Moving to Spain from the United States. Our NLV Visa Journey to Costa del Sol.
After almost a year of planning and preparation, my husband and I finally moved to Southern Spain from the United States, settling on the Costa del Sol in Malaga area.
It was long, exciting, stressful, and completely transformative.
In this article, I’m sharing:
- How we chose where to live in Spain
- What the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) required
- Our experience applying through BLS Miami
- What we learned about downsizing, timing, and uncertainty
- Tips for anyone considering moving to Spain from the USA
Whether you’re researching, planning, or dreaming of emigrating to Spain, I hope this helps.
If you prefer the video format you can find it at the end of this article.
Moving to Spain and choosing where to live
Before we could touch paperwork, we had to figure out where in Spain felt right.
Based on our personal lives experiences we both knew:
- We wanted the sea
- We wanted warm weather
- We preferred a smaller city or town
- Big metropolitan life wasn’t a match for us
After researching weather patterns, local communities, cost of living, and lifestyle and watching many videos about Spain we narrowed it down to Andalusia, and ultimately Malaga – Marbella / Costa del Sol region. Warm climate, beach access, outdoor culture, and relaxed living made it the clear winner.
During our first month of planning, we came across James Blick’s Move to Spain Masterclass. After some consideration, we decided to enroll.
It was an eight-week course with live sessions and access to professionals like immigration lawyers, accountants, tax advisors, and realtors. For us, it was a good investment, especially for understanding the visa and tax side of the move.
We both applied for the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), which meant we needed the same set of documents.
Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) Documents and Timing
Required Documents
National visa application form (signed twice)
Passport + copy (valid for 1 year min)
Passport-size photos (2 copies)
Proof of sufficient funds (bank statements + letter from the bank)
Proof of address in the U.S.
Medical certificate — valid 3 months
Marriage certificate (if applying as a couple)
➤ must be apostilled + SWORN translated , valid 6 months
Criminal background check (FBI or state) — valid 6 months, apostilled + translated
Private Spanish health insurance — paid 1 year upfront
Authorization for medical certificates (if required by consulate)
Visa fee (paid at BLS office)
Very Important:
If you lived in more than one country in the past five years, you must provide criminal background checks from each country. Translation using a SWORN translator and apostille requirements add time and stress so start early.
How We Stayed Organized
With overlapping deadlines and expiring documents, we built an Excel spreadsheet to track:
- Expiration dates
- Apostille status
- Translation needed
- What was submitted
- What needed follow-up
It helped a lot. I highly recommend doing the same if you’re relocating to Spain.
Our BLS Miami Visa Appointment Experience
Since we lived near Atlanta in the State of Georgia, USA, we had to fly to Miami both to submit our NLV visa applications and later to collect our passports once the visas were approved. We applied at BLS office in Miami. This company handles applications for the Spanish Consulate and forwards them for review.
Booking the Appointment
Getting an appointment via BLS website was surprisingly difficult.
We were checking their website many times a day for almost two weeks before we got ours on the forth day of the month.
Appointments seem to appear toward the end or the beginning of the month but there’s no pattern. Persistence matters more than timing.
The Day of the Appointment
We arrived an hour early, thinking it might help but it didn’t.
BLS Miami is very strict on timelines for NLV visa application.
Our NLV appointments were scheduled for 8:30 AM and 9:00 AM (husband and wife). We were instructed to go up together for the 8:30 slot.
To enter the room, BLS required our reservation form, passports, and state IDs.
Unlike other visa types, there was no set order for documents for the NLV. We were called promptly at 8:30 and asked to present our documents. The clerk confirmed that the order didn’t matter. We had organized our documents according to the BLS Miami website, which worked fine.
We did not glue our photos to the application forms because we were uncertain of the size. The BLS Miami site specifies 4.5 x 3.5 cm, but some sources mentioned 2×2 in. The clerk confirmed that 2×2 inches was correct and kindly attached the photos for us.
The clerk was pleasant and attentive, focusing primarily on the application forms to ensure all required information was completed.
We had not entered a specific date of arrival, as we didn’t have one at the time. She asked that we write one in by hand anyway.
She reviewed our health insurance policy carefully, likely to ensure coverage met Spanish requirements.
