Golden Visa Spain: Complete Guide 2025

Spain’s Golden Visa grants you a residence permit by investing €500,000+ in Spanish property or €1 million in business/securities. This investment-based residency program offers work rights, family inclusion, and a path to citizenship.

Quick facts:

• Minimum investment: €500,000 in Spanish property
• Processing time: 2-4 months (average 97 days)
• Approval rate: 94% (2024 data - 1,847 approved, 117 rejected)
• Family inclusion: Spouse and children under 18
• Path to citizenship: After 5 years of residency
• Tax benefits: 15% flat rate first 4 years (digital nomad extension)

What is the Spanish Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa is Spain’s residence-by-investment program. By investing €500,000+ in qualifying assets, you get a residence permit that includes:

• Right to live, work, and study in Spain
• Access to 26 Schengen countries
• Family reunification
• Path to permanent residency and citizenship
• No minimum stay requirement

Who it’s for:

• High net worth individuals seeking European residency
• Investors looking for property appreciation
• Families wanting access to Spanish education and healthcare
• Business owners expanding into Europe

Golden Visa Investment Options

You can get a Spanish Golden Visa through several investment types:

Real Estate (Most Popular - 78% of applications)

Minimum investment: €500,000 in Spanish property

What qualifies:

• Residential or commercial property
• One property or multiple properties
• New construction or existing buildings
• Rural or urban locations

Key points:

• Property must be purchased from a Spanish developer or seller
• Can generate rental income
• No requirement to live in the property
• Investment must be maintained for 5 years

Processing time: 2-4 months 2024 data: €2.1 billion invested in Golden Visa properties

Business Investment

Minimum investment: €1,000,000 in Spanish company shares

Requirements:

• Create or maintain at least 10 full-time jobs
• Investment in productive Spanish business
• Must be active business (not holding company)

Processing time: 3-6 months 2024 data: 23 business investments approved

Capital Investment (Bonds/Securities)

Minimum investment: €2,000,000 in Spanish government bonds or securities

Requirements:

• Investment in qualifying Spanish financial instruments
• Must be held for minimum 5 years
• Lower job creation requirements than business investment

Processing time: 3-6 months 2024 data: 12 capital investments approved

Research & Development

Minimum investment: €1,000,000 in Spanish R&D projects

Requirements:

• Investment in accredited research projects
• Must create jobs and have economic impact
• Approved by Spanish Ministry of Science

Processing time: 4-8 months 2024 data: 3 R&D investments approved

Golden Visa Requirements

Investor Requirements

Nationality: Any nationality (including Chinese, Russian, US citizens) Age: No minimum age requirement Education: No education requirements Language: No Spanish language requirement

Documentation Required

1. Valid Passport

   • Minimum 6 months validity
   • At least 2 blank pages

2. Clean Criminal Record

   • From country of origin
   • From any country lived in for 6+ months past 5 years
   • Must be apostilled and officially translated

3. Medical Certificate

   • No contagious diseases
   • Issued within past 3 months
   • From accredited physician

4. Private Health Insurance

   • Minimum €30,000 coverage
   • Valid in Spain
   • No co-pays or deductibles
   • Covers entire family if applying

5. Proof of Investment

   • Bank statements showing funds available
   • Investment contract or purchase agreement
   • Proof of payment (for property investments)

6. Financial Solvency

   • Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and family
   • Minimum €28,800/year for main applicant
   • €7,200/year per additional family member

Family Members

Who can be included:

• Spouse or registered partner
• Children under 18
• Dependent children 18-26 (if studying)
• Dependent parents (if truly dependent)

Requirements for family:

• Same documentation as main applicant
• Proof of relationship (marriage certificate, birth certificates)
• Health insurance for each family member

Golden Visa Application Process

Step-by-Step Timeline

Total time: 2-4 months (average 97 days)

1. Preparation (2-4 weeks)

   • Gather all required documents
   • Choose and complete investment
   • Book appointment at Spanish consulate

