US citizens are competing to take root in Madrid as Europe’s most outrageous capital becomes a refuge for the “Trump regime refugees” who seek to escape from the US president.
An influx was already fed by a division of American-Spain wealth and working remotely since Pandemia Covid-19, but it has been overloaded by Americans who want a life away from Donald Trump’s second term.
“The level of interest has been amazing,” said Federico González, the founder of GS Legal Consulting, who has done a business out of the American counseling to move to Spain. “I can barely go on.”
Arrival wave is the last sign that Madrid, undervalued long abroad, is enjoying what its leaders call “a moment” – after strangers are seduced by his art, excellent food, obedience and drilling sunlight .
The cost of living is also a part of other major cities, including London and Paris. Americans with salaries or savings in the US are Agog to find Croissants 55 cents in Mercadona supermarket and good glasses of wine for just 3 €.
For González, American client questions began to increase in 2023. When Trump reached the Republican Presidential Republican Nomination Mars, the rise turned into an increase. “People were very worried. And now many of them are here in Spain. They have begun to arrive, ”he said.
By mid-2024, the number of Americans living in the Madrid region had already hit nearly 10,000-a 35 percent increase in mid-2018 despite a pandemic diving, according to Ministry of Migration data. Since then, residence applications have continued collection, especially for the so -called “Nomad Digital” visas.
Facebook forums involving self-stylized “Trump’s regime refugees” are buzzing with shift tips. The US school of Madrid reports great interest from California, Colorado and Florida. And in a city that is crazy in Padel, Americans are gathering to play Pickleball, a rocket sport unknown to most Spaniards.
Sunny Lee, a Korean-American, moved to Madrid from Atlanta with her husband and two children in 2023, a shift that took on the new meaning after the Trump’s election victory. “It was just a fad and based on the current political climate it was a very good wonder,” she said. “At this point, I want zero to return to the United States. What is happening there gives me so much anxiety, especially as a colorful family. Especially as a woman. “
Selena Tempton, a Canadian-American writer and editor, arrived from Los Angeles last summer and has become a role model for worried friends at home. “They say: Trump was chosen. It’s a shit show in this country. I want to leave. How did you do it?”


However, the recognition of Spain remains cute. Trump himself suggested last month that he was a member of the BRICS group of developing economies.
Jeremy Scheck, 24, an author of the cooking book that moved to Madrid from New York last year, said: “Outside that coastal bubble of travelers, there are still many tropes from the Mexican culture that are foreseen in Spanish culture. I always get Questions like: Is the Spanish food spicy? “
For many years, if Spain were to come to mind any city was Barcelona. But protests against tourism there last year ousted it from many buckets. For those eager to learn or polish their Spanish, the prevalence of the Catalans in the Catalonian regional capital also counts against it.
The new magnet is Madrid, whose metropolitan area is the home of approximately 7MN. Last year, thanks to the regional government’s flight and marketing links, more than 1 million US visitors came to the city – twice the number of British arrivals.
New residents say they appreciate how Madrid combine the buzz of a big city with a sense of cosmetics. They enjoy the walk, architecture and lack of active training of revolts in their children’s schools. They love the Spaniards to be warm and clumsy, but no, as someone said, “in your business”.
There is also a Hollywood contingent: Richard Gere and Amber Heard have made their home home.

For potential immigrants, a new road opened with the Nomad digital visa, which ensures the attitude for non-EU citizens working from home for a non-Spanish entity. They also need an annual income of at least € 33,000.
In 2023, the first year of the visa, Spain issued more than 9,500 for people from a range of countries. Many were for West Coast software engineers, but they also went to US government contractors, accountants and people such as Scheck, who is also a food influencer on social media.
Committing events at home, he said: “It definitely feels relief to remove a little further away from everyday heights and landings.”

Kai Bryant, head of the Spain project, a relocation agency, said he was investigating Americans near the end of their work life, who were concerned about Medicare and their pensions. “They’re saying: I don’t feel comfortable retired at SH.BA What are my options?” He said. “Some are a little wrong and wondering if they can apply for asylum. But it just shows despair.”
Spain’s Golden Visa Program, which is available to anyone who invests € 500,000 in the property, has been familiar with Americans approaching retirement, said Alena Losina, Astons, an immigration adviser. But in April it will be close to new applicants.
US achievements do not have the assets of Latin American elite relocating to Madrid. But there is a daily wealth in parts of the SH.BA eye when transposed to Spain.
The average annual salary in the Madrid region is around € 32,000. González, the lawyer, said his clients generally earn between $ 120,000 and $ 200,000. Those who sell assets purchased 10 or 20 years ago, whether they are California or Amazon or Nvidia shares, come with millions in the bank.
But every new country brings its challenges. Americans marvel at Madrid’s late meal and strict thoughts on what to consume when. “I love Vermina here, but if I order it when it’s not just before dinner, I take these images,” Tempton said.
Some also lose the conveniences and modernity of the home. “When we first came here, I felt like I came from the future,” Lee said. “In the future we have pads to unlock our door, instead of these keys that look like they are for a castle.”
Visualization of data by Keith Fray