What is the Spain Golden Visa?

Spain's Golden Visa (Visado de Oro) is a residency-by-investment programme introduced in 2013. It grants a 3-year initial residency permit (renewable for 5-year periods) to non-EU nationals who make a qualifying investment in Spain. Golden Visa holders can live, work, and travel freely within Spain and the Schengen Area. After 5 years of residency, you can apply for long-term residency; after 10 years, for Spanish citizenship.

The programme is available to citizens of any country outside the EU/EEA, including British nationals (post-Brexit), Americans, Canadians, Australians, and many others. It has been particularly popular with buyers on the Costa del Sol, including Marbella and the Mijas area, where luxury property investments frequently meet the threshold.

2026 Investment Requirements

To qualify for a Spanish Golden Visa, you must make one of the following qualifying investments:

  • Real estate: Purchase of property (or properties) with a total value of at least €500,000 free of mortgage or encumbrances. The €500k must be equity — a property worth €700k with a €200k mortgage qualifies; a property worth €700k with a €300k mortgage does not.
  • Spanish government bonds: Investment of at least €2,000,000 in Spanish public debt.
  • Shares in Spanish companies: Investment of at least €1,000,000 in shares of Spanish companies or investment funds registered in Spain.
  • Bank deposits: Deposit of at least €1,000,000 in Spanish financial institutions.
  • Business project: Investments creating jobs, with significant socioeconomic impact, or with a substantial innovative contribution — assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Note on proposed changes: The Spanish government announced proposals in 2024 to abolish the property route to the Golden Visa. As of 2026, these proposals have not yet been passed into law, but the situation is evolving. We strongly recommend taking current legal advice before making an investment decision based on Golden Visa eligibility.

Who Can Be Included?

The Golden Visa covers not just the main applicant, but also their family group:

  • Spouse or registered partner
  • Children under 18
  • Children over 18 who are financially dependent on the main applicant
  • Dependent parents (of both the applicant and their spouse)

All family members receive the same residency status and can live, work, and study in Spain. Children can access the Spanish public school and university system. This family inclusion makes the Golden Visa particularly attractive for families planning to relocate to the Costa del Sol.

The Application Process

The Golden Visa application process for a property purchase typically follows these steps:

  1. Obtain Spanish NIE numbers for all applicants.
  2. Open Spanish bank accounts and transfer funds.
  3. Complete the property purchase with your lawyer (due diligence, arras, notary signing).
  4. Prepare the Golden Visa application: application forms, passport photos, criminal record certificates (apostilled), medical insurance, proof of accommodation, and proof of investment (escritura registered in the Land Registry).
  5. Submit the application at a Spanish consulate in your home country (if applying from abroad) or at the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE) in Spain.
  6. Attend biometrics appointment in Spain to receive the TIE residency card.

Processing times vary but typically take 2–3 months from submission of a complete application. Your lawyer can advise on the correct consulate procedure for your specific nationality.

Costs to Budget For

In addition to the qualifying investment, budget for:

  • Property purchase taxes and costs (10–13% of property value — see our guide on property taxes when buying in Mijas)
  • Legal fees for the property purchase (approx. 1% of purchase price)
  • Golden Visa lawyer fees (typically €2,000–€5,000 depending on complexity and family size)
  • Government application fees (approx. €65–€150 per applicant for the TIE card)
  • Criminal record apostilles, translations, and medical insurance for all applicants

Frequently Asked Questions

No. One of the key advantages of the Spanish Golden Visa over many other residency programmes is that there is no minimum stay requirement to maintain the visa. You simply need to visit Spain at least once during the initial visa period and maintain your qualifying investment. This makes it ideal for international buyers who want the option to live in Spain without being obliged to spend a fixed number of days there.
Yes. The Spanish Golden Visa permits the holder and their family members to work in Spain without the need for a separate work permit. This is a significant advantage over some other visa categories which are limited to non-lucrative activities.
You must maintain the qualifying investment for as long as you wish to hold the Golden Visa residency. If you sell the property below the €500,000 equity threshold without replacing it with another qualifying investment, you would not be eligible to renew the visa. However, you can sell and reinvest in another qualifying property — your lawyer can advise on the correct procedure to ensure continuity of your residency status.