Spain has always been a popular holiday destination, but what if you wanted to permanently live in that holiday dream?
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With stunning landscapes, numerous exciting outdoor activities, it’s no wonder why people who want more adventure are always drawn to Spain and a more relaxed lifestyle. It offers its visitors a wide variety of perks.

The Spanish climate has warmer temperatures, so if you enjoy the beach, swimming, surfing, and spending time outdoors, then Spain is waiting for you!
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In addition, Spain’s passport has become one of the stronger global passports, allowing you to travel without a visa throughout more than 188 countries.

Introduced in 2013, the Spain Golden Visa program, allows for the acquirement of residency in Spain through a real estate investment of at least €500,000, that is why it is also known as the investor visa.
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This type of residence permit does not include any type of time restrictions, unlike the non-profit visa. With a Spain Golden Visa, there is no minimum number of days that you must be in Spain in order to maintain this residence permit, you must just enter Spain for at least one day per year. With that being said, there is also an unlimited amount of time that you will be able to stay within the EU (Schengen Zone).
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The main reason the Golden Visa in Spain is so popular is because it is fast and simple to obtain.

Another benefit that the Spain Golden Visa program has, is that you and your family members are entitled to a work permit in Spain. Meaning that you will be able to apply for work or set up a business in Spain.
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Note: if you do not have the €500,000 capital to obtain a Spain Golden Visa, then the Non-Lucrative Visa may be a better option for you, click here to find out more.

The Spain Golden Visa program can also eventually lead to a Spanish citizenship, also known as citizenship by investment. Read more to find out!

Our company provides a whole service package around the Spain Golden Visa. From working with our legal team towards the golden visa application process, as well as our real estate team in finding you your desired property and acquisition of real estate.

Whether you are already an EU citizen residing in another EU country in the Schengen zone, or if you are not an EU citizen yet, there are specific rules and laws you will need to be aware of if your stay in Spain is more than 90 days. There are different options to obtaining a temporary or permanent residency in Spain.

The first option is Spain Golden Visa, and the second option is the Non-Lucrative Visa, also known as, the Non-Profit Visa. Below we will explore both of them in greater detail.​

The Spanish Golden Visa is designed for people outside of the European Union who wish to obtain residency in Spain through a monetary investment, which is also why it is called the investor visa.
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The Spanish Golden Visa is a very popular option among many countries such as Russia, China, Iran, Venezuela and Lebanon. The reason is that investors from these countries can bring their money into a more stable economy and financial institution than their own home countries.
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Aside from investors, many people may be looking for a new permanent home, or second-home in Spain. With the Spain Golden Visa, you will have the freedom to come and go as you please, living life like a local.

Simple Visa Application: The main requirement is to spend at least 500,000€ in real estate acquisition, and Spanish residence permit is yours!
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2+5 Years in Spain: Unlike other types of visas, with a Spain Golden Visa, you will have the right to work and live in Spain for two years. Then the residence permit will be renewed for five years. And after five years you can obtain Permanent Residency Status. No further investments are required along the way, just the one time investment of at least 500,000€ in real estate in Spain.
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Minimum Visit is 1 Day: There is no need to become a tax resident in Spain with a Spain Golden Visa, you will just need to visit Spain at least once a year, even if it is for 1 day so your passport can have the entry stamp.
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Bring Your Family Members: With a Spain Golden Visa, you can apply jointly with your spouse and family so you can all come together.
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Freedom within Schengen Area: With the Golden Visa for Spain, you have complete freedom to move within the Schengen Area countries. Click here for a list of the countries.

Once the Spanish Golden Visa has been obtained, the first period of the residence permit is for 2 years.
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Once the 2 years is complete, the residence permit will need to be renewed for an additional 5 years.
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This is a simple process and does not require further investment, the applicant must prove that they still have ownership of the investment that was purchased for 500,000€, and that they have visited Spain at least once during the year.
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After the 5 years, the applicant can apply for permanent residency in Spain.
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After 10 years, the applicant can apply for Spanish citizenship, if they are interested, hency why this residence permit is also known as citizenship by investment.

There are four ways you can obtain the Spanish Golden Visa:

1. The first way, which is also the most popular, is to make a significant investment in a property in Spain worth more than 500,000€
2. The second way is by buying shares of a Spanish company, or having a bank deposit in a Spanish institution or the bank for at least one million euros.
3. The third way is by possessing Spanish public debt worth at least two million euros.
4. The fourth way is by investing a business project that will be developed in Spanish territory, with the purpose of generating employment, contribution to scientific and or technological advancements of the country, or to make a significant socio economic impact.​​

In addition to the actual purchase price of a property in Spain, it is worth nothing a few additional costs and fees that are associated with this investment.

One could estimate these costs to generally be around 13% of the purchase price. This includes, the property transfer tax at 8%, plus legal fees (normally 1%), notary fees and land registry fees.
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If buying a brand new property directly from a builder there will be a VAT payment of 10% of the purchase price. Along with a Stamp Duty of 1.5%. The property transfer varies depending on the area.
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Associated Ownership Costs
IBI Tax, is an annual tax paid, based on the value of the property, to the local government.
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Garbage and Water tax, which is paid to the local municipality on a regular period, depending on the area.

