The Spain Golden Visa: A Complete Guide
APPLYING FOR THE SPAIN GOLDEN VISA CITIZENSHIP BY INVESTMENT PROGRAM
Spain and the Iberian peninsula offers everything—history, natural beauty, fantastic climate, and a very reasonable cost of living. That’s why so many people are eager to become Spanish citizens.
Fortunately, Spain offers one of the best Golden Visa programs for citizenship by investment in the European Union. If you have the financial ability to invest in a qualifying investment, you can be obtain residency in Spain and become a Spanish citizen. Because Spain is an EU (European Union) member state, getting Spanish citizenship provides you access to all 27 countries in the EU.
Below we have a comprehensive breakdown of the Spanish Golden Visa program and citizenship by investment requirements. Spain has fairly strict requirements to obtain a Golden Visa so you will want to be sure you meet all of the eligibility requirements prior to proceeding with an application.
You can review the full requirements for the Spain Golden Visa so you can make an informed decision about whether or not this is the right choice for you and your family.
Spain Golden Visa at a Glance
| Topic | Criteria |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | ● Must be 18 years or older ● Clean criminal record ● Not on the Spanish list of undesirables ● Health certificate showing no dangerous diseases ● Full private medical insurance ● Sufficient income to support yourself and dependents ● Non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizenship |
| Investment Options | 1. Real Estate: Minimum investment of €500,000 2. Business: Minimum investment of €1 million, generating jobs, innovation, or socio-economic impact 3. Spanish Public Debt: Minimum investment of €2 million 4. Stocks/Shares/Bank Deposits: Minimum investment of €1 million in Spanish companies, funds, or banks |
| Required Documents | ● Completed application form ● Visa fee receipt ● Passport with two blank pages (issued within the last 10 years) ● Passport-sized photos with a white background ● Proof of residence in the consular district ● Proof of income (minimum €2,400/month for singles, +€600 per dependent) ● Letter from the bank confirming funds to cover two years of expenses ● Marriage certificate (if applicable) ● Birth certificates for dependents |
What Is the Spain Golden Visa?
The Spain Golden Visa is a residency program designed to bring in foreign investors. If you make an investment that qualifies (more on those eligibility requirements below), you can obtain legal residency through a temporary permit.
After 5 years, you’ll then be eligible for permanent residence. After 10 years, you can gain Spanish citizenship through naturalization.
The Spain Investment Visa program allows your financial investment to be your foot in the door to gain Spain citizenship by investment.
If the Golden Visa Spain is not a good fit for you, you can learn more ways how to get Spanish citizenship here.
Changes to Spain Golden Visa in 2024
It should be noted that the legal requirements of the Spain Golden Visa program is continuously being updated so always be sure to check the current laws.
On November 27th, 2024, a proposed law that sought to end the Spanish Golden visa program was vetoed by the Spanish Senate. Depending on how Congress handles the bill, it can still wind up as law. But that hasn’t happened yet.
It all stems from a desire to cool down the Spanish real estate market. The Spain citizenship by investment program has gained interest which has seen housing become unaffordable for locals.
All this being said, you can still use the Spain Golden Visa program—but if that’s your plan, you may consider acting sooner rather than later. Once your application is approved, you will be grandfathered in.
To find out how to take advantage of the Spanish Investment Visa program, reach out to our experts today.
Benefits of a Golden Visa in Spain
While this Spain residency by investment program offers you a direct path to obtain Spanish citizenship, it also gives you many immediate benefits:
- Fast approval—the whole process takes around a month
- Your spouse and children can come with you and qualify under the same program
- Live, work, play, educate, and get healthcare in the EU
- Get tax benefits
- Easily renew your visa
- Free travel in the Schengen area
Spain Golden Visa Requirements
To be eligible for the Spain Golden Visa program, you’ll need to meet these criteria:
- 18 years of age or older
- Clean criminal record
- Not be on the Spanish list of undesirables
- Full private medical insurance coverage
- Health certificate showing you are free of dangerous diseases
- No record of being refused entry or visas in the Schengen area
- Enough income to pay for you and your family
- Be a citizen from a country that is not a part of the EU, EAA, or Switzerland
What Investments Qualify for Spain Investment Visa?
