Simplicity in its application process. And the possibility to live and work in Spain (bringing your family with you), without the need to visit the country more than once a year. For many, the golden visa is the fastest path to getting residency in the Spanish territory. And the most comfortable option too. You just need to invest in the country, and this visa will be yours! in today’s post, we are going to talk about everything you need to know regarding the investor’s visa in Spain. Are you ready?
What is the Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa program is a special type of residence created especially for all the citizens from outside the European Union who want to move to the Spanish territory and realizes a significant investment in Spain.
Most residency permits for non-Europeans have complicated procedures. Lots of paperwork, bureaucracy, requirements… too much effort to just get a visa. So much so, the visa for investors in Europe has been gaining popularity that does not stop growing.
Why? For the simple promise it makes: speed and simplicity.
As pointed out in the newspaper El País, Spain is consolidated as one of the paradises of the Golden Visa. If we look at the data, it never ceases to amaze us: out of approximately 6000 residence permits granted in the country during 2018, about 600 were golden visas.
However, Portugal’s Golden Visa could face the Spanish one for the European leadership. The new changes introduced in the Portuguese immigration law make it much easier for investors around the world to get their residence permit in Portuguese lands.
What should be clear to us is that the number of golden visas granted in Spain does not stop growing. And, without any doubt, it is a trend that will continue over time.
Who can benefit from the Visa Gold?
As we have mentioned, and as we will deepen further in just a second, the golden visa is designed for all citizens from outside the European Union who intend to make an investment in Spain as a means to obtain their residency.
The countries in which this residence permit has gained the most popularity are China and Russia, without any doubt.
However, people from Iran, Venezuela, and Lebanon register notorious activity with this visa too.
Their main motivation? They have also found in investing in Spain a place to deposit their money; thus earning the ticket to a visa that largely avoids most of the procedures of the other permits.
Corresponding law
In this case, it is really important to mention the specific law that regulates the investor residence permit. Why? Because in this case, we are not talking about the general Spanish Immigration law, but about the 14/2003 Entrepreneur’s Law.
And this difference will play an important role in your legal status, especially when it comes to the application and future renewals.
First of all, and unlike any visa under the general foreigner’s law, you can apply directly from Spain.
Secondly, with the golden visa you are granted the right to live and work in Spain for 2 years initially (instead of just 1).
And, again, here comes another difference with the rest of the permits under the same Entrepreneur Law. With the visa gold, the second renewal is made after 5 years. Then, you will be able to get permanent residency.
Do you have any doubts so far? Ask anything to our lawyers here and get an instant answer:
What are the advantages of the golden visa in Spain?
We have synthesized in the following points the main advantages of the investor visa in Spain:
- It allows you to work and live legally in Spain. With this, we can identify the golden residency as a means to a work permit.
- It’s the only residence permit that grants you an initial authorization to live and work in the country for 2 years (the other ones offer only 1).
- In order to obtain this visa, to be considered a resident in the Spanish territory is not required. Remember that this is equivalent to living in the country for more than 183 days per year. The golden visa only demands that the applicant travels to the country once per year.
- It provides complete freedom of movement throughout the Schengen area; that is, most of the countries inside the European Union.
- You can easily bring your family to the country. The main applicant (investor), can request at the same time she formalizes her application the residency for her spouse and children. That is why the investor visa is a totally recommended option for those families who want to start living in Spain.
- To apply for the golden visa, it is not necessary for the applicant to do it physically in Spain. You can simply designate a representative to collect the relevant documentation for him or her.
How long can you live in Spain with an investor visa?
Once the investor has obtained his golden visa residency, he will have 2 years to reside legally in the Spanish territory.
Once this time period has finished, the applicant can renew this permit for 5 additional years.
In order to carry out this procedure, the expat must demonstrate that she still has ownership of the asset that was the center of investment; being the property, shares, or the public debt.
In addition, you must have visited Spain at least once during the year.
Are you willing to apply for citizenship by investment? Remember that the golden visa is one of the many ways to obtain Spanish nationality. After 10 years of residing legally in Spain, the investor will be eligible for citizenship.
How can I get the Golden Visa in Spain?
To apply for the golden visa in Spain, you can choose one of the following paths:
First of all, you can get your investor visa by purchasing a property (real estate) worth more than € 500,000. But, what happens if the property has been purchased by several individuals/investors? In that case, we must bear in mind that the investment will be computed at the individual level. This means that if our personal contribution to the property does not reach € 500,000, we will not be able to apply for the visa.
Secondly, buying shares of a Spanish company, or having a bank deposit in a Spanish entity for a value greater than one million euros. That will also give you access to this residence permit.
