No, you do not need a visa to buy a house in Spain. As a US citizen, you can purchase, own, and sell Spanish real estate using only your US passport and a Spanish tax number (NIE). However, you do need a visa if you plan to live in that house for more than 90 days at a time.<\/b><\/p>\nBuying Property vs. Living in Spain<\/h3>\n
It is crucial to separate the act of buying<\/i> the property from the act of residing<\/i> in it. The Spanish Land Registry does not care about your immigration status.<\/p>\nThe 90\/180 Day Rule (Schengen Area)<\/h4>\n
As a US tourist, you can enter Spain (and the rest of the Schengen Area) visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.<\/p>\n
If you are buying a holiday home:<\/b> If you only plan to visit Mallorca for summer vacations or short winter getaways (staying under 90 days per rolling 180 days), you do not need to apply for any visa.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n If you want to relocate or retire:<\/b> If you want to live in your new Mallorcan villa year-round, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa, such as the Non-Lucrative Visa or the Digital Nomad Visa.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Many of our American clients in the South East of Mallorca buy their country houses years before they retire. They use them as vacation homes under the 90-day rule, or rent them out, and then apply for a full residency visa when they are ready to make the permanent move. We can connect you with top immigration lawyers in Palma to plan your long-term strategy.<\/p>\n Disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Visa rules are subject to change.<\/i><\/p>\nThe Villas y Fincas Mallorca Angle<\/h4>\n