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The United States and Spain, a member of the European Union (EU), collaborate on a variety of trade and political initiatives. As a member of the EU, Spain is part of the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, one of the most valuable trade and investment relationships in the world. Currently, there are no restrictions for American citizens who wish to exchange USD to EUR and transfer money from the US to Spain for personal or business needs.
As part of the Schengen Area, Spain does not require American citizens who are visiting for less than 90 days within a six-month period to obtain a visa before entering the country. All that is required is a valid passport. For stays of 90 days or longer, American citizens must apply for the Tarjeta de Residencia, or Residence Card. For more details on requirements for the Residence Card, please refer to Spains US Embassy website.
Purchasing property in Spain can be difficult for foreigners, and it is necessary to follow procedures carefully to ensure the purchase is completed. Obtaining the services of a lawyer who specializes in real estate transactions is advisable. American citizens will also need to acquire a fiscal number.
Typically, there are a number of taxes for purchasing Spanish property that can substantially increase the cost of the purchase. These include legal fees, which are often 1-2% of the purchase price, a Value Added tax of 6-7%, and Stamp Duty taxes, which are approximately 6-7%. Notary charges and fees for registering the property with the Spanish Land Registry must also be factored into the overall purchase price. Once these costs have been calculated, US citizens may then arrange to transfer money from the US to Spain to complete their property purchase.
The status of an individual living and earning income in Spain will determine the taxes they pay. Residents pay taxes on any income they earn worldwide on a scaled rate after factoring in deductions and allowances. Non-residents owe taxes only on income generated within Spain, and these taxes are based on a fixed rate with no deductions or allowances permitted. An individual is considered a resident for tax purposes if they spend more than 183 days cumulatively within a calendar year in Spain, or they have business or personal interests in Spain that are considered central to their day-to-day life (their spouse and family live in Spain, or their primary business or job is located in Spain).
American citizens living in Spain must declare their earnings by filing tax forms with the US government annually, and may owe taxes on any income earned in Spain. The US and Spain have a tax treaty agreement to avoid double taxation of citizens living and working in either country. This means an American citizen who pays taxes in Spain is eligible to receive tax credits with the US government. There are no restrictions in place at this time for US citizens who want to transfer money from the US to Spain to pay for taxes.
If planning to study in Spain for less than three months, American students do not need a short-stay visa. For study periods of longer than 90 days, American citizens must apply for a longer-stay student visa. For study programs that last longer than six months, Spain requires that the student apply for the foreign student identity card. This can be done at a police station within Spain or at the closest Spanish embassy in America. Currently, there are no restrictions on Americans who wish to make an international funds transfer to pay for student fees.
US citizens living in Spain are eligible to vote by absentee ballot in American presidential, primary, and state elections. They must first register for absentee balloting with the last American state precinct in which they were registered, and will then be eligible to vote by absentee ballot. It is advisable to re-register each year, as absentee voters are not guaranteed to receive a ballot every year.
The Spanish National Healthcare system is a combination of public and private healthcare services, funded by social security contributions. Only residents and citizens who pay social security are able to enroll in the program. However, any individual who is legally in Spain and is either employed or self-employed, a student, military personnel, or a civil servant may use the healthcare services. For American citizens who do not fall into any of the above categories, purchasing health insurance for the duration of their stay in Spain is recommended.
As a member country of the European Union, Spain benefits from a lucrative trade relationship and political alliance with the United States alongside unrestricted dollars to euros exchange. In 2013, two-way trade of goods and services between the countries totaled an estimated $1.06 trillion USD. The EU is also the second largest imports market for the US. Total imports to the EU in 2013 were valued at $262.3 billion USD, accounting for 16.6% of overall US imports that year. The US and the EU are also involved in a number of trade negotiations, and the latest, the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, seeks to reduce tariffs and trade regulations. US foreign direct investment and money transfers into the EU were valued at $2.2 trillion USD in 2012.
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