Possession of Spanish public debt worth 2 or more million euros.
Finally, investing in a business project that will be developed in Spanish territory. Here, you will find the following main requirements: that project must generate employment, imply an impulse to the scientific/technological advance of the country, or translate into a minimum socioeconomic impact.
Taxes when buying a property to get your investor permit
You may be tempted to consider that the only cost you will be facing when applying for your golden visa is the mere cost of the property you are purchasing.
But you may be wrong. Buying a property may have additional costs involved, especially when it comes to taxes.
Defining the exact amount of tax you will be liable to pay will depend on whether you are a tax resident or not. But basically you will need to pay:
- VAT (value-added tax)
- Stamp duty
- Property transfer tax in case the building is second-hand
Which are the requirements to obtain the investor visa?
In order to successfully apply for the golden residency, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
- Not be a citizen of a country member of the European Union. As we have said, this special residence permit is designed for citizens from countries outside this area, which have it more difficult to get a visa in Spain.
- Be of legal age (+18 in Spain).
- Lack of criminal records, both in Spain and in any other country. The deadline to take into account here will be the last 5 years.
- Having full-coverage healthcare in Spain. This can be obtained through public insurance or a private one. Travel insurance or insurance from the country of origin won’t be valid here. Nevertheless, if it does not offer complete full coverage, that won’t be a reason to deny the application.
- Having and demonstrating the possession of sufficient economic means for the maintenance of both the principal investor and his family (if he also applied for their residency permits).
- Realize the investment in Spanish real estate (either € 500,000, € 1M, or € 2M depending on the route chosen), and provide the corresponding document that proves it.
Which institution is responsible for reviewing the application?
Golden visa in Spain after Brexit
After Brexit, all UK citizens in need of an easy path to obtaining residency in Spain are assessing which is the best option for them.
And, in that sense, the golden visa is becoming one of the preferred options along with the non-lucrative visa.
And the reason is simple.
All those Brits who moved to Spain before did so under the EU regime, and that implied a really straightforward and easy immigration procedure.
Hence the current need to find an alternative that offers similar conditions.
And the investor residence permit seems to be the best path for those UK foreigners. This permit allows them to work, can be applied directly from Spain, and usually the main requirement it has (the real estate investment) will be satisfied anyway, as purchasing a property is a quite common activity among them.
What are the required documents needed to get the visa gold?
In the last section, we have seen how one of the fundamental requirements to obtain the residency through real estate investment is to demonstrate, through the corresponding document, that the investment has been made.
The question now is: what documents exactly justify that investment? Let’s answer that question according to the path we have chosen to follow:
If we want to obtain the golden visa through the investment in real estate, we must provide as proof of the purchase of the property the certification of domains and charges from the Property Registry.
In the case of investing in Spanish shares: a statement of the investment from the Investment Register of the Ministry of Economy in the case of shareholdings; and a certificate of the financial intermediary registered in the Securities Market National Commission for the purchase of shares.
If what we have done is to invest in Spanish public debt, we will need the certificate from the Bank of Spain or from the financial institution with which we have managed the investment. In that paper, we need to clearly identify how we are the protagonists of that purchase.
Finally, for investments in bank deposits, we will need the certificate issued by the financial institution with which we have contracted the deal. Important is the fact that in that paper we indicate that we are the sole owners of the deposit.
*As for the certificate of domains and charges, we are talking about a document that indicates who is the owner of the property, in what percentage she has the ownership, and the selling price. It will be through this certificate that the competent authority will assess whether the investment reaches the minimum to obtain this visa and whether or not you have requested a mortgage to pay.
Other frequent asked questions about the golden visa
Let’s now see the 4 most asked questions about this visa:
How long does it take to get the golden visa?
When delivering all documentation to the competent authority, it may take 20 days before we receive the resolution.
It can be favorable or we can get a denial.
After having received the resolution with a favorable result, we have a period of 1 month to apply for our visa in the Spanish consulate located in the country of the investor. It will be at that time that we must travel to Spain because we must submit the application for the Golden Visa with the received approval.
The next step will be to obtain the TIE (Identity Card of the Foreigner), as well as taking the fingerprints in any police station in Spain. We can not wait too much in this process, we only have 1 month to do it.
And that would be it!
If you do not feel like dedicating the time it takes to perform all these boring procedures … let us do it for you! Contact us and get your Golden Visa FAST. We will guide you from start to finish, you will just need to sign!
Do I need to invest 500.000€ in cash or can I use financing?
This is a question many of our clients ask. Can I use financing in order to purchase the property, like getting a mortgage? No. You need, at least, to invest 500.000€ from your pocket. Without financing.
