Spanish immigration lawyers in Houston: visas to live in Spain
Quick answer: if you live in Houston and want to move to Spain, the right visa depends on how you will live there: remote work, passive income, studies or a job with a Spanish company. You apply at the Consulate General of Spain in Houston. We prepare your file with you online, from choosing the visa to getting your TIE card in Spain.
Reviewed on 3 November 2026 by Carolina Díaz Calderón, lawyer registered with the Madrid Bar (ICAM no. 97778).
Houston is one of the US cities with the strongest ties to Spain: energy, engineering, healthcare and a large Hispanic community. Many enquiries come from professionals relocated to Spain by their company or hired by a Spanish employer.
Which visa fits you
| Your situation | Recommended route |
|---|---|
| You work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain | Digital nomad visa |
| You live on savings, investments, rental income or retirement | Non-lucrative residence |
| A Spanish company offers you a qualified role | Highly qualified professional |
| You will study a degree, master's or course in Spain | Student residence |
| You are relocating and want to plan your taxes | Beckham Law or our digital nomad + Beckham Law package |
If your company relocates you or a Spanish company hires you, the route is usually the highly qualified professional permit or the intra-company transfer under Law 14/2013, which are processed faster than an ordinary work permit. If you work remotely for a US company, the digital nomad visa fits better.
Looking for the Golden Visa? It was abolished on 3 April 2025: buying property no longer gives residence. See the alternatives for investors.
Documents usually requested from Americans
- FBI background check (Identity History Summary). State or local police checks are not accepted.
- Apostille from the US Department of State for the FBI check, as it is a federal document.
- Apostille from the Secretary of State of the state that issued your birth or marriage certificates.
- Sworn translation into Spanish of every document in English.
- Private health insurance with full cover in Spain and no co-payments.
Criminal record certificates are usually only valid for a short time (typically 3 months), so we tell you when to request them so they don't expire before your appointment.
Stays, residence and taxes
As a US citizen you can stay in Spain for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, but you cannot live or work there on that stay.
The US taxes its citizens based on citizenship: even while living in Spain you will keep filing with the IRS. The Spain–US tax treaty and, where it fits, the Beckham Law help you organise what you pay in each country. We review this before you apply for the visa.
How we work
- Assessment: we review your profile and tell you which visa fits and what the risks are.
- Document checklist: the exact list for your consulate, including apostilles and translations.
- Application: we prepare the file and support you at the consular appointment, or file in Spain where the law allows it.
- Arrival in Spain: town hall registration, fingerprints and TIE, plus tax planning if you need it.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I apply if I live in Houston?
At the Consulate General of Spain in Houston. The competent consulate depends on where you legally reside, not on your nationality.Can I apply for the digital nomad visa from Spain?
Yes. If you are in Spain legally (for example, within your visa-free stay), you can apply for the international remote work residence permit directly with the Large Companies Unit, without returning to Houston.Do I need to travel to Madrid?
No. We work online: we review your documents, prepare the file and only flag the steps that need you in person, such as the consular appointment or TIE fingerprints.Talk to a Spanish immigration lawyer
If you live in Houston and want to move to Spain, tell us about your case and we will tell you which visa suits you and which documents to prepare first.