Moving to Spain from the United States

Choosing to up sticks and move locally can be a stressful ordeal – but moving to a completely different country introduces new levels of unease.

If you are considering making the move from the United States to Spain, this guide will tell you everything you need to know – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare top tips to rules about moving country with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make the big move.

Quick Spain Facts:

Population: 47.42 million (2021 estimate)
Official Language: Spanish (de facto) is spoken by the majority of the population
GDP Per Capita: $30,100 USD (2021 estimate)
Random Fact: Spain is home to 47 UNESCO World Heritage Sites!
Currency: Euro (€). As of late 2023, £1 = €1.15, $1 = €0.92, $1 CAD = €0.67, $1 AUD = €0.60

Sections

1. Moving Costs to Spain from the United States

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from different ports in the US, and shipping it to Barcelona:

Port	20FT	40FT
Charleston	From $1,860	From $2,760
Houston	From $1,900	From $2,800
Long Beach	From $1,940	From $2,840
Los Angeles	From $1,950	From $2,850
Miami	From $1,870	From $2,770
New York	From $1,800	From $2,700
Oakland	From $1,960	From $2,860
Savannah	From $1,850	From $2,750
Seattle	From $1,980	From $2,880
Virginia	From $1,820	From $2,720

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (June 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Hapag-Lloyd or GoComet;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to Spain from The United States?

There can be big discrepancies in move time duration when it comes to moving from America due to the vastness of the country.

Let’s take a look at some states from a range of locations in the north, east, south and west of the country to give you an idea of move time to Spain.

New York to Madrid – 10 hours, 5 minutes – €555
Los Angeles to Madrid – 15 hours, 15 minutes – €575
Minneapolis to Madrid – 14 hours, 3 minutes – €655
Dallas to Madrid – 8 hours, 45 minutes – €600

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to Spain from The United States

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section.

At your time of travel, you’ll need to prove the purpose of your stay, be that for a work conference, trade fair, to study, or just to sightsee. Your visa must also be in alignment with these plans – more on which we will cover in the next section.

You will need to not have a ban on entering Spain and will need to show that you have ‘sufficient’ means to carry out your stay in the country with proof of financial standing. If you are travelling with a pet, you will need to ensure you cooperate with Spanish border control laws – which we will cover later in this article – and have declared any relevant items at customs.

If you are set to be travelling with medication from The United States, it’s best to check that this is legal for entry into Spain before travelling to the airport with it, as you could face having it confiscated or you may encounter denial of entry.

At the time of writing, there are no COVID-19 restrictions on entry between Spain and The United States, but this is subject to change and should be confirmed at your time of travel to get the most up-to-date information.

4. Visa Requirements to Spain from The United States

Alongside a valid passport, you will need a visa to grant you entry into Spain. These come in a few different forms:

Employment visa
Entrepreneur visa
Student visa
Golden visa
Retirement visa

For those wanting to take out employment in Spain, you will need an employment visa. To be eligible for this visa type, you must:

Fill out and complete an employment visa application form
Provide a colour passport-sized photo
Provide your valid passport with at least 4 months of validity
A copy of your employment contract in Spain, which needs to be stamped by the Foreign Nationals’ Office
Proof of criminal record, for the last 5 years
Proof of medical history
Proof of residence in Spain

It may be the case that a term of your Spanish employment is that they organise the employment visa for you, but it’s important to cooperate with any such activity to ensure that it is completed properly and within the timeframe that you need it to be done.

Another type of visa that may be of interest is the Golden visa – or Investor visa – which grants the individual to living, studying and work in Spain, along with your family, and grants you Spanish citizenship.

To qualify for this type of visa, you must invest in either:

Real estate – €500,000+
Public debt – €2 million+
Venture capital – €1 million+
Shares in Spanish companies – €1 million+, or
Make a substantial bank deposit – €1 million+

There are obvious risks involved with investing your money, as market values can rise and fall, so it is worthwhile that you thoroughly research any potential venture before investing to ensure it is a sound financial choice.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in Spain

While this article is covering Spain as a whole, house prices will vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in New York is 48.5% higher than that of Madrid, with rent being around 69.7% higher.

Monthly Rental Prices in Spain:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: €980+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: €700+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: €1,620+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: €1,000+

Spain Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: €3,350+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: €1,970+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in Spain

There is a tax treaty in place between Spain and The United States, which has been the case since 1990. This helps to affirm which country taxes income if both nations have the legal right to request income tax.