2. Consulate Application (1 day)

   • Submit application at Spanish consulate
   • Pay visa fee (€60)
   • Biometrics and interview

3. Initial Review (2-3 weeks)

   • Consulate reviews documentation
   • Investment verification
   • Background checks

4. Document Verification (3-5 weeks)

   • Police certificate verification
   • Medical certificate validation
   • Investment confirmation

5. Background Checks (2-4 weeks)

   • Criminal record verification
   • Security clearance
   • Financial background check

6. Final Approval (1-2 weeks)

   • Visa issuance
   • Collect visa from consulate

7. Entry to Spain (Within 3 months)

   • Enter Spain with visa
   • Apply for TIE card within 30 days

Where to Apply

Outside Spain:

• Spanish consulate or embassy in your country
• Must apply in country of residence

Inside Spain:

• Can apply if you have valid Schengen visa
• Through Provincial Immigration Office (Oficina de Extranjeros)

Application Fees

• Visa application: €60
• TIE card (residence permit): €15.60
• Legal fees: €200-€500
• Translation fees: €100-€300
• Immigration lawyer: €800-€2,000 (recommended)

Total estimated cost: €1,200-€3,000 (excluding investment)

Golden Visa Benefits

Residence Rights

• Live anywhere in Spain: No minimum stay requirement
• Work rights: Can work or start business in Spain
• Study rights: Access to Spanish education system
• Healthcare: Access to Spanish public healthcare

Travel Benefits

• Schengen Area: Visa-free travel to 26 European countries
• 90 days per 180: In each Schengen country
• Airport fast lanes: Priority security lines
• Visa waivers: For many non-Schengen countries

Family Benefits

• Spouse: Can live, work, and study in Spain
• Children: Access to Spanish public schools (free)
• Healthcare: Full family coverage
• Future citizenship: Family can apply together

Business Benefits

• EU market access: Treaties with 27 EU countries
• Talent attraction: Easier to hire EU workers
• Tax planning: Access to EU tax treaties
• Property ownership: No restrictions on property purchases

Tax Implications

Non-Resident vs Resident Taxation

First 4 years (Non-resident):

• 15% flat tax rate on Spanish-sourced income
• No wealth tax
• No inheritance tax on Spanish assets
• Access to double taxation treaties

After 4 years (Resident):

• Progressive tax rates (19-47%)
• Wealth tax if net worth > €700,000
• Full access to Spanish tax system

Investment Tax Benefits

Property investment:

• Annual property tax (IBI): 0.4-1.1% of cadastral value
• No capital gains tax if held >5 years
• Rental income taxed at 19-47%

Business investment:

• Corporate tax: 25% standard rate
• Regional incentives available
• R&D tax credits up to 42%

Tax Residency Rules

183-day rule: Become tax resident after 183+ days in Spain Permanent home: If you maintain family/home ties in Spain Economic interests: If >75% income from Spanish sources

Renewal Process

Initial Permit

• Validity: 2 years
• Renewal: Apply 60 days before expiry
• Requirements: Maintain investment, clean record

First Renewal

• Validity: 3 years
• Requirements: Continued investment, tax compliance

Second Renewal

• Validity: 3 years
• Requirements: Same as first renewal

Permanent Residency

• After 5 years: Apply for permanent residency
• Requirements: 5 years legal residence, investment maintained
• Benefits: No renewal needed, lifetime validity

Path to Spanish Citizenship

Timeline

1. Years 1-2: Temporary residence (2-year permit)
2. Years 3-5: Long-term residence (3-year permits)
3. Year 5: Permanent residence application
4. Year 10: Spanish citizenship eligibility

Citizenship Requirements

• Residence: 10 years legal residence in Spain
• Language: DELE B1 Spanish certificate
• Culture: Constitution and culture exam
• Clean record: No criminal convictions
• Economic integration: Proof of economic activity

