €500,000 or more in property. That route closed to new applicants in April 2025. So if you're dreaming of living on the Costa Brava, the question is now: which visa fits your life? For most Americans, it comes down to two options, or a third if you're not moving full-time.
Option 1: The Non-Lucrative Visa (for retirees and people living off savings)
The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is the most popular route for Americans who don't need to work: retirees, people living on pensions, investments or rental income.
Income needed: in 2026, €28,800 a year (€2,400 a month) for the main applicant, plus €7,200 a year for each dependant. A couple needs €36,000. Savings can count too.
The catch: you can't work in Spain, and that includes working remotely for a US employer.
Where to apply: at the Spanish consulate that covers where you live in the US, before you move.
Health insurance: you'll need comprehensive private health insurance in Spain.
Length: it starts as a one-year permit, then renews for longer periods, and you need to spend most of the year in Spain to keep it.
If you're a retired US public servant, read my article on retiring in Spain with a US government pension too.
Option 2: The Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers)
If you'll keep working for a US company or clients outside Spain, the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV) is the one to look at.
Income needed: 200% of Spain's minimum wage, which in 2026 is around €2,850 a month, with extra for each family member. It goes up whenever the minimum wage rises.
Who qualifies: remote employees and freelancers working mostly for companies outside Spain, with at least three months' work history with them.
Where to apply: at a consulate in the US, or from inside Spain if you arrive as a visitor.
A tax bonus: some DNV holders can apply for Spain's special tax regime for new arrivals, often called the "Beckham Law". It's worth asking a tax adviser about before you move.
Option 3: Not moving full-time? You may not need a visa at all
Many of my clients want a home they use for a few months a year, not a full move. As a US citizen, you can stay in Spain (and the rest of the Schengen area) for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. That's enough for a long summer, or a spring and autumn stay.
You can own the home, furnish it, and enjoy it, you just can't stay longer than that. Remember that the days spent in France, Italy or anywhere else in Schengen count towards the same 90.
Three things to know before you choose
Living here makes you a Spanish tax resident. Spend more than 183 days a year in Spain and you'll generally be taxed here on your worldwide income. As an American, you'll also keep filing US taxes. The US–Spain tax treaty helps avoid paying twice, but you'll want a tax adviser who understands both systems before you move.
Give yourself time. Gathering documents, apostilles and translations, then waiting for an appointment and a decision, can take several months. Start well before your planned move date.
Use an immigration lawyer. The rules change often, consulates can differ in what they ask for, and a good lawyer will spot problems before they cost you months.
Planning your own Costa Brava chapter?
Your visa and your home search go hand in hand: how long you'll stay shapes where and what you should buy. I can introduce you to trusted immigration lawyers and tax advisers, and find a home that fits the life you're planning. Get in touch to start the conversation.
This article is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Requirements change, so always confirm with a qualified immigration lawyer or the Spanish consulate.
Sources
Taxes for Expats, Retiring in Spain from the US
Your Overseas Home, Spain visa IPREM explained, 2026
Migronis, Spain residency in 2026
The Local Spain, Why Spain's DNV requirements rise while the NLV stays the same, November 2025