As mentioned in the first section, the applicant(s) will need to meet the following requirements:
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• Invest at least €500,000 in Spanish real estate
• Not to have entered or stayed illegally in Spain
• Lack of criminal record in the last 5 years for crimes that may be punishable in Spain
• Not to have been refused entry to any of the Schengen countries
• The investor and family members must have public or private health insurance with a 1 year minimum coverage
• Demonstrate the ability of financial independence while in Spain (based on the IPREM)
• Not to already be a citizen of the EU Schengen area
• The main applicant must be at least 18+

Since Brexit, British nationals must also go through the same process when applying for Spanish residence permit, whether it be through Spanish Golden Visa program or Non-Lucrative Visa.
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Through the purchase of real estate, British nationals can easily gain the Spanish residence permit.

One of the great advantages of the Spanish Golden Visa is how fast the process can happen.
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Upon submitting the application, in about 20 days we will know the result.
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After receiving the acceptance, our lawyers will have a period of 1 month to apply for the Golden Visa in the Spanish consulate located in your home country, or the country or origin.
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The next step will be to obtain the NIE (National Identification), and to take fingerprints at the local police station in Spain.
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Our lawyers have over 10 years of experience in handling Golden Visa for Spain applications. They will handle the whole process for you, ensuring it is as smooth and easy as possible.

This is a very common question that we get asked often.

Clients want to know in order to reach the 500,000€ real estate investment amount if they can use financing by getting a mortgage; and the answer is that the first 500,000€ of the real estate investment must be paid in cash, and whatever is leftover can be financed through a mortgage.
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So for example if a real estate investment costs 700,000€, then 500,000€ of it must be paid out of the client’s bank account in full, and then for the remaining 200,000€ the can take out a mortgage from a bank.
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Our team also helps our clients by finding them the best mortgage rates possible at the time.

The short answer is yes.

​As long as at least €500,000 (before taxes) is invested in any number of real estate properties, whether it is residential or commercial.​​

The acquired property can even be used to generate rental income. It does not have to serve as your place of residence.

Yes.

As the main applicant, you can bring your spouse and children as well.​

The children must be under 21 years old, either studying or economically dependent on the main applicant.

And they will also need to be added to the private health insurance.

Many people wonder if they bought a property before, and now if they decide to get a Golden Visa if it is still valid for the application, the answer is yes, as long as the real estate investment was purchased during or after the year 2014. This was the year the Spain Golden Visa, also known as the investor visa, came into effect.

This answer will depend on each client’s specific situation, but here is a general idea:

Since the Golden Visa for Spain does not require that you stay in Spain for over 6 months, many clients will be considered as non-residents for fiscal tax purposes, which changes the tax liabilities in Spain drastically.

Another point to consider if the client will want to rent out their property during the time that they are not in Spain.

​If they choose to rent it out, then they must pay non-resident income tax for the income generated on the rental income, and as non-EU citizens the applicable tax rate is 24% which must be declared on a quarterly basis.

​If they choose not to rent it out, then 24% of the cadastral value of the property, then multiplied by 2% or 1.1% (depending on whether or not it has been updated), must be paid once a year.

Also, if the total value of their properties in Spain is higher than 700,000€, they will also be liable for wealth tax, which can range from 0.2% to 2.5%.

​Our teams of lawyers and advisors help take care of these tax liabilities for our clients.

The Non-Lucrative Visa, which is also known as the Non-Profit Visa, is a residence permit granted to non-EU nationals who are looking to spend more than 6 months in Spain and will not be carrying out any economic activities, such as working.

This type of residence is a good fit for applicants who are not interested in acquisition of real estate or economic activities in Spain.

​Requirements:

• Depending on if you are looking to obtain this type of residence permit individually, as a couple, or as a family, you will need to show a certain amount of money in a bank account, to demonstrate financial independence. The specific number is referred to as the IPREM.
• Proof of private health insurance
• Proof of place to stay while in Spain (for example a rent contract)
• Criminal background check

​Depending on the embassy or consulate of your country, there may be other requirements that will be requested.

The main differences between the Spanish Golden Visa and Non-Lucrative Visa are:

• With the Non-Lucrative Visa you must be in Spain for more than 6 months and 1 day. With the Spanish Golden Visa you only have to enter Spain at least once per year, even if it’s for one day.
• The Non-Lucrative Visa does not require a 500,000€ real estate investment, it does however require the minimum financials that are decided by the IPREM.

When applying for a Non-Profit Residence, Spanish Immigration uses a calculation, literally called “the Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator” or Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples in Spanish (IPREM).

​For 2022, IPREM is:

• IPREM Mensual: €579.02 (monthly minimum income)
• IPREM Annual: €6,948.24 (annual minimum income, paid in 12 payments)

If you are applying for a residence permit as an EU citizen, the general rule is that you have to prove you can economically support yourself with 100% IPREM, along with a percentage of this number applied to others who will be joining you on this residence permit.

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For non-EU citizens, you need to demonstrate proof of 400% IPREM with a 100% extra per additional applicant (spouse, child etc).

