Obtain Spanish Golden Visa

Starting January 2025, the Spanish Golden Visa will be closed. New applications are accepted until April 3rd, 2025.

This was a special investment program in Spain that allowed individuals to obtain residency through investment. In order to obtain a Spanish Golden Visa, the applicant needed to commit to making an investment in real estate or capital investment, open a business, or reside in the country as a highly qualified professional or following a corporate transfer. This type of visa was available to non-EU nationals who are over the age of 18 and who observe a set of other conditions. 

The process of emigrating to Spain must now imply gaining temporary residency followed by permanent one after living here for the minimum period of time prescribed by the law. Our immigration lawyers in Spain can now help foreign investors interested in Spanish citizenship by investment or moving here based on an alternative to the Golden Visa. They can rely on us for support during the entire immigration procedure. First, you will be issued a residence permit in Spain.

Quick Facts
Nationalities accepted (EU/Non-EU)	Program dedicated to NON-EU nationals
Business investment option (YES/NO)	YES, at least 1 million EUR
Real estate investment option (YES/NO)	YES, at least 500,000 EUR
Other investment options (if available)	YES, bank deposit, acquisition of bonds or other financial instruments
Residence or direct citizenship option	YES, residency
Direct immigration with family mmebers (YES/NO)	YES
Family members allowed to join the program	Spouse/civil partner,minor children, parents older than 65
Timeframe for obtaining citizenship/residency by investment	Permanent residency after 5 years, citizenship after 10 years
Dual citizenship permitted (YES/NO)	YES
Reasons to choose Spain	Good quality of life, free movement to other EU countries and the Schengen Area
Visa free travel to other countries (approx. number of countries)	Approx. 190 countries
Minimum requirement to maintain the investment (if any)	Yes, 5 years
Other special conditions for  the golden visa (if any)	Yes, the initial visa is issued for one year and can be renewed for another 2 years.
Steps to obtain a golden visa	– select the investment option; – draft the necessary documents; – file the paperwork with the Spanish Embassy;  – pick up the residence visa
Visa interview required (YES/NO)	No
Existence of start-up visa program (YES/NO)	Yes, investors interested in investment immigration to Spain can also choose the start-up visa.
Possibility to acquire Spanish citizenship through the start-up visa (YES/NO)	Yes, through the usual naturalization route
Requirement to live in Spain after obtaining the visa (YES/NO)	No, there is no such requirement for the main investor, nor for dependents, however, those seeking to obtain permanent residency must live in the country for 6 months per year.
Timeframe to obtain the visa (approx.)	The Spanish golden visa is issued in about 6 months.
Most popular pathway to obtain a golden visa	Real estate purchase is the most popular way to obtain a golden visa for Spain.
Advantages of the golden visa scheme	– no language requirements; – no living requirements unless seeking to obtain permanent residence; – access to EU healthcare and education systems
Support in applying for a golden visa (YES/NO)	Yes, you can rely on our immigration lawyers in Spain for this purpose.
Employment possibility for family members (YES/NO)	No, family members of a golden visa holder are not allowed to take up employment.
Application requirements for the main applicant	– clean criminal record for the past 5 years, – not to be an illegal resident of Spain, – not to be on the list or indesirable persons.
Healthcare insurance requirement (YES/NO)	Yes, valid health insurance must be available at the time of the application.
Documents required to apply for a Spanish golden visa	– application form, – valid passport, – proof of sufficient funds to live in Spain, – identification documents of the dependents (if applicable).
Requirement to open a Spanish bank account (YES/NO)	Yes, the applicant must also open a local bank account.
Requirement to obtain a NIE number	Yes, this the tax identification code used for various interactions with the authorities.
Possibility to open a business to obtain a golden visa (YES/NO)	Yes.
Minimum financial requirement for setting up a company	There are no financial requirements for this option, however, the company must be established in a demanded industry and must imply the creation of full-time jobs.
Possibility to apply for the visa from Spain (YES/NO)	No, the person must apply from abroad with the help of our immigration lawyers in Spain.
Living requirement (YES/NO)	No, the applicant is not required to live in the country. However, not living here will lower the chances of permanent residency.
Access to tax residency (YES/NO)	Only if the applicants decide to live in Spain.
Possibility to obtain refunds on the investments made (YES/NO)	No, unless the applicant wants to give up Spanish residency.
Possibility to exit Spain when seeking to obtain permanent residency (YES/NO)	Yes, but no more than 10 months during the 5-year mandatory period.
Access to double citizenship (YES/NO)	Only citizens of certain countries can retain their first nationality when filing for Spanish citizenship.
Alternatives to the Spanish golden visa (if any)	The non-lucrative visa.

