Spain Golden Visa Program
Migration Program Details & Application
Program Overview
Project Description
• Policy Core: Invest €500,000 or more in real estate (residential, commercial, or land properties, one or more properties combined) to obtain a Golden Visa. Initial validity is 3 years, renewable for 5 years thereafter, with unlimited renewals.
• Requirements for obtaining permanent residency: You must have resided in Spain for at least 4 years and 2 months within the past 5 years (approximately 10 months per year), with no single absence exceeding 6 months; have no criminal record; and have proof of financial means. Upon successful application, you will receive a permanent residency card.
Advantages: No educational, language, or business background requirements; can work or do business locally; free movement within the Schengen Area; spouse, children, and parents can accompany.
• Restrictions: The funds for purchasing the property must be from a legal source, and a loan cannot be taken out to pay the principal of 500,000 (partial loans are allowed to pay the excess amount).
• Policy Core: Invest €500,000 or more in real estate (residential, commercial, or land properties, one or more properties combined) to obtain a Golden Visa. Initial validity is 3 years, renewable for 5 years thereafter, with unlimited renewals.
• Requirements for obtaining permanent residency: You must have resided in Spain for at least 4 years and 2 months within the past 5 years (approximately 10 months per year), with no single absence exceeding 6 months; have no criminal record; and have proof of financial means. Upon successful application, you will receive a permanent residency card.
Advantages: No educational, language, or business background requirements; can work or do business locally; free movement within the Schengen Area; spouse, children, and parents can accompany.
• Restrictions: The funds for purchasing the property must be from a legal source, and a loan cannot be taken out to pay the principal of 500,000 (partial loans are allowed to pay the excess amount).
Eligibility & Requirements
Scoring (Explanation)
There is no points-based system for the Spanish Golden Visa. The review mainly considers:
• Investment amount ≥ 500,000 euros (proof of property registration)
No criminal record
Purchase Spanish health insurance
• Prove sufficient funds (non-EU source)
• No special restrictions on spouse and children
There is no points-based system for the Spanish Golden Visa. The review mainly considers:
• Investment amount ≥ 500,000 euros (proof of property registration)
No criminal record
Purchase Spanish health insurance
• Prove sufficient funds (non-EU source)
• No special restrictions on spouse and children
Application Process & Advice
suggestion
1. Location selection: Madrid and Barcelona have good property liquidity but high average prices; coastal cities (Valencia, Malaga) have low investment thresholds and are suitable for vacation rentals; consider rental yield (approximately 4-6%).
2. Tax costs: Purchasing a house requires paying value-added tax (10% for new houses) or transfer tax (6-10% for second-hand houses), stamp duty, and notary registration fees, totaling approximately 11-13% in additional costs.
3. Residence Plan: If you cannot meet the requirement of residing in the country for 4 years and 2 months within 5 years, you can hold a Golden Visa indefinitely (renewable every 5 years, no residence requirement), but you cannot apply for permanent residency. Those who do not intend to reside there can retain their Golden Visa status.
4. Source of funds: Bank statements, gift certificates, or property sales records are required, and anti-money laundering audits are strict.
5. Permanent Residency and Citizenship: After 10 years of permanent residency, one can apply for citizenship through an exam (this involves the risk of giving up one's original citizenship, depending on individual circumstances).
Spanish permanent residency application process
1. Obtain NIE (Foreigner Identity Number): Apply at the Spanish consulate in China or the local police station in Spain.
2. Selecting a property and signing a deposit agreement: Engaging a lawyer to investigate the property's claims, lack of liabilities, and valuation.
3. Open a Spanish bank account: Transfer the purchase price (500,000 euros + taxes + miscellaneous fees).
4. Complete the transfer of ownership: The notary office signs the final contract and registers the property title.
5. Apply for a Golden Visa:
• You can apply at the Spanish Consulate in China (approval takes 1-2 months), or apply directly in Spain after arriving with a Schengen tourist visa (faster, but requires lawyer assistance).
• Upon approval, you will receive a residence card valid for 3 years.
6. Renewal (every 5 years): Must retain property, provide proof of sufficient savings in a Spanish bank (for financial security), and have no criminal record.
7. Obtaining permanent residency (after meeting residency requirements):
• Submit records of leaving the country for 4 years and 2 months within the past 5 years, proof of residence, insurance, and proof of income.
• The approval process takes about 3 months. After approval, you will receive a 10-year permanent residency card (equivalent to Spanish residency rights, but you cannot work? In reality, permanent residents can work, but please note: you still cannot vote after obtaining permanent residency, but you can legally work).
Total duration: Property purchase and transfer 1-3 months → Golden Visa 2-4 months → Permanent residency renewal requires 4 years and 2 months of residence before application.
1. Location selection: Madrid and Barcelona have good property liquidity but high average prices; coastal cities (Valencia, Malaga) have low investment thresholds and are suitable for vacation rentals; consider rental yield (approximately 4-6%).
2. Tax costs: Purchasing a house requires paying value-added tax (10% for new houses) or transfer tax (6-10% for second-hand houses), stamp duty, and notary registration fees, totaling approximately 11-13% in additional costs.
3. Residence Plan: If you cannot meet the requirement of residing in the country for 4 years and 2 months within 5 years, you can hold a Golden Visa indefinitely (renewable every 5 years, no residence requirement), but you cannot apply for permanent residency. Those who do not intend to reside there can retain their Golden Visa status.
4. Source of funds: Bank statements, gift certificates, or property sales records are required, and anti-money laundering audits are strict.
5. Permanent Residency and Citizenship: After 10 years of permanent residency, one can apply for citizenship through an exam (this involves the risk of giving up one's original citizenship, depending on individual circumstances).
Spanish permanent residency application process
1. Obtain NIE (Foreigner Identity Number): Apply at the Spanish consulate in China or the local police station in Spain.
2. Selecting a property and signing a deposit agreement: Engaging a lawyer to investigate the property's claims, lack of liabilities, and valuation.
3. Open a Spanish bank account: Transfer the purchase price (500,000 euros + taxes + miscellaneous fees).
4. Complete the transfer of ownership: The notary office signs the final contract and registers the property title.
5. Apply for a Golden Visa:
• You can apply at the Spanish Consulate in China (approval takes 1-2 months), or apply directly in Spain after arriving with a Schengen tourist visa (faster, but requires lawyer assistance).
• Upon approval, you will receive a residence card valid for 3 years.
6. Renewal (every 5 years): Must retain property, provide proof of sufficient savings in a Spanish bank (for financial security), and have no criminal record.
7. Obtaining permanent residency (after meeting residency requirements):
• Submit records of leaving the country for 4 years and 2 months within the past 5 years, proof of residence, insurance, and proof of income.
• The approval process takes about 3 months. After approval, you will receive a 10-year permanent residency card (equivalent to Spanish residency rights, but you cannot work? In reality, permanent residents can work, but please note: you still cannot vote after obtaining permanent residency, but you can legally work).
Total duration: Property purchase and transfer 1-3 months → Golden Visa 2-4 months → Permanent residency renewal requires 4 years and 2 months of residence before application.