Spain Residency by Investment

Spain’s Golden Visa, under Law 14/2013, offers a fast-track residence route for non‑EU/EEA/Swiss investors and their families. It grants the right to live and work in Spain, Schengen mobility, and flexible renewal while the qualifying investment is maintained. Note: the government announced plans in 2024 to phase out the real estate option; verify its current status before proceeding.

Eligible investments (confirm latest thresholds and categories):

- Real estate: from €500,000 free of liens per principal applicant (subject to potential repeal/suspension).

- Capital transfer:

- €2,000,000 in Spanish public debt; or

- €1,000,000 in shares of Spanish companies, bank deposits in Spanish financial institutions, or units in Spanish investment/VC funds.

- Business project in Spain: deemed of general interest (job creation, socio‑economic impact, or technological/innovative contribution), assessed case‑by‑case.

Who you can include:

- Spouse or registered partner, dependent children (including adult children who are financially dependent/studying), and dependent parents.

Key benefits:

- Rapid processing (typically ~10 working days for the investor visa, ~20 working days for the residence permit after submission).

- Permission to work for the main applicant and adult family members.

- No minimum stay to maintain the permit; renew in 2‑year increments (initial card often valid for 2 years if applying in Spain, then 5 years in some cases), provided the investment is sustained.

Eligibility and process:

- Clean criminal record, private health insurance valid in Spain, sufficient financial means, and lawful, traceable funds.

- Steps: select investment; obtain NIE (tax ID); complete investment and collect proof (deeds, bank/fund letters, CNMV/Bank of Spain confirmations as applicable); apply for the investor visa at a Spanish consulate or for the residence permit in Spain; attend biometrics; receive TIE residence card.

Long-term pathway and tax:

- Long-term residence generally after 5 years of actual residence; citizenship usually after 10 years (reduced to 2 for nationals of Ibero‑American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal).

- Residency permits do not automatically trigger tax residency (183‑day rule applies). Spain has wealth/solidarity taxes region-dependent—obtain tailored tax advice. Policy details can change; always confirm the latest rules.