The Golden Visa
Golden Visa - Stay Visa
The Golden Visa for Spain is a residence visa issued to a non-EU national who intends to make a significant investment in the Spanish economy. The visa offers the holder and his family members residence in Spain and visa-free movement to the Schengen area.
In most cases, Spain Golden Visas are issued to a person who buys real estate. However, they are also available to businessmen who invest in a Spanish company, which is why they are also called Spanish Investor Visas .
Who can get a Golden Visa for Spain?
To be eligible for a Spanish Golden Visa, you must make one of the following investments :
In addition to the investment, you must also meet the following conditions:
- Buying a property in Spain with a minimum value of €500,000. The property can be one or more units, with an overall value of at least €500,000.
- Invest in Spanish public debt of at least €2,000,000.
- Buy shares of a company or make a deposit in a Spanish bank of at least €1,000,000.
- Investing in a new company that will offer employment opportunities, contribute to scientific and/or technological innovation and have a relevant socio-economic impact in the area where the company will be undertaken.
In addition to the investment, you must also meet the following conditions:
- You must be of legal age (+18 years).
- You must not have a criminal record.
- You must not have been refused a Schengen visa in the past.
- You must have health insurance in Spain.
How do I apply for a Golden Visa in Spain?
If you have made any of the investments listed above, you can submit a visa application to the nearest Spanish embassy or consulate. At the time of application, you must commit to making the investment, but the investment does not necessarily need to be finalized.
You can submit the application yourself or through an authorized representative, such as a lawyer. When submitting the Spanish Golden Visa application, you must have the required documents with you (see Documents Required for The Spanish Gold Visa Application below).
You don't need to be in Spain to apply for the visa, although you'll probably need to go there before applying for the visa to manage your investment. After receiving the visa, you need to travel to Spain to get your residence permit.
Application for family members: Your family members must apply for their own visas for Spain as dependents. They must include documents proving the family relationship, such as birth and marriage certificates.
Which family members can be included on the Spain Golden Visa?
The family members you can include on the Golden Visa from Spain are :
Your family members will also receive residence permits and enjoy freedom of movement in the Schengen area.
- Your spouse.
- Children under 18 years of age. If you have children who are not minors but are nevertheless dependent due to health problems or mental disorders, they are also classified for the visa.
- Dependent elderly parents.
Your family members will also receive residence permits and enjoy freedom of movement in the Schengen area.
How long is the Golden Visa for Spain valid?
The Golden Visa you receive at the embassy will be valid for one year. During this year you must enter Spain and exchange your visa for a residence permit in Spain, which will be valid for two years.
The residence permit can then be renewed indefinitely, without any residence conditions, as long as you maintain your investment. You must travel to Spain each time you need to renew your residence permit.
If you intend to actually live in Spain, you can apply for permanent residence after five years of continuous residence (at least six months per year).
The residence permit can then be renewed indefinitely, without any residence conditions, as long as you maintain your investment. You must travel to Spain each time you need to renew your residence permit.
If you intend to actually live in Spain, you can apply for permanent residence after five years of continuous residence (at least six months per year).
Can I obtain Spanish citizenship through an investment?
Yes, the Spanish investor visa is a pathway to citizenship, as long as you live in Spain for at least 10 years.
Although the process to become a Spanish resident through an investment is quite simple, to receive a passport you must live in Spain for at least 6 months a year for ten years.
In addition, there are other conditions for obtaining Spanish citizenship, such as knowledge of the language and links with the country. A Spanish passport will give its holder access to the EU labour market and visa-free access to more than a hundred countries.
Although the process to become a Spanish resident through an investment is quite simple, to receive a passport you must live in Spain for at least 6 months a year for ten years.
In addition, there are other conditions for obtaining Spanish citizenship, such as knowledge of the language and links with the country. A Spanish passport will give its holder access to the EU labour market and visa-free access to more than a hundred countries.
Advantages of the Golden Visa from Spain
Spain is part of the European Union, which means that Spanish residents can travel visa-free to all countries in the Schengen zone for up to three months in a six-month period, just like your family members.
Other benefits include :
Other benefits include :
- You don't have to live in Spain to renew the residence permit – but you can if you wish.
- You can work and live legally in Spain.
- You can bring your family members with you (spouse, children and dependent parents)
- You and your family members will have access to public services such as public health care and schooling.
