Spain

Is Spain a good country for American expats?

Spain ranks 92nd globally — Tier II Moderate. Its structural profile has a specific and important discontinuity: strong institutional fundamentals (7.7 on institutions, safety, development) against a weak relocation viability score (4.0) driven by the lowest appropriation safety score in the Concierge coverage universe. Spain's appropriation risk rating reflects capital controls history, wealth tax levied at the regional level, and a regulatory environment that has historically been hostile to capital flight. The Golden Visa programme was closed to new real estate applications in 2024. These factors, combined, define Spain as a jurisdiction requiring careful structural analysis — not a default choice.

What are Spain's capital and wealth tax risks for Americans?

Spain's appropriation risk profile is the most significant planning consideration in the BSI assessment. The combination of a patrimony (wealth) tax levied in most regions, inheritance tax structures that vary dramatically by region and can produce confiscatory outcomes, and a historical willingness to impose capital controls means that Spain scores near the floor of the appropriation safety measure. This does not disqualify Spain as a planning jurisdiction — but it means the capital structure for a Spain-resident client requires explicit engineering to mitigate these exposures.

What residency pathways are available in Spain after the Golden Visa closed?

With the Golden Visa closed to real estate, the remaining pathways for U.S. persons are: the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), which requires demonstrated passive income of approximately €2,400/month and does not permit employment in Spain; the Digital Nomad Visa, which permits remote work for non-Spanish clients; and the Beckham Law (régimen especial de trabajadores desplazados), which offers a 24% flat rate on Spanish-source income for qualifying workers relocated to Spain. The Beckham Law requires employment by a Spanish entity and has income thresholds and duration limits.