There comes a moment when Spain stops being the place you escape to… and becomes the place you want to build your life.
For some, it happens over a long lunch under the Andalusian sun. For others, it appears in a quiet morning walk along the Mediterranean, or in the realisation that health, safety, happiness, and community are not luxuries — they’re a lifestyle.
For Americans, Spain represents a gentler pace, world-class healthcare, affordability, and a way of life that seems almost unreal compared to the intensity of U.S. living.
For Brits, post-Brexit Spain is still home-from-home — a familiar, welcoming extension of the life they want to reclaim.
But transforming the dream into a life requires clarity on one question: Which visa or residency route actually allows you to live in Spain legally in 2025?
This guide answers that question with facts, laws, numbers, and official resources — not generic advice.
Everything here is accurate as of 2025, based on information from:
The Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security & Migration: https://www.inclusion.gob.es
Agencia Tributaria (Spanish Tax Authority): https://sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es
Official Spanish Consulate Listings: https://consulatefinder.exteriores.gob.es
BOE – Boletín Oficial del Estado (Spanish law registry): https://www.boe.es
Let’s begin your residency journey.
The 2025 Landscape: The impact of the Golden Visa cancellation and the new legal pathways available.
Visa Options Compared: A detailed breakdown of the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) vs the Digital Nomad Visa (DNV).
Financial Requirements: Exact income thresholds for 2025 (IPREM & SMI calculations).
US vs UK Specifics: Crucial differences regarding dual citizenship, driving licences, and tax treaties.
Tax Efficiency: How to utilise the “Beckham Law” and understand tax residency rules.
The Application Roadmap: A step-by-step guide from your home consulate to obtaining your TIE card and Padrón.
In 2024–2025, Spain officially ended the Golden Visa (residency-by-investment). BOE reference: Proyecto de Ley por la que se suprime la concesión de autorizaciones de residencia por inversión (2024).
This means:
Buying property no longer provides automatic residency.
Americans and Brits now rely on standard visa routes:
Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
Digital Nomad Visa (DNV)
Work visas (sponsored)
Student visas
EU family member routes
Residency still leads to:
Permanent residency after 5 years.
Citizenship after 10 years (UK allows dual citizenship; US does NOT with Spain).
Legal basis: Ley Orgánica 4/2000, Article 46 and Reglamento 557/2011
This visa is designed for retirees or financially independent individuals.
Income Requirement (2025) Based on the annual IPREM indicator. 2025 IPREM = €600/month → €7,200/year.
NLV requirement = 400% of IPREM = €28,800/year per applicant
+€7,200 per dependent
Source: BOE – IPREM Values https://www.boe.es
You Must Apply In Your Home Country U.S. applicants apply via their local Spanish Consulate: https://consulatefinder.exteriores.gob.es
Required Documents (Exact list from Spanish Consulate rules):
Completed EX-01 form
Passport (valid 1 year min)
Criminal record (FBI background check, apostilled)
Private healthcare with no copay (sin copago) covering all Spain
Proof of funds (bank statements for 12 months)
Medical certificate (based on WHO standards)
Processing Time: 1–3 months Validity: 1 year initially → renewable for 2 years → renewable again. After 5 years → Long-Term Residency (Residencia de Larga Duración).
Legal Basis: Ley 28/2022 – The Start-Up Law Implemented Jan 2023. This visa is for remote workers, freelancers, and online business owners.
Income Requirement (2025) Minimum: €2,646/month (200% of SMI salary threshold). Source: Ministry of Inclusion https://www.inclusion.gob.es
Accepted Applicants:
Remote employees (non-Spanish company)
Freelancers with non-Spanish clients
Entrepreneurs operating businesses abroad
Required Documents:
Proof of employment (3 months minimum)
Degree OR 3 years of professional experience
Criminal record check
Proof of income above threshold
Private or public healthcare coverage
Tax Advantage: The “Beckham Law” Americans on this visa may apply for Article 93 of IRPF — Régimen de Impatriados (“Beckham Law”):
24% flat tax on income up to €600,000
47% on income above
Valid for 5 years
Official source: Agencia Tributaria https://sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es
Student Visa (must enrol at accredited centre)
Family Reunification Visa
Highly Qualified Worker Permit (HQWP)
Note: Americans typically avoid the standard work visa as sponsor approval is difficult.
