Spain

About Country-

Spain has one of the most important economies in Europe. It is also a full member of the EU and the Eurozone. Situated in Southwestern Europe, Spain is regarded as one of the world’s most popular holiday destinations. It is a vibrant country admired for its majestic landscapes and excellent quality of life and a nation with a rich history and unique culture and traditions.

About the Programme-

Golden Visa Spain with €500,000 investment.

Spain launched its golden visa programme in 2013. An investment of €500,000 in real estate will gain family residency. The Spanish investor visa can be renewed every two years. After five years it is possible to gain permanent residency and after ten years citizenship. It is not necessary to live in Spain in order to retain and renew the residency visa permit.

The Spain Residence-by-Investment Program is ranked an incredible 5th out of 24 programs on the Global Residence Programs Index.

Permanent Residency and Citizenship-

It is possible to apply for permanent residency in Spain after living in the country for five years. Citizenship can be applied for after living full time for ten years. Although the temporary residency permit (the golden visa) can be easily renewed without living in the country, the route to both permanent residency and citizenship requires the investor and their family to reside in Spain.

Benefits -

Spanish Residency by Investment offers visa-free access within the Schengen Zone – get visa-free access to 26 EU states, including Switzerland, Luxemburg, Italy and Germany. Go on a last-minute business trip or take your family on a spontaneous holiday in Europe.

Requirements -

The Spain Residence-by-Investment Program requires that a foreign individual invests into either a real estate project, a business project, company shares or bank deposits, or government bonds. Applicants are required to fulfill one of the following investment options in the country:

1. The acquisition of real estate with a minimum value of EUR 500,000 (one or several properties)
2. The creation of a business project to be developed in Spain, duly recognized as being of ‘general interest’
3. Company shares or bank deposits with a minimum value of EUR 1 million in Spanish financial institutions
4. A government bonds investment with a minimum value of EUR 2 million

Documentary evidence of the investment must be provided as part of the application process.

Mobility-

Spanish Residency by Investment offers visa-free access within the Schengen Zone – get visa-free access to 26 EU states, including Switzerland, Luxemburg, Italy and Germany. Go on a last-minute business trip or take your family on a spontaneous holiday in Europe. Spanish citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 190 countries and territories, ranking the ordinary Spanish passport 4th in terms of travel freedom

Procedures and time frame-

Applications to the program must be made through the prescribed forms and must be accompanied by the appropriate fees and supporting documents. Residence permits are usually issued after a 20-day consideration period and have an initial duration of two years, renewable for five years upon request, provided that a minimum investment in Spain is maintained by the applicant.

The application process comprises two stages:

1. In the first phase, applicants apply in their home country for a Spanish residence visa that allows them to reside and work in Spain for one year.
2. In the second phase, applicants apply for a Spanish residence permit. If they have come to Spain on an ordinary tourist visa, they may apply for the residence permit directly, thus omitting the first phase.

The residence permit applies to the main investor, spouse or partner (including unmarried or same-sex unions), and all economically dependent descendants. There is no minimum stay requirement to maintain residence status but obtaining the first residence permit requires a visit to Spain.