Investment in Spain
Investing in Spain is possible for individuals over 18 years of age without age restrictions and includes methods such as purchasing property, company registration, buying a business or franchise, entrepreneurship, self-sufficiency, and investing in Spanish stocks.
Additionally, in the entrepreneurial method in Spain, a strong business plan is required, and if approved by the Ministerio de Economía, Comercio y Empresa, an initial one-year residency will be issued, which can then be renewed twice for two years each, allowing the individual to apply for permanent residency in Spain.
The consultants at Malekpour Immigration Institute have prepared this article to assist you in immigration to Spain, using updated information from reputable Spanish websites as well as the help of experienced local lawyers in this country. You can also consult our experts at Malekpour Immigration Institute regarding the conditions for investing in Spain.
Advantages of Investing in Spain
- Possibility of economic investment
- Possibility of obtaining permanent residence
- Possibility of obtaining Schengen visa
- Relatively low cost of living
- Appropriate investment standards
- Very suitable and pleasant weather conditions
- Government support for foreign investors
Investment Conditions in Spain
Spain has long been an attractive destination for investors looking for opportunities to obtain European residency by purchasing property. Various methods for investing in Spain, such as purchasing real estate, company registration, buying a business, etc., each have their specific requirements. However, here we will address the general conditions for investing in Spain.
- At least three years of work experience
- Strong resume
- Profitable business plan
- Sufficient financial resources to cover your expenses as well as investments
- No criminal record
- Health certificate
Residency in Spain through Investment
Obtaining residency in Spain through investment can have different residency implications and costs depending on the investment method chosen. Generally, by renewing one’s residency through investment in Spain for five years, the investor and their family become eligible for permanent residency and a Spanish passport.
Property Purchase
The most popular residency by investment in Spain is through property purchase. For investment via the golden visa, a minimum of €500,000 is required. This residency can be renewed for up to 5 years, after which the investor can apply for permanent residency from the Spanish government.
Entrepreneurship
In the entrepreneurial path, the applicant must present a business plan to obtain investment residency in Spain. In the Spanish investment visa, the applicant first receives a one-year residency, which is then renewed for two years twice, and eventually permanent residency in Spain will be granted to the applicant.
The residency implications and required investments for the investment methods in Spain are summarized in the table below.
| Type of Investment | Amount Required | Residence Permits |
| Golden visa | The property purchased must be worth at least 500 thousand euros. | Extending residence up to 5 years and obtaining permanent residence in Spain |
| self-sufficiency | + Main person: 30 thousand euros + Spouse: 8 thousand euros+ Each child: 7 thousand euros |
+ Initially a one-year residence and then 2 years, extended for 2 years. + Permanent residence application after 5 years |
| Company registration | 60 thousand euros and above | Obtaining a one-year residence permit and extending it up to 5 years to obtain permanent residence in Spain |
+ Spouse: €8,000
Types of Investment in Spain
Many people annually decide to immigrate to Europe and seek investment residency in Spain for greater comfort for themselves and their families. The types of investments in Spain may vary based on the financial situation and budget considered by each individual. From minimum investment amounts in Spain to maximum amounts, various investment classifications exist.
Among the most famous and newest methods of investment is buying property in Spain. Company registration in Spain, entrepreneurship, and bond purchases are other methods which will all be introduced in the continuation of the article.
- Property Purchase in Spain
- Spain’s Golden Visa
- Self-Sufficiency in Spain
- Company Registration in Spain
- Entrepreneurship in Spain
- Business Purchase in Spain
Permanent Residency in Spain through Property Purchase
Obtaining permanent residency in Spain through property purchase has become a popular immigration method for individuals seeking long-term residency in this country.
Buying property in Spain involves fulfilling specific investment requirements through acquiring property which can lead to permanent residency and ultimately citizenship for qualifying individuals. This capital can be residential, commercial, land, or a combination of several properties. To obtain permanent residency through property purchase in Spain, the applicant must meet one of the following conditions:
- Buying a property in Spain worth 500,000 euros
- Buying a property for 350,000 euros and renting it out for around 100,000 to 200,000 euros
- Getting a NIE number
Buying Property in Spain with a Loan
It is also possible to buy property in Spain with a loan. You can achieve permanent residency and Spanish passport with only €350,000 through a financed property purchase. With a financed property purchase, you rent your property to the desired company for 10 years and receive the rental amount upfront as a loan, allowing you to invest in Spanish real estate with the loan amount and the €350,000 you own. After 5 years, you can obtain permanent residency and after 10 years, the Spanish passport.
