The Spain Golden Visa is the most sought-after investor visa programme, and it is easy to see why. It enables you and your family to study, work, and live in the Land of Cervantes, not to mention access to one of the most coveted healthcare systems in the world. The Spain Golden Visa can also set you up for Spanish citizenship after ten years. Here's how.
First up - What is the Spain Golden Visa?
Launched in 2013, the Spain Golden Visa grants non-EU nationals Spanish residency through investment. It's amongst Europe's top residency-by-investment (RBI) programmes. The scheme aims to boost the Spanish economy with foreign capital inflows. To qualify, invest a minimum of €500,000 into Spanish real estate.
Benefits include:
Streamlined residency for investors and their families
Access to Spain's world-class healthcare system
Visa-free Schengen Area travel
Pathway to Spanish citizenship after meeting residency requirements
Securing Spanish Citizenship
A Spanish citizenship and passport unlock freedom of movement across Europe. It allows visa-free travel to 187 countries globally. Typically, obtaining citizenship requires a decade of residency in Spain. However, the Golden Visa offers an accelerated route for certain applicants.
The Fast Track Option
For citizens and expats from Spain's former colonies, there's a fast track to naturalisation after just two years of residency. This pathway dramatically reduces the timeline for securing an EU passport and its accompanying rights and benefits.
Who Qualifies for the Fast Track?
The two-year residency requirement applies to nationals of Spain's former territories. These are primarily Latin American countries. The option is also open to citizens and expats from Andorra, the Philippines, and Equatorial Guinea. Those with Spanish ancestry may also qualify for citizenship by descent if they meet the conditions.
Residency Requirements
To qualify for naturalisation after two years, applicants must maintain residency in Spain with limited exceptions. The new guidelines no longer require continuous, unbroken stays. Applicants can travel in and out, provided they spend less than three consecutive months abroad. In practice, this means making around eight trips over a two-year period to maintain eligibility.
Other key requirements include:
Being over 18 years old
Clean criminal record
Proof of financial self-sufficiency
Spanish language certification
Valid health coverage
Dual Citizenship Permitted
Uniquely, Spain allows dual nationality for applicants from former colonies. There's no need to renounce existing citizenship to gain Spanish nationality.
The Bottom Line
The Spanish Golden Visa is an enticing option for high-net-worth individuals seeking Spanish citizenship and EU residency benefits. Contact our advisors at International Wealth Ventures about taking full advantage of the Spain Golden Visa programme and its accelerated citizenship pathway.