American Family in Spain: How Moving Abroad Gave Them More Time and Financial Freedom
After building a life that checked all the boxes, thriving careers, kids, home ownership, a packed schedule, Bethany Stevens and her husband decided to hit pause. In this episode of Passport To Wealth®, host Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA, speaks with Bethany, the voice behind the growing platform Your Sign to Siesta, about her family's decision to step off the treadmill of American life and spend a year living intentionally in Spain with their two children.
"It wasn't any one trip. It was the feeling that we were most connected when we were traveling together, living slowly and intentionally. That became the goal."
What Is a Family Gap Year?
A family gap year is when a family temporarily relocates abroad for a year of intentional living, cultural immersion, and global education. While many associate long-term travel with retirees or remote workers, Bethany makes the case that this lifestyle is accessible for everyday families with the right planning and mindset. Her story shows that you don't need to wait until retirement or sell everything to make this happen.
Why They Chose Spain
The Stevens family chose Spain for its family-friendly visa options, slower pace of life, and overall lifestyle appeal. They applied for the non-lucrative visa, which allows residents to live in Spain without earning income in the country.
"We maintained our U.S. life and started a new one in Spain. It wasn't the cheapest way to do it, but it was the most aligned with what we needed."
With two young kids, ages 9 and 10, Bethany knew timing was critical. They planned the move before middle school began and spent five years preparing financially.
How to Plan a Year Abroad as a Family
Bethany and her family approached their move like a project: strategic, intentional, and well-researched. On the financial side, they spent five years saving and planning, reframing the question from "can we afford this?" to "how can we not afford to do this?" They hired a U.S. tax consultant early on to understand the implications of the move and mapped out costs including tuition, rent, visa fees, and private health insurance.
On the legal and visa side, they hired a full team: a tax advisor, an immigration lawyer, and a relocation consultant. Even so, Bethany shares that navigating Spain's visa bureaucracy was the hardest part.
"I walked into the consulate with a color-coded binder. They handed me a list of things they needed and said, 'Come back in five days.' I realized then, you can't control the process."
Because homeschooling is not legal in Spain, the kids were required to enroll in private school as part of the visa terms. They visited multiple schools and let their children help choose, empowering them to be part of the transition. Spain's private expat health insurance costs roughly €60 per month per person for full coverage.
Life in Spain: Slowing Down with Purpose
From midday siestas and late dinners to stores closing for the entire month of August, Bethany describes their new life as slow but full. Gone are the days of eating dinner in the car between soccer games. Instead, they're having long family meals, playing games, and reconnecting.
"Everything about life here has forced us to slow down, and it's exactly what we needed."
It's Not Easy, But It's Worth It
Bethany is clear that this kind of move isn't easy. There are language barriers, cultural misunderstandings, and moments of doubt. But for those willing to be uncomfortable, it's also deeply rewarding.
"It's not meant to be easy. It's meant to challenge you, and show you what's really possible."
Bethany's Advice for Families on the Fence
Time is your real currency. You can always earn more money. You can't earn more time. There will never be a perfect time, so if you're waiting for everything to line up, you'll never go. And you don't have to sell everything, you can keep your home, your job, your routines, and still go.
Getting the financial side right before you leave is what made the rest of this possible for Bethany's family. A financial advisor for Americans in Spain can help you build the same kind of five-year runway, rather than discovering the costs only after you've already committed. And regardless of destination, expat wealth management is what turns "we want to do this" into an actual plan with a start date.
You May Also Like
- Spain Visa and Relocation Tips from a Pro Relocation Expert, on the logistics side of a move to Spain
- Insights from an Expat Coach: Master Your Move Abroad, on the decision-making side that comes before any of this planning
- Year-End Tax & Financial Planning Tips for US Expats with Global Income, for the ongoing compliance side once you've made the move
About the Author
Arielle Tucker, CFP®, EA, is a cross-border financial planner, founder of Connected Financial Planning and the host of Passport To Wealth®, helping U.S. expats simplify their finances while building intentional, global lives. She brings firsthand experience navigating cross-border tax and relocation planning to every client conversation. Ready to build your own financial roadmap for life abroad? Schedule a paid expat expert coaching call with her directly.