This is for those who have already gotten a visa (in the States) and are RENEWING to come back to Spain. The question is ‘Do I have to go back to my state consulate and go through the hullabaloo of getting a visa again?’

Answer:

No,

if you get a bit of paperwork done here in Spain.

If you plan on going outside of Spain (outside of the Schengen zone of Europe) while your identity card is expired, legally you will have to get what’s called an Autorizacion de Regreso. If you leave that zone for more than 90 days, you legally have to redo the visa process.

Again, the answer to the question about getting another visa is

YES

if you leave for more than 90 days (or don’t do your paperwork to renew your identity card and what’s called your Estancia).

For first timers: Get a visa.