Spain Golden Visa
onApril 3, 2025
The Spain Golden Visa, officially known as the Spain Investor Visa, was established under Law 14/2013. It grants residency to non-EU investors who make significant investments in the Spanish economy. This program is particularly appealing due to its straightforward application process and the flexibility it offers in terms of residency requirements. Holders of the Golden Visa can live, work, and study in Spain while enjoying the benefits of visa-free travel within the Schengen Zone.
Spain Golden Visa Benefits
Residency and Family Inclusion
- Member of the Schengen Area and the EU.
Dependents included:
- Spouse or common-law partner.
- Dependent children.
- Parents.
Travel and Quality of Life
- Right to live, work and study in Spain.
- High standard of education and healthcare system.
- Visa-free travel within the Schengen Area.
Ease of Access
- Pathways to obtaining Permanent Residency after 5 years of actual residence.
- Pathways to obtaining Citizenship in Spain after 10 years of actual residence, or 2 years in case of former Spanish colony citizen.
- No physical residency requirement.
- No language requirement.
- No education or management experience required.
Spain investor visa requirements
- Be over 18 years of age and a Non-EU/EEA Citizen.
- Make a qualifying investment in Spain.
- Hold the investment for a minimum of 5 years.
- Have no debt to Spain authorities.
- Have a clean criminal record.
- Not have entered or stayed illegally in Spain.
- Open a bank account and obtain a tax identification number in Spain.
Spain investor visa Options
Bank Deposit
A minimum deposit of EUR 1,000,000 into an accredited bank.
Real Estate
A minimum of EUR 500,000 investment in a real estate property:
- Purchase one or multiple properties.
- Mix of residential or commercial allowed.
- Joint buyers can combine investments into one property (min EUR 500,000 each).
- At least EUR 500,000 of the investment must be from the investor’s own funds (free of all charges, e.g. mortgage).
- The investment can be made through a majority owned company (longer processing time).
Spain Golden Visa Process
Processing time 1-3 Months
Due Diligence And Application
- Select property and complete legal documentation process in Spain.
- Receive police confirmation on application eligibility.
Approval And Investment
- Complete qualifying investment.
- Meet all application documentation requirements.
- Submit application in Spain or at a Spanish Consulate.
Residency
- Processing time between 1-3 months.
- Initial residency visa provided for 1 year, then 2 years, and then 5 years (renewal).
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Spanish Golden Visa?
What are the benefits of the Spain Golden Visa?
The Spain Golden Visa offers numerous advantages:
- Residency Rights: Investors and their families receive residence permits allowing them to live in Spain.
- Visa-Free Travel: Holders can travel freely within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.
- No Minimum Stay Requirement: Unlike other visas, there is no requirement to reside in Spain continuously.
- Pathway to Permanent Residency: After five years of maintaining your investment, you may apply for permanent residency.
- Citizenship Opportunities: After ten years of residency, you may qualify for Spanish citizenship.
Can the applicant's family also benefit from the Golden Visa?
Family members eligible for inclusion under the Golden Visa include spouses, dependent children under 18, dependent single children over 18, and financially dependent parents.
Are there educational advantages for families of Golden Visa holders?
Indeed, the Spain Golden Visa program extends residency benefits to your family members. As an EU country, Spain boasts a diverse education system with many international schools. This can be particularly advantageous if you’re relocating with school-age children, offering them access to high-quality, globally-recognized education.
How long is the Golden Visa valid?
Initially, the Golden Visa is valid for one year, followed by renewable residence permits of two years and then five years, provided investment conditions are met.
What are the Spain golden visa requirements?
What are the criteria for renewing the Spain golden visa?
To renew the Golden Visa, investors must maintain the initial investment and meet the original conditions of the visa.
Are Spain golden visa holders permitted to work in Spain?
Golden Visa holders and their families can legally work and reside in Spain.
Which countries can Spain golden visa holders enter without a visa?
Holders of the Golden Visa can travel visa-free across the Schengen area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
What is the minimum investment required for the Spain Golden Visa?
How long must the investor maintain their investment in Spain?
The investment must be maintained until permanent residency or citizenship is granted to keep the residence permit active.
When is the investor allowed to purchase property for the Golden Visa?
The property investment for the Golden Visa must be made before applying for the visa.
Can the investor reside in the property purchased under the Golden Visa program?
Investors own the purchased property outright and may reside in or rent out the property.
Is the investor allowed to make additional investments in Spain after the initial qualifying investment?
Investors are free to make additional investments in Spain after meeting the initial qualifying investment.
Can I apply for citizenship after obtaining a Golden Visa?
Do I need to live in Spain to maintain my Golden Visa?
Is Spain getting rid of Golden Visa?
No, there is no indication that Spain is getting rid of the Golden Visa program.
Does Spain Golden Visa worth it?
Can I get residency in Spain if I buy a house?
Yes, you can get residency in Spain if you buy a house worth at least €500,000.
How much money do you need to get a golden visa in Spain?
To obtain a Spain Golden Visa, you need to make a qualifying investment of either €1,000,000 in a bank deposit or €500,000 in real estate.
