Residency by Investment in Spain
Important Update:
The Spanish Government has officially closed this programme as of April 1st 2025. However, we offer alternative residency and citizenship options that may suit your needs.
The Spanish Golden Visa Programme has ended
The Spanish government has officially closed its Golden Visa programme. This decision was part of a wider policy shift aimed at addressing housing concerns and real estate speculation in major cities.
While Spain is no longer offering residency through real estate investment, there are still a number of attractive alternatives across Europe that offer similar benefits — including residency rights, visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, and potential paths to citizenship.
Explore Alternative Residency and Citizenship Programmes
Portugal Golden Visa
Minimum Investment: €500,000
Flexible investment options and access to the Schengen Zone.
Greece Golden Visa
Minimum Investment: €250,000
One of Europe’s most affordable residency-by-investment programmes.
Malta Permanent Residency
Minimum Investment: €180,000
A stable EU member with a high standard of living and English-speaking environment.
Why was Spain a popular investment location?
Located in southwestern Europe, Spain is the second largest country by area in the European Union (EU).
Home to 49 UNESCO World Heritage sites, Spain is known as the land of diversity and legacy. The country boasts a rich culture, history and cuisine, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations on the European continent.
Spain is well known for its easy-going culture and high quality of life. It is also home to stunning scenery and beautiful Mediterranean Beaches.
About the Spain Residency by Investment programme
Launched in 2013 by the Spanish government, the Spanish Golden Visa was one of Europe’s most highly prized Residency by Investment (RBI) schemes.
Also known as the Spanish investor visa, it was introduced to help boost the Spanish economy through foreign investment. The programme allowed non-EU citizens to acquire a Spanish residence permit in exchange for a significant capital investment.
While this was not a citizenship by investment (CBI) programme, it did offer a route to Spanish citizenship after spending 10 years as a resident of Spain.
The Spanish Golden Visa offered a swift processing time for applicants. Investors and their dependants could obtain their Spanish residency status in just 20-60 days.
What were the Benefits of the Spanish Golden Visa?
Visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area
No minimum stay requirements
A straightforward and fast application process
Granted a path to Spanish citizenship
Access to one of the world's best healthcare systems
Residency for the investor and their family
How to obtain the Spanish Golden Visa
Real estate investment
To be eligible, you had to make a minimum investment of €500,000 in a residential or commercial property in Spain.
To qualify for the Spanish Golden Visa, the applicant was able to invest in one or several properties, provided the total value satisfied the minimum investment amount of €500,000.
For this investment option, other fees applied, such as a property transfer tax and additional costs.
Spanish public debt and bonds
To be eligible, you had to make a €2,000,000 in public debt securities or government bonds.
Stocks, shares, funds and bank deposits
You could also invest a minimum of €1,000,000 in a Spanish financial institution. This included various types of funds, term deposits in a Spanish bank or a Spanish company.
Key Benefit of the Spanish Golden Visa
Golden Visa holders who decided to take up permanent residence in Spain were able to apply for Spanish Citizenship through Naturalisation.
Non-EU citizens were able to apply to become Spanish citizens after living in the country for 10 years. Applicants from Latin American countries considered former Spanish colonies, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal or persons of Sephardic origin could apply after only two years.
Once the investor received their Spanish citizenship, their children who were under the age of 18 were also granted citizenship. Children over 18 could apply for citizenship by residency, provided the requirements were met.
As EU citizens, there are multiple benefits, such as the ability to live, work and study anywhere in the EU. Spanish passport holders benefit from visa-free access to over 180 countries.
Frequently asked questions
To be eligible for the Spanish Golden Visa, the main applicant had to:
- Be a non-EU citizen
- Be over 18 years of age
- Have no criminal record
- Make a qualifying investment
- Have sufficient financial means to live in Spain and support your family members
The Spanish Golden Visa granted legal residence in the country, not citizenship. However, applicants could apply for Spanish citizenship and a passport after 10 years of residency.
Investors were able to return their initial investment once they had obtained permanent residence in Spain. Permanent residency was granted after living in the country for more than five years.
Physical presence in Spain was required to submit biometrics data and collect Spanish residency permits. After this stage, applicants did not need to live in Spain or visit periodically.
Which programme is right for you?
| Citizenship or Residency Programme? | Citizenship or Residency Programme?Residency | ||
| Minimum Investment Amount | Minimum Investment Amount€500,000 | ||
| Minimum Stay Requirement | Minimum Stay Requirement N/A | ||
| Initial Permit Duration | Initial Permit Duration3 years | ||
| Time to Residence | Time to Residence2 months | ||
| Time to Citizenship | Time to Citizenship10 years | ||
| Family Inclusion? | Family Inclusion?Spouse, children under 18, parents over 65 | ||
| Right to Work? | Right to Work?Yes | ||
| Type of Document Received | Type of Document Received?Residency permit, leading to passport | ||
| No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport? | No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport?190 | ||