Nevertheless, for the exceeding part, you can use financing.
Let’s say, for example, that the property you intend to buy costs 1.000.000€. Then, you will need to invest 500.000€ now to get the golden visa. But, for the remaining 500.000€, you can get a mortgage.
Can I buy several properties valued under 500.000€?
100%. In fact, that is what many people do. The main issue to consider is that the total investment, including all the assets you purchase, sums a total of 500.000€ (minimum). So, for example, you can purchase a property valued at 450.000€ and complement it with a parking slot or another establishment that costs 50.000€. You would still be eligible to get the investor visa in that situation.
Can I bring my family to Spain with me with this visa?
Yes. You can bring your spouse and children by applying for this visa as the main investor. But keep in mind that in order to bring your children, it is essential that they are under 21, that they are studying and depend economically on you.
Can I apply for the golden visa if I bought the property in any year before the year I apply for this residence permit?
Many people have this doubt. What happens if I bought the property some time ago, and want to apply for the investor permit later on? There would be no problem. You can do it. The only requirement is that the property must have been bought after 2014, the year in which the law regulating the golden visa came into force.
If, for example, you bought a property in 2017 but want to apply for an investor visa two years later; you can get the residence without trouble. But if you had bought it in 2013, then it would not be possible.
What taxes will I need to pay once in Spain?
This question is a really important one. Because, want it or not, after you get your residency in Spain you will need to start paying taxes.
But the question is, which ones and how much?
The answer is not straightforward and depends on your particular situation, we will answer using the most common case.
Because this permit does not require you to stay in Spain for over 6 months in order to renew it, it is usual for golden visa holders to visit the country just once or twice throughout the year. Hence those foreigners become non-residents for fiscal purposes (which really conditions the taxes they will end up paying).
The important issue now is whether they rent out the property or not during the amount of time they are not in Spain:
- If they do, then they must pay non-resident income tax for the incomes generated on that house (rental income). As they are non-EU citizens, the tax rate applicable is 24%, and it must be declared quarterly.
- If they don’t rent it out and no one lives there, then they must pay (this time annually) that same 24% but multiplied by the cadastral value of the property, and then again multiplied by 2% or by 1.1% depending on whether the cadastral value has been revised during the past 10 years or not.
Finally, if the total value of their properties in Spain (all added up) is higher than €700.000 (even though this limit may differ according to your region), then they will also need to pay wealth tax, which ranges from 0.2% and 2.5%.
Obtain the Spanish Residency by investing in Spain now
And, up to this point, the answer to most of the doubts and frequently asked questions regarding the golden Spanish visa.
If something has not been clear to you or if you have any specific questions on your particular case… do not hesitate to contact us, we will be happy to help you out!
Hi,
My name is Ali Ismail. Im having a business in DUBAI and I would like to apply for a golden visa, can you please let me know more information about process and your company fees/time frame.
I am married with no kids, my wife is Romanian and im holding Lebanese passport.
Regards
Ali
Hi Ali!
Sure, we will contact you via email providing further details.
Have a nice day!
Hi
We are a Chinese family with a kid of 3 years old, we would like to apply for the residence visa in Spain by purchasing a property in Spain, could you please share with us the detailed list of the documents which we should prepare for the applicaion.
Thank you
Hi!
Basically, you will need:
-Passport
-Health insurance (public or private)
-Criminal records
-Golden visa application form
-Documentation that accredits the possession of the sufficient economic funds for both the applicant and family members (if applies)
-Relevant documentation that accredits the investment. Depending on the type of investment the document required will differ.
For any other doubt do not hesitate to ask us!
If you get the golden visa, are you just delaying applying for non-lucrative residency, etc. if you intend to stay resident in Spain? We are trying to decide if the golden visa really adds much value vs. the non-lucrative visa.
Hi Robert!
The golden visa and the non-lucrative visa are different types of permits with different characteristics. On the one hand, the Golden Visa requires you to invest a minimum of 500.000€ in Spanish real estate, which may make the requirements a bit more complicated (as for the non-lucrative residency). Then, once you get the permit, the non-lucrative residency does not allow you to work, whereas with the golden visa you can.
It is just a matter of knowing the requirements of both visas and your rights afterward, balancing the situation and deciding what is best for you in that sense.
Hope we have answered your doubt.
Hi my question is ,does it need to be one property of 500000 euros or can it be several properties with a total of more than 500000 euros
Hi Mathias,
It can be more than one property!
Hi.i have a question.
About the representative of the government investors programme,when are they coming to malaga this 2019?