Documents required for the Golden Spain visa application
When applying for a Spanish Golden Visa, you need the following documents :
The documents you submit must be translated into Spanish (if they are not already translated) by a certified and apostilled translator.
- Visa application form for Spain.
- Two passport-sized photos. Make sure they follow the image guidelines for a Spanish visa.
- Make sure that the passport will be valid for the initial period you plan to spend in Spain and that it has at least two blank pages. You may also need a photocopy of the personal information page of your passport.
- If you are not a citizen of the country in which you live: Your residence permit.
- Documents proving that you have sufficient income to support yourself and your family while living in Spain.
- Police records, proving that you have no criminal history. They must be issued within three months of the application.
- Proof of health insurance (private or public) with an insurance company operating in Spain.
- Proof of payment of visa fees.
- Any additional document related to your specific case (investment or real estate purchase), as described below.
The documents you submit must be translated into Spanish (if they are not already translated) by a certified and apostilled translator.
Requirements for the Golden Visa of Spain (Real Estate)
If you have purchased a property in Spain, you must prove that you have acquired ownership of the property by a certificate issued by the Land Registry within the three months preceding the application.
This certificate must include the amount of the purchase (not less than € 500,000).
If the purchase of the property has not yet been registered in the land register, you can simply submit proof that the documents have been seized for deposit along with proof of payment.
If the purchase of a property has not been finalized, you can submit the preliminary contract, including a deposit, and a letter from a financial institution in Spain proving the availability of the necessary funds.
This certificate must include the amount of the purchase (not less than € 500,000).
If the purchase of the property has not yet been registered in the land register, you can simply submit proof that the documents have been seized for deposit along with proof of payment.
If the purchase of a property has not been finalized, you can submit the preliminary contract, including a deposit, and a letter from a financial institution in Spain proving the availability of the necessary funds.
Requirements for the Spanish Investor Visa
To prove your investment when applying for a Spanish investor visa, the following documents must be submitted:
- Investment in the debt of the Spanish government: A certificate from the Bank of Spain or another financial institution, indicating that you are the sole owner of the investment for a period of at least five years.
- Investment in shares or shares in a Spanish company: A declaration of the investment from the Spanish Registrar of Investments of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness.
- Investment in listed shares: A certificate from the financial intermediary attesting to your investment, registered with the Spanish National Stock Market Commission or with the Bank of Spain.
- Investment in a bank deposit: A certificate from the financial institution designating you as the sole owner of the bank deposit.
Is it possible to get a loan to apply for the Golden Visa from Spain?
No, you cannot apply for a Golden Visa for Spain if you acquire the money via a loan; you must make the initial investment in its entirety, via your own funds and you must be the sole owner of the investment.
However, if you buy a property worth more than €500,000, you can use loans and financing to pay the amount over €500,000.
However, if you buy a property worth more than €500,000, you can use loans and financing to pay the amount over €500,000.
Is it possible to make a joint investment to obtain an investment visa in Spain?
Even if you make a joint investment or purchase, each individual investment must meet the minimum requirements. As such, if you decide to buy a property, each person involved must pay €500,000 to be eligible for the Golden Visa. It is not possible to divide the investment into smaller amounts, as you would not be eligible for the Golden Visa residence.
A real estate project in Spain?
Contact the Spanish real estate specialists of our agency MCB Costa Blanca immobilier.
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Know your rights
The benefits of a Golden Visa include:
- The right to live, work and study in an EU country.
- The right to obtain permanent residence and citizenship (an EU passport).
- Access to quality education and health care.
- Visa-free travel in the 26 Member States of the Schengen area.
- No language, education or management requirements.
How can we help you?
Get professional help in your Golden Visa application process.
If you want the entire golden visa application process to be a smooth and worry-free experience, we recommend working with professionals who will provide you with expert advice on which program will work best for you. They will take care of all the administrative formalities and application procedures on your behalf.
If you want the entire golden visa application process to be a smooth and worry-free experience, we recommend working with professionals who will provide you with expert advice on which program will work best for you. They will take care of all the administrative formalities and application procedures on your behalf.
Publié le 18/10/2021 par
Dominique SANTI
The Golden Visa for Spain is a residence visa issued to a non-EU national who intends to make a significant investment in the Spanish economy.
