Yes, US citizens can apply for Spain's digital nomad visa. It is open to nationals of any country outside the EU and the EEA, and Americans make up a large share of the people who ask about it. What changes for a US applicant is the paperwork: FBI background checks, federal apostilles, state corporate certificates and a consulate that depends on the state where you live. This guide explains the two routes, the US-specific documents, the fees and the points where Americans usually need help. It is general information; a Spanish immigration lawyer confirms your case.
Yes, if you meet the same conditions as everyone else: remote work for companies outside Spain, gross income of at least EUR 2,442 per month for a single applicant, a degree or three years of experience, an employer or client that has operated for at least a year, and a working relationship of at least three months. Our requirements guide covers each condition in detail.
US citizenship adds two practical points. You do not need a Spanish visa for short stays: the consulates note that US passport holders can stay in Spain for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. And you remain subject to US tax rules on worldwide income, which matters when you plan your move.
Route one is the consulate. You apply for a telework visa at the Spanish consulate that covers the state where you legally live. The visa is valid for up to one year, and before it expires you apply in Spain for a residence authorisation, which can be granted for up to three years.
Route two is applying inside Spain. The consulates state that foreigners who are legally in Spain, for example visa-free US visitors within their 90 days, can apply for the telework residence authorisation directly to the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE) without a prior visa. The residence authorisation can be valid for up to three years.
Which route suits you depends on timing, your documents and whether you can afford to wait in the United States. The consulate route means filing in person at your consulate, waiting for the decision and collecting the visa in person, which Chicago says must happen within one month of a favourable decision. The in-Spain route avoids that but requires careful planning around the 90-day limit. A lawyer can compare the two for your situation.
The consulates ask US applicants for documents that only exist in the US system, and each needs the right apostille and a translation into Spanish.
Spain has consulates in Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and San Francisco, a consular section at the embassy in Washington, and a consulate in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Each covers a defined group of states, and the consulates require you to live in the district to file there. Our guide to consulates by state lists every jurisdiction.
Filing methods differ. The Washington consular section has accepted telework visa applications in person by appointment at the BLS Spain Visa Application Center since 1 September 2026, and the Chicago and Boston consulates say applications are in person by appointment only. Check the page for your consulate before you plan anything.
The consulates publish a visa fee of USD 190 for US citizens, which Washington says it revises quarterly according to exchange rates and takes in cash or money order. After arrival the residence authorisation carries a separate Spanish government fee of about EUR 73 per person under the official FAQ. See our cost guide for the full breakdown including translations, apostilles and insurance.
Moving to Spain does not end US tax obligations. US citizens generally continue to file US returns on worldwide income, and the two countries have a tax treaty and a social security agreement that interact with your situation. Spain also taxes residents on worldwide income once you are a tax resident, and there is a special regime for newly arrived workers that some digital nomads use.
None of this is automatic or the same for everyone. A cross-border tax adviser should review your position before you move. Our taxes guide explains the Spanish side in general terms.
The law sets decision periods: ten days for the consular visa (the law counts working days) and twenty days for the residence authorisation filed with UGE. These are legal periods, not promises. The authorities can ask for more information or an interview, the Washington consulate counts its period from the day it forwards the file rather than the day you file, and most of the real time goes into collecting, apostilling and translating documents. Plan for weeks of preparation and do not book non-refundable travel until you have a decision.
The law does not require you to hire one, and consulates allow an authorised representative with a power of attorney. Many Americans use a Spanish lawyer because the file has many foreign documents, strict apostille and translation rules, Social Security filings that need a Spanish electronic certificate, and a consular process where small errors cause delays. If you prefer to do it yourself, use the official pages in the sources below as your checklist.
If you are a US citizen, or a non-citizen living in the US, and want to see whether your situation fits, start with the short eligibility check at /spain-digital-nomad-visa#eligibility. An independent Spanish immigration lawyer's team reviews your answers and contacts you. Arx Capital Group is not a law firm; the lawyer contracts with you and bills you directly.
Yes. The visa is open to nationals of countries outside the EU and EEA, including US citizens, provided they meet the income, work, qualification, insurance and background-check rules.
The consulates say foreigners who are legally in Spain, including US passport holders within their 90-day visa-free stay, can apply for the residence authorisation directly to UGE without a visa. A lawyer should plan the timing carefully.
The Washington and Chicago consulates publish USD 190 for US citizens, revised from time to time. Confirm the current amount with your consulate before paying.
Adults normally need an FBI Identity History Summary dated within six months, with a federal apostille from the US Department of State and a certified Spanish translation. Confirm the exact format with your consulate.
US citizens generally remain subject to US tax on worldwide income. How that interacts with Spanish tax depends on your facts, so speak to a cross-border tax adviser.