In a report published by El País on August 10, 2025, several of these new residents recount how they have traded life in their home country for the peace and freedoms they perceive in Spain. For them, the decision was not merely about migration, but a conscious escape from a political climate they view as increasingly hostile.

“We are not going back to the United States,” says a couple who settled in Barcelona earlier this year. “Here, we don’t live in constant fear, nor do we feel that our rights could be taken away from one day to the next” (El País, 08/10/2025).

Entry Pathways and Regulatory Changes

Traditionally, this migrant profile arrived in Spain with student visas, non-lucrative residence permits, digital nomad visas, or the now-defunct golden visa for real estate investment. However, as of April 3, 2025, the latter ceased to exist following a legal reform aimed at curbing speculation and easing pressure on the housing market.

The elimination of this pathway now forces applicants to explore alternatives, often more complex in both processing and requirements.

Guidance Tools: Extranjer-IA

In this new landscape, digital tools such as

Extranjer-IA —the legal chatbot developed by ILS Tenerife Abogados— have become a valuable resource for migrants seeking clear, up-to-date information about their legal options. The system offers up to five free queries per day and assesses the feasibility of procedures such as visas, student residence permits, or telework authorizations, always under professional supervision.

According to its creators, this type of immediate assistance helps prevent common mistakes and makes it easier for those planning to settle in Spain to make informed decisions.

Host Cities and Profiles

Barcelona, Madrid, and Málaga concentrate the majority of this new wave of migration. Cultural offerings, the climate, and the presence of well-established international communities are key factors in choosing these destinations.

The profile is diverse: from young professionals working remotely for U.S. companies to retirees seeking stability and security. In all cases, the main motivation is to leave a country where they feel their freedom and identity are under threat.

A Change That Isn’t Temporary

Although there are no specific official figures, immigration lawyers and advisors confirm a steady increase in residence applications from U.S. citizens. As El País reports, for many of them this is not a temporary break: “This is where our new life begins.”