What rent and the move cost
Monthly rent and utilities for a one-bedroom, plus the one-time cost of getting there and settling in. The move covers the visa fee, a one-way flight with three extra bags (averaged across five US airports), three weeks of temporary lodging, the apartment move-in, a starter kit for the new place and a 10% cushion.
| City size | Example cities | Rent, 1BR | Utilities | One-time move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big city | Madrid, Barcelona | $1,652 | $190 | $10,924 |
| Mid-size city | Valencia, Malaga, Seville | $1,205 | $165 | $8,746 |
| Smaller town | Granada, Alicante, Oviedo | $893 | $145 | $7,184 |
Not included: groceries, transport and health insurance. Amounts in US dollars at the exchange rates in the planner’s data.
Getting in and staying
US citizens can stay 90 days in any 180 in the Schengen area.
The planner’s remote-work route is the digital nomad visa. It asks you to show income of about $3,080 a month. The application fee in the planner is about $95.
Visa rules change often. Check the official immigration or consular page before you apply. Our sources page explains where these figures come from.
Signing a lease
Plan on about 3 months’ rent up front when you sign: a one-month legal deposit, a one-month guarantee and the first month’s rent. In a mid-size city that’s about $3,615.
Language and time zone
Moderate English proficiency (EF EPI 2025). When it’s 9 a.m. in New York, it’s 3 p.m. in Madrid. You’d overlap with the US afternoon.
Worth knowing
The digital nomad visa asks for an FBI background check, apostilles and sworn translations, about $350 in paperwork before you even apply. Moving in also takes about three months’ rent up front.
See where you fit
The 1-minute quiz matches your income, savings and the kind of place you want with three of these ten countries. The Expat Relocation Planner builds the full budget for Spain with your own airport, household and savings.
More countries: Mexico · Costa Rica · Portugal · Thailand · Vietnam · Philippines · Indonesia · Japan · Australia