Starting a new chapter

@dtramposh

Spain is cool wherever you go to live. If you can arrange for convenient accommodation you will gradually mould into the society as you put yourself out there and reach out to others, they will respond to you. It is a peaceful, friendly nation.

I have travelled to Spain in the past and am now finding myself in position to be able to relocate there from the U.S. many years later!
Semi-retired but still teaching movement classes virtually, and doing some volunteer work. I would welcome any advice regarding what steps to take, and what to be aware of just in order to "land" in the country. I've looked into visa requirements a bit, and feel drawn to the NW region of Spain.
I have reached out to a couple of intentional communities but have not gotten a response. Also attracted to a co-living community in Asturias where people can stay temporarily or indefinitely, which seems like a good idea.
Appreciate any guidance! - @dtramposh

You also need to look into getting a visa so you can live and work in Spain.

@SimCityAT

Do I need to get the visa ahead of time, or can I go there as long as the application process is underway?

@Gioiainfinita

thank you..I'm pretty good at meeting people and integrating.

@SimCityAT
Do I need to get the visa ahead of time, or can I go there as long as the application process is underway? - @dtramposh

Americans must obtain a Spanish work visa ahead of time through a Spanish consulate in the U.S. before traveling to Spain. You cannot legally start working while an application is merely "underway" or, in most cases, by entering as a tourist and applying later. The employer usually starts the permit process in Spain first.

BUT:

Digital Nomad Visa: If working remotely for a non-Spanish company, you must apply for this specific visa, which can sometimes be applied for while in Spain legally (within 90 days of entry), though applying in the US is safer.

You will have to confirm this with the Spanish consulate.

@SimCityAT

I wasn't really planning on working actually. I'm on social security and would be selling my home before going, so I would be financially secure.

@dtramposh

As you would have both social security income and savings, I'm sure you'd qualify for the NLV (No Lucrativa Visa). This requires about $37k in income ($3k ish per month) OR savings.

This is a non-working visa typically for retirees and the independently wealthy, and it's one of the easiest residence visas to obtain. Easy is a great way to start, and it allows you to relocate to Spain and get yourself settled. You can subsequently apply for a change of status to employed or self-employed, but this is a much trickier task than the NLV. However, given your circumstances, I doubt this would be either necessary, or worth the aggravation.

Also, while it's not strictly allowed by the NLV (as it's a non-working permit), remote working is very difficult to police. There are many folks who do this for a bit of extra income (must be paid to your account abroad by a foreign company/person).

This is the official immigration page on the NLV

https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migrac … -lucrativa

I believe BLS handles applications for the NLV for Spanish embassies in USA. Their info is here:

https://usa.blsspainvisa.com/washington … idence.php

There are many guides from people who have done this on youtube.  Just search a location you are interested in and you will find many channels of people who have moved in recent years.  Many have step by step guides, information about the culture and cost of living, health insurance, etc..  Be sure to look at a few because some of them make money from sponsors, etc.   Most are from the U.K., but there are some from the U.S. 

There are also many reddit threads for people looking to retire abroad.  But of course, reddit is reddit so you will find some negativity.  I recommend going on the expats thread and just reading other people's experience for a while before diving in.

I retired recently and am now happily living in Spain.  I used a relocation service and I am very happy I did.  Feel free to message me if you have specific questions.  Most can be answered on those youtube channels.

Cheers,

There are many guides from people who have done this on youtube. Just search a location you are interested in and you will find many channels of people who have moved in recent years. Many have step by step guides, information about the culture and cost of living, health insurance, etc.. Be sure to look at a few because some of them make money from sponsors, etc. Most are from the U.K., but there are some from the U.S.
There are also many reddit threads for people looking to retire abroad. But of course, reddit is reddit so you will find some negativity. I recommend going on the expats thread and just reading other people's experience for a while before diving in.

I retired recently and am now happily living in Spain. I used a relocation service and I am very happy I did. Feel free to message me if you have specific questions. Most can be answered on those youtube channels.

Cheers, - @coletteab88

The purpose of Expat.com is to share experiences. Share yours on the open forum so everyone can benefit. The PM system is for sharing personal details like home addresses.

@gwynj

thanks so much! I'm in contact with a friend of a friend who is moving to Spain soon..she recommended I speak with a tax expert about how Spain taxes S.S.I. and wealth. That would be an important factor for me to consider.

@dtramposh

Tax abroad is always a bit scary for Americans are you pay taxes based on citizenship (to the IRS)... but also potentially to your new country (by virtue of your physical presence / legal residence). However, unless you're extremely wealthy, I doubt the Spanish tax system is particularly onerous, especially as there is a DTA between Spain and USA. You should also note that you'd likely avoid Spanish tax residence if you stay in Spain less than 183 days per year.

If it's a big problem you might want to consider neighboring Portugal (D7 and tax breaks with NHR), or countries with lower tax rates (e.g. Bulgaria at 10%), or one of the popular Latin American retirement destinations (e.g. Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico) that routinely turn a blind eye to the income of retired foreigners.

thank you!  I've actually decided on Mexico instead. It makes more sense for me to be closer to the U.S. and I love the culture, having been raised and lived mainly on the west coast.