Spain’s residence by investment program, also known as the Spain golden visa, allows foreign nationals to make a significant investment in the country and apply for an investor visa. Successful applicants and their families are granted visa-free access across Europe’s Schengen Area.

Spain is one of the most desirable destinations worldwide and is a highly sought-after location for investors. The country attracts millions of visitors every year with its amazing nature, beautiful beaches, diverse culture, and rich history. For those who wish to reside in this lively country, the Spain Residence by Investment Program is the most efficient way to acquire such status. The Spanish government has allowed for a substantial number of visas for individuals who wish to make a significant, qualified investment into the country that would boost the economy through foreign direct investment.

Under the residence by investment program, individuals and their immediate family members can become residents of Spain (through a temporary residence permit) within less than a month. Subject to general immigration rules and requirements, residents by investment can acquire permanent residence status after five years of continuous residence in Spain, and may gain Spanish citizenship thereafter.

The Spain Residence by Investment Program is ranked 7th out of 26 programs on the 2023 Global Residence Program Index.

 

Benefits of a Spanish golden visa

-High quality of life

-Ability to include a spouse or unmarried partner, financially dependent children of any age (adult children must be full-time students), and financially dependent parents of the main applicant and/or their spouse who are 65 years and older

-Access to the public healthcare and education systems in the country

-A vibrant EU country that has majestic landscapes

-The possibility to apply for Spanish citizenship after two years of effective residence for Sephardic Jews and their descendants, and for citizens of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and the Philippines

-Excellent schools, with tuition available in English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, and Mandarin

 

Spain golden visa requirements

The Spain Residence by Investment Program requires that a foreign individual fulfills one of the following investments in the country:

-The acquisition of real estate with a minimum value of EUR 500,000 (one or several properties)

-Investment funds, bank deposits, or listed company shares in Spanish financial institutions with a minimum value of EUR 1 million

-A government bonds investment with a minimum value of EUR 2 million

Documentary evidence of the investment must be provided as part of the application process.

 

Procedures and time frame of the Spain golden visa

Applications to the program must be made through the prescribed forms and must be accompanied by the appropriate fees and supporting documents. Residence permits are usually issued after a 20-day consideration period and have an initial duration of three years, renewable for five years upon request, provided that a minimum investment in Spain is maintained by the applicant.

 

The application process comprises two stages:

 

-In the first phase, applicants apply in their home country for a Spanish residence visa that allows them to reside and work in Spain for one year.

-In the second phase, applicants apply for a Spanish residence permit. If they have come to Spain on an ordinary tourist visa, they may apply for the residence permit directly, thus omitting the first phase.

The residence permit applies to the main investor, spouse or partner (including unmarried or same-sex unions), and all economically dependent descendants.

There is no minimum stay requirement to maintain residence status but obtaining the first residence permit requires a visit to Spain.