Going Spanish
Practical guidance for Americans planning a move to Spain. Visas, taxes, healthcare, cities — and the parts nobody tells you.
Start here: the complete moving guide →
Moving to Spain from the USA: The Complete 2026 Guide
Spain ranks among the top destinations for Americans relocating abroad, but the journey is more bureaucratic and tax-heavy than most travel articles admit. Three reasons keep it on Americans' shortlist in 2026: a public healthcare system that costs a fraction of US private coverage, a visa pathway that genuinely…
All guides
Every guide for Americans planning a move to Spain — bureaucracy, money, healthcare and daily life, verified against primary sources.
Exchanging Your US Driver's License in Spain: Why You Can't (and What to Do Instead)
Spain and the US have no license exchange agreement. Here's exactly what American residents must do — the 6-month rule, the tests, real costs and timelines for 2026.
Private Health Insurance Spain: 2026 Guide for Americans
Sanitas, Adeslas, DKV, Asisa, ASSSA versus SafetyWing/IATI for Americans in Spain. DNV-compliant insurance requirements, English-speaking doctors, dental and optical.
Spanish Autónomo for Americans: 2026 Walkthrough
Spanish autónomo registration for Americans: tarifa plana €80/mes 2026, Modelos AEAT 037/130/303, IVA + IRPF mechanics, and a $60k worked example.
US-Spain Cross-Border Tax: 2026 Guide for Americans
FEIE vs FTC, Beckham Law math, US-Spain Treaty 1990/2019, Totalization 1988, and three worked tax examples for Americans living in Spain in 2026.
Spanish Bank Accounts for Americans: The 2026 Reality
FATCA reality, which Spanish banks accept US persons in 2026, Wise/Revolut/N26 with ES IBAN, FBAR triggers, and the Modelo 720 obligation.
Digital Nomad Visa Spain for Americans: 2026 Walkthrough
US-specific 2026 walkthrough of the Spain Digital Nomad Visa: consulates, FBI apostille, Beckham math, FEIE/FTC interaction, and three worked income examples.
SafetyWing for Americans Moving to Spain: Complete Guide 2026
Is SafetyWing the right insurance for Americans moving to Spain? Complete guide covering plans, prices, visa compatibility (NLV, DNV) and honest alternatives. 2026 edition.
Apply for the Beckham Law in Spain: A Step-by-Step Guide for US Citizens
Apply for the Beckham Law as a US citizen in Spain: 24% flat tax, six-year regime, six-month Modelo 149 deadline. Step-by-step 2026 guide.
Considering and Going Are Different Verbs: What 1-in-3 Americans Aren't Doing
1 in 3 Americans say they're considering leaving the US — almost none do. The honest analysis of why the gap is so wide and which obstacles eat most considerers.
The 1% Remittance Tax Took Effect in 2026: What Actually Applies If You're Moving Money to Spain
The 2026 US 1% remittance tax: what actually applies (cash only) vs what does not (SWIFT/Wise/Revolut). Plus the FATCA/FBAR change that matters more.
Best Spanish Cities for American Expats: The Honest 2026 Guide
Honest 2026 guide to 10 Spanish cities for American expats: cost, climate, expat density, walkability, real trade-offs from Madrid to Palma.
How to Get Your NIE Number as an American: The Three Paths Step-by-Step Guide for 2026
Three real paths for Americans to get a Spanish NIE: consulate in USA, comisaría in Spain, gestor with PoA. €9.84 modelo 790 código 012, step-by-step 2026.
Spanish Healthcare for Americans: The Three Paths Honest Guide for 2026
Three real paths to Spanish healthcare for Americans: SNS via work, Convenio Especial for residents, private insurance. Honest 2026 costs.
Spain vs USA Cost of Living: Honest 2026 Comparison for Americans
Spain costs roughly 30 to 40 percent less than the US average across housing, groceries, healthcare, and transport. Honest 2026 comparison with three example budgets.
Why this site
Going Spanish exists because the gap between US-targeted emigration content and the actual Spanish bureaucratic reality is wider than most guides admit. We cite primary sources, tag every monetary figure with the year it applies to, and refuse to publish vague or hyped advice on visa, tax, or healthcare matters.