Getting a Golden Visa in Spain: The Ultimate Guide 2026

Last updated: March 2026

📋 At a Glance: Spain ranks highly in the quality of life index and has one of the highest standards of living worldwide. Some factors that have hugely contributed to its popularity for a long-term residency are the Mediterranean climate, cultural attractions, and relaxed pace of life.

Spain ranks highly in the quality of life index and has one of the highest standards of living worldwide. Some factors that have hugely contributed to its popularity for a long-term residency are the Mediterranean climate, cultural attractions, and relaxed pace of life. Beyond these lifestyle benefits, Spain offers non-EU nationals an opportunity to live in the country through a Golden Visa programme. In this comprehensive article, we'll guide you through the whole process of obtaining a Golden Visa in Spain. We'll share all the necessary requirements, from the initial investment options to the documentation needed and from the application process to the pathway to permanent residency and final citizenship.

What Is the Spain Golden Visa Programme?

The Spain Golden Visa — formally known as the Investor Visa or Visado de Inversor — was established under Law 14/2013, designed to attract foreign capital and talent into the Spanish economy. It grants non-EU, non-EEA, and non-Swiss nationals the right to reside and work in Spain in exchange for a qualifying investment in the country.

Unlike many European residency programmes, the Spanish Golden Visa does not impose a minimum stay requirement. Holders are permitted to live outside Spain for the majority of the year while retaining their residency status — a feature that makes it particularly attractive for internationally mobile families and business owners who value flexibility above all else.

As a residency by investment (RBI) programme, the Spanish Golden Visa operates within the broader framework of the Schengen Area, meaning that approved applicants gain the ability to travel freely across 26 European countries without additional visa requirements. For those seeking a reliable European foothold — whether for business, education, or lifestyle — getting a golden visa in Spain represents one of the most pragmatic and rewarding pathways available today.

For a broader comparison of global residency and citizenship options, explore our guide to the best golden visa investment programmes currently available worldwide.

Spain Golden Visa Investment Options in 2026

One of the most significant recent developments in Spain's Golden Visa landscape was the closure of the residential real estate route in April 2025, as announced by the Spanish government under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. This decision was driven by concerns over housing affordability in major cities. Whilst this eliminated the most popular investment route, several highly attractive alternatives remain open to new applicants.

Capital Transfer — From €1,000,000

Investors may qualify by depositing a minimum of €1,000,000 in a Spanish bank account or by making an equivalent investment in shares or ownership interests in Spanish companies. This route offers considerable flexibility and is particularly well-suited to investors who prefer a liquid or semi-liquid asset rather than a fixed capital commitment.

Spanish Government Bonds — From €2,000,000

Applicants who invest a minimum of €2,000,000 in Spanish public debt (government bonds) are eligible for the Golden Visa. This is regarded as one of the lower-risk investment options, offering capital security alongside residency benefits. Bonds must be held for a minimum period of five years.

Investment in Spanish Companies — From €1,000,000

A qualifying investment of at least €1,000,000 in shares of Spanish companies — listed or unlisted — is accepted, provided the investment demonstrably contributes to job creation, technological innovation, or socio-economic impact. This route is especially popular with entrepreneurially minded applicants who wish to align their investment with active business interests in Spain.

Investment Funds — From €1,000,000

Investors may also qualify by committing a minimum of €1,000,000 to Spanish investment funds or venture capital funds registered with the Spanish National Securities Market Commission (CNMV). This route appeals to investors seeking professional fund management and diversified exposure to the Spanish economy.

Business Project of General Interest

Unlike the other routes, this option does not carry a fixed minimum monetary threshold. Instead, applicants must present a business project deemed to be of general interest to Spain — assessed on factors such as job creation, significant socio-economic impact, or meaningful contribution to scientific or technological innovation. Each application is evaluated on its individual merits by the relevant Spanish authorities.

For personalised advice on selecting the investment route most aligned with your financial profile, speak with one of our consultants at Mirabello Consultancy today.

Eligibility Requirements for the Spain Golden Visa

Beyond making a qualifying investment, applicants must meet a number of personal eligibility criteria to successfully obtain a Spanish Golden Visa. These requirements are straightforward for most UHNW and HNW applicants, though thorough preparation of documentation remains essential.

• Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of a non-EU, non-EEA country. Citizens of EU member states and Switzerland do not require a Golden Visa to reside in Spain.
• Age: The primary applicant must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.
• Clean criminal record: Applicants must present a certificate demonstrating no criminal convictions in Spain or in any country where they have resided during the previous five years.
• No prior immigration violations: Applicants must not have been refused entry or residency in Spain or any Schengen Area country, and must not appear on any Schengen alert list.
• Health insurance: Applicants must hold a valid health insurance policy that provides full coverage in Spain throughout the duration of their residency.
• Financial self-sufficiency: Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves and any dependants during their stay in Spain, without recourse to the Spanish social welfare system.
• Qualifying investment: The investment must be made prior to submitting the visa application and must comply fully with the requirements of the chosen route.

It is worth noting that the Spanish authorities place considerable emphasis on the legitimacy and traceability of investment funds. A clear source-of-funds declaration, supported by comprehensive financial documentation, is a non-negotiable component of every successful application.

The Spain Golden Visa Application Process: Step by Step

The application process for getting a golden visa in Spain involves several carefully sequenced steps. Understanding this process in advance — and engaging professional support early — significantly improves the efficiency of your application and reduces the risk of delays.

Step 1: Choose Your Investment Route and Make the Investment

The qualifying investment must be completed before the visa application is submitted. Investors should ensure that the investment is properly structured, documented, and — where applicable — registered with the relevant Spanish regulatory bodies.

Step 2: Gather Documentation

A comprehensive documentation package is required, typically including: a valid passport (with at least one year of remaining validity), a completed national visa application form, recent passport-size photographs, proof of the qualifying investment, a criminal record certificate, proof of health insurance coverage, and evidence of financial means. Documents originating outside Spain must generally be apostilled and officially translated into Spanish.

Step 3: Submit the Application

Applications may be submitted either at a Spanish consulate or embassy in the applicant's country of residence, or directly in Spain (in which case the applicant must be legally present in the country at the time of submission). Online application via Spain's large company and strategic groups unit (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos — UGE-CE) is available for those already in Spain.

Step 4: Biometric Appointment

Following submission, applicants will be required to attend a biometric data appointment at a Spanish consulate or, if applying in-country, at a designated immigration office to provide fingerprints and photographs.

Step 5: Receive Your Visa and Enter Spain

Upon approval, the initial visa is issued for one year. During this time, the applicant must travel to Spain and apply for the residence card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero — TIE), which confirms their Golden Visa residency status and is typically valid for two years, renewable thereafter.

Step 6: Renew Your Residency Card

The TIE can be renewed for successive two-year periods, provided the qualifying investment is maintained throughout. There is no minimum stay requirement for renewal, which remains one of the programme's most valued features.

You may also wish to explore comparable programmes such as the Portugal Golden Visa or the Greece Golden Visa for a broader understanding of European residency options.

Processing Times and Timeline

One of the practical questions most frequently asked by applicants is: how long does the Spain Golden Visa process actually take? Whilst individual timelines can vary depending on the complexity of the application, the investment route chosen, and the volume of applications being processed at any given time, the following provides a reliable general framework.

• Investment and documentation preparation: 4 to 8 weeks, depending on the complexity of the investment structure and the jurisdictions from which documents must be obtained.
• Consulate or UGE-CE processing time: The Spanish authorities are legally required to process Golden Visa applications within 20 business days of receiving a complete application. In practice, most decisions are issued within 20 to 30 business days.
• Residence card (TIE) issuance: Following entry into Spain, the TIE is typically issued within 30 to 45 days of the biometric appointment.
• Total timeline from start to TIE: Most applicants receive their Golden Visa and residence card within 3 to 5 months of commencing the process.

It is important to note that incomplete documentation is the most common cause of delays. Working with an experienced consultancy ensures that all documentation is correctly prepared, apostilled, and translated before submission — materially reducing the risk of processing interruptions.

Benefits of the Spain Golden Visa

The Spain Golden Visa offers a compelling combination of lifestyle, mobility, and long-term security benefits. For internationally mobile families and investors, these advantages extend well beyond the ability to reside in Spain itself.

• Schengen Area access: Visa-free travel across all 26 Schengen Area countries, enabling seamless movement throughout Europe for business and personal purposes.
• No minimum stay requirement: Residency can be maintained without the applicant needing to spend any particular number of days in Spain each year — an unparalleled flexibility among European golden visa programmes.
• Right to live and work in Spain: Golden Visa holders may reside, work, and conduct business in Spain on the same basis as Spanish residents.
• Access to Spain's education system: Resident families can enrol children in Spain's public and private schools and universities.
• High quality of life: Spain consistently ranks among the top countries globally for quality of life, healthcare, cuisine, climate, and cultural richness.
• Pathway to permanent residency: After five years of continuous legal residency in Spain, Golden Visa holders may apply for permanent residency status.
• Pathway to citizenship: After ten years of legal residency (reduced to two years for nationals of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and Andorra, and one year for spouses of Spanish nationals), applicants may apply for Spanish citizenship — and with it, an EU passport.