Hi Ella,
We have no notice regarding that.
For any other issue, we are here to help!
Hi, I would like to know that the condition “In addition, you must have visited Spain at least once during the year” to maintain the Golden visa is still required at the moment of June 2019 for the real estate investment ?
Thank you in advance !
Tran
Hi Tran,
It means that, once you get your permit, you can leave the country and live abroad, but it is a requirement to visit Spain at least once during the year if you would like to renew the permit. Have we answered your doubt?
I have a relative who wants to get a Spanish gold visa by buying houses. If your company can handle the assistance, he wants to know: 1) How long does the entire processing time take? 2) How much does it cost for your company to handle all the formalities?
Rgds/Wendy
Hi Wendy!
The process takes up to 3 months (taking into consideration the preparation of the documents, its submission and the response from the competent institution). We charge 1.500€ for the main applicant in order to manage the whole process.
We are here to help your relative whenever he or she needs it!
Hello.
When we get the golden visa and not selling the house what need for renovation the residency after finish the first cart?
Hi Nima!
In order to renew the golden visa you need to meet the same requirements that were necessary for the initial application. This means that you need to maintain the same investment. If you are not selling the house, then you can renew with no problem.
Hope we have solved your doubt!
Hi,
I am interested in obtaining a golden visa by investment in real estate. I understand that Euro 500k is for single applicant in whose name the property is registered. However can I make this payment jointly or partly from my and my wife’s bank account to make this Euro 500k? Also is this amount of Euro 500K exclusive of other expenses during buying the property e.g. Registration Charges, Govt Taxes if any etc?
Hi Vikas,
If you are married under the community of goods regime, it does not matter where the money is coming from.
In regards to the investment, the 500.000€ does not include any other expense.
For any other doubt you may have about the investor permit, or if you need us to help you out with the application procedure, do not hesitate to contact us at info@balcellsgroup.com
Hope you have a nice day 🙂
Hello there,
Can the 500K requirement be a combination of Real Estate and mutual funds through Spanish banks? Meaning is there a scenario of a combined profile not one of the 3 possible options?
Hi Abdullah,
No, that is not possible.
Dear Ballcells,
I appreciate the information and the effort put on this insightful website. However, I have a small inquiry. Is it true that investing in a property as low as 70k USD outside the city in Spain will also grant us a permanent visa (or the Golden Visa)?
Thank you
Hi Hussein,
No. You need to realize an actual investment of 500.00€ minimum inside Spain.
Regards!
Hi – am I able to apply if my husband has a criminal record? We both would plan to be in Spain….thanks in advance for your help.
Hi Sam,
One of the main requirements to get the golden visa is to have clear criminal background records during the past 5 years.
thank you, yes I did read about that req – however, I just want to clarify that this not only is required of the applicant/investor, but is required of the applicant’s spouse as well?
Hi Sam,
That depends. You can be the main investor and bring your family with you, requiring the investment of the 500.000€. Nevertheless, if you acquire the property with your spouse, the regime that regulates the marriage is crucial: if you are under the separate property regime, the requirement doubles (1.000.000€ will be required).
Good day
If a property is purchase for 500 euros but the investor doesn’t reside in Spain (but visits every year), how long can the visa be maintained for? In other words, does the visa cease if the investor doesn’t live in Spain for 183 days per year, or can it be retained indefinitely?
Hi Sue,
The golden visa just requires you to visit Spain once per year, so you don’t need to become a resident in the country (over 183 days) in order to renew it.
For anything else do not hesitate to ask!
The Golden Visa is for passport holders outside the EU. I have dual nationality, USA and UK. Can I apply under the USA passport or will the fact that I have an EU passport (at lease until Brexit) disqualify me?
Hi Joel,
You won’t have any problem getting the golden visa with your dual nationality!
Regards.
Hello,
About the real estate golden visa – is it required to invest the full €500,000 or is it only that the value of the asset be €500,000+ (i.e., investing downpayment and other fees that are less than that)?
Thanks
Hi,
The value of the asset must be 500.000€ or over.
Regards!
Hi, is it posible to purchase a property of 400.000 € but then reform with a budget of more than 100.000 €, showing the final amount invested, could i still ask for the visa?
Hi Emma,
No, the property (or set of assets you invest in), must total at least 500.000€.
Regards!
Hi, my husband is non-eu & myself & child are British. He wants to purchase a 500k property to get the golden visa because it’s easier than other routes. 1- do we have to view & buy a property and then go back to our country of residence & wait?
2- Can we be part of his application even though we are British?
