Spain
Bigger, louder Portugal: superb healthcare, every climate from Atlantic green to Mediterranean desert, and a non-lucrative visa aimed at people living on savings or pensions.
Non-lucrative visa (NLV) for passive income ~€2,400/mo single; digital-nomad visa for remote workers. Residency path to citizenship in 10 years.
Foreigners buy freely. (A proposed surcharge on non-EU buyers has been floated politically — watch this space.)
One of the best public systems in the world; convenio especial lets residents buy into it; private cover is cheap.
Excellent fiber nearly everywhere, including small towns.
Fine in Madrid, Barcelona, and the costas; limited elsewhere. Spanish is very learnable for Americans.
Valencia, Alicante, Andalusia notably affordable; Madrid/Barcelona approach US mid-tier city prices.
Very safe; petty theft in tourist zones is the main issue.
Europe's best high-speed rail, excellent roads and utilities.
Europe's best high-speed rail (AVE) plus excellent metros — genuinely car-free-friendly.
Excellent roads, sane drivers, easy touring.
UTC+1: ~4h of a 9–5 Pacific workday falls in local waking hours.
EU standard entry; very dog-friendly café culture.
Stable democracy with noisy regional politics (Catalonia).
Solar/wind push; strong national park system.
Prado to flamenco to Sónar — world-class at every register.
Deep native cuisine plus real international range in Madrid/Barcelona/Valencia.
Valencia/Andalusia/interior still reasonable; Madrid, Barcelona, and islands are dear.
Nonstops from major US hubs to Madrid/Barcelona; one stop from the Northwest.
10-year wait for citizenship and Spain generally requires renouncing US citizenship (rarely enforced, but formal).
Massive international expat scene on the costas and in the big cities.
Among the world's most LGBTQ-friendly countries; strongly progressive society.
Heat waves and some wildfire; low seismic/hurricane exposure.
Private use and cannabis social clubs tolerated (esp. Barcelona); public use fined; sale illegal.
Worldwide income taxed once resident (183 days); wealth tax exists in some regions; Beckham regime rarely fits retirees.
Upsides
- +World-class healthcare
- +Huge variety of climates and city sizes
- +High-speed rail network
- +Established US expat communities
Downsides
- –NLV forbids work, including remote (strictly read)
- –Wealth/exit tax picture needs planning for higher-net-worth movers
- –Bureaucracy and cita previa appointment hunting
- –August heat inland is brutal
Before you go
- !Choose region carefully: taxes and climate vary a lot
- !10-year citizenship wait (2 for Latin Americans, not Americans)
- !Model Spanish tax on IRA/401k withdrawals before moving
Plan your scouting trip
Check what Spain requires for a long stay and apply online.
Health cover that travels with you — scouting trips and after the move.
An eSIM with data in Spain the minute you land.
Book a month in Spain for the scouting trip before you commit.
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