Spanish citizenship by investment in property in 2024
Residence in Spain gives many advantages to its residents: a comfortable Mediterranean climate allows you to enjoy the warmth throughout the year; social security that covers the costs of medical care and provides benefits to persons of retirement age; as well as the opportunity to visit any EU countries without restrictions, have accounts in EU banks and cross EU borders in case of restriction of tourist flow.
Is it possible to obtain Spanish citizenship by investment?
Investments in property or in the Spanish economy much simplify the procedure for obtaining citizenship, as it provides a basis for obtaining a residence permit. The Golden Visa programme, which allows you to get a residence permit by investments, has worked in Spain since 2013. When participating in this programme, the investor first receives a residence permit, then, with permanent living in the country, permanent residence is issued, and after 10 years — Spanish citizenship on the basis of naturalisation.
Together with the investor, a residence permit can be obtained by members of his family, who, after the required period of residence, will also receive Spanish passports.
Among the main advantages of obtaining Spanish citizenship, the following can be distinguished:
- Priority employment for work. Spanish companies primarily prefer applicants with a Spanish passport and EU citizens.
- Unlimited period of stay in the country. There is no need to renew a permit document, such as a visa or residence permit.
- Business opportunity. It is possible for Spanish citizens to establish their own company in Spain and receive income from business.
- More than 190 countries are available for visa-free visits, including the USA, Japan, Australia.
- Opening an EU bank account with a simplified procedure. The opportunity to open a loan and get a mortgage on the terms common to Spanish citizens.
- The right to work in public service.
- Residence permit for family members. The opportunity to get an education for children on the conditions common to Spanish citizens.
- Medical care and the right to social benefits.
Thus, despite the fact that there is no «golden passport» programme in Spain, investments in property provide the basis for obtaining a residence permit and permanent residence, and further obtaining citizenship by naturalisation.
Most attractive sectors to invest in Spain
Among the ways to invest in Spain for obtaining a Golden Visa are:
- Purchase of property. It is necessary to buy a property in Spain for 500 thousand euros. You can purchase both a plot of land for development, and residential and commercial property. It is allowed to purchase several objects for this or a larger amount. An important condition is that the applicant’s personal funds participate in the investment, mortgage lending is not allowed. Also, the purchased property should already be ready for exploitation.
- Purchase of securities. It is possible to purchase shares of one or more Spanish companies, as well as government bonds in the amount of 2 million euros. It is also possible to open a deposit in a Spanish bank in the amount of 1 million euros.
- Running a business in Spain. Another option is to establish a company with a prospective business project, mainly in an undeveloped branch of the Spanish economy. The amount of capital investments should be at least 1 million euros, and it is assumed that the company will create new job positions for Spanish citizens.
Required documents
Required documents for obtaining the Golden Visa:
- a valid international passport with a validity period at least one year from the end of the intended period of residence permit;
- personal ID;
- application for a residence permit;
- two colour photos of 3.5×4.5 mm;
- a contract for the purchase of property in Spain or a document confirming a different type of investment;
- bank account statements, documents on the availability of deposits;
- Spanish TIN;
- marriage certificate;
- certificate of no criminal record with notarized translation;
- medical certificate of absence of infectious diseases;
- medical insurance that covers the entire validity period of the visa and is concluded with a Spanish company;
- documents confirming the legality of income: certificates, bank statements, lease or sale agreements of property in your country;
- receipt of payment of fees and taxes.
All documents received outside Spain require an apostille and legal translation to Spanish.
Required documents for applying for Spanish citizenship by naturalisation:
- application;
- passport with a copy of all pages;
- identification card of a foreigner (residence permit, permanent residence);
- birth certificate;
- certificate of non-criminal record in the country of birth and Spain;
- registration in Spain;
- documentary evidence of the availability of finances;
- receipt of payment of fees and charges for submitting an application for consideration;
- a certificate of health status obtained in a clinic in Spain.
Steps of obtaining Spanish citizenship by investment
- Investing in property or the Spanish economy. At this stage, the investor chooses the method of investment. After buying property / securities / running a business in Spain, the investor gathers a personal dossier for applying for a visa and a residence permit in Spain.
- Obtaining a tourist visa for Spain. This stage is necessary to enter Spain to obtain a residence permit in the territory of the country. The necessary documents are gathered and sent to the Spanish Consulate in the country of residence, biometrics are handed over, air tickets are bought if necessary.
- Applying for a residence permit. After arriving in Spain, the documentation of the investor’s residence permit starts. It is necessary to submit biometric data, fill out government forms, pay taxes and fees.
- Obtaining an investor’s residence permit. The investor receives a permit for a long stay in Spain for 2 years. The consideration period takes from 20 days. The resident card can be taken from the police station. 60 days before the expiration of the investor’s residence permit, it is necessary to contact the migration service to extend the status of a resident of Spain. The main condition is the preservation of the initial investment in full.
- Obtaining permanent residence in Spain. To obtain permanent residence, you must legally live in the country for 5 years without leaving for more than 6 months (to maintain Spanish residency) and 10 months in total for 5 years. After obtaining permanent residence, it is necessary to live for another 5 years with the same conditions. After that, you can start the procedure for applying for Spanish citizenship.
- Submission of documents for Spanish citizenship. It is necessary to submit documents at the place of registration in Spain, at the local registry office (Registro Civil), for this you can make an appointment on the website or by phone. An additional interview with the judge may be scheduled on the day of submission. When submitting an application, the day of taking exams is appointed — for knowledge of the language, as well as the history and culture of Spain. If you have already passed an exam confirming the A2 level or higher, you can attach a certificate instead of taking a language test. The second exam — for general knowledge of the culture and history of Spain is mandatory for everyone and consists of 25 questions. If the applicant does not pass the exam the first time, all subsequent attempts are free.
Obtaining a Spanish passport. In case of a positive decision, the applicant must take an oath in court, as well as sign documents renouncing other existing citizenship. Citizenship registration and passport issuance are carried out directly at the Registry Office. According to Spanish law, a citizen is obliged to have a double surname: made up of the surnames of the mother and father.
The Tranio team provides professional property consulting in order to obtain a resident permit in Spain.
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