We want the simplest route. We will be living in the property all year. My son will attend school… advice please..! Thanks
Hi Susan,
Golden Visa is a kind of visa for non-EU citizens, so in case you and your kids are British currently, you are not eligible to apply with him.
On regards to this procedure, It is mandatory for the main investor to be in Spain when applying.
For EU citizens is much more easy. However, I recommend to you to get your residence as soon as possible before the Brexit.
If you prefer, we could schedule an online consultation with one of our lawyers to analyze the situation carefully.
Regards!
Is it possible to get the visa by starting a business/company in Spain? as per this sentence:
“by investing in a business project that will be developed in the Spanish territory. Here, you will find the following main requirements: that project must generate employment, imply an impulse to the scientific/technological advance of the country, or translate into a minimum socioeconomic impact.”
what are the conditions for getting the visa by starting a business?
Hi!
To get the residency by setting up a company you need the entrepreneur visa, not the golden visa.
Regards!
Hello! Interestingly, if I just buy an apartment in Spain, I can immediately get the opportunity to apply for a residence permit or a gold card.
Hi Tori,
You need to get your visa first, then you can get the residence permit while in Spain.
The whole process is outlined throughout this article.
Regards!
Dear Sir’s,
Can I buy a commercial Property and get Golden Vis.
Thku
Hi Salah,
Yes, no matter the type of real estate asset, as long as you reach the minimum required amount, you can get the Golden Visa.
Here for anything else you may need!
Hello, is it possible to apply for the Golden Visa if the property of more than Euro 500,000.00 was purchased in 2014, but no application was made since that time until now?
Hi Ramzi, yes. As long as it was bought after the entrepreneur’s law came into force (2014), you can get the golden visa afterward. You are in the limit! 🙂
Is that correct that investor need to wait10 years before becoming Spain citizenship
Hi Simon!
That is the general rule. Nevertheless, depending on your country of origin, it can be less than that.
Hi
I’m a UK national looking to purchase a property in Spain but how will Brexit complicate this? If the purchase completes before any withdrawal agreement (implementation period), do you have any idea what my options will be for residency rights afterwards?
Would I be better off waiting until after Brexit and any transition period before applying as a third party national (non-EU citizen) with the golden visa scheme?
Any advice gratefully received!
Thank you.
Kevin, we still don’t know what will happen in terms of immigration agreements between the UK, Spain, and the European Union area. So we can answer that. Nevertheless, we will keep you updated and inform you as soon as any agreement is reached.
Hi! Is it possible to purchase property/ies worth €500k through financing or does the investment have to be in cash?
Hi Dia,
You can rely on financing (for example a mortgage) in the price that goes over 500.00€. This means that, for example, if the property is valued at 600.000€; you need to pay 500.000€ at least, and use a mortgage for the rest.
I AM JASBIR.I AM FROM INDIA.I WANT TO GET GOLDEN VISA PLEASE ADWISE ME THANKYOU
Hi!
In case that you meet all the requirements outlined in this article, send us an email at info@balcellsgroup.com and we will start managing your application as soon as possible!
Hi,
I wonder if I can live in Austria legally for a long time after getting the golden visa in Spain.
Would you clarify it, please?
Thanks!
With the golden visa you must visit Spain, at least, once per year (if you wish to renew). You should check the specific laws of Austria or talk to an immigration lawyer there, but it is unlikely that you can live there with the Spanish golden visa.
Assuming after Brexit there will be no freedom of movement, then I take it UK citizens will be able to apply for a golden visa?
If so, if a married couple have a property in joint names valued at €500000, can one of them apply for a golden visa or would it have to be assets above a €1million?
Finally, I understand that as long as you don’t exceed 183 days, you are not a fiscal resident in Spain, which is harder to achieve under normal residency rules, how does a golden visa work with a non EU nationals driving license as under normal residency, you are required (in general) to exchange your UK license for a Spanish one.
We want to be able to spend up to 180 days a year at our home in Spain without being restricted to the 90 in 180 rule.
Currently, there’s no update in regards to what will happen, so it is much better to get your EU registry certificate as soon as possible. If you are married under a joint regime, the amount is doubles to 1M€. The investor permit just requires you to visit Spain once per year, so you don’t have the need to stay 180 days, hence you won’t be a resident.
Is the criminal record required for my spouse too or is the marriage certificate the only document they are needing? Also me and my gf are not married yet can I add her after an approval?
For her too. You should, at least, be registered as a civil partnership.
Hi! Is possible for someone to apply for a golden visa or non-lucrative visa, who has a mental illness like (bipolar) but has been medicated and normalized since 2015?
Hi David, yes, it is possible! If you need further assistance, we are at your disposal at info@balcellsgroup.com