What is required to get a Golden Visa in Spain?

Spain’s “Golden Visa” Law was introduced in 2013 to allow non-EU citizens and members of their families to obtain a Temporary Residence Permit. With this permit, you and your family can live and work in Spain immediately for a two year period and it is considered the simplest procedure for obtaining residency in Spain.

There are various approaches to obtaining a Golden Visa.

The first is via Real Estate Investment. This requires an investment of at least €500,000 in one or more properties. The investment must not include taxes, fees or a mortgage, and can include residential, touristic, rural, commercial or industrial properties, plus developed land, buildings under construction or decrepit buildings.

There is no requirement for property to have for a specific use, so it can be bought for total or partial leasing, or for business purposes.

Alternatively you can invest at least €2million in Spanish government bonds, €1million in stocks or shares in Spanish companies, or bank deposits in Spanish banks, or start a business which creates jobs and has a significant impact at a socioeconomic level.

Applicants must be over 18 years old, have no criminal record, have valid health insurance and have sufficient financial means to live in Spain.

Golden Visas can be renewed by simply showing that you still hold your investment. You do not need to live in Spain to renew your residency permit and you only need to visit the country once during the validity of your visa.

After five years of continuous residence, applicants can apply for an unlimited residence permit and after 10 years of residence, they can apply for Spanish nationality.