US Citizen - Tarjeta de Residencia

Hello. I am a US citizen and my sister is a dual US/Spanish citizen married to a Spanish citizen. My parents are in the process of of obtaining their Spanish tarjeta de residencia.

Can I apply for a tarjeta de residencia once I arrive in Spain without obtaining a residence visa through the Spanish consulate in the USA? I already have bank accounts in Spain and currently receive a pension from the US. The process of obtaining a residence visa can take up to 4 months and I already have travel plans for May. Please help!

Hello,

Unfortunately very few permits can be arranged directly in Spain. The majority have to be processed from your country of residence via your nearest Spanish Consulate. The pensioner permit being amongst these.