International Residents & Relocation
Your Move to Málaga, Made Easier
Moving to Málaga is an exciting step, but settling into a new country can come with plenty of questions and practical challenges. We provide local, bilingual support to help international residents manage the essentials and feel more at home from the moment they arrive.
Practical Support for Your New Life in Málaga
Whether you're preparing for your move or have already arrived, we can help with practical services that make settling into Málaga easier.
Mailbox Rental
Use a secure local mailbox to receive your personal mail while you're living in or moving to Málaga.
Package Reception & InPost Collection
Have packages received securely and collect your deliveries through convenient local options, including InPost collection.
Local Assistance
Get practical assistance with everyday needs, local services and navigating life in Málaga.
NIE & Residency Help
Get guidance and practical assistance with the NIE and residency-related processes involved in settling in Málaga.
Guide to Living in Málaga
Planning your move to Málaga? Our Guide to Living in Málaga provides useful information to help you understand what to expect and prepare for life in your new home.
How We Help You Settle In
Step 1
Tell Us About Your Move
Share where you're moving from, when you plan to arrive and what kind of support you need.
Step 2
Choose the Services You Need
We'll help identify the relocation services that are most useful for your situation.
Step 3
Get Local Support
Our team helps you with the practical details so you can focus on settling into your new life.
Step 4
Feel at Home in Málaga
With ongoing local support and guidance, you'll have someone you can turn to when you need help.
Local Knowledge. Bilingual Support.
We're locally based in Málaga and understand the practical challenges of moving to a new country. Our bilingual support makes communication easier and gives you a trusted local point of contact as you settle in.
QUESTIONS/ANSWERS
Coming from the USA
Do Americans need a visa to live in Spain?
Yes — unless you hold EU/EEA citizenship. For stays over 90 days you need a long-term visa, and you must apply from the U.S. at the Spanish consulate covering your state — not after you arrive.
The common routes are the Non-Lucrative Visa (living on passive income, no work), the Digital Nomad Visa (remote work for non-Spanish employers), and student or work visas. Note the Golden Visa (residency by property investment) closed in April 2025 and is no longer available.
Once approved, you enter Spain and obtain your TIE (residence card) locally. We help coordinate the local steps once you land.
How much income do I need for the Non-Lucrative Visa in 2026?
Current 2026 threshold — tied to the IPREM index, which may adjust in future years.
The main applicant must show passive income (or accessible savings) of €28,800 per year — about €2,400 per month, which is 400% of Spain’s IPREM index.
Each dependent adds €7,200 per year (€600/month). So a couple needs roughly €36,000/year, and a couple with one child about €43,200/year.
- Qualifying income: pensions, Social Security, dividends, rental income, annuities, interest — documented and stable.
- Not qualifying: active work or remote work performed from Spain (that’s the Digital Nomad route instead).
You’ll also need private health insurance valid in Spain from day one, with no significant co-pays.
Can I use my U.S. driver's license in Spain?
For a while, then no. Once you become a resident, your U.S. license is valid for 6 months. After that you must hold a Spanish license.
Spain has no license-exchange agreement with the U.S. (this is federal — no individual state qualifies), so Americans must complete the full process: a medical/psychotechnical exam, the DGT theory test (available in English), and a practical driving test.
Budget roughly €700–€1,500 and several months, mostly for required lessons. As a short-stay visitor you can drive on your U.S. license plus an International Driving Permit.
Coming from other non-EU countries
I'm not American and not an EU citizen — do the same rules apply?
Largely yes. Any non-EU/EEA national needs a long-term visa for stays over 90 days, applied for at the Spanish consulate in your home country. The Non-Lucrative and Digital Nomad routes are open to all non-EU nationals on the same income thresholds.
The main differences by nationality are: whether your country has a driver’s-license exchange agreement with Spain (many do — the UK, Switzerland, Japan and most of Latin America can swap without a test, unlike the U.S.), and whether your country has a tax treaty with Spain. We’ll flag which apply to you.
What documents do non-residents need to rent or buy property in Spain?
Whatever your nationality, you’ll generally need:
- Passport
- NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) — your Spanish tax/ID number for foreigners
- Proof of income or employment
- A bank account (Spanish or international)
- Funds for the deposit or purchase
For a purchase, you’ll also need a notary appointment and a bank certificate confirming the funds. Most buyers use a local gestor or lawyer to handle the paperwork — which is exactly the kind of coordination we manage for clients.
How do taxes work if I move to Spain?
General guidance only — tax positions are personal. We can connect you with a cross-border tax adviser.
It comes down to residency. If you spend more than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year, you’re a tax resident and Spain taxes your worldwide income. Below that, non-residents are taxed only on Spanish-sourced income such as rental income or property.
Two things catch people out: Spain also has a wealth tax on worldwide assets above certain thresholds, and U.S. citizens must keep filing with the IRS regardless of where they live (citizenship-based taxation). A U.S.–Spain tax treaty exists to reduce double taxation, but it’s genuinely worth using an adviser who knows both systems.
Living in Spain (anywhere)
What's the difference between an NIE, a TIE, and residency?
They’re easy to confuse.
- NIE — a foreigner’s ID/tax number. You need it to buy property, open accounts, or sign contracts. Having one does not make you a resident.
- TIE — the physical residence card you get after your visa is approved and you’re living in Spain.
- Tax residency — a separate concept, triggered mainly by spending 183+ days a year in Spain.
You can hold an NIE as a non-resident buyer without ever becoming a tax resident. We help clients get the right one for their situation.
What cultural and day-to-day differences should I expect?
The ones expats mention most:
- Later rhythms — lunch around 2–4 PM, dinner around 9–10 PM.
- Slower administration — paperwork takes patience and often in-person appointments.
- Strong social and community life, and a real emphasis on work–life balance.
- Accessible, affordable healthcare of a high standard.
Most newcomers find Spain welcoming; the friction is usually bureaucratic, not personal — which is where a local support service saves the most time.
Living in Spain (anywhere)
Is Málaga a good place for expats compared to other Spanish cities?
It’s one of the strongest choices, particularly for newcomers. Málaga offers a high standard of safety and cleanliness, an established international community, excellent healthcare, an international airport, and mild winters.
Compared with Madrid or Barcelona, it’s more affordable, less crowded, and easier to settle into. Compared with Valencia or Alicante, it has stronger connectivity and more year-round activity. It’s an easy city to land in while you find your feet.
Can Logianta help me relocate to Málaga specifically?
Yes — this is our home base. Beyond general relocation support, we know Málaga’s neighbourhoods, paperwork offices, and service providers first-hand. We help with property search and management, NIE/TIE appointments, translation, utility set-up, and settling-in logistics.
Because we’re a U.S.–Spain bridge, we’re especially set up for American owners and expats who want someone on the ground handling the Spanish side while they’re still abroad or newly arrived.
Have a question that isn't here? Get in touch and we'll point you in the right direction. Logianta — your U.S.–Spain relocation partner in Málaga. Guidance current as of 2026 and general in nature; visa, tax, and licensing rules change and depend on your circumstances. We coordinate with qualified legal and tax professionals for formal advice.
Tell Us About Your Move
Tell us a little about your plans and we'll get in touch to discuss how we can help.