Moving To Spain From The US
Guides, Advice and Real Experiences
Real guides and honest advice for Americans moving to Spain from the US – built by people making the move themselves.
We’re in the middle of relocating from Portland, Oregon to the Jávea area on Spain’s Costa Blanca.
We’re documenting everything — the process, the paperwork and the things nobody tells you.
Most of what we needed was scattered across dozens of websites, outdated or just plain missing.
So we built the resource we couldn’t find. You’re in the right place.
Visa & Documents
Understand Spain’s visa and residency process — from choosing the right visa to handling paperwork, NIE, TIE, and the legal steps required to establish residency.
Planning A Move
The practical side of preparing to leave — timing, household logistics, pets, maintaining US ties, and the many details that are easier to handle before you arrive in Spain.
Financial Planning
Build your financial life for Spain — banking, moving money internationally, taxes, and planning ahead so your finances work smoothly on both sides of the move.
Finding A Home
Learn how buying property in Spain works — from house hunting and property types to mortgages, ownership costs, and the buying process from start to finish.
Living In Spain
Settle into daily life — healthcare, utilities, internet, transportation, shopping, local registration, and the practical things that make Spain feel like home.
Tools & Resources
Checklists, templates, a Spanish glossary and curated web resources — practical tools to keep your move organized and your research in one place.
Not Sure Where To Begin?
Moving to Spain has more steps than most people expect. If you’re still figuring out whether it’s even doable — or just want the full picture before diving in — we put together a plain-English overview of the whole process from start to finish.
START HERE
We’re Doing This, Too.
Moving to Spain’s Costa Blanca is more than picking a place to live. There’s paperwork, finances, housing, visas and the things nobody warns you about. We built this because we couldn’t find one place that covered all of it completely and honestly. This is now that place.
No Sales Pitch
We’re not selling courses, relocation packages or sponsored recommendations. Every guide on this site exists because we needed it.
No Fluff, No Filler
We go deep on the things that actually matter — paperwork, finances, property, neighborhoods and day-to-day life.
We’re In It With You
We’re still in the process of moving and updating as we go. What you read here is current, not from years ago.
Our Journey To Spain
Follow our move from Portland, Oregon to the Jávea/Dénia area of the Costa Blanca — what we’re learning, the homes we’ve toured, the areas we’re exploring, and what daily life may look like once we arrive.
Spain By The Numbers
Days Of Sun
In Costa Blanca
Miles
Of Coastline
In EU
Life Expectancy
Lower Cost of Living
Than US
Latest Updates
Home Automation In Spain: What To Check Before You Buy
Move In Shopping List: Your First Day In Spain
Revolut's US Banking Bid: What It Means For Expats
Revolut’s US banking bid took a real step forward this year. The company filed with the OCC for a national banking license and if approved, it could change how you move money to Spain. If you’ve…
Our Next House Hunting Trip To Spain Is In
Days
Hours
Minutes
Before Moving
Everything you need to sort before you leave — visas, NIEs, finances and the hundred other things on your pre-move list.
After The Move
What you need to get sorted once you arrive — utilities, healthcare, paperwork and all the practicalities of your new life in Spain.
Property Guide
Here’s what to know about buying property in Spain as an American — from your first search to signing at the notary.
Resources
Checklists, glossaries and vetted websites to help you plan, prepare and hit the ground running in Spain.
Our Journey
Follow along as we document our move from Portland, Oregon to Jávea, Spain — the highs, the headaches and everything in between.
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