Is it hard for a US citizen to move to Spain?

Moving to Spain as a US citizen is moderately hard: more bureaucratic than a domestic US move, much easier than (say) moving to Switzerland. As a tourist, US citizens can stay 90 days in any 180 within the Schengen area. For longer stays, you apply at a Spanish consulate in the US before relocating. Common routes: the Non-Lucrative Visa (proof of passive income of roughly €2,400/month for a single applicant in 2026, plus private health insurance, no work allowed), the Digital Nomad Visa (remote work for non-Spanish employers, income proof of around €2,650/month), and the standard Work Visa (employer-sponsored, harder to obtain). Golden Visa was abolished in April 2025. Allow three to six months for the visa process. For the full cost picture, see our Spain cost of living page.