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Portugal
From €500,000 + costs
Private Equity Investment
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Apply Citizenship 7-10 years
Program Overview
Golden Visa
Spain
Discover more about Spain’s investor visa options
Spain Golden Visa Program Has Now Closed
Spain’s Golden Visa Program has closed. Discover Spain’s remaining residency routes and the alternative Golden Visa Programs still open across Europe.
The Spanish Golden Visa Program officially closed in April 2025, following more than a decade of strong demand and thousands of successful investors.
While this marks the end of an era, La Vida continues to offer a wide range of alternative Golden Visa and residency solutions across Europe and beyond – including Portugal, Greece, Italy and more.
Contact our expert team to explore your best Plan B options.
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Spanish Golden Visa Overview
Spain launched its Golden Visa Program in 2013. An investment of €500,000 in real estate gained family residency.
The Spanish investor visa could be renewed every two years. After five years it was possible to gain permanent residency and after ten years citizenship.
It was not necessary to live in Spain to retain and renew the residency visa permit.
Previously from €500,000 + costs
Real Estate Investment
Residential/
Commercial
Full Family-
Dependent children
Flexible. No minimum stay
EU Schengen Zone travel access
Permanent Residency and Citizenship in Spain
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) could be easily renewed without living in the country, the route to both permanent residency and citizenship required the investor and their family to reside in Spain.
For this reason, the Spanish Golden Visa Program was popular with those applicants who either wished to reside full time in Spain or simply maintain a second residency in Europe but without a path to citizenship.
Investors looking for potential European citizenship are advised to consider the Portugal Golden Visa Program, which has a more flexible path to citizenship.
Spain offers a two year fast-track path to citizenship for nationals from former Spanish colonies, such as the Philippines and most Latin American countries.
How the Spanish Golden Visa Worked
Following an investment of €500,000 into Spanish real estate the process for obtaining a Spanish Golden Visa was relatively straightforward and quick.
Applicants, who needed to be non–EU residents, were required to have:
- A clean criminal record
- Sufficient funds and healthcare to cover their stay
- No previous Schengen visa refusals
Spanish Golden Visa Timeline
An overview and illustrative guide to the steps and approximate timelines involved in the Spanish Golden Visa application process.
These timelines varied depending on individual applications and any complexities involved.
1
Step1
First, applicants contacted La Vida for advice on Spain and other Golden Visa Programs to establish the most appropriate option for them and their family
2
Step2
Applicants visited Spain to view real estate options and select their investment, appointing a lawyer to take care of the conveyancing on their behalf.
3
Step3
Once the real estate investment was complete, applicants could then apply for the Golden Visa.
4
Step4
Applicants then travelled to Spain to complete the Golden Visa application and obtain the residency permit, which was issued initially for two years.
Other Spain Residency Visa Options
Spain offers several residency pathways outside of investment led Programs, aimed at individuals seeking residence for lifestyle, work, or retirement purposes.
These visas are not investment based and generally come with tighter conditions, ongoing compliance requirements, and more limited long-term certainty compared to residency by investment Programs.
Spain Digital Nomad Visa
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is designed for non-EU nationals working remotely for foreign companies or clients.
Applicants must demonstrate a minimum income double the national minimum wage (currently approximately €2,750 per month).
Applicants must also hold private health insurance and maintain a clean criminal record.
The visa is initially granted for up to 12 months and can be renewed subject to continued eligibility.
Due to its short-term nature this visa is not appropriate for investors looking towards long term residency and wealth planning solutions.
Spain Non Lucrative Visa
The Non Lucrative Visa is intended for individuals who wish to reside in Spain without undertaking any local employment.
It is commonly used by retirees or individuals with sufficient passive income.
Applicants must demonstrate higher financial means, maintain full private health insurance, and hold a clean criminal record. Employment is not permitted under this visa, and holders are generally expected to spend significant time in Spain.
This makes it less suitable for globally mobile individuals or families seeking flexibility and a strategic long term residency option.
Investors seeking stability, mobility, and a clearer long term framework typically favour established European Golden Visa Programs such as Portugal and Italy.
Spain Passport Strength & Ranking
Spain has a very strong passport, ranking 33rd out of 199 passports in the La Vida Passport Value Index. It provides access to 201 of the world’s 227 destinations, covering 96.7% of global GDP and 97.5% of the worldwide visitor market. However, Spanish citizenship cannot be obtained through direct investment. For investors looking for an alternative European residency program, the Portugal Golden Visa offers residence through a qualifying €500,000 fund investment and a potential pathway to citizenship.
Spain Golden Visa FAQs
We have listed below some of the frequently asked questions we received regarding the Golden Visa in Spain.
However, it is impossible to cover everything in depth here. Please contact our advisors for further details.
Citizenship and Residency by Investment Programs
A selection of alternative residency and citizenship investment programs to consider.
Italy
From €250,000 + costs
Private Equity Investment
European Residency
EU Schengen Zone Travel
Apply Citizenship 10 years
Testimonials
How Can La Vida Help You?
La Vida has extensive experience of all the Golden Visa programmes in Europe. In addition to Spain we can advise on Portugal, Malta, Greece and Turkey. We also offer citizenship by investment options in the Caribbean. La Vida has extensive global reach with our expert team having helped clients in over 160 countries worldwide.
Why La Vida?
La Vida offers a choice of several golden visas programmes for investment in residency and citizenship
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Programs we offer Worldwide
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Countries where we have served clients
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Advice given to prospective investors