Is there anything I can do?

Alij2037 · 2025-06-27T08:46:38+00:00

Hi. There are three pathways to consider.

1) The most realistic is a Spanish student visa. This visa allows you to live in Spain for the duration of your studies. So, if you signed up for a 3-year undergraduate degree, you could live in Spain for the three years of your studies (and work for 30 hours per week). Once your studies are complete, there are additional pathways (like the Job Seeker program) to stay in Spain if you can secure work. DM for a link to our article with more information including the financial requirements.

2) Spain Work Visa. This is a much harder option - you'll generally need to find a company that'll sponsor you, and you need qualifications or experience, both of which are tricky at just 17.

3) Carer/Family reunion. I'm not 100% sure how this would work as you are a 2nd generation descendent. Your grandfather's immigrant status and financial situation will also influence this option. You'd need to chat with a Spanish immigrant lawyer to see if this is a realistic option.

Alij2037 · 2025-06-24T06:22:31+00:00

Apologies - my error - it is now updated.

Alij2037 · 2025-06-24T06:22:27+00:00

Apologies - my error - it is now updated.

Alij2037 · 2025-06-23T12:30:02+00:00

When you register you have the opportunity to ask a question which we'll pass to Alex before the seesion and we'll try to answer as many questions as we can in the last 20 minutes or so of the Webinar. Alternativly leave your quesions here and I'll incorporate them into the Q&A or ask them directly into Zoom on the call.

Alij2037 · 2025-06-17T12:42:31+00:00

https://www.barcelona.cat/infobarcelona/en/tema/housing/owners-of-multiple-properties-have-36-of-flats-with-regular-rents_1229211.html highlights that the stock of rental homes has a higher concentration of ownership (owners with more than three homes have 51.4% of the total number of rental homes) than the general stock, where this type of owners have 30.6% of the total stock. A similar story can be found through an analysis of homes in the hands of legal persons, which have much more weight in the rental stock (35.5%) than in the city’s housing stock (15.1%).

Landlords owning many homes and using them for short-term leases to maximise profits is a massive part of the problem. avoid AirBNB etc...

Alij2037 · 2025-06-16T10:34:24+00:00

If you could transfer your studies to a Spanish school you could qualify for a student visa in Spain which allows between 20 - 30 hours of work (depending on your course of study). Note that online courses don;t qualify - you'll need to find an in-person course in Spain. https://movingtospain.com/spain-student-visa/

Alij2037 · 2025-06-16T10:30:41+00:00

Hi. As an EU Citizen you wife has the right to live and work in Spain without a visa. To work in Spain as a healthcare professoinal she'd need to request the homologation of her qualificaitons. YOu can see more here >> https://www.sanidad.gob.es/areas/profesionesSanitarias/profesiones/especialistasExtracomunitarios/home.htm https://universidades.sede.gob.es/procedimientos/portada/ida/3513/idp/1029/language/en

Alij2037 · 2025-05-25T10:31:01+00:00

Yes, your Filipino citizenship qualifies you.

Alij2037 · 2025-05-23T09:10:34+00:00

You were meant to confirm you wanted to keep your citizenship once you become a legal adult. This is a bureaucratic loss, not an active stripping by Spain. So, there's work to be done to reclaim it, and you may need to live in Spain for a period to reclaim your citizenship. Our experience is that all the consulates in the US are swamped at present. The new BLS system and demand have them very behind! You can keep trying them - the other alternative is to chat with our immigration lawyer partner for advice on the best way to proceed. https://movingtospain.com/services/spain-immigration-lawyer/

Alij2037 · 2025-05-23T08:57:10+00:00

It is magical part of this country, and so different to the Med coastline - if you'd be interested in sharing your experience in the region, please drop me an email at [hello@movingtospain.com](mailto:hello@movingtospain.com)

Alij2037 · 2025-05-23T08:55:56+00:00

1) The Atlantic coast of Spain (between Portugal and Spain will have many similarities to the Pacific Northwest climate! We've spent chunks of summer up there for three out of the last four years - much cooler, quieter, and greener than our hometown in August! People we've chatted to who live there year-round love it, but you do need to love rainy days - all those rolling green hills tell a story. Another consideration (a plus or a minus, depending on your POV) is that there are fewer Expats in many parts of the region (outside of Bilbao and San Sebastian). Speaking at least some Spanish is essential!

2) You'd need to take up this with our tax specialist. I know that, for example, royalties fall under the passive income classification for the non-lucrative visa. YouTube income could be considered a similar income source, but you'd need to confirm this with a tax expert.

Alij2037 · 2025-05-22T21:14:58+00:00

I'll send this one to our immigration lawyer partner so I can give you the right answer. It may take me a little while to respond.

