Moving to Spain from the USA

International Relocation Service to Spain

If you are lucky enough to be moving to Spain from the USA, one of your first major tasks will be finding an international mover to ship your belongings overseas. One of the unfortunate things that can happen is handing over your household goods and personal effects to an inexperienced mover that’s not licensed, bonded, or insured. When moving from USA to Spain, you’ll want the most reliable service possible.

Fortunately, Schumacher is an international relocation service that has specialized in household moves to Spain from the USA for more than four decades and we understand all the ins and outs of the process.

Read our guide below on how to move to Spain from the USA and start your moving internationally today.
If you’re looking a for a moving quote, fill out the form at the top or use our Online Quote Form

How to Move to Spain with Schumacher

When starting your move to Spain, you’ll need the details particular to your shipment. A few of the things you should have in mind are the amount of goods, origin, and destination. With this info we can begin to work with you on completing your relocation overseas.

Shipping Household Goods to Spain

Deciding what you want to bring from home can also be a time consuming matter. However, those moving to Spain from the USA should take a few things into consideration.

When thinking about what items to bring, consider the overall costs other than just the ocean freight such as import costs, taxes and duties, living arrangement in Spain, etc.

Most international movers will have a basic idea of the fees for importing your personal effects. However, you can see the specific customs requirements and rules for moving household goods to Spain here.

Service Options for Moving to Spain

Regardless of whether you are moving a few boxes or an entire household, our moving services to Spain can help and we offer a variety of options that fit any move.

Our Departure Port Locations:

Los Angeles, Houston, Miami, Savannah and New York.

Out of the five, many of our clients are moving household goods to Spain from New York because of a quicker sail time and more competitive rates. Though each of our locations offer the great consolidated moving rates to Spain and our representatives will let you know the best options with your situation.

Moving Options to Spain

For those of you moving from the USA to Spain, there are two different shipment options available and they include:

• shared container service. (where you only pay for the actual volume you are moving. This is best for people who don’t have a ton of items to move.)
• exclusive or sole container service (where you load your own 20ft or 40ft container and pay a flat fee for it.)

Questions About Relocating to Spain from the USA

When it comes to moving to Barcelona, Madrid, or any other city, questions pertaining to how long and how much a move is going to cost will depend on a handful of factors. 

How Much Does Moving to Spain Cost?

If you are wondering how much it costs to ship household goods from the USA, that will depend on the amount you want to bring, shipping insurance, and destinations/departures. For example a move to Spain from California will be a different price than from New York, all things the same.

Since every single one of those factors can be different on any given move, the best way to get an estimate is to use our online quote form.

How Long Does a Move to Spain Take?

The second most commonly question international movers get asked is how long the move will take. That too can vary, however, generally a door to door move can be anywhere from 8-10 weeks. This is an estimate and as mentioned individual times will vary.

For example; when moving to Spain from Los Angeles, your household goods will be on the water for 30 days. In comparison with a move from New York, which only has a sail time of 18-21 days.

Do I need a visa to move to Spain from the US?

Yes, if you are planning on moving to Spain from the United States, you will need a visa. The specific type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your stay, such as work or study. You can apply for a visa at the Spanish embassy or consulate in the US. You will need to provide various documents and information, including your passport. Since the visa application process can take some time, we recommend applying well in advance to ensure your move to Spain goes smootly.

Are there different types of visas an American can get in Spain?

Yes, here are some common visas available for moving to Spain. We have listed them below. It is important to note that each visa type can have its own set up eligibility requirements.

Student visa:

If you plan to study in Spain for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a student visa. There are 3 types of student visas available based on the duration of your stay.

1. Schengen student visa: Maximum stay of 3 months
2. Short term student visa: Maximum stay of 6 months
3. Long term student visa: If staying more than 6 months

To obtain a student visa for Spain as an American citizen, you need to meet certain eligibility requirements, such as being accepted into a Spanish educational institution and having sufficient funds to support yourself during your stay. You will also need a valid passport, a completed visa application, recent color photograph, proof of medical insurance, and a criminal background check. You may also be required to attend an interview at the Spanish embassy or consulate in the US.

Work visa:

If you plan to work in Spain, you will need to apply for a work visa. You will also need to have a job offer from a Spanish employer before applying for this visa. Below are some available work visa:

1. Highly Qualified Professional Visa: For those who have a high level of expertise in a specific field and have been offered a job in Spain.
2. Temporary Work Visa: For those who have been offered a temporary job in Spain that is not highly skilled.
3. Seasonal Work Visa: For those who have been offered a job in Spain that is seasonal in nature, such as in tourism or agriculture.
4. Self-Employment Visa: For those who plan to start their own business in Spain.
5. Intra-Company Transfer Visa: For employees of a company who are being transferred to a branch or subsidiary in Spain.

Entrepreneur visa:

If you plan to start a business in Spain, you can apply for an entrepreneur visa. Spain has 2 types of visa for entrepreneurs

1. Entrepreneur Visa: For those who are planning to start a new business or invest in an existing business in Spain. To be eligible, you must have a viable business plan and sufficient funds to support yourself and your business in Spain.
2. Golden Visa: This visa is for those who are investing in Spanish property or other assets, such as stocks or bonds. To be eligible, you must invest at least €500,000 in Spanish property or at least €1 million in other assets.

Family reunification visa:

If you have family members who are Spanish citizens or legal residents, you can apply for a family reunification visa.

Permanent residency visa:

This visa is for non-EU citizens who have legally resided in Spain for five continuous years and meet certain requirements, such as having a clean criminal record and sufficient financial resources. With this visa, you can live and work in Spain indefinitely, as well as enjoy access to social services and other benefits. To apply for this visa, you will need to provide documentation to prove your eligibility and pay a fee. It’s best to check with the Spanish embassy or consulate in your home country for more information on the specific requirements and application process.

Major Destinations for Moving to Spain

The cities below are the most popular destinations in Spain to move to. We can move you to any city in Spain beyond these, but most expats choose these as their final destination.