Category archives: Moving to Spain from the US

Independent Spanish law firm coordinating residency, tax, property and estate planning for Americans retiring in Spain, alongside your US advisers.

Medicare does not cover you in Spain and the public buy-in needs a year of prior residence. What Americans must solve before year one.

How Spain taxes US 401(k), traditional IRA and Roth IRA distributions once you are tax resident – treaty, saving clause and the timing that decides it.

Key takeaways (at a glance): Taxes: No double taxation if you plan properly, but timing is crucial. Healthcare: Medicare doesn’t work in Spain; Brits may use S1, others need private insurance or Convenio Especial. Property: Safe with an independent lawyer and guarantees (especially off-plan). Inheritance: Elect your national law in…

Spanish Citizenship by GrandparentSpanish nationality by descent may still be available in some cases through Spanish parents or grandparents, although the Democratic Memory Law application period has now closed.Families with Spanish ancestry should still review birth certificates, migration records, marriage certificates, and previous nationality registrations because alternative nationality pathways may…

(Sanlúcar de Barrameda, Spain) – Twenty-five years ago, in the summer of 2000, I first set foot in Sanlúcar de Barrameda. As a costumbrista writer with a background in Hispanic Philology, hailing from the vibrant city of Boston, I was immediately captivated by the town’s unique rhythm – the salty…

Ensuring Your Future Autonomy as a US Expat in Spain For many US nationals planning their retirement or long-term stay in Spain, questions about future care, healthcare decisions, and financial management are paramount. A Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) is a common estate planning tool in the US, designed to…

This morning, exciting news from Idealista confirmed what we’ve been seeing on the ground: Spain has officially entered the Top 5 most attractive countries worldwide for real estate investment. According to Colliers’ latest Global Capital Flows report (May 2025), Spain has made a remarkable leap of three positions since Q1…

When contemplating retirement in sunny Andalusia, the mind often conjures idyllic white villages or bustling coastal cities. However, at the southern tip of Spain, the city of Algeciras offers a unique and strategic proposition for American retirees seeking something different: a melting pot of cultures, an exceptionally affordable cost of…

At Costaluz Lawyers, our commitment is to transform retirement dreams in Spain into tangible realities. Today, we want to share a “case study” that illustrates how we helped our clients, in this instance, the Montgomery family from Ohio, settle in the vibrant and authentic town of Conil de la Frontera,…

Are you dreaming of a retirement under the Andalusian sun, surrounded by history, beauty, and a peaceful pace of life? Vejer de la Frontera, one of Cádiz’s most iconic white villages, offers you that dream retirement. Perched on a hill with panoramic views of the Atlantic, Vejer is a canvas…