Which Golden Visa is better, Spain or Portugal?
The choice between Spain and Portugal’s Golden Visa depends on individual preferences and circumstances. Both programs offer similar benefits, but they have different investment requirements and processing times.
Is the Spain investor visa a good option for retirees?
Spain is often considered an excellent retirement destination, and the Spain investor visa can be a pathway to residency for retirees. The country offers a range of retirement-friendly features, including a well-developed healthcare system, pleasant climate, and various financial products tailored for retirees. The Golden Visa program can provide a stable basis for enjoying your retirement years in Spain.
How does Spain's Golden Visa compare to similar programs in other European countries?
While Spain’s Golden Visa program shares similarities with others in Europe, it has its unique aspects. The investment thresholds, processing times, and specific residency requirements can differ from countries like Portugal, Greece, or Malta. The best choice depends on your personal circumstances, investment capacity, and long-term goals.
What criteria must a business project meet to qualify for the Spain investor visa program?
To be eligible, your business project should fulfill at least one of these objectives:
- Create new job opportunities in Spain.
- Generate positive economic or social impact in the region where you’re investing.
- Contribute to advancing scientific research or technological innovation in Spain.
Can I maintain my tax residency in another country while holding a Spanish Golden Visa?
Yes, it’s possible to maintain your tax residency outside of Spain. The key is to spend less than 183 days per year in Spain. Interestingly, even if you’re absent from Spain for more than six months in a year, you can still renew your residence permit, providing flexibility for international investors.
How does the residency in Spain renewal process work?
Here’s a breakdown of the renewal process:
- Your initial Golden Visa is valid for one year.
- After this, you can apply for extensions of up to 5 years.
- To qualify for renewal, you need to:
- Hold a valid Investor’s Residence Visa or have one that expired no more than 90 days ago.
- Have spent at least 30 days in Spain during the preceding year.
- Maintain your qualifying investment.
- Continue to meet the original visa eligibility criteria.
Could you explain the significance of the NIE number in the Spain Golden Visa process?
The NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is a crucial identifier for foreign nationals in Spain. Here’s why it matters:
- It serves as your tax identification number for all financial dealings with Spanish authorities.
- You’ll need it for essential activities like opening a Spanish bank account, purchasing property, and setting up utilities.
- For non-EU Golden Visa applicants, you typically receive your NIE as part of your residency application process.
What's the typical timeline for processing a Spain Golden Visa application?
The processing time can vary, but here’s a general outline:
- Once you submit your application, authorities aim to review it within 20 working days.
- If you don’t receive a rejection notice within this period, your application is considered approved by default.
- In some instances, the entire process from application to visa issuance might extend up to 10 months, depending on individual circumstances.
Does the Golden visa leads to residency permit in spain?
The Spain Golden Visa program is indeed a way to obtain a residency permit in Spain, offering a range of benefits including the right to live and work in the country, with the potential for permanent residency after living in Spain for 4 years and 2 months over a 5-year period and eventual be able to apply for the Spanish citizenship.
What are the Spain golden visa tax benefits
The Spain Golden Visa program not only provides residency but also significant tax benefits for investors. Golden Visa holders who spend less than 183 days in Spain are taxed only on Spanish-sourced income, allowing them to avoid taxes on worldwide earnings.
For those who do become tax residents, there are additional advantages, including access to regional tax reductions and the potential eligibility for the “Beckham Law,” which offers a flat 24% tax rate on employment income. Notably, investors over 65 can sell their primary residence without incurring capital gains tax, regardless of reinvestment. Furthermore, the €500,000 investment required for the visa is exempt from annual wealth tax, and Spain’s competitive corporate tax rate of 25% comes with various deductions for businesses. Overall, the Spain Golden Visa presents a compelling opportunity for international investors looking to optimize their tax situation while enjoying the benefits of living in Spain.
How to obtain residency in spain with the Golden Visa?
Obtaining residency in Spain through the Golden Visa program is a straightforward process for investors willing to make a significant financial commitment.
The program offers several investment options, including purchasing real estate worth at least €500,000, investing €1 million in Spanish companies or bank deposits, or committing €2 million to government bonds.
To qualify, applicants must be at least 18 years old, have a clean criminal record, and possess valid health insurance in Spain. The application process involves making the qualifying investment, gathering necessary documents such as proof that you invest in Spain and sufficient funds. Once initially approved, applicants must travel to Spain to provide biometric data and receive their residence permit, which is valid for 1-2 years and can be renewed for an additional 5 years.
This Golden Visa not only grants residency in Spain but also allows for free travel within the Schengen Area, making it an attractive option for global investors seeking European residency.
How can investing in your house in Spain lead to obtaining a Spanish Golden Visa?
Buying your house in Spain is a great way to qualify for the Spanish Golden Visa. The requirement is straightforward: invest at least EUR 500,000 in real estate. This can be one property or several, and you can even mix residential and commercial options. If you’re purchasing with a partner or group, each person needs to contribute at least EUR 500,000.