Spanish citizenship by investment in 2026

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?

Until 2024, Spain operated a Golden Visa programme for investors. All applicants who obtained a residence permit under this scheme before its termination continue to renew their status in the prescribed manner and under the same conditions. At the same time, the investment route to Spanish citizenship has not been closed: today, applicants for a Spanish passport may obtain residence permits through alternative programmes. Property ownership and investments in the Spanish economy do not grant an automatic right to citizenship, but they represent a significant advantage when applying for naturalisation, as they demonstrate financial stability, social integration, and a long-term commitment to life and economic activity in Spain.

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.

Most attractive sectors to invest in Spain

There are several investment options that can provide an applicant with additional advantages when applying for a residence permit in Spain:

1. Property acquisition — the purchase of residential or commercial real estate or land for development, including multiple properties, provided the investment is made using the applicant’s own funds without mortgage financing and that the property is ready for use.
2. Investment in financial instruments — the acquisition of shares in Spanish companies, government bonds, or the placement of funds on deposit with a Spanish bank.
3. Business establishment in Spain — launching a financially sound and viable business project aimed at contributing to the country’s economic development and job creation, subject to substantial capital investment by the applicant.

Required documents

Documents required to obtain a residence permit under the selected programme: 

• a valid international passport with a validity period at least one year from the end of the intended period of residence permit;
• personal ID;
• documents required to participate in the selected programme.
• application for a residence permit;
• two colour photos of 3.5x4.5 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

1. Selection of a residence programme. At the initial stage, the most suitable residence permit option is determined based on the applicant’s goals — relocation, entrepreneurial activity, or remote work. The requirements for income, timeframes, as well as prospects for renewal and subsequent eligibility for permanent residence and citizenship are analysed.
2. Application for a long-term visa. After selecting the programme, the required document package is prepared and an application for a long-term visa is submitted to the Spanish consulate. At this stage, compliance with the programme criteria, financial capacity, and the accuracy of the documentation are reviewed.
3. Entry into Spain on the visa. Once the application is approved, the investor enters Spain on the issued visa and completes the necessary formalities with the migration authorities. Upon the first renewal of the residence permit, the plastic residence card is issued in Spain without the need for a further consular application or departure from the country.
4. Implementation of investments. After arrival in Spain, the applicant completes the investment in the required volume and form — property acquisition, business investment, or other permitted instruments. Documentary evidence of the fulfilled investment conditions is required and is a key factor for subsequent permanent residence and, in the longer term, Spanish citizenship.
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. Оbtaining 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.

Tax planning (Beckham Law)

Obtaining a residence permit in Spain (for investors, digital nomads, and certain other categories) may result in Spanish tax residency if the individual spends more than 183 days per year in the country. At the same time, Spain offers a special tax regime — Régimen Especial de Trabajadores Desplazados (commonly known as the Beckham Law) — which provides significant advantages: for the first six years, a flat tax rate of 24% applies, and only income sourced in Spain is subject to taxation, without including foreign income in the tax base. This regime significantly simplifies tax planning and is an important factor when deciding to relocate to Spain.

The Tranio team provides professional property consulting in order to obtain a resident permit in Spain.

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