Yzabelle Bostyn
AMERICANS are coming to Spain in droves to escape Donald Trump’s administration, but where are they shacking up?
Actor Richard Gere has become the figurehead of a new movement of Americans flocking to Spain to escape the ‘thug’ president, Donald Trump.
Though Gere moved to Spain before Trump’s presidency, he has since become an outspoken critic of the president, encouraging others to follow his lead.
Part of the ‘Trump refugees’, US citizens are coming to Spain for safer communities, work life balance and high cultural offerings.
However, this shift has been happening since as early as 2008 and was only interrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic.
Just after Covid-19, in 2022, over 13,000 Americans moved to Spain.
According to lawyer Federico Gonzalez, ‘many come here because they aren’t comfortable with the current political situation in the USA.’
He specialises in helping Americans settle in Spain, whether that be because of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or because they simply do not agree with Trump’s politics.
“They are looking for the freedom and peace of mind they cannot find in some areas of the states. I’ve recently been receiving a lot more requests from trans people,” he said.
Last year, he dealt with 350 requests from US citizens interested in moving to Spain, an average of 12 a week. He says this year he is much busier.
According to Spanish newspaper El Confidencial, American immigrant Evaristo Jose Valle said many move to Spain ‘without really thinking it through.’
“Many come here without even knowing Spanish,” he said. “Despite this, most of the people I know are very happy here.”
Property experts, Pellicer y Heredia have claimed the reiteration of the Golden Visa is also accelerating the arrival of Americans on Spanish soil.
“We’re definitely getting more requests,” they told El Confidencial.
A study by property firm Astons also confirmed this trend, marking a 21.6% rise in searches for the term ‘Golden Visa Spain’ during January 2025.
However, this is less than half of the searches for ‘Golden Visa Greece’, another popular spot with Americans.
Most of these immigrants are from middle to upper class backgrounds, with an average annual income of €120-200,000 who work remotely.
Gonzalez claims while this is the norm, he has also helped retirees with pensions of between 60,000 or 80,000 euros, who come with assets of between five and 15 million euros.
This enables them to buy property in affluent areas such as the Costa del Sol, Valencia and Madrid.
“Normally they come to Madrid’s most premium areas such as Salamanca or Chamartin,” he said.
“They often run businesses back in the states and they like Madrid because of its urban vibe.”
In 2022, there were just 8,403 Americans registered in the capital, a figure which has now shot up to 11,444.
The city is now one of the most attractive places for US citizens to settle in southern Europe, thanks to its lower cost of living.
Immigrants also highlight the friendliness of Spaniards, Madrid’s cleanliness and the ease of being able to travel throughout Europe from the Spanish capital.
Many also come to the high cost of healthcare in the states, risks of wildfires and other natural disasters and safety.
Richard Gere is hardly the figurehead of the so called Americans moving to Spain to avoid President Trump. In April of 2024, a half a year before the election Richard Gere announced he, his Spanish wife and their family was moving to Spain to be closer to her Spanish family. If you’re not careful, sensationalized stories like this will earn you and your media company a poor reputation.
Point well taken. I also don’t recall Mr. Gere referring to President Trump as a “Thug”?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pASp6V_78U
I am aware of that Gere moved before, but it is not inaccurate to say he has since become an outspoken critic of Trump and has made it very clear he is happy he has moved to Spain. Nonetheless, the article has been edited to make it clear he moved before. I would say his strong media presence and criticism may have inspired some other Americans to move over. He has also referred to Trump as a thug: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pASp6V_78U
We are certainly seeing an increase in Americans coming to Oviedo in the North of Spain,although I sense this is less to do with politics than the reality of leading a more balanced lifestyle. For those who have made their money in the US, Spain has many obvious attractions – lower crime, great food, very good healthcare and a less sedentary lifestyle where having a car is not the be all and end all. People here value meaningful personal relationships above the excessive focus on money that you find too often in other places. We love living in Oviedo and have lived in many other parts of the world e.g UK, France, Dubai, Philippines and Switzerland. Spain is just an easy place to acclimatise too providing you don’t let the shocking bureaucracy get you down.
Agreed
Dear Yzabelle, per the comment above, Mr. Gere announced way before the US election that he was moving to Spain. In fact, one of his main reasons stated by him, was to be closer to his Wife’s family. I haven’t seen nor dom I recall Richard Gere ever referring to President Trump as a “Thug”? Can you please provide a source for that, or is that your own personal opinion masquerading as journalism?
I am aware of this, but it is not inaccurate to say he has since become an outspoken critic of Trump and has made it very clear he is happy he has moved to Spain. Nonetheless, the article has been edited to make it clear he moved before. I would say his strong media presence and criticism may have inspired some other Americans to move over. He has also referred to Trump as a thug: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pASp6V_78U