In this method of buying property in Spain with a loan, your initial investment is guaranteed and assured that after ten years, once you obtain the Spanish passport, you can sell the property for at least €350,000. In this property purchase method with a loan, after ten years, you will have two options: either transfer the property and receive your €350,000 or sell the property which will certainly now value over $500,000.
Self-Sufficiency Residency in Spain
One of the most popular types of residency in Spain through investment is self-sufficiency, which does not involve investment. This is because the investor does not put their money into any specific activity or business, nor does the individual entrust their money to a person or entity. Instead, this method is a form of capitalism and is referred to as self-sufficiency in Spain. In this method, you simply need to meet the following conditions:
- Have a certain amount of cash and non-cash capital.
You must show that you have an amount of 30,000 euros in your account for the main person, 8,000 euros for your spouse and 7,000 euros for each child under 18. - Renting or buying property in Spain
- Provide evidence that you have an amount of approximately 35,000 euros in the applicant’s bank account, to which, if there is a companion, 25% for the spouse and approximately 2,500 to 3,000 euros for each child are added to this amount.
- The applicant must have 2,500 to 3,000 euros in income from outside Spain
This residency is initially issued for one year and is renewed twice for two-year periods. Therefore, to renew it, showing financial standing and proving financial sufficiency is again required. The self-sufficient residency in Spain requires a presence of 183 days a year for all covered individuals. Notably, Spain is quite strict about renewing this type of residency through investment.
Note that in this method the applicant is not allowed to work in Spain.
| Self-supporting residence in Spain | Description |
| Required financial means for the main person | 35 thousand euros |
| Required financial means for the spouse | 8 thousand euros |
| Required financial means for each child | 7 thousand euros |
| Residence effects | Initially one year and extended in two two-year periods |
| Presence requirement | 183 days per year |
| Work permit | It is not allowed to work as an employee for another person. |
Spain Investment Residency through Company Registration
Residency in Spain through company registration is suitable for individuals who, regardless of the residency implications of Spain, are looking for business, profit, and international commercial transactions. In this regard, they can register their company with an investment of €3,000 to €5,000. However, merely company registration in Spain cannot grant residency to individuals.
To achieve this, the investor must provide their company with more than €60,000 to start their business while ensuring the initial credibility of the company.
- Capital 3 to 5 thousand euros for company registration
- 60 thousand euros initial credit
- Opening an account
- Transfer of capital
| Company Registration in Spain | Description |
| Capital Required for Company Registration | 3 to 5 thousand euros |
| Capital Required for Accreditation | 60 thousand euros and above |
| Residence Effects | Extension of Residence Year by Year for Up to 5 Years |
Investment in Spain through Entrepreneurship
As mentioned in the previous section, to acquire residency in Spain through company registration, the conditions for investment in Spain through entrepreneurship must be evaluated. In this method, after registering the relevant company, a suitable business plan must be presented (Business plan).
- Submit a Business Plan
The business plan essentially outlines the investor’s strategy and objectives for their commercial activities. The main investor must prove that this business plan will have a strong, positive, and beneficial impact on the Spanish economy. - Job Creation
The individual must demonstrate that the plan creates jobs. To this end, it is necessary to employ 2 Spanish citizens. - Capital
With around €50,000, one can start a business, but it is advisable to have financial capability of about €100,000 to €200,000.
After the business plan is approved and the business activity is initiated, the main individual, along with their spouse and children under 18, receives an initial one-year residency. This residency is then renewed for two years and then for an additional two years. After 5 years, they will obtain permanent residency, and after 10 years, Spanish citizenship.
Business Purchase in Spain
If you intend to immigrate to Spain through investment, it is good to know that one of the popular methods for obtaining residency is through purchasing a franchise or buying a business in Spain. To buy a franchise or business in Spain, it is necessary for the owner of the business, which has its own idea and brand, to grant the rights to the applicant to establish the business.
This method can be a safe investment as the applicant knows that there is not much risk involved and the purchased business is reputable and can be profitable.
Investment Visa in Spain through Bond Purchases
Investing in Spain through the purchase and sale of stocks and government bonds is one way of investment and trade in Spain. According to the laws governing stock and bond markets, the government has not set any restrictions on the amount of government bonds that investors can purchase.
