Moving to Spain from the US: taxes and the 183-day trap
Almost everything written for Americans moving to Spain is about the visa. The visa has a form, a fee and a consulate, so it is easy to write about.
It is not the part that costs you money.
The part that costs you money is tax, and it catches people in year two, when the decision is already made and the furniture is already here.
You cannot just try it for a year
On a US passport you get 90 days in any rolling 180 in the Schengen area. Not 90 days per country, and it does not reset when you leave and come back: count 180 days back from today and the total has to stay under 90. The European Commission runs a calculator for it.
So "let's live there a year and see" is not a legal option. Anything beyond 90 days needs a visa obtained before you fly.
The two routes, in four lines
Non-lucrative, for people who do not need to work: articles 61 to 64 of the immigration regulation ask for 400% of the IPREM per month, about €2,400, plus €600 per family member. You cannot work with it.
Digital nomad, for remote workers, under Ley 14/2013: consulates ask for 200% of the Spanish minimum wage per month, €2,442 in 2026. You work for companies outside Spain.
The full comparison, with the paperwork, is in the visa guide. We don't process visas, but we can point you toward people who do.
The 183-day trap
Here is the one nobody tells you, and both halves of it are Spanish law.
To renew the non-lucrative visa, the regulation requires you to have lived in Spain more than 183 days in the calendar year.
Under article 9 of the income tax law, spending more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year is exactly what makes you a Spanish tax resident, taxed on your worldwide income.
It is the same number. Renewing your residence means becoming a Spanish taxpayer. That is not a loophole someone forgot to close: it is how the system is built. The mistake is discovering it in year two instead of planning for it in year one.
Your American taxes follow you here
This is the biggest blind spot we see, and it is not Spanish law at all.
The United States taxes its citizens on worldwide income regardless of where they live. You keep filing. The IRS says so plainly.
Two things to know:
The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion lets you exclude earned income up to a yearly cap: $132,900 for tax year 2026, $130,000 for 2025.
The FBAR. If your foreign accounts together go over $10,000 at any point in the year, you file FinCEN Form 114. That threshold is aggregate, it is low, and a Spanish current account holding your rental deposit can cross it on its own. The IRS page is the authority.
On the Spanish side there is a counterweight. The impatriate regime, article 93 of the income tax law, taxes employment income at 24% up to €600,000 for the year you move plus the following five. The law names digital nomad visa holders who are employees as qualifying. If you are self-employed, do not assume it applies to you.
We are relocation specialists, not tax advisers. This is the point where you stop reading articles and hire somebody who knows both systems.
Everything else is the same as for anyone
The rest of moving here is not American-specific, and we have written it already: what a given budget actually buys you in is Valencia expensive?, the step-by-step of arriving in moving to Valencia from abroad, and the housing traps in the mistakes people make.
Where we come in
We don't do visas and we don't do taxes. We do the part that happens once those are sorted: finding the flat, viewing it on the ground, reading the contract before you sign, and dealing with landlords who have never rented to an American. That is apartment search in Valencia.
Frequently asked questions
Is it hard for a US citizen to move to Spain?
Not hard, but it takes planning. Americans need a visa for stays over 90 days. The most common routes are the non-lucrative visa (for retirees and those with passive income) and the digital nomad visa (for remote workers). Processing takes two to four months through a Spanish consulate.
Is it a good idea to move to Valencia, Spain from the USA?
For many Americans, yes. Valencia combines a Mediterranean climate, walkable neighbourhoods, public healthcare and living costs about half those of major US cities. The main challenges are the visa process, lower local salaries and the language. Most newcomers settle within three to six months with local support.
How much money do I need in the bank to move to Spain?
For the non-lucrative visa, Spain requires proof of roughly €28,800 per year for the main applicant plus about €7,200 per dependant, shown in savings or passive income. Beyond visa requirements, budget €5,000–8,000 for deposits, agency fees, first month's rent and setup costs.
Is it cheaper to live in the US or in Spain?
Spain is significantly cheaper. Rent, healthcare, groceries and transport cost 30–60% less than in most US cities. Valencia offers a one-bedroom flat for around €1,200 versus $2,000+ in comparable US cities. Salaries are lower too, which mainly matters if you plan to work locally.
Can a foreigner rent an apartment in Spain without residency?
Yes. You don't need residency or a visa to sign a long-term lease in Spain. Most landlords ask for a passport, proof of income and a deposit. Some request a NIE, but it isn't legally required to rent. Raíces Valencia handles the search and negotiation before you arrive.