Spain to terminate Golden Visa Scheme

At the beginning of January 2025, the Spanish Government announced the termination of the Golden Visa Program. After being published in the Official Gazette, Organic Law No. 1/2025 on the abolishment of the scheme will become effective starting with April 2025.

This means that investors will now have to use other pathways for immigration to Spain. Our lawyers can offer tailored consultancy to those interested in residency by investment in Spain.

You can find out how to obtain citizenship by investment in Spain from the infographic below:

Alternatives to the Spanish Golden Visa starting with April 2025

Despite the closing of this program, Spain should not be overlooked by investors interested in moving here, as they have various alternatives. Among them, we present the following:

• the non-lucrative visa which is a residence permit with a limited validity just like the golden visa;
• business registration is also an option for those seeking to generate profits in Spain;
• real estate acquisition the usual pathway is also an option for those interested in the real estate investment section of the former Golden Visa;
• ordinary residency in Spain is also an option for those interested in settling here;
• the digital nomad visa in Spain is also an excellent choice for business owners, remote workers, and freelancers to move to this country.

The preparations to close the program were underway for some time, as the validity of the visa was also reduced to one year. This is one of the main reasons for those still interested in Spanish residency by investment and even retirement to choose another relocation pathway.

If you are interested in any of the options above, our immigration lawyers in Spain are at your disposal with complete information about accessing golden visa alternatives.

The 2025 Startup Visa – an alternative to the Spanish Golden Visa

Foreign entrepreneurs interested in starting their own business in Spain have another option apart from the Golden Visa Scheme. This is called the Startup or Entrepreneur Visa Program and is a cheaper alternative to citizenship by investment.

The program allows foreign citizens to immigrate to Spain by starting a business. Just as under the Spanish Golden Visa Scheme, this one also has specific requirements and eligibility criteria the applicants must comply with.

Even if each application is treated on a case-to-case basis, applicants must comply with a few requirements which imply:

• the business to be created must bring a significant contribution to the Spanish economy;
• the applicant must have specific qualifications or managerial experience in the field the company will operate in.

In order to support the application, the candidate for the startup visa must submit various documents with the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness. Among these, a business plan, a thorough description of the project, a description of the product or service to be created by the company, a market analysis. Information about financing options, where these are necessary must also be included in the application file. Additionally, the entrepreneur must prove how the business will contribute to the economy.

Compared to the Spanish Golden Visa, this program has the advantage of not imposing a minimum amount of money as an investment. Also, the visa is issued for one year with the possibility of being transformed into a residence permit with a validity of 2 years, followed by renewal every other 2 years.

If you consider the Startup Visa a more suitable option, we invite you to reach out to our immigration lawyers in Spain for information.

Also, if you are planning to immigrate to Spain from the USA, we are at your service with complete information on how to prepare for moving here. If you want to obtain residency by investment in Spain, we will guide you through the entire procedure. The StartUp visa is also a way of obtaining Spanish citizenship.

Getting a visa to live permanently in Spain is easy. For details about our services, get in touch with us. You must submit a number of documents in order to apply for permanent residency in Spain. These suggest possessing a current passport, identification showing where you live, and enough cash to support yourself. The immigration officers must receive these before they may stamp the passport with the residency stamp. You can rely on us if you require assistance in obtaining it.

