The Spanish Golden Visa programme was established in September 2013, and it aims to encourage foreign investors outside the EU to invest in the country’s economic growth.
Under the programme, investors and their families must follow certain requirements and spend at least €500,000 in real estate, business, government bonds or bank deposits.
The primary advantage of the Spanish Golden Visa scheme is that the government law does not demand a minimum period of residence and the application process is simple and straightforward. The initial residency card is issued for one year (or two years if you visit Spain), which can be extended after a five year period, and then extended for another five years. You may apply for permanent citizenship after you have lived in the country for a minimum of five years.
Whilst it is not mandatory to live in Spain to obtain and renew the residence permit, the path to citizenship does require the applicant and family members to live in Spain for at least 6 months per year, during ten consecutive years. Applicants must also go to Spain twice a year, but can’t leave more than 6 months between visits. This allows investors to apply for Spanish citizenship.
If you or your family decide to live in Spain, you will be eligible for permanent residency after a period of five years. Nonetheless, you must prove that you did not spend more than a total of eleven months outside of Spain within the past five years.
In most cases, the Spanish Golden Visa is granted to anyone who owns real estate equal or superior to €500,000. The property can be rented for returns. Any number of properties can also combine to make up the €500,000 minimum investment.
In addition to the investment, you must also comply with the following requirements:
Non-EU, non-EEA or non-Swiss applicants who make a qualifying investment in Spain are eligible for a Golden Visa and residency in Spain, apace with their dependent family members.
Obtaining the Spanish passport allows visa-free travel to 187 countries and in turn, enables the applicant's right to study, work and live in any EU-member state.
After five years of living in Spain, investors can apply for permanent residency. Citizenship in Spain may be gained after ten years, but in order to apply, applicants must have lived for at least six months a year over that time.
Once applicants have their permanent residence or citizenship, they are able to dissolve the investment as golden visa renewals are no further required.
At the same time as your own application for the Golden Visa Spain, your family members should either be:
Similarly to the Portuguese Golden Visa programme, the Spanish Golden Visa scheme has proved to be especially popular within applicants from China, Venezuela, Ecuador, Russia, Brazil and India. What's behind the programme’s success?
Upon acquiring a property equal to or greater than €500,000, you will automatically obtain a multiple-entry Spanish Golden Visa, which will be valid for one year.
During that year, the applicant must travel to Spain in order to apply for the two-year residence permit, provided that the investment is still in place.
Although you do not need to live in Spain in order to keep your residence permit, you must travel to Spain each time to renew your residence permit and to also protect your investment.
If you’re not able to travel to Spain, you can request the After Sales service that is aimed to be your eyes on the field whenever you are away. After Sales operates as a local assistant taking care of your investment, to both increase your annual yield and protect your investment.Who may apply to the Golden Visa Spain?
Non-EU, non-EEA or non-Swiss applicants who make a qualifying investment in Spain are eligible for a Golden Visa and residency in Spain, apace with their dependent family members.
What family numbers can I include in my Golden Visa application?
At the same time as your own application for the Golden Visa Spain, your family members should either be:
Golden Visa Spain applicants should submit the following documents both for the initial application and for each renewal.
General requirements:
Financial documents:
Golden Visa Spain for applicant’s dependant family members documents:
Real Estate purchase documents:
Note: all the documents must be translated in Spanish by a certified translator and apostilled.
Opening a bank account and the NIE Number
After filing the Golden Visa application, non-EU residents usually obtain their NIE application along with their Spanish residence permit.
NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero) is the Foreigner's Identification Number, or the tax identification number. The number is mainly used for tax payment, official purchases, and other legal or official activities. It is used in all financial transactions that involve the Spanish tax office.
Legal costs:
Golden Visa Spain Tax Considerations
PREPARATION PERIOD
APPLICATION RENEWAL
PERMANENT RESIDENCY
APPLY FOR CITIZENSHIP
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