Interestingly, she barely looked at our FBI report and medical certificate, it seems that these documents are standard and rarely questioned.
After taking a seat for 5–10 minutes, she called us back to her window for payment. We then waited another 5 minutes to take our visa photos.
After the photo was taken, the gentleman taking the pictures gave us each a National Visa Application receipt (which included the payment receipt) and explained:
- Each of us must pick up our visa in person.
- Only you can pick up your visa — no one else can do it for you.
- You cannot pick up the visa without the National Visa Application receipt. No receipt = no visa.
The total time for the entire application process was about 45 minutes.
Waiting for approval
After submitting our documents, we waited two months for a decision.
We were notified both by text message and email when our visas were approved.
That moment brought a lot of relief, it finally felt real. Looking back, I think we overprepared, as the consulate never contacted us for additional documents or clarification.
This article is based on our personal experience and is meant for information only, it is not legal advice. Visa requirements and procedures can change without notice , and each Spanish consulate may follow slightly different rules. I highly recommend checking the official Spanish Consulate and BLS websites for the most up-to-date requirements at the moment you begin planning and again before submitting your application.
Downsizing, Packing, Shipping & Relocating
If you’re moving to Spain from the United States, here’s my biggest advice: take less than you think you need.
European homes are generally smaller. We shipped 29 small-to-medium boxes, thinking that wasn’t too much. But once we moved into our 110-square-meter apartment and unpacked just our suitcases, we quickly realized how limited the space really is.
As of beginning of January 2026 our boxes still haven’t arrived, and we’re already prepared to let go of some of the things we shipped.
We used UPackWeShip because we didn’t have a strict timeline. Another option we considered was Send My Bag. UPackWeShip was cheaper, but it was slower. We were fine with waiting.
Here’s the key: you’ll probably not use half of what you ship, so really think carefully about what you truly need for daily life. Ask yourself: What can I replace locally? What is truly essential? What is sentimental but not practical? Downsizing in advance will make unpacking easier, help you fit into your new home, and reduce stress as you start your new life.
Final Tips on Relocating to Spain
Humor: Your Survival Tool for Moving Abroad.
A sense of humor is incredibly important when planning and going through a move like this. There will be stressful moments, mostly because of uncertainty and doing so many things for the first time. Being able to laugh, take things a little less seriously, and find humor in the situation makes a huge difference. Moving out of the United States and starting a new life in Spain was one of the biggest decisions we’ve ever made.
Give yourself more time than you think you’ll need.
Almost every step took longer than we expected — from selling the house to getting appointments. A time cushion reduces stress a lot.
Expect timelines to change.
Even with good planning, some things will shift. Try to see your timeline as flexible, not fixed, and be ready to adjust as you go.
Focus on the move itself, not one specific date.
If your schedule allows, prioritize making the move happen rather than forcing it into an exact day or month. This mindset helps when delays happen.
Learn the language, even at a basic level.
You don’t need to be fluent, but knowing how to ask simple questions, order food, or handle basic situations makes daily life much easier and less stressful.
Be patient and persistent with BLS appointments.
Booking an appointment can take time and repeated checking. Stay consistent, don’t get discouraged, and be prepared to act quickly when slots open.
Now we’re here in Marbella, an hour away from one of the oldest cities in the world, Malaga. (Costa del Sol area) Relocating to Spain changed our lives, and if you’re ready to embrace change, there’s no better time to start your own journey abroad.
This article is based on our personal experience and is meant for information only, it is not legal advice. Visa requirements and procedures can change without notice , and each Spanish consulate may follow slightly different rules. I highly recommend checking the official Spanish Consulate and BLS websites for the most up-to-date requirements at the moment you begin planning and again before submitting your application.
If you’re researching Spain or planning a visit, take a look at my personal reflections from past trips to Spain: insights, experiences, and stories from the places that captured my heart.
How traveling solo with a one-way ticket changed my life?
Slower Pace, Deeper Meaning Embracing Slow Living after Moving to Spain
Seduce me with your Spanish words my Valencia solo trip
What I Learned About Love Traveling Solo in Barcelona
All images in this article were taken by Elena Sullivan, ArsVie Photo Studio and are protected by copyright. If you are interested in using any of the them, please contact me for permission. Thank you for understanding!
Add elegance to your space with beautiful wall art prints
