Spain

Successful participants in the Spain golden visa process will walk away with a European residency; one of the main advantages of becoming a resident in Spain. This article will serve as your guide to the Spain golden visa application process. Keep reading for a checklist of the documentation required for a Spain golden visa and for an overview of the main pathways to Spain residency: The real estate option, company shares and public debt.

This blog will provide you with all the information you need about the Spanish investor visa. Let’s get started!

WHAT IS A SPAIN GOLDEN VISA?

The Golden Visa for Spain or Spain residence is a unique residence permit issued for citizens of countries outside the European Union (EU) who wish to live in Spain and intends to make a significant investment in the Spanish economy.

HOW TO BECOME A RESIDENT IN SPAIN THROUGH INVESTMENT?

The common procedures for lawfully moving to Spain are attaining a work permit or student visa. You can also obtain a residency in Spain by investment. You invest in Spain and right away get a residence permit.

• Be of legal age (over 18 years old).

• Not a citizen of a European Union (EU) state.

• Select QICMS as your representative.

* The initial step for Spain golden visa is the selection of a trusted representative. Once you choose QICMS as your representative, you can proceed with the below steps. You should lodge your application at the nearest Spanish Embassy within three months of making the investment.

• Select your Golden visa pathway.

* Real Estate option: Can I get residency in Spain if I buy house? Yes! First of all, an investor visa in Spain can be obtained by purchasing real estate in Spain worth over EUR 500,000. In exchange for purchasing and holding the property for the proscribed period, the applicant will receive Spain's golden visa residency by investment.

* The acquisition of shares in a Spanish company or owning a bank deposit in a Spanish bank in the amount of more than EUR 1,000,000 also gives the right to obtain this residence permit.

* Ownership of Spanish public debt in the amount of EUR 2,000,000 or more.

• Have no criminal record either in Spain or in any other country. The accounting period is considered to be the last 5 years.

• Have full health insurance in Spain through public or private insurance.

• Have proof of the availability of enough financial resources to support both the main investor and her/his family members (if an application for a residence permit is also submitted for family members).

• Gather your required documents

* QICMS will help you prepare your required documents. While some of these will depend on the particular pathway you selected, others are required of all applicants (such as a passport and a number of basic required forms (among other materials). For a complete list of what you need to submit, see; “Checklist” paragraph below.

• Apply for a Golden Visa.

• Submit the application along with the document file.

• Get your residence permit.

CHECKLIST OF THE DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED FOR A GOLDEN VISA in SPAIN

• Application form;

• Passport;

• Birth certificate;

• Photos of applicants;

• Financial and other forms relating to business and income (including relevant tax returns);

• Resume;

• Police report (obtained from applicant’s country of residence/citizenship);

• Certificate of marriage (if applicable);

• Proof of investment;

• Medical insurance;

• Medical certificate.

Please note that the above list is not exhaustive for the Spanish Golden Visa Residence - Golden Visa program in Spain. You may be asked to present further materials depending on the nature of your application and the specific form of your investment.

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF HOLDING A GOLDEN VISA IN SPAIN?

Being a Spanish Golden Visa Residence holder has numerous benefits. Here are some of the highlights:

• Right to reside in Spain: It allows you to live and work in Spain legally, i.e., a golden visa is a way to obtain a work permit.

• No residency requirements: To acquire it, you do not need to be considered a resident in Spain. There is no need to reside in the country for more than 183 days a year. The investor only has to visit the country at least once a year.

• Visa-free travel throughout the Schengen: You can travel to all 26-countries in the European Schengen area without a visa: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

• Family members: The main applicant can also apply for a residence permit for the spouse as well as the eligible children.

• Applying remotely: The investor does not need to be in Spain to apply for a Golden Visa. She/he can appoint a representative to collect the relevant documentation.

HOW LONG CAN YOU LIVE IN SPAIN WITH SPAIN GOLDEN VISA?

After attaining a golden visa in Spain, the applicant can lawfully reside in Spain for 12 months. After this period, the investor can ask for a Spain's Golden Visa residence permit for 24 months, which can subsequently be renewed.

To do this, the investor must prove that she/he still owns the assets in the acquisition of which she/he has invested, whether it is real estate, stocks, or government debt. Besides, she/he must visit Spain at least once a year.

CAN I LOSE THE RESIDENCE PERMIT?

Yes, if you cannot show you have maintained your investment in Spain, then you will lose your Golden Visa Residence Permit. For instance, if you sell your property or liquidate your investment.

WHAT IS NEXT?

Do you want to apply for Spain citizenship based on investment? Remember that a golden visa is one of the paths to get Spanish citizenship. After 10 years of legal residence in Spain, the investor will be entitled for citizenship. Given that you meet the following:

1. You have remained in Spain for at least 183 days per year, in 10 years.

2. You speak Spanish at least of basic levels.

3. You have a basic understanding of Spanish history and culture.

4. You have no criminal convictions or debts in Spain.

QICMS can help you secure your Spanish Golden Visa with less hassle.

For more information about the Spanish residence permit program or how to choose the best investment program, and for all other queries pertaining to the Spain Residence by Investment Program application process, please contact us.