US Citizens getting permission to live in BCN (non-working status)

Honestly...check with the embassy.  I have no idea.

You may not need to do anything at all as long as you aren't working, but I would check with the embassy or consulate. 

As an aside, I have not found the folks at the various consulates particularly helpful, so if you are being really stonewalled by them, just call a different consulate within your country.  There is usually more than one.

Thank you, that is a good suggestion to talk to two embassies.

Take a look at my regional Spanish Consulate office's website at http://www.consulate-spain-chicago.com/, click Visas at the menu at left, and see the list of possible visas.

I'm pretty sure you, an American, cannot live legally in Spain for more than 6 months (3-months is the normal period but can be renewed for another 3-months in most cases) without fulfilling one of the following:

    * To work in Spain as an employee
    * To reunite a family
    * To retire in Spain
    * For investors or self-employment
    * For non-lucrative purposes
    * Exempt from the obligation of requesting work permit (e.g. missionary, professor, scientist, researcher, etc.)

The only one for which might be relative to you would be the "For Non-lucrative purposes" (you wouldn't apply for the visa "For investors or self-employment" unless yours would-be a Spain-based business).

REQUIREMENTS FOR VISA FOR NON LUCRATIVE PURPOSES:

1.- Schengen Visa application form, filled out in print and signed, and three photocopies.

2.- 4 recent original passport photographs. Staple one picture to each application form.

3.- Regular passport, or travel document, still valid for 6 more months, with at least one blank page to affix the visa.

ALL DOCUMENTS LISTED BELOW MUST BE SUBMITTED ORIGINALS AND 3 PHOTOCOPIES:

4.- Non-US Citizens: Alien Registration Card or notarized copy of it, or Visa, or Reentry permit or other BCIS (Bureau of Citizenship & Immigration Services) document allowing return to the US.

5.- Proof of income, at a minimum rate of $75,000 per year (plus $15,000 per additional person in the family).

6.- Proof of own housing.

7.- Certificate(s) by police authorities of country(ies) where applicant resided for more than six months during the last five years, as to the absence of police record. If the country is not the U.S., the certificate must be legalized by the Spanish Consulate in that country.

8.- Medical Certificate: a doctor's recent statement, on doctor's or medical center's letterhead, indicating that the applicant has been examined and found in good physical and mental health to reside abroad and perform the activity applied for.

9.- Valid health/accidental insurance with full international coverage with a minimum coverage of $37,000.


IF RESIDENCE VISAS WILL BE REQUESTED FOR THE FAMILY OF THE APPLICANT, THE APPLICATIONS SHOULD BE SUBMITTED AT THE SAME TIME. EACH FAMILY MEMBER MUST PRESENT ALL OF THE DOCUMENTS LISTED ABOVE AND:

FOR SPOUSE: Marriage Certificate. If the country is not the U.S., the certificate must be legalized by the Spanish Consulate in the country where the document was issued.

FOR CHILDREN: Birth Certificate. If the country is not the U.S., the certificate must be legalized by the Spanish Consulate in the country where the document was issued.

Best of luck to you!!! If you can do it, it'll be a life-changing experience for you all.

Saludos, MadridMan

Immigration and administrative procedures are always hard.
The official workers are full of dossiers and Spanish laws are changing constantly. Every particular case is really different, so I highly recommend to talk to a lawyer, specialised in immigration and "extranjeria"

They will arrange everything for you, efficiently, and you will forget about queues.

I went to see an immigration lawyer here in Madrid, thinking it could facilitate things, making things easier and maybe even faster. IT WASN'T. The lawyer gave me a general outline and told me to go to the "immigration office" on Calle General Pardiñas - which is where everyone in Madrid goes for these things - and the lines are 100s of people long, taking ALL day to get through. She told me, "You can do this yourself. You don't need me." Luckily, she didn't charge me for this advice or initial consultation.

Saludos, MadridMan