Business investment as an alternative to obtain a Spanish Golden Visa

One of the most appealing ways of immigrating to Spain through a Golden Visa was by entrepreneurship. This option is still available, however, investors must now comply with other rules that can be explained by our Spanish immigration lawyers.

The particularities of obtaining a Spanish Golden Visa through this option implied a temporary residence permit issued for one year initially, and then, the right to the extended residency of 5 years with the condition that the investment would be maintained. Moreover, a successful applicant was not required to live in Spain and only needed to visit the country at least one time in a calendar year. Now, the same conditions apply, with the mention that there is no need to maintain the investment or visit the country periodically.

Still, after the 5-year period, the candidate can obtain permanent residency in Spain, and after 10 years, he or she can also apply for Spanish citizenship.

In order to obtain citizenship through the former Spanish Golden Visa scheme, the following requirements still apply:

• the applicant is required to give up his or her former nationality;
• a clean criminal record and proof of self-sustenance are also mandatory;
• a citizenship interview is required;
• proof of speaking Spanish and knowledge of the local cultures and values are also required.

If you are interested in emigrating to this country and obtaining citizenship in Spain and need support our local lawyers can help you apply for other visas.

The nomad visa in Spain is one of your best possibilities if you want to relocate and work remotely from this country for businesses in other states. If you choose to stay, you can submit a regular application for a residence permit. Our local immigration consultants can explain the requirements and application process specific to each type of visa, including for the remote work one.

Capital investment as a way to Spanish citizenship by investment

Non-EU citizens seeking to apply for Spanish golden visas had multiple options they could choose from when relocating to this country. One of them was related to capital investments. There are two options for investors interested in emigrating to Spain based on such investment:

• to invest at least 1 million euros in the purchase of shares in one or more local companies;
• to invest at least 2 million euros in the purchase of Treasury bonds.

Even if the amounts of money to invest were significantly higher compared to real estate purchases, these options usually targeted foreign citizens seeking to move here for entrepreneurship purposes.

Depositing at least 1 million euros in a Spanish bank account was another capital investment option for non-EU citizens interested in moving to this country. This type of investment was suitable for those who want to retire to an EU country and decide on Spain. Currently, such investment are possible outside the program.

Our immigration lawyers in Spain are at your service with information and assistance in preparing the documents associated with moving here.

The Golden Visa program in Spain

The following types of investments qualified for this type of residence permit:

• capital investment under the form of a deposit of 1 million euros in a Spanish bank account for at least 5 years;
• capital investment of at least 1 million euros under the form of shares in one or more local companies;
• capital investment worth a minimum of 2 million euros in Treasury bonds.
• real estate: purchasing a property with a minimum value of 500,000 euros prior to making the application.
• entrepreneurship: opening a business or starting an entrepreneurial project that is of general interest.
• highly qualified professionals: individuals who are experts or considered highly qualified in a certain business sector.
• educational and research: for foreigners who engage in research or educational activities in Spain.
• intra-company moves: for professionals who are transferred within the same company that is also present on the Spanish market.

No matter the types of investment, it had to be maintained for a minimum period of 5 years.

Law 14/2013, or the Entrepreneur Law, the Support to entrepreneurs and investors Law, was the one that offered residency visas on the base of these special investments, particularly for the purpose of aiding in the internalization of entrepreneurs. One of our immigration lawyers in Spain can provide investors with more information about this law. If you want to apply for an alternative to the Spain golden visa program, we can advise you.

Immigrate to Spain with family members in 2025

Non-EU citizens moving to this country based on the Spanish Golden Visa or not can also bring family members along. All immigration procedures are handled by the Ministry of Interior which will handle all applications.

For relocation with family members, please note that specific conditions must be met in accordance with the type of visa sought. These too will be issued temporary residence permits followed by permanent ones.