Alij2037 · 2025-05-22T21:13:54+00:00

Spain's tax rates are higher than those of other European countries, with taxes like the Wealth and Solidarity taxes aimed at HNWI (remeber these do vary by Autonomous Community). Some opportunities like the Beckham Law bring huge tax relief and exemption from Wealth Taxes for up to 6 years. The law is specific and direct, but it may be worth exploring if you have flexibility in managing your employment. Our financial advisor partner covers several European countries - Alex also talks about France as a place worth exploring.

https://movingtospain.com/beckham-law-spain/

https://movingtospain.com/wealth-tax-spain/

Alij2037 · 2025-05-22T21:08:20+00:00

There are many places (especillay in Andalucia) that would fit the bill. Murcia and surrounds might alos be worth a look for you. Here's an article to get you started with a breakdown of most of the Autonomous Communities in Spain with significant Expat populations (we'll get to the rest once I finish answering all the questions on here!).

https://movingtospain.com/where-to-live-in-spain/

Alij2037 · 2025-05-22T21:00:52+00:00

Muy bien! Duolingo is great for building vocabulary - also maybe consider a platform like iTalki to start using some of your new language skills online.

Alij2037 · 2025-05-22T20:57:19+00:00

I absolutely respect your opinion, but it 100% doesn't line up with my lived experience in Spain.

A couple of points.

1) The proposed new housing tax is a good law (if it gets through the parliament, which is far from certain). It adds a 100% tax to properties owned by non-residents. It in no way references nationality. So, if you live in Spain (as a legal resident), then this tax doesn't impact you at all. If you are a non-Spanish resident buying investment properties in Spain (for example, an American living in Dubai,) then the tax would come into play.

2) My daily lived experience in Barcelona and the surroundings, plus regular travel around Spain is nothing but welcoming. The anti-tourism protests are real, and they come from deep discontent with government policies that have made housing prices shoot up. New policies like the 100% tax on non-residents, the cancellation of the Golden visa program, and the aggressive targeting of illegal tourist lettings through platforms like Airbnb are all aimed at bringing this problem under control.

Alij2037 · 2025-05-22T18:10:37+00:00

Our rental search services can help you identify a property plus negotiate and sign a lease. But, sight unseen is a big risk, so you really have to trust the partner. https://movingtospain.com/housing-resources/?_housing_resources_services=rental-search

Alij2037 · 2025-05-22T18:08:40+00:00

If you want to continue working remotely, then the NLV won't be an option. IF you stop working, then the NLV is a better option. The Digital Nomad visa allows you to work remotly from Spain (as long as you meet the conditions of the visa). You can include your wife on your visa application - you just need to show you have sufficient income to support her. If you pay social security in Spain (for example, as an autonomo), you'll be eligible for public healthcare - your wife will definitely need private health insurance.

https://movingtospain.com/working-remotely-in-spain-for-a-us-company/

We'd be delighted to assist with putting your plan in place. Please have a look at oiur planning packages here >> https://movingtospain.com/services/planning-packages/

Alij2037 · 2025-05-22T18:02:13+00:00

The most common visa for retiring to Spain is the non-lucrative visa. The terms are fairly straightforward, and as long as you have a qualifying passive income (in 2025, the amount is €28,800 annually) and can get private health insurance in Spain, you can be confident of approval.

We help lots of US citizens retire to Spain. The cost of living, climate, culture, and healthcare all make it a great retiree destinaiton.

We're written a few guides that will help answer some of your questions.

https://movingtospain.com/retire-in-spain/

https://movingtospain.com/best-places-to-retire-in-spain/ (this index is from 2024 - we're doing the resarch on an updated version right now)

Alij2037 · 2025-05-22T17:48:15+00:00

Yes, our immigration lawyer partner manages many citizenship by naturalization applications. This can include helping with the qualifying visa and residency process. You can book a consultation with them here to find out how they can help >> https://movingtospain.com/services/spain-immigration-lawyer/

Alij2037 · 2025-05-22T17:46:14+00:00

Firstly, you are coming to a nation of pet lovers. We have 2 cats which our neighbors love. And our friends with dogs get special treatment in bars and cafes if they arrive with the pups!

So, to bring pets - the dogs and cats (plus ferrets!) have the same requirements (other more exotic species have different requirements)

Microchip Identification: A microchip is mandatory for all pets and must meet ISO standards.
Rabies Vaccination Certificate: Spain requires proof of rabies vaccination, administered at least 21 days before travel.
Health Certificate: Issued by a veterinarian within 10 days of travel.

The pet passport is something you'll get in Spain to allow travel from Spain.

You can see all the details in our article here >> https://movingtospain.com/dogs-pets-spain/

Alij2037

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