Spain requires:
10 years of legal residency
Proof of integration
DELE A2 language exam
CCSE cultural exam
Important: Spain does NOT allow dual U.S.—Spanish citizenship.
Post-Brexit, UK nationals follow the same non-EU residency rules as Americans — with two exceptions around tax agreements.
Requirements and process are identical to U.S. citizens. UK applicants apply via: https://blsspainvisa.com Income thresholds are the same: €28,800/year.
Brits qualify for the same requirements as Americans, with high uptake among remote workers. Tax Regime Advantages: UK citizens may also apply for the Beckham Law, same thresholds as above.
Prevents double-taxation on:
Income
Dividends
Pensions
Property gains
Full treaty text (official): https://www.boe.es
As of 2023, UK licences can be exchanged for Spanish licences without a test. Source: DGT (Dirección General de Tráfico) https://www.dgt.es
| Category | Americans | UK Citizens |
| Visa Type | Same options | Same options |
| NLV Income | €28,800/year | €28,800/year |
| Digital Nomad | €2,646/month | €2,646/month |
| Dual Citizenship | ❌ Not allowed | ✔ Allowed |
| Health Insurance | Required | Required |
| Consulate Processing | Through U.S. consulates | Through BLS |
| Tax Treaty | U.S.—Spain treaty | UK—Spain treaty |
Below are the precise steps with official links.
USA Consulates: https://consulatefinder.exteriores.gob.es
UK Applicants: https://blsspainvisa.com
Your visa serves as a short-term residency permit.
Appointment link: https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es
Documents needed:
EX-17 form
Passport
Visa stamped in passport
Padrón certificate
790-012 fee (€12 approx)
Your TIE is your biometric residency card.
Required for TIE, healthcare, and tax residency. Official instructions: https://www.mptfp.gob.es
Private healthcare is mandatory for non-workers.
Spain defines tax residency by law (IRPF, Article 9). You are tax resident if:
You spend 183+ days per year in Spain OR
Your “centre of vital interests” is in Spain
Source: Agencia Tributaria https://sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es
Residents pay progressive rates:
19% → 47%
Note: DNV applicants may pay Beckham Law rates (24%).
Applies only if assets exceed thresholds (€700,000+ excl. main home). Varies by region (Andalucía = exempt).
If you own property but are not tax resident:
UK: 19%
US: 24%
When selling a property:
19% to 28% depending on bracket
3% withholding for non-residents
At PCC Property, we go far beyond property sales.
We help our clients navigate the legal, financial, and cultural journey of moving to Spain — with trusted legal, residency, and financial partners who specialise in US and UK relocations.
We guide you through:
Residency strategy
Structuring purchases
Settling in locally
Finding the right lifestyle property
Full-service support from viewing to completion
Start your journey here:
Costa del Sol Relocation Guide
Unlock. Live. Thrive. With PCC Property.
The information in this guide is for informational purposes only and was last updated in December 2025.
Immigration laws and financial requirements can change at any time.
We are real estate agents, not legal or financial advisors.
We strongly recommend consulting with a qualified Spanish immigration lawyer to discuss your specific circumstances before making any decisions.
We’ve Moved Offices on 1st August 2025!
Private Client Consultancy is excited to announce that we have moved to a brand-new office space, designed to better serve our clients and reflect our continued growth.
Effective Date: Friday, 1st August 2025
New Address: Urb Jazmin De Miraflores, C. Jazmín, 2, Mijas Costa 29649, Malaga, Spain
Our phone numbers and email addresses remain unchanged.
All in-person meetings scheduled from 1st August onwards will take place at our new location. Please update your records accordingly.
We look forward to welcoming you to our new space!
Check out our detailed area guides along the Costa del Sol and Algarve.
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