Through the Golden Visa process, our team will also help you in obtaining your NIE.

NIE is translated to the name of the foreign identity number in Spanish. The Spanish NIE numbers are tax ID numbers. It serves a multitude of functions related to Spanish taxes and real estate. It’s used to pay tax, make official purchases or carry out legal or official actions.

It is utilised to handle all financial transactions involving Spanish tax offices. NIE numbers are mandatory for foreigners pursuing business, financial, and other affairs in Spain.

It’s advisable for anyone to get their NIE ID as early as possible even though it does not require permanent residence.

Golden Visas are designed to assist citizens of countries outside Europe whose intention is to invest in Spain for the purpose of obtaining residence.

The countries with most popularity for obtaining such permits have been China and Russia.

Despite its popularity, the migrant visa has been granted a lot of times by the citizens. Are there any motivations?​

They found an alternative way to deposit money in Spain and thus earned an entry ticket to a visa which almost eliminates all the requirements on other visas and other permits.

Yes, Spain investment visas offer the possibility to gain citizenship if one has lived in Spain at least 10 years.

​Although the process of applying for residency in Spain is relatively straightforward for investors, the passport is necessary in Spain for 6 months over an average period of 10 years.

There are additional requirements relating to obtaining Spanish citizenship. Spanish passports will provide access to European employment market and visa-free entry to more than 300 countries.

Golden visas are valid at the Embassy for up to a year.

​In the next year, you will be required to visit Spain in exchange for a Spanish residency permit.

The residence permit can now be renewed indefinitely with no stay restrictions, assuming the property is kept in the same condition.

The visitor must travel back into Spain to apply for renewals. If you want to live in Spain you can apply to stay permanently in Spain after 5 years continuous residence.

The Golden Visa for Spain can be obtained through the help a Spanish lawyer or Golden Visa professional.

Our law firm and real estate agency, specializes in Spanish Golden Visas, and we have specialists who are an excellent choice for helping with real estate projects.

Our expert team will help you determine your eligibility of the Spanish Golden Visa and organize the journey to see your options firsthand.

​Contact us for a free consultation today!

Yes.

The Spain Golden Visa permits you and family members to enter the Schengen area visa-free from any other country.

​However, non EU members are subject to the visa requirement and thus free travel cannot always be guaranteed.

• The application form filled-in and signed.
• Copy of the complete passport, and, if applicable, family members’.
• Proof of sufficient economic means for the applicant and his family members during their period of residence in Spain, which may be justified.
• Normally monthly 400% of the IPREM (for 2022 the IPREM is €579,02 so that around € 2.316,08 monthly) Furthermore, for the main applicant must prove at least 4oo% of the IPREM for the 2 years (around €56.000) and for the support of each of the family members in charge, monthly, 200% of the IPREM, which in 2022 amounts to €579,02 € (around €28.000 per family member)

The documents must be translated into Spanish.

• Documents proof of the real estate investment or one of the other Golden Visa options
• Unlisted shares or participation units: a copy of the declaration of investment made before the Registry of Foreign Investments at the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness
• Listed shares: certificate issued by the financial intermediary registered with the National Securities Market Commission or with the Bank of Spain, in which the investment is recorded
• Public debt: certificate issued by the financial institution or the Bank of Spain showing that the applicant is the sole holder of the investment for a period equal to or greater than 5 years
• Investment funds or venture capital funds: certificate issued by the management company, incorporated in Spain, duly registered with the National Securities Market Commission, showing that an investment was made for an amount of at least one million euros in one or more funds under its management.
• Bank deposits: certificate issued by the financial institution in which it is attested that the applicant is the sole holder of the bank deposit
• Acquisition of Real Estate: certification of domain and encumbrances from the Land Registry corresponding to the real estate property or properties dated earlier than 90 days prior to the date of application and real estate purchase deeds.
• Business project: a favourable report from the DGCOMINVER.
• Proof of legal residence in Spain at the time of application (for example: a notary deed before the Spanish notary or stamp of the entry in Spain in your passport)
• Have a public or private health insurance with an insurer company authorized to operate in Spain. Taking into account that the insurance policy does not contain any co-payments and it offers full coverage within the whole Spanish territory.
• Have no criminal record in Spain or in the countries where they have resided for the past five years, for criminal offenses defined in the relevant Spanish legislation.

The certificate must be duly legalised and translated into Spanish by a sworn translator

• Proof of payment of the fee.
• Signature of the document designating the legal representative for the submission of all documents and the application form
• In the case of the family members:
• The application form duly filled-in and signed by the familiar (in case of minor, must be signed by its legal representative).
• Copy of the complete passport in force.
• Have a public or private health insurance with an insurer company authorized to operate in Spain
• Criminal records of the family members must be duly apostilled and translated into spanish by a sworn translator
• Marriage certificate must be duly apostilled and translated into spanish by a sworn translator
• Birth Certificate (Children who are minors) must be duly apostilled and translated into spanish by a sworn translator
• For children over 18 years of age, any document proving economic dependence (payment of university fees, living at home, etc.)
• Proof of payment of the fee (as a minor , the legal representative must pay it)