Insights
A trip to Spain offers you beautiful architecture, warm weather, and a rich culture. It's no surprise that after visiting this top vacation spot, you might start dreaming of moving to Europe permanently with your family. However, if you do not hold citizenship from the European Union, Switzerland, Iceland, Norway, or Liechtenstein, you will need a visa to make that migration a reality.
Typically, the Spain Golden Visa program could be your gateway to fully immersing yourself in Spanish culture, enhancing your lifestyle, and making valuable investments. The economy of this country is growing steadily, and its political climate is stable.
This article will explain the details of this visa, the upcoming changes, and the benefits you can gain by applying for it now.
The Golden Visa allows you to legally live in Spain and the rest of Europe by making an investment. This visa is different from other Spanish visas because it is processed quickly and requires specific qualifications to obtain.
As for the qualifications, this visa requires an investment, earning the name Investor Visa. Since 2013, this visa has offered a variety of investments, including real estate. According to reports, 90% of successful applications use the real estate route. The real estate path of this visa has triggered its change. The European Commission has voiced concerns over this type of program due to the security and money laundering risks.
It is important to note that the Spanish government has announced that the 2024 Spanish Golden Visa may be the last. On 9 April, 2024, the government announced that it would end the program because of its effect on the real estate market. Reports examining the trend in real estate prices reveal an increase in the past 10 years from $1,600 (€1,500) per ft2 to $2,000 (€1,800) per ft2. We do not expect to for the program to end for another few weeks.
As this program’s closure draws near, you should consider the benefits of opting into it as quickly as possible. This visa is a popular option for the following reasons:
The first benefit you will receive from this visa program is access to a stable and growing economy. According to reports, the country has had an upward trend since 2014, culminating in 5.8% GDP growth in 2022. Therefore, moving to this country will provide a positive economic environment for your future business or investments.
Another advantage of getting this visa in Spain is that this country is a safe plan B for you and your family. This country has a stable representative democratic system and a monarchy. Moreover, the current government has worked to increase wages, basic income, and pensions. Through the bills the government has passed, they have increased life quality and pushed forward the economy.
Once you have this visa, you will have greater access to the country's best-performing sectors. Specifically, you should consider the information and communication technology, pharmaceutical, and tourism industries. You can even use your investment to target these sectors and ensure a larger return on investment. Plus, you will be able to travel through the Schengen area, allowing you to make business connections across the continent more easily.
Lastly, this visa will help you secure a European citizenship. Though this visa does not automatically lead to a Spanish passport, it will allow you to easily gain a residence permit. After 5 years of maintaining your residency and investment, you will be able to apply for permanent residency.
From there, you will need to legally reside for 5 more years (over 183 days per year) in Spain to apply for citizenship. So long as you meet the other legal requirements, such as being fluent in Spanish, you can apply for citizenship. If you are a citizen of a former Spanish colony, your wait time for citizenship will only be 2 years.
This visa has multiple investment options, the cost of which ranges from $545,900 to $2,183,600 (€500,000 to €2,000,000). Depending on the investment, you may have a return on investment; therefore, you should select your investment based on how it can holistically benefit you.
Here are the investments you can make to apply for it:
Investments | Costs |
Government Bonds | $2,183,600 (€2,000,000) |
Investment/Venture Capital Fund | $1,091,800 (€1,000,000) |
Company Shares | $1,091,800 (€1,000,000) |
Business Investment | Positive socio-economic impact and job creation. |
Bank Deposit | $1,091,800 (€1,000,000) |
Real Estate | $545,900 (€500,000) |
Before you apply, you should ensure that you meet the following criteria and have the following documents ready to attach to your application:
If you wish for your family to apply with you, you should ensure that you have documentation proving your relationship with them. For example, you should have a marriage certificate. As for which family members can join your application, there are:
To apply for this visa, you should use the following steps:
There are numerous investment options available through the Golden Visa program. To navigate these options effectively, you should consider seeking assistance from Vancis Capital. Our team of experts can clearly explain each investment choice, giving you the information needed to select the option that best aligns with or even improves your financial situation. Additionally, our rigorous internal due diligence process allows us to identify and address any potential issues with your application before submitting it.
The cheapest Golden Visa in Europe is a tie between Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Hungary. Each of these countries have a program through which you can make a $273,500 (€250,000) investment as part of your visa application.
The fastest Golden Visa in Europe is the Spanish program. On average, it should take around 2 – 3 months for you to receive your visa. However, incomplete or incorrect paperwork may delay your application.
If you own property, you can only live in Spain for 90 days in a half-year period. The only way to lengthen your stay is to get a Golden Visa, non-lucrative (retirement) visa, or work visa. While the government is considering changing this law, the European Union would need to pass it.
Now you know that Golden Visa Spain is a great option, while it is still available. Through this visa, you will be able to live in Spain and enjoy the region's peace and economic stability. In addition, this visa program allows you to invest in the country by buying real estate, investing in businesses, making a bank deposit, and buying government bonds. It would be wise to explore these investment options with the assistance of migration advisers like Vancis Capital. This is because choosing the right investment will be the key to receiving your visa and thriving in Spain.
Get in touch to discuss how we can help you with your citizenship or residency by investment goals. One of our investment migration experts will contact you to discuss your case. With over 16 years of combined experience our team has helped hundreds of families achieve freedom.