Family Inclusion: Bringing Your Loved Ones with You

The Spain Golden Visa programme permits the primary investor to include immediate family members as co-applicants, ensuring the entire family unit can benefit from Spanish residency under a single investment. This is one of the most valued aspects of the programme for UHNW and HNW families planning a long-term European strategy.

The following family members are eligible for inclusion:

• Spouse or registered civil partner: A legally recognised spouse or partner of the primary applicant qualifies for inclusion without any additional investment requirement.
• Dependent children: Children under the age of 18 are automatically eligible. Dependent children over 18 may also qualify, provided they can demonstrate financial dependence on the primary applicant and are not independently married.
• Dependent parents: Parents of both the primary applicant and their spouse may be included, provided they are financially dependent on the applicant and do not have an independent right of residency in the EU.

Each family member included in the application receives the same residency rights as the primary applicant, including the right to live, study, and work in Spain. Family members also share the same renewal schedule, simplifying the ongoing administration of the residency. All family members included in the initial application benefit from the same pathway to permanent residency and, ultimately, Spanish citizenship.

To discuss the best approach for your family's specific circumstances, contact Mirabello Consultancy for a complimentary consultation. We bring Swiss precision and personal attention to every family's unique situation.

If Spain aligns with your broader investment migration strategy, you may also wish to review our comparison of the best citizenship by investment programmes globally to evaluate your full range of options.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Spain Golden Visa

Can I still get a Spain Golden Visa through real estate investment in 2026?

No. The Spanish government officially closed the real estate route to new applications in April 2025. Applicants who had already initiated their applications under the real estate route before this date were permitted to proceed under transitional arrangements, but no new real estate-based Golden Visa applications are accepted. Alternative investment routes — including capital transfers, government bonds, and business investment — remain fully open.

How much does the Spain Golden Visa cost in total?

The total cost depends on the investment route chosen and the complexity of the application. The minimum qualifying investment starts from €1,000,000 (for capital transfers, share investments, or fund investments) or €2,000,000 (for government bonds). In addition to the qualifying investment, applicants should budget for government visa fees (approximately €80 per person for the initial visa application), legal and consultancy fees, document translation and apostille costs, health insurance premiums, and the TIE residence card fee. Professional consultancy fees vary depending on the scope of services required.

Do I need to live in Spain to keep my Golden Visa?

No — this is one of the most distinctive and attractive features of the Spanish Golden Visa. There is no minimum stay requirement for maintaining the residency status or for renewing it. You are only required to visit Spain at least once during the validity period of your visa or residency card. However, it is important to note that if you wish to count residency years towards the permanent residency or citizenship thresholds, you will generally need to be physically present in Spain for the majority of the relevant period.

How long does it take to get Spanish citizenship through the Golden Visa?

The standard pathway to Spanish citizenship for most nationalities requires ten years of legal residency in Spain. Nationals of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Andorra, and Portugal benefit from a significantly reduced requirement of just two years. Spouses of Spanish nationals may apply after one year of legal residency. Spanish citizenship confers full EU citizenship, including the right to live, work, and travel freely throughout the European Union.

Can my family members work in Spain on a Golden Visa?

Yes. Family members included in a Golden Visa application are granted the same residency rights as the primary applicant. This includes the right to live, work, and study in Spain without restriction. Children can enrol in Spanish schools and universities, and adult family members may seek employment or establish businesses in Spain.

What happens to my Golden Visa if I sell my investment?

The qualifying investment must be maintained throughout the duration of the Golden Visa and any renewal periods. If the investment is sold or otherwise disposed of, the basis for the Golden Visa ceases to exist and renewal may be refused. However, once a Golden Visa holder has qualified for permanent residency (after five years of continuous residence), the residency status is no longer tied to the underlying investment. It is strongly recommended to seek professional advice before making any changes to the qualifying investment during the Golden Visa period.

Is the Spain Golden Visa affected by Spain's tax residency rules?

Holding a Spanish Golden Visa does not automatically make you a Spanish tax resident. Spanish tax residency is triggered when an individual spends more than 183 days per calendar year in Spain, or when their primary economic interests are centred in Spain. Given the absence of a minimum stay requirement, many Golden Visa holders maintain their tax residency elsewhere. However, individual tax circumstances are complex and vary significantly — we strongly recommend obtaining independent tax advice tailored to your personal situation before and after obtaining your Golden Visa.