There are four kinds of investments that make you eligible for the Spanish Golden Visa:
- Real estate property: Buy property (either commercial or residential) with a value of at least €500,000
- Business: Fund a new business in Spain with at least €1 million and
- generate employment opportunities
- contribute to innovation in science and technology
- have a positive socio-economic impact
- Spanish public debt securities: Buy at least €2 million worth
- Stocks, shares, and bank deposits: Invest €1 million into one of the following
- stock or shares of a Spanish company
- Spanish investment fund
- Spanish bank
- Spanish venture capital fund
Documents Required for Spain Golden Visa Application
Your Golden Visa Spain application will require the following documents:
- Application form
- Receipt for visa fee
- Passport (must have two open pages for the visa and must not be issued for over 10 years)
- Passport-sized photos of yourself (white background, nothing obscuring the face, and in full color)
- Proof of residence for the consular district
- Proof of medical insurance
- Health certicate showing you don’t have dangerous diseases (given to you within the last 90 days)
- Clean criminal record
- Evidence that you make at least €2,400 if you are single, plus €600 per month for each dependent
- Letter from your bank confirming an amount that can pay two years of expenses (your monthly income requirement multiplied by 24)
For your spouse and dependents, you’ll need all of the above for each (except for proof of residence). You’ll also need to include:
- Marriage certificate (if applying with a spouse)
- Birth certificates for each child applying
- Proof of dependency for children over 18
If you want to know more about documentation, check out our full guide on Spain citizenship documentation here.
Application Process for Spain Golden Visa
The Spanish Golden Visa application process has several requirements and can be quote complex to complete. Below is a basic step-by-step guide to the Spain citizenship by investment program.
- Make your investment
- Get your Número de Identidad de Extranjero (NIE, a tax ID number)
- Open a Spanish bank account
- Book your interview for Golden Visa application
- Turn in documents and application to Spanish Consulate in your area
Once these initial steps completed, you will receive a response from the Spanish government with a confirmation if your application for a Spain Golden Visa was approved or not. Upon approval, you will need to complete a few other steps:
- Get your passport stamped with a 1-year visa (and then upgrade to a residence permit online with a lawyer or at an office), or get your residence permit if you already have a Schengen Visa
- In Spain, go to a biometric collection appointment
- Obtain your residence card
Given the importance of navigating every step correctly, most people seek expert help to complete the process successfully. That’s especially true with how high the investment requirements are—meaning a mistake could cost a significant amount of money.
If you’d like someone to speak with about the Spain Golden Visa requirements, schedule a free initial consultation with SDC experts today.
Golden Visa Spain vs Portugal
Both Spain and Portugal offer compelling options for citizenship by investment. However, when we look at both Golden Visa programs side-by-side, we see major differences.
The one that stands out immediately is how easy they make it to become a citizen of the EU. Portugal’s Golden Visa will get you to citizenship in only 5 years. Plus, you only have to be in the country about 7 days a year, making it feasible for many more people.
That being said, Portugal has officially removed most real estate options. The investment options in the Spain Golden Visa remains much more open to investment opportunities most people would be interested in.
Learn more about the Portugal Golden visa here.
Get a Golden Visa to Spain
SDC helps investors like you obtain their Spanish Golden Visa. Find out what qualifies and how you can best navigate the Spain residency by investment program.
Feel free to contact our SDC team of Spanish Dual Citizenship professionals to review the details of the Spain Golden Visa requirements and if it is the right fit for you and your family. We offer a free consultation to answer your questions and clarify the Spanish Golden Visa requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Can I get residency in Spain if I buy a house?
Yes, you can obtain residency in Spain by purchasing property worth at least €500,000. This investment qualifies you for the Spanish Golden Visa, allowing you to live, work, and travel within the Schengen Zone. Additional requirements include having sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your family, as well as private health insurance.
How much money do I need to get residency in Spain?
To qualify for the Spanish Golden Visa, you’ll need a minimum investment of €500,000 in real estate. Besides this, you should account for other costs such as taxes, legal fees, and insurance. For living expenses, Spanish authorities require proof of adequate financial resources—typically calculated at €400 per month for each dependent.
What are the disadvantages of the Golden Visa in Spain?
Some disadvantages of the Spanish Golden Visa include:
- A substantial upfront investment of €500,000.
- No direct path to citizenship unless you reside in Spain for at least 10 years.
- Additional costs, including taxes and property maintenance.
It doesn’t exempt you from Spanish taxes if you spend more than 183 days per year in the country, making you a tax resident.
Which country has the best Golden Visa?
This depends on your goals. Spain offers a strong Spanish Golden Visa program with access to the Schengen Zone and a high quality of life. However, countries like Portugal often appeal to investors due to lower investment thresholds, shorter residency requirements, and a faster path to citizenship. Malta is another popular choice for its tax advantages.
Which country has the easiest Golden Visa?
Portugal is widely regarded as having one of the easiest and most flexible Golden Visa programs. Its minimum investment threshold starts at €280,000 (in low-density areas), and it requires only seven days of physical presence per year to maintain residency. This flexibility has made it a favorite among international investors.
This page was last updated with help by Marco Permunian
Contact Us
Applying for Spanish citizenship by investment through the Spain Golden Visa is a great option for investors. Contact us at (213) 654-2122 to learn if you qualify.