This means that with any amount of capital, one can choose to purchase bonds, generating a type of investment in Spain. However, purchasing bonds to gain residency requires an initial investment of at least €2 million in public debt bonds of Spain or €1 million in shares or stock in Spanish companies that commit to retain.
| Buying bonds in Spain | Description |
| Required capital | 2 million euros in bonds or 1 million euros in shares |
| Residency effects | Initial 1-year residence (renewable) |
| Requirements | Requirement to open an account. |
Steps to Obtain the Investment Visa in Spain
As you know, obtaining an investment visa in Spain is a strategic and well-defined process that offers a path for individuals seeking to invest and reside in Spain.
- Choose an investment type: real estate (€500,000 minimum), capital transfer (€1 million minimum), business projects, or job creation—each with specific requirements.
- Verify you meet the financial criteria for your chosen option.
- Research thoroughly: check property titles for real estate or financials for business investments.
- Obtain a Spanish Foreign Identification Number (NIE) for legal and financial transactions.
- Prepare documents: investment proof, financial statements, passport, and clean criminal record.
- Submit your visa application at the nearest Spanish Embassy or consulate.
Processing Time for Investment Visa in Spain
The processing of the investment visa application generally takes around 2 to 3 months. Your visa application processing will take approximately two months, while processing for obtaining residency will take about twenty days.
Obtaining Accompanying Visas through Investment in Spain
In investment Spain, an applicant can bring their spouse and children under 18 with them to Spain one year after investment, but in the Spanish golden visa, the applicant can bring all single children without age limits as accompanying family members.
If a legally married couple mutually shares ownership of assets and invests €500,000 or more in properties in Spain, one spouse can apply for the golden visa as the main applicant.
The accompanying family member can apply as part of the main applicant’s visa application. This means both partners can legally reside and work in Spain, but one is the main applicant.
Investment Tax in Spain
In Spain, investment income tax rates, such as capital gains and dividends, are structured progressively and vary based on income brackets. Starting from 2025, investment income is taxed at rates ranging from 19% to 28%:
- 19% for investment income up to €6,000
- 21% for income from €6,001 to €50,000
- 23% for income from €50,001 to €200,000
- 28% for income over €200,000
This online approach applies to capital gains income (e.g., profit from selling stocks or properties) and dividends. Additionally, there may be special deductions for some types of investments, such as in startups, which can deduct 50% of investments up to €100,000 and encourage new business investments.
Economic Indicators Affecting Spain
After examining the investment standards in Spain, it is crucial to assess specific influential economic indicators to better understand investment conditions. The suitability of these indicators will greatly impact the decision to transfer capital to Spain or any other country.
Another important indicator worth considering is the inflation rate of Spain and the rate of asset confiscations.
Obtaining Passport through Investment in Spain
Spanish citizenship through investment, also known as the golden visa program, offers a unique pathway for individuals seeking Spanish citizenship through investment.
The golden visa program allows non-EU citizens to obtain a residency permit by making significant financial contributions to the Spanish economy. If it has been over 5 years since investing in Spain, and as long as you have not committed any crimes and are proficient in the language of this country, you can apply for a passport.
The overall step-by-step process for applying for Spanish citizenship is as follows:
- Gather required documents: birth certificate, passport, marriage certificate, residency permit, language certificate, and other supporting papers.
- Submit your citizenship application with documents to Spanish authorities (Ministry of Justice or Civil Registry).
- Pay applicable citizenship application fees.
- Pass language and culture exams like DELE and CCSE if required.
- Attend interviews or appointments during the application process.
- Wait for the decision; processing times vary by case complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Investment in Spain
- Does investing in Spain lead to permanent residency in this country?
Depending on the investment method, individuals usually become eligible for permanent residency in the country after renewing their residency for five years.
- How many years does it take to acquire Spanish citizenship through investment?
Through investment in Spain, the investor typically obtains permanent residency after five years and subsequently becomes eligible for citizenship after ten years.
- Do family members also get residency in Spain?
Yes, applicants who apply for their visa renewal after one year can request a visa for their family members.
- What are the conditions for renewing the golden visa in Spain?
Among the most important conditions for renewing the golden visa in Spain are maintaining the property, residing for six months in Spain, and proving financial sufficiency to the Spanish government.
Conclusion:
If you are interested in the self-sufficiency program, it is important to mention that this program is also available in other top European countries, including self-sufficiency in Austria, France, Switzerland, and Portugal. If after reading the article you need to review your immigration and investment conditions in Spain and other countries, you can connect with our experts through free consultations at Malekpour Immigration Institute.
Furthermore, in the final section, in the comments area, you can share your opinions and questions regarding residency in Spain through investment with us.
