Americans & Spain's DNV
Moving to Spain from the USA — the Digital Nomad Visa guide for Americans
US citizens are not EU nationals — you need the Digital Nomad Visa to live and work remotely in Spain. The good news: most Americans can fly to Spain on tourist entry and apply for the DNV from within Spain in around 20 working days.
Why Americans choose Spain
More Americans are choosing Spain — and the DNV makes it possible
Spain has become one of the most popular destinations for American remote workers. The reasons go beyond warm weather and good food.
Timezone compatibility
Spain (CET) is 6 hours ahead of New York and 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles. For many remote roles, this means a working day that starts at around 3–4pm Spanish time covers the entire US East Coast morning. Afternoon and early evening calls with the West Coast are entirely manageable. More American remote workers are finding Spain's timezone far more workable than it first appears.
Cost of living vs the US
A two-bedroom flat in central Madrid or Barcelona costs a fraction of what it would in New York, San Francisco, or Miami. Dining out, healthcare, and day-to-day expenses are substantially lower. Americans earning in USD and spending in euros enjoy a significant quality-of-life uplift — and the DNV income threshold of €2,849/month is achievable for most remote professionals.
English widely spoken in cities
Spain's major cities — Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, Seville — have large English-speaking communities and a growing expat infrastructure. While learning Spanish is strongly recommended for daily life, the practical barrier to getting settled is lower than many Americans expect. There is a well-established network of American expats, international schools, and English-speaking professionals across the main urban centres.
Access to Europe and the Mediterranean
Spain is a gateway to the rest of Europe. With a Spanish residence permit, you can travel freely across the Schengen Area. Weekend trips to Portugal, France, Italy, or Morocco become routine. The Mediterranean lifestyle — long lunches, outdoor living, rich culture and history — is a genuine draw for Americans seeking a different pace after years of US corporate intensity.
The fast route — recommended
How most Americans apply: fly to Spain and use the UGE
The UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos) is the specialist Spanish immigration unit that handles Digital Nomad Visa applications submitted from within Spain. It is significantly faster than applying via a US consulate — and for most Americans, it is entirely accessible.
The UGE route
Apply from within Spain on tourist entry — no consulate appointment needed
- ✓ Enter Spain on US passport — no visa needed for 90 days
- ✓ Apply via UGE from within Spain — fastest route available
- ✓ We handle the full submission on your behalf
- ✓ No in-person consulate appointment required
- ✓ Government tasas included in our package
- ✓ 3-year permit issued directly — no conversion step
US consulate route
Apply from the USA via one of 6 Spanish consulates
- ✓ Apply without travelling to Spain first
- – Processing at US consulates notoriously slow
- – In-person appointment required — availability limited
- – Government tasas paid separately by client
- – 1-year visa only — must convert to permit in Spain
What you need to demonstrate
Income, documents, and the FBI background check
The documents required from US applicants follow the standard DNV pack, with a few US-specific items — most notably the FBI background check, which takes the most time to obtain.
Proving €2,849/month in USD
- Income in US dollars is fully acceptable — no requirement to earn in euros
- Convert at the current exchange rate to demonstrate the €2,849/month minimum
- Provide 3–6 months of bank statements in USD with clear income entries
- Employment contract, freelance client contracts, or payslips as supporting evidence
- Your case manager will advise on how to present USD income most clearly
Your US applicant document pack
- Valid US passport — minimum 1 year beyond the end of the permit period
- FBI background check, apostilled by the US Department of State
- Bank statements and income evidence (3–6 months)
- Employment contract or freelance income documentation
- Private health insurance valid in Spain
- Certified Spanish translations of all non-Spanish documents
The FBI background check: start this first
The FBI Identity History Summary is the US equivalent of a criminal record certificate. It must be apostilled by the US Department of State Authentications Office before it can be used in a Spanish immigration application. Processing through the FBI directly takes 3–10 weeks. Third-party channelers (FBI-approved) can return results in 1–2 weeks, but you still need the apostille step after that. Apostilling via the US State Department adds further time. Start this process the moment you decide to apply — it is almost always the longest-lead item in a US applicant's document pack.
