The Spanish Golden Visa (Visado de Inversor) grants residency to non-EU nationals who make a qualifying investment in Spain. Since 2013 it has attracted buyers from the USA, Middle East, China, Latin America and beyond — many choosing the Costa Blanca and Valencia as their investment destination. This guide explains how it works in 2025, including the latest proposed changes.
Important: proposed changes to the property Golden Visa route
In April 2024, the Spanish government announced plans to eliminate the property investment route for the Golden Visa, citing housing affordability concerns. As of January 2025, this change had not yet been legislated. The property route remains active. If you are considering this route, act with urgency and take specialist legal advice on the current status before committing to any investment.
What is the Spanish Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is a Spanish residence permit granted to non-EU nationals who make a significant investment in Spain. It is part of the Entrepreneur's Law (Ley 14/2013) and was designed to attract foreign capital and stimulate the Spanish economy during the post-2008 recovery period.
Unlike standard Spanish residency visas, the Golden Visa does not require you to live in Spain. You can maintain residency with as little as one visit per year. This makes it attractive to international buyers who want the ability to live and travel freely within the Schengen Area without committing to full-time residence.
Who can apply?
The Golden Visa is available to non-EU, non-EEA nationals who make a qualifying investment. This means it is relevant primarily for buyers from:
- United States, Canada, Australia
- China, Japan, South Korea
- United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, other Gulf states
- Latin America (Mexico, Colombia, Brazil, Argentina etc.)
- UK buyers (post-Brexit, UK citizens are no longer EU nationals)
- Russia, Ukraine and other non-EU Eastern European countries
EU citizens (Dutch, German, Belgian, French etc.) do not need a Golden Visa — they have the right to live and work in Spain as EU citizens under freedom of movement. This guide is relevant if you are from outside the EU/EEA, or if you are a non-EU national buying on the Costa Blanca.
Investment routes and minimum amounts
€500k
Real Estate
Purchase of property (or properties) with a combined value of at least €500,000, free of any mortgage or encumbrance up to that amount.
€1M
Bank Deposit
Deposit in a Spanish bank account, or investment in shares or stakes of Spanish companies.
€1M
Investment Funds
Investment in Spanish investment funds, closed-end investment funds or venture capital funds.
€2M
Government Bonds
Purchase of Spanish public debt securities (government bonds).
Business
Business Investment
Business investment that creates jobs, has a significant socio-economic impact, or contributes to scientific/technological innovation. No fixed minimum.
Property: the most popular route
The €500,000 property route has been by far the most used Golden Visa pathway since 2013. It allows buyers to combine a lifestyle property purchase with residency rights. On the Costa Blanca, a budget of €500,000 buys a good villa in Jávea, Altea or Calpe — making the threshold achievable without being purely a financial instrument.
What do you get with a Golden Visa?
- Spanish residence permit: initially for 2 years (if applying from Spain) or 1 year visa + 2-year renewal
- Schengen Area free movement: travel freely across all 26 Schengen countries
- Right to live and work in Spain: full working rights in Spain (not automatic in all EU countries)
- No minimum stay requirement: maintain residency with just one visit per year
- Path to permanent residency: after 5 years of continuous residence
- Path to Spanish citizenship: after 10 years of legal residence (2 years for nationals of certain countries)
- Family inclusion: spouse/partner and dependent children included
Schengen access: why this matters for non-EU buyers
The Schengen Area covers 26 European countries including France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium and most of the EU. Non-EU nationals without a Schengen visa can typically only stay 90 days in any 180-day period. A Spanish Golden Visa removes this restriction entirely — you can stay as long as you like and travel freely across Schengen.
Family members included
The Golden Visa covers the main applicant plus:
- Spouse or registered partner
- Dependent children under 18
- Dependent children over 18 who are still financially dependent
- Dependent parents of the main applicant and spouse (in some circumstances)
All family members receive the same residency rights as the main applicant, including the right to live, work and study in Spain.
Application process and timeline
Months 1–2
Prepare and purchase
Obtain NIE. Open Spanish bank account. Complete property purchase (must be completed, not just reserved, before applying). Gather all required documentation.
Month 2–3
Submit application
Apply at the Spanish consulate in your home country (for a visa) or at the Unidad de Grandes Empresas in Spain (for a residence permit if already in Spain legally). Full document package required.
Month 3–5
Processing
Processing time is legally 20 working days but often takes 2–3 months in practice. You will receive a resolution approving or denying the application.
Month 5–6
Collect residence card (TIE)
Once approved, collect your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) — the physical residence card — at the Foreigners' Office in Spain. Valid for 2 years initially.
Renewal and path to permanent residency
- First renewal: after 2 years, renewed for 5 years (investment must be maintained)
- Permanent residency: after 5 years of continuous legal residence in Spain
- Spanish nationality: after 10 years of legal residence (2 years for nationals of Latin American countries, the Philippines, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea and Sephardic Jews)
- Continuous residence requirement for citizenship: you must actually live in Spain for 183+ days per year in the years leading up to citizenship — the Golden Visa's minimal stay requirement does not satisfy this
Tax residency implications
If you spend more than 183 days per year in Spain, you become a Spanish tax resident — subject to Spanish income tax on your worldwide income. This is a significant consideration and requires specialist tax advice before committing to Spanish residency. Many Golden Visa holders deliberately stay below 183 days per year to maintain non-resident status.
Exploring the Golden Visa route?
We can point you toward specialist immigration lawyers who handle Golden Visa applications on the Costa Blanca, and advise on suitable properties in the €500,000+ range across Jávea, Moraira, Altea and beyond.
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