Citizenship by Investment in Spain

The Spanish Golden Visa program was abolished with effect from 3 April 2025 (Organic Law 1/2025 of 2 January 2025).

Spain was one of the European countries which have enabled golden passports for a few years now. Those interested in buying a golden visa in Spain could have obtained it through the Golden Visa Residency Scheme based on which Spanish citizenship can later be acquired.

Below, our team of lawyers in Spain explains the conditions imposed under the former Citizenship by Investment Scheme in this country and also presents a few alternatives. We specialize in helping foreign citizens who want to relocate to other countries through specific residency and citizenship programs.

Investment options for non-EU citizens in Spain

Spain was one of the countries that offered foreign citizens the opportunity to relocate to Europe through investment several options. Among these, non-EU citizens had the entrepreneur visas and golden passports for Spain. Each program came
with its requirements, however, the golden visa program was one of the most attractive. Under this scheme, a non-EU citizen would first obtain residency followed by citizenship by investment in Spain. Foreign citizens seeking
to buy a golden visa that allows them to obtain EU residency can no longer obtain a Spanish golden visa, as the investor route was abolished on 3 April 2025, although other residence routes remain. We can assist
you in locating the most appealing golden visa countries that will get you and your family a second residency or citizenship. Whether buying real estate, investing in a fund, or making a donation, we are dedicated to providing you with the best solution through an open process. Contact us for a personalized consultation.

Our immigration lawyers can also support those interested in other golden visa/citizenship by investment programs in other countries such as Italy, Cyprus, Portugal or even the United States of America.

Investment requirements under the former Spanish Citizenship by Investment program

As mentioned above, the candidate for citizenship by investment in Spain must have first become a resident of this country based on a specific investment. There were several options for foreign candidates interested in this program in Spain. They could choose one of the following types of investments:

• purchasing a real estate property anywhere in Spain as long as it is valued at 500,000 euros;
• opening a Spanish bank account in which a deposit of 1 million euros will be made for a period of 5 years;
• investing 1 million worth of shares in one or more Spanish public or private companies for a minimum period of 5 years;
• investing at least 2 million euros in Treasury issued bonds for at least 5 years.

Additionally, there was no minimum stay requirement to keep the golden visa.  Spanish Golden Visa Scheme offered a wider variety of investment possibilities.

The Spanish Startup Visa – an alternative to a Golden Visa in 2026

The Spanish Startup Visa is an option to the former Golden Visa for non-EU foreign nationals who want to open an innovative company. The activity of the company must rely on innovation and benefit Spain’s economy in order to be granted this visa.

For foreign business owners, the Spanish Startup Visa provides two choices:

• setting up a business in Spain and take the necessary immigration steps;
• filing for a residence permit and then start the registration process of the company, if the applicant is in Spain at the time of entering the program.

The approval process for the Spanish Startup Visa is case-by-case, however, decisions are usually made within 10 business days from the application.

Obtain Spanish citizenship by investment by business

Foreign citizens who still want to obtain citizenship by investment in Spain have the choice of setting up a business. The residence visa attached to this type of investment has a validity of 1 year, followed by the issuance of a residence permit with a validity of 5 years provided that the investment is kept.

After the 5-year temporary residence permit, the investor will be granted permanent residence and the possibility of working in Spain. After 10 years, Spanish citizenship by investment is permitted, however, certain conditions must be met. Among these, we mention the following:

1. the permanent residence holder and family members must renounce their previous nationality;
2. the candidate must have a clean criminal record and be able to financially support him/herself;
3. the applicant must attend an interview and prove his/her integration in Spanish society;
4. the knowledge of the Spanish language, culture and values must also be proved.

Nationals from non-EU countries can be eligible for citizenship after 2 years of legally living in Spain. Among these, citizens of certain South American countries and the Philippines.

The non-lucrative visa – an alternative to the Golden Visa in Spain

The non-lucrative visa allows you to reside in Spain legally and obtain a one-year residency permit, which can be renewed for an additional 4 years as long as you meet the residency criteria. These are:

• you are not a citizen of the EU;
• you can submit proof showing you have enough money to support yourself, your dependents, and your family;
• in addition to 100% IPREM (Indicador Publico de Renta de Efectos Multiples) for any additional family members you include in your application, you will need to provide at least 400% IPREM for yourself (IPREM is EUR 600 per month in 2026, so 400% is EUR 2,400 per month);
• a recent criminal record certificate from each of the last countries you have resided in, translated into Spanish by a sworn translator and legalized or apostilled, and no older than 3 months at the time of the application;
• a comprehensive health coverage that can be accepted by the Spanish healthcare system.

You can read about the advantages of obtaining citizenship by investment in Spain below:

Documents required for Spanish residency

The following documents need to be prepared
when applying for Spanish residency:

• the application form;
• two passport-size photos;
• a passport copy (the passport must have a 6-months validity);
• an insurance policy;
• a clean criminal record for the past 5 years;
• proof of financial sustenance;
• the receipt of paying the fee for the visa application.

We can advise on other golden visa countries.

Access to EU citizenship through the former Spanish Golden Visa Scheme in 2026

Obtaining Spanish citizenship by investment grants an automatic right to EU citizenship which is one of the main reasons for choosing Spain for such a program. However, Spain is not the only country to offer access to the EU and the Schengen area. Our golden visa specialists
 can make various recommendations to those interested in obtaining EU citizenship or access to other golden visa countries. The former Spanish
golden visa scheme (abolished on 3 April 2025) offered several options to non-EU wealthy citizens, among which the possibility of moving here by investing in real estate, by setting up a business through which job creation is mandatory or by purchasing financial instruments approved by the Spanish government. It is also possible for the investor to deposit 1 million euros in a local bank account.

Bringing family members to Spain

An advantage of the citizenship by investment scheme in Spain was the possibility of bringing family members here. These too will obtain temporary residency followed by permanent residence visas. Another benefit of obtaining residency here is that there is no requirement related to the minimum period of living here. The Spanish immigration authorities, through the Ministry of Internal Affairs, will issue residence cards with a validity of 2 years. The card must then be renewed after 5 years.

You can count on us for details on current citizenship by investment countries.

The advantages of the Spanish Golden Visa Program

Those who have obtained Citizenship by Investment Program in Spain will be glad to know that they have many advantages if they are accepted by the authorities. First of all, they will obtain the right to live and work in one of the sunniest and beautiful European countries. They will also be allowed to bring their families and live together here for 5 years.

Under this program, successful candidates will obtain permanent residency followed by Spanish citizenship. They will be able to travel freely in other EU countries meaning they will no longer need to apply for visas when exiting and entering Spain.

An important benefit of the former Golden Visa Program is that a foreign citizen is allowed to purchase a property in any part of Spain, an advantage that is not available for all those moving here under usual circumstances.

Even if the foreign citizen has a nationality, they will also be entitled to Spanish citizenship, but dual citizenship is allowed only for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea and Portugal; others must renounce their previous nationality. The candidate, however, must pay attention to the regulations imposed in their home country.

If you are interested in citizenship by investment countries, you should know that you will have the full attention of our specialists. 

Do not hesitate to contact us for an initial consultation related to your plan of coming to Spain by buying a golden visa.  We remind you that we are at your disposal with personalized services related to obtaining residency and citizenship in countries in which such programs are enabled.