This covers:

Employment income
Business profits
Capital gains
Dividends
Interest

This treaty helps to prevent double taxation of income. It also provides a foreign tax credit whereby the tax paid in Spain can offset your United States tax obligations and help to reduce tax liabilities.

The rate of tax can vary based on your income, which can range from 19% to 47%, but this can change year-on-year. For the best advice, it’s prudent to enlist the help of a tax specialist to ensure you are cooperating with the local laws as well as being savvy with any tax relief schemes in the respective countries.

7. Working Rules in Spain

The working week is defined as 40 hours maximum per week for a full-time position. The Spanish labour law states that at least 12 hours must fall between the time you end your working day and start your next working day, and after six continuous hours of work, you are entitled to a 15-minute break.

Spanish firms are obliged to give you at least one and a half days of uninterrupted rest time – commonly seen at the weekend. If you are working overtime, you cannot exceed the threshold of 80 hours of overtime in one working year.

In terms of statutory holiday, you will receive 22 working days of paid leave per year which can be spent as you wish – but at least one period in this leave must be two weeks in length. For those requiring maternity and paternity leave, employers will receive 16 weeks for both parents, including adoptive and foster parents.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in Spain

Spain benefits from the Sistema Nacional de Salud (SNS) – which translates to the ‘National Health System’ – which is a public, universal healthcare system which gives citizens and residents access to healthcare.

This means that procedures deemed as basic medical services are free – unlike the healthcare system in The United States which you pay for. This will cover:

Emergency hospital visits
Doctor/GP services
Midwife and paediatric appointments
Various inpatient and outpatient services

As you would expect, this system doesn’t cater for every medical eventuality, but services are usually subsidised – such as medication – or can be met with private health insurance payments for services such as dental or other specialised medical treatments.

To access this healthcare system, you must be a legal citizen of Spain – paying social security contributions – and you will need to have your residency registered and have a medical insurance card to prove this status.

Before travelling to Spain, it’s advisable to take out health insurance to keep you covered in the event of any medical issues before you have set all of this up.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in Spain

Moving house includes lots of boxes of belongings – but it can also include some particularly important furry friends, too! If you need to move to Spain with a pet in tow, here’s what you need to know.

If you need to transport your dog, cat or ferret to Spain with you from The United States, you will need to do the following:

Your pet must be microchipped, with this fitted before their rabies vaccination
Has up-to-date vaccinations against rabies
Ensure that your pet has a health certificate that has been certified by an accredited veterinarian
You must ensure that your pet is at least 12 weeks, and 21 days old at the time of travel

As you will be travelling from a non-EU country, you must make sure you enter Spain via designated Travelers’ Points of Entry – more on which can be found at Ministerio de Agricultura.

10. Similar Cities

One country with a striking resemblance to Spain is Italy – a fellow area situated on the Mediterranean Sea, which gives the two locations similar climates. Both areas have plentiful UNESCO World Heritage Sites – 49 in Spain, and 58 in Italy – giving a rich, vibrant historical tapestry to uncover.

Both countries are tourist traps with healthy tourism industries, as well as having a strong emphasis on their local cuisines using fresh ingredients heralding Mediterranean flavours.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to Spain from The United States

Perhaps you’re moving for a new job opportunity, or just want to try out a completely different country and climate – whatever your reason for wanting to move from The United States to Spain, let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving.

Advantages of Moving from The United States to Spain	Disadvantages of Moving from The United States to Spain
Spain offers a rich cultural experience with a long history, vibrant traditions, and a relaxed lifestyle.	Economic challenges, such as a relatively high unemployment rate, may impact job opportunities and financial stability.
Spain boasts a Mediterranean climate, beautiful beaches, and a diverse geography, providing a favorable environment for outdoor activities.	Bureaucratic processes can be slow and bureaucratic hurdles may arise, requiring patience and understanding of local regulations.
Spain is known for its culinary delights and social culture, with a strong emphasis on family, community, and a slower-paced lifestyle.	While English is widely spoken in tourist areas, a language barrier may exist in certain regions, and adjusting to local customs and communication styles may be necessary. Additionally, regional economic disparities may affect living conditions.

Whatever you decide, you must understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to speak to The U.S. Embassy and Consulates for all the information you need.