1. Purchase of residential or commercial real estate
The minimum investment is €500,000, and this sum does not change if additional family members are included.
Updated on January 5, 2025
Spain Golden Visa
Enjoy warm climate, rich culture and visa-free travel within Europe
The Spain Golden Visa Program allows wealthy individuals to obtain residency in Spain in exchange for contributing to the country’s economy. Launched in 2013, the program aims to attract foreign investments in real estate, businesses, and securities.
Investors have six investment options: purchasing real estate, opening a bank deposit, making a business investment, acquiring government bonds, investing in units of investment funds, or purchasing shares in Spanish companies.
The residence permit is issued for 3 years with an opportunity to extend it for another 5 years. After 10 years of living in Spain — initially with a residence permit and subsequently with permanent residency — a foreigner can apply for citizenship.
With a Spanish residence permit, investors benefit from the right to live, work, or run a business in Spain, travel visa-free throughout the Schengen Area, and access the Spanish education and healthcare systems.
€500,000
Minimum investment
5+ months
Processing time
3 years with renewal
Validity period
9 Key Benefits of the Spain Golden Visa
1
Right to reside in Spain
The Golden Visa grants holders and their family members the right to live in Spain. Importantly, maintaining Spanish residency through investment does not require living in the country to retain their status.
The Golden Visa grants holders and their family members the right to live in Spain. Importantly, maintaining Spanish residency through investment does not require living in the country to retain their status.
2
Freedom to travel
Investors can travel without visas within the Schengen Zone, which includes 29 European countries.
Investors can travel without visas within the Schengen Zone, which includes 29 European countries.
3
Path to permanent residency and citizenship
After living in Spain for five years, Golden Visa holders can apply for permanent residency. After ten years of legal residence, they may be eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship.
After living in Spain for five years, Golden Visa holders can apply for permanent residency. After ten years of legal residence, they may be eligible to apply for Spanish citizenship.
4
Access to healthcare and education
The investor and their family have access to public healthcare and education in Spain under the same conditions as Spanish citizens.
The investor and their family have access to public healthcare and education in Spain under the same conditions as Spanish citizens.
5
Right to work or run a business
A Golden Visa holder is allowed to work in Spain.
A Golden Visa holder is allowed to work in Spain.
6
No worldwide tax liability
Spain taxes its residents who live in the country for 183 or more days. However, you are exempt from this tax if you do not plan to live in Spain.
Spain taxes its residents who live in the country for 183 or more days. However, you are exempt from this tax if you do not plan to live in Spain.
7
Family reunification
The investor can apply for family members, such as a spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents, to get residence permits in Spain.
The investor can apply for family members, such as a spouse, dependent children, and dependent parents, to get residence permits in Spain.
8
Diverse investment options
There are multiple ways to qualify for the Golden Visa, including real estate purchases, opening a bank deposit, and initiating business projects.
There are multiple ways to qualify for the Golden Visa, including real estate purchases, opening a bank deposit, and initiating business projects.
9
Cultural and lifestyle benefits
Living in Spain offers a rich cultural experience, a pleasant climate, beautiful landscapes, and a high quality of life.
Living in Spain offers a rich cultural experience, a pleasant climate, beautiful landscapes, and a high quality of life.
Who Can Get a Residence Permit in Spain
Investor
Over 18
No criminal record or prosecution
No debts in Spain
Investment money is earned outside of Spain
Able to confirm the legality of the income
Health insurance
Spouse
In an officially registered marriage or unregistered partnership
Same-sex couples included
Children of any age
If under 18: No specific conditions
If over 18: Must be unmarried, have no children of their own, and be financially dependent on the investor
Parents of any age
Financially dependent on the investor or their spouse
Investment Options under the Spanish Golden Visa Program
Spain offers six investment options under the Golden Visa Program, with the most popular being the purchase of real estate.
2. Opening a bank deposit in a Spanish bank
The investor must deposit at least €1,000,000.
3. Purchase of shares of Spanish companies
The minimum investment is €1,000,000.
4. Purchase of units in investment funds
The required sum of money is €1,000,000+.
5. Purchase of government bonds
The investor must contribute at least €2,000,000.
6. Business investment
The minimum investment sum is unspecified.
complete guideComparing Spain Golden Visa to 8 OthersGet a guide by email
Explore the benefits and drawbacks of the Spain investment program versus other Golden Visas
Step-by-Step Process: How to Become a Spanish Resident by Purchasing Real Estate
The process of obtaining a Spain Golden Visa takes at least 5 months and requires at least one visit to Spain.
https://mygoldenvisa.io/residence-by-investment/spain-golden-visa#b267f9d1-ab50-4323-bf14-7ed0548a723a
01.
Turning to immigration experts
2—3 weeksWe guide our clients through all available investment options and help them choose the one that suits them best. Once the desired status and investment option are selected, we sign a contract.
https://mygoldenvisa.io/residence-by-investment/spain-golden-visa#9adae4d8-9df9-4ce2-b26d-272ec69aac8c
02.
Purchasing a property
1—4 monthsReal estate agents assist the investor in finding a property. The process can be conducted remotely — specialists visit properties, take photos and videos, and send them to the investor.
The agent also obtains a taxpayer number for the investor, checks the terms, and signs a sales and purchase agreement. Then, they submit it to the Land Registry.
https://mygoldenvisa.io/residence-by-investment/spain-golden-visa#c3332dda-9a61-4505-9192-420b40cee919
03.
Collection of documents
3 weeksWhile purchasing real estate, the investor can start gathering documents. They receive a list of required papers, usually including copies of passports, birth certificates, and police clearance certificates. The investor must also submit the real estate ownership certificate they received at the previous step.
Lawyers translate and notarize documents and fill out government forms.
https://mygoldenvisa.io/residence-by-investment/spain-golden-visa#b0817116-7b4d-48d5-abb4-ecd801ff612e
04.
Application
2 weeksThe investor and their family members visit Spain to apply for the Golden Visa and submit their fingerprints at the police office.
https://mygoldenvisa.io/residence-by-investment/spain-golden-visa#4abb47c6-3e1f-4c7b-a8cc-ae0a6e145ae8
05.
Getting residence permit cards
Up to 20 daysSpanish authorities process the application, check all the documents, and make a decision. Once the residency is approved, the investor and their family collect their cards at the police station.
The residence permit is issued for three years and can be extended for five years.
How to Obtain Permanent Residence and Citizenship in Spain
Foreigners cannot obtain permanent residency or citizenship solely by investment. Initially, they receive a residence permit, followed by permanent residency, and only thereafter can they apply for citizenship.
Permanent residency is granted to individuals who have lived in Spain with a residence permit for five years and have not left the country for more than 10 months in total. Additionally, it is prohibited to stay outside of Spain for 3 consecutive months.
When applying for permanent residency, applicants must confirm their financial solvency, possession of housing, and health insurance coverage. The authorities responsible for granting permanent residency (PR) verify whether the resident has abided by the law and has paid taxes in full.
The status of a permanent resident is granted for life, but the document itself must be renewed every five years.
Citizenship is obtainable through naturalization only. It is granted to residents who have lived in Spain for at least 10 years. Applicants must demonstrate their integration into Spanish society and pass exams on the Spanish language, culture, and laws.