A critical consideration for US citizens
Tax obligations: what Americans must know before applying
The USA taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. Living in Spain and holding a Spanish residence permit adds Spanish tax obligations on top of that. This is not a reason not to apply — but it requires planning.
Spanish tax residency
If you spend 183 or more days in Spain in a calendar year, you become a Spanish tax resident and must file and pay taxes in Spain on your worldwide income. This applies whether you are on the standard DNV tax regime or have applied for Beckham Law.
As a Spanish tax resident, you must file an annual Spanish tax return (Modelo 100 or, under Beckham Law, Modelo 151). You will also need to declare overseas assets if they exceed certain thresholds (Modelo 720).
US tax obligations continue
The USA is one of only two countries in the world that taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence. Becoming a Spanish tax resident does not remove your obligation to file a US federal return (Form 1040) each year.
If you hold overseas bank accounts, you will likely need to file an FBAR (FinCEN 114) annually if the aggregate balance exceeds $10,000 at any point in the year. FATCA reporting may also apply depending on asset values.
Double taxation treaty
Spain and the USA have a double taxation treaty that prevents you being taxed twice on the same income. In most cases, taxes paid in Spain can be credited against your US liability, or vice versa. However, the mechanics are complex and the interaction with Beckham Law (a flat 24% regime) requires specific advice.
The treaty does not eliminate the obligation to file in both countries — it determines which country takes primary taxing rights on specific income types.
Get specialist cross-border advice
The combination of US worldwide taxation, Spanish tax residency, Beckham Law, FBAR obligations, and the Spain-US treaty is genuinely complex. You should engage a cross-border tax adviser who is qualified in both US and Spanish tax law before you make the move. Do not rely on a US accountant unfamiliar with Spain, or a Spanish gestor unfamiliar with US obligations. Both sides matter.
If you use the consulate route
Six Spanish consulates serve the USA
You must apply at the consulate for the jurisdiction where you reside — not simply the nearest one. Processing via US consulates has been notoriously slow, with 3–6 months or more at some locations. For most Americans, the UGE route is significantly better.
The tax tool every employed American should know
Beckham Law: 24% flat rate for qualifying Americans in Spain
Spain's Beckham Law (Régimen Especial de Impatriados) is one of the most significant tax advantages available to Americans who move to Spain on an employment contract. Rather than paying progressive IRPF rates of up to 47%, qualifying workers pay a flat 24% on Spanish-source income up to €600,000 for up to six years — a substantial saving for high-earning professionals.
Who qualifies — employed Americans moving to Spain
Beckham Law applies to employed workers (not most freelancers) who move to Spain for work purposes and have not been Spanish tax residents in the preceding 5 years. DNV holders who are employed under a foreign employment contract — for example, a US tech salary or financial services role — may qualify. You must apply within 6 months of registering with Spanish Social Security. Your employer does not need to be Spanish.
The US tax interaction — complex but manageable
Because the USA taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of residence, Beckham Law does not eliminate your US federal filing obligation. However, the Spain-US double taxation treaty allows taxes paid in Spain to be credited against your US liability. With Beckham Law at 24% and the US treaty credit mechanism, many Americans in Spain end up with a manageable combined tax position — far better than standard IRPF rates. Specialist cross-border advice is essential. Beckham Law application is separate from your DNV — you need a Spanish tax adviser for this step.
Beckham Law is not included in our DNV service — but we can point you to a tax adviser
The DNV application and the Beckham Law application are entirely separate processes managed by different advisers. My Spanish DNV handles your immigration permit. Beckham Law requires a Spanish tax adviser or gestor. If you need a recommendation, speak to your case manager — we work with specialists who understand both the US and Spanish sides of the equation.
Questions & answers