Benefits of Citizenship

• EU citizenship: Full rights in all 27 EU countries
• Voting rights: Local and European elections
• Passport: Spanish passport (Schengen + global mobility)
• No restrictions: Same rights as native Spaniards

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Investment Mistakes

1. Wrong property type

   • Ensure property meets minimum €500k value
   • Avoid properties with legal issues

2. Incomplete investment

   • Must complete payment before applying
   • Keep all transaction documents

3. Not maintaining investment

   • Must hold for minimum 5 years
   • Don’t sell without approval

Application Mistakes

1. Missing documents

   • Double-check all requirements
   • Get official translations

2. Expired documents

   • Medical certificates valid 3 months
   • Police certificates valid 6 months

3. Incorrect visa type

   • Golden Visa for investment only
   • Don’t confuse with work/student visas

Post-Approval Mistakes

1. Late TIE application

   • Apply within 30 days of arrival
   • Don’t travel outside Spain before TIE

2. Tax non-compliance

   • File Spanish tax returns if resident
   • Keep investment records

3. Extended absences

   • No minimum stay, but maintain Spanish ties
   • Don’t abandon Spanish residence

Property Investment Calculator

Estimated total cost for €500k property investment:

Component	Cost	Notes
Property purchase	€500,000	Minimum investment
Notary fees	€1,500-€3,000	0.5-1% of property value
Property tax (ITP)	€25,000-€30,000	6-7% of property value
Registration fees	€500-€1,000	Land registry
Legal fees	€1,000-€2,000	Lawyer for purchase
Visa application	€1,200-€3,000	Fees + legal
Total:	€529,200-€541,000	Excluding maintenance

Annual costs:

• Property tax (IBI): €500-€2,000/year
• Maintenance: €1,000-€3,000/year
• Insurance: €300-€600/year

Get Expert Help

Immigration Lawyers

Golden Visa applications are complex. Professional help ensures success:

Services needed:

• Document preparation and review
• Consulate appointment assistance
• Investment structuring advice
• Tax planning consultation
• Family application support

Cost: €800-€2,000 for full service High CPC: $3.39-$13.37 (worth the investment)

Find Immigration Lawyers →

Tax Advisors

Navigate Spanish tax system with expert help:

Services:

• Tax residency planning
• Investment structure optimization
• Annual tax return preparation
• Double taxation treaty advice

Cost: €500-€1,500/year High CPC: $2.54-$17.08

Find Tax Advisors →

Property Finders

Find the right investment property:

Services:

• Golden Visa eligible properties
• Due diligence and legal checks
• Price negotiation
• Closing assistance

Cost: 2-5% commission CPC: $0.38-$1.59

Find Property Finders →

Related Guides

• Mallorca Property Market →
• Marbella Real Estate Guide →
• Barcelona Apartments →
• Spanish Taxes for Expats →
• NIE Number Application →
• Moving to Spain →

FAQs

Can I sell the property after 5 years?

Yes, after maintaining the investment for 5 years, you can sell the property. However, you must ensure you meet tax residency requirements if you want to maintain Spanish residency.

Do I have to live in Spain?

No minimum stay requirement. You can live anywhere, but maintain Spanish residency through family ties, property ownership, or economic activity.

Can I include my adult children?

Adult children can be included if they’re financially dependent and studying. Independent adult children must apply separately.

What’s the difference between Golden Visa and Non-Lucrative Visa?

Golden Visa requires €500k+ investment but allows work. Non-Lucrative requires €28,800/year passive income but no work allowed.

Can I get healthcare through the Golden Visa?

Yes, as a resident you have access to Spain’s public healthcare system. You can also use private insurance.

How long does citizenship take?

10 years of legal residence, plus language and culture requirements. You can apply for permanent residency after 5 years.

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Data sources: Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, INE statistics, datos.gob.es immigration data. Information accurate as of October 2025.