Additional information for those interested in Spain’s immigration

The recipient of a golden visa in Spain is granted a residence permit valid for one year, which can then be renewed for another two years, and again as needed. In order for the renewal to be possible, the holder must show that he continues to be the owner of the property initially purchased when the application was first made.

One of our Spanish immigration agents can give you more details about this program or about the alternatives to gaining residency.

The golden visa was one of the manners in which individuals interested in emigrating to Spain can eventually acquire citizenship. The holder of a valid residence permit can apply after a period of ten years during which he has legally resided in the country.

Non-EU citizens who are interested in more information about this manner of living in Spain ling-term can contact us for complete assistance for immigration purposes. We also provide services to EU nationals who are subject to lighter requirements for staying in Spain but no nonetheless need to comply with a set of formalities after having arrived in the country.

According to a report from 2017, the golden visa program has been the recipient of approximately 3 billion euros since its inception at the end of September 2013. According to the same source, some of the other statistics are as follows:

• the approximate number of residence permits issued during this time was 3,351;
• approximately 94% of the applicants are real estate investors;
• approximately 40.9% of the applicants were highly qualified professionals. 

Nationals from China have been the most numerous during this time, followed by those from Russia, Ukraine or Egypt, and Venezuela. The top cities for applicants for a golden visa are Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, and Alicante.  You can find out more about the Spanish Golden Visa in the video below:

​FAQ on the Spanish Golden Visa Scheme

1 . If I already have a golden visa, does the closing of the program affect me?

No, the closing of the program means no new applications will be accepted.

2 . Can I work under the Spanish golden visa?

Yes, you are allowed to work if you have moved to Spain with a golden visa. All you need is the residence permit obtained alongside the visa.

3 . Does the validity of the golden visa remain in place?

Yes, the golden visa has a 1-year validity, however, following its expiry you need to apply for ordinary residency.

4 . Can I still get Spanish citizenship based on a golden visa?

No, you will first obtain permanent residence after 5 years of living here, while citizenship can be acquired after 10 years.

How many golden visas has Spain issued so far?

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spain issued around 13,000 golden visas in 2021, which can make you wonder why such a limited number. Here are some of the reasons why, such residence permits were released in small numbers:

• applicants did not verify if they were eligible for the program – there were various requirements to meet;
• the sources of the funds were not clear – such sources were thoroughly verified by the authorities, any inconsistency leading to the rejection of the file;
• some applicants filed incomplete documentation – this was one of the most important steps in being issued a golden visa in Spain and was often overlooked.

Advantages of relocating to Spain through other types of visas in 2025

The Golden Visa Scheme addressed non-EU/EEA citizens interested in moving to Spain through investment, however, they can also select other pathways through which can obtain the same benefits.

The main advantages of choosing alternative immigration routes to Spain are:

• the lack of specific financial requirements, as applicants are no longer required to meet the pecuniary conditions of the scheme;
• access to other investment options to those interested in making profits;
• the possibility to obtain non-lucrative visas that enable applicants to enjoy living here without being conditioned to work or invest.

Apart from these, we remind you that having a golden visa does not automatically reduce the time frame to obtain permanent residency or Spanish citizenship. So, from this point of view, similar living requirements apply no matter the type of residence permit you obtain.

Access to Spanish citizenship

The Spanish Golden Visa led to Spanish citizenship more often than any other visa. If you fulfill the following requirements, you can still obtain a Spanish passport after 10 years, provided the following requirements are met:

• over the course of 10 years, you have spent at least 183 days a year in Spain;
• you have at least a basic understanding of Spanish;
• you have minimum knowledge of the history and culture of Spain;
• you have no debts or criminal convictions in Spain.

Also, if you are a citizen of a former Spanish colony and applied for a Golden Visa, you will obtain citizenship in 2 years. Among these colonies are many of the current South American countries.

If you want to apply for an alternative to the golden visa in Spain and need support, contact us!