🇪🇸 Spain
Spain Guides
21 guides on moving to, living in, and buying property in Spain as an American. Organized by topic below.
Cost of Living
2 guides
Cost of Living in Spain for Americans (2026) — Real Monthly Budgets
Real monthly budgets for Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and Málaga — rent, groceries, healthcare, and how it compares to US cities.
Cost of Living in Spain vs. USA (2026) — Real Side-by-Side Numbers
Real side-by-side numbers: rent, groceries, healthcare, taxes compared city by city — Madrid vs NYC, Valencia vs Austin. Spain is 37% cheaper overall.
Visas & Immigration
6 guides
Can Americans Buy Property Abroad? A Country-by-Country Legal Guide
Foreign ownership laws vary wildly. Some countries welcome you, others make it nearly impossible.
Golden Visa Programs: Buy Property, Get Residency
Buy property, get residency. The golden visa landscape in 2026 — what's still open, what's closed, and what it costs.
Escrow, Notario, Fideicomiso: A Glossary for American Buyers in Mexico
Every Spanish-language real estate term Americans encounter buying in Mexico — fideicomiso, notario, escritura, RFC, predial, and what they really mean.
Spain Non-Lucrative Visa vs. Golden Visa: Which Is Better for Property Buyers?
Spain killed the Golden Visa for real estate in 2025. How the Non-Lucrative Visa compares for American buyers in 2026 — income rules, taxes, timelines.
How Long Does It Take to Close on a House in Spain as a Foreigner?
The real timeline for closing on a Spanish property as an American — NIE, reservation, arras, escritura, registration. Typical and worst-case weeks.
Which Countries Still Offer Residency by Property Investment in 2026?
Spain killed its golden visa. Portugal dropped real estate. Here are the countries where Americans can still buy property and get residency in 2026.
Buying Property
6 guidesHow to Find a Bilingual Real Estate Lawyer Abroad (and What to Pay Them)
A practical guide to vetting, hiring, and paying an English-speaking real estate lawyer in Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, Ireland, Mexico, Japan and beyond.
How Much Does It Really Cost to Buy in Barcelona? Fees, Taxes, Agent Costs
A complete 2026 breakdown of what Americans actually pay to buy an apartment in Barcelona: ITP, AJD, notary, gestoria, lawyer, and agent fees line by line.
How Long Does It Take to Close on a House in Spain as a Foreigner?
Realistic 2026 Spain closing timelines for American buyers — from NIE to escritura to registered deed. Typical 4-6 months, fastest 6-8 weeks, worst case a year.
Valencia, Spain vs Malaga: Which Is Cheaper for American Buyers?
Valencia vs Malaga for American property buyers in 2026. Prices, closing costs, climate, visas, and which Spanish Mediterranean city gives you more for your money.
Can an American Get a Mortgage in Spain Without Residency? The 2026 Reality
Yes — Americans can get a mortgage in Spain without residency in 2026. Here are real LTVs, rates, banks that lend to US citizens, and every FATCA trap.
Why Americans Walk Away from Spanish Off-Plan Purchases
Real stories of Americans losing deposits on Spanish off-plan flats, the Ley 57/1968 loophole, and how to tell a safe new-build from a financial trap.
Things to Do
2 guides
Portugal vs Spain for American Expats: An Honest Comparison
The Iberian showdown: cost of living, visa programs, healthcare, property markets, and which one wins.
The Complete Guide to Moving to Spain as an American
Non-lucrative visas, the NIE number maze, siesta culture, and where to live from Barcelona to Málaga.
Country Guides
2 guides
Things to Do in Spain: The Ultimate Travel Guide for 2026
Barcelona's GaudÃ, Seville flamenco, San Sebastián pintxos, Granada's Alhambra, and the Balearic Islands.
Do You Need a Visa to Buy Property in Spain as an American?
No — Americans don't need a visa to buy Spanish property, but you still need NIE, bank account, and a lawyer. Here's what's actually required in 2026.
Money & Taxes
3 guidesThe 7 Hidden Costs of Buying a House in Spain Nobody Warns Americans About
Seven hidden costs of buying property in Spain as an American — ITP, plusvalÃa, community fees, reference values, and the ones that surprise US buyers.
The Best Currency Strategy When Buying in Euros as an American
A $500K Spanish house costs you either $485K or $535K depending on how you move USD into EUR. Here's the real currency playbook for American buyers.
Inheritance Tax on Property in Spain vs. Portugal vs. Italy for US Heirs
Spain, Portugal, and Italy each tax inherited real estate on a completely different basis. Here's what your American kids actually pay inheriting your European house.