RELOCATION · AMERICANS
Relocation to Madrid for Americans.
Visa, NIE, bank account, taxes and housing. Everything you need to know before you arrive.
Tell us about your caseMoving to Madrid from the United States or Canada has its own set of challenges. The visa system is different from Europe, your tax obligations don't disappear when you cross the Atlantic (FBAR, FATCA, IRS) and opening a bank account without a NIE can become a real headache. It's not impossible. But there is a specific order that works, and many paths that lead nowhere.
Aedara has managed this process with American families and professionals. We know which step comes first, which bank will open an account for you at each stage, and how the Beckham Law applies to your tax profile.
The first step is the visa
Depending on your situation, the right visa is one of two: the non-lucrative visa (for those with passive income or sufficient savings) or the digital nomad visa (for those working remotely for companies outside Spain). Each has different requirements, timelines and tax consequences.
Dual taxation: what you cannot ignore
Being an American citizen residing in Spain means you still file with the IRS. FBAR and FATCA obligations don't go away when you change your residence. At the same time, Spain offers the Beckham Law: a special tax regime that can significantly reduce your Spanish tax burden during the first years.
Housing, banking and daily life
Buying or renting as a non-resident American has its own rules. A mortgage is possible but the requirements are different. A bank account can be opened before you have a NIE if you know which bank and what documentation to bring.
Healthcare and day-to-day life
The Spanish public health system is not available from the start for American citizens. Private health insurance is the route, and there are specific expat options with English-language coverage.
The full process guide
For a complete overview from before you leave the US to your first months in Madrid:
Have questions about your specific situation? Tell us and we'll tell you where to start.