Question
Hello, I’m 43 years old, a US citizen (born and raised), and looking into moving to Vigo, Spain. It checks all the marks on my list. But I want to make sure I can check all the marks on Spain’s list of requirements.
I don’t have “critical skills” but have several years in customer service, recruiting, office/admin, and medical equipment tech experience in the healthcare industry (here in the US). Is it possible that there would be a way for me to immigrate to Spain as an American looking for work and to rent in Vigo? Thank you in advance.
Answers
These are the answers of Spainguru’s Facebook group members:
“All these people saying ‘impossible’ just don’t have the right mindset. You can do it! Research it! Find remote work. Find a job in Spain that will value your experience and make it known so they will sponsor you. The life you want to live is not impossible if you do the work.”
“A student visa is a great option if someone can sustain themselves without a full income. With the student visa, you can work up to 20 hours per week. Another opportunity may be applying for a Digital Nomad Visa, which presents a great opportunity for those fortunate enough to obtain remote work.”
“A good dose of realism is essential. Many Spaniards with your same skills struggle to find jobs. Spain has high unemployment, and your skills aren’t in high demand or officially recognized. By law, employers must prioritize EU candidates, and obtaining a work visa without a critical skill is extremely difficult.”
“You sound optimistic, but Spain has strict labor laws and prioritizes EU workers. I know several Americans who managed to get jobs in Spain, but it’s not common. If you’re serious, you’ll need to research immigration law, save money, and possibly look into self-employment options.”
“If you need to work to support yourself, I would say no. Jobs by law go to EU citizens first. You’ll need either a remote job or an independent financial means to stay.”
“It’s difficult for a US citizen to just move to Spain and find a job. You need a visa that will let you work and live long-term, and that’s very hard to obtain. Try the Digital Nomad Visa.”
“Better to work remotely from the US while living in Spain. There are no jobs here for you unless you qualify for an in-demand skill. Working remotely isn’t as difficult as you’d think.”
“You might be able to find a job with a multinational company in Spain that values your experience. Some US-based companies with offices in Spain could be an option. If you can land a remote position that allows you to work from Spain, that’s your best bet.”
“The easiest way to come to Spain is by teaching English through an assistant program. You may not be able to live in Vigo immediately, but you can start elsewhere and then transition. If you work remotely, the Digital Nomad Visa is a good option.”
“The Volunteer Visa might be an option. If you or your partner volunteer in Spain part-time, you may be able to work remotely while staying in Spain legally.”
“Spain does not grant work visas to non-EU citizens unless they have specialized skills in demand. The unemployment rate is high, and even many Spaniards struggle to find jobs. Finding a job without legal residency is almost impossible.”
“Your best options are:
- Apply for a Digital Nomad Visa if you have a remote job.
- Get a Non-Lucrative Visa (if you have at least $30,000 per year saved).
- Join a teaching assistant program.
- Consider Portugal, where visa requirements might be more flexible.”
“If you want to move to Vigo and are willing to do what it takes to make it happen, then do it! Find an immigration attorney, save your money, and develop an online skill. Moving to Spain isn’t impossible, but it requires planning and perseverance.”
Conclusion
Finding a job in Spain as an American without specialized skills is extremely difficult. Spain prioritizes EU citizens for employment, and work visas are only granted for high-demand skills.
Many non-EU citizens who successfully move to Spain do so by working remotely under the Digital Nomad Visa, applying for a Non-Lucrative Visa if they have sufficient savings, or teaching English through an assistant program.
While some people have managed to find work, it requires significant planning, financial preparation, and often a backup plan.
