When comparing Spain Golden Visa requirements with other European countries, consider factors like investment amount, residency obligations, and processing times.
The Spain Golden Visa is one of several residency-by-investment programs available in Europe. While the basic premise of granting residency in exchange for investment is similar across countries, the specific requirements and benefits vary. Here’s a comparison between Spain’s Golden Visa and those of other popular European countries:
1. Investment Amount
- Spain: The minimum investment required is €500,000 in real estate, but investments can also be made in government bonds (€2 million), bank deposits (€1 million), or shares in Spanish companies.
- Portugal: Portugal's Golden Visa program requires a minimum real estate investment of €500,000, but there are also options to invest €350,000 in real estate needing renovation or €1 million in capital transfers. Portugal also offers a reduced investment of €280,000 in certain low-density areas.
- Greece: Greece offers one of the most affordable Golden Visa programs, requiring a minimum investment of €250,000 in real estate.
- Italy: Italy’s investor visa requires a minimum investment of €500,000 in an Italian company, €250,000 in an innovative startup, €2 million in government bonds, or €1 million in philanthropic initiatives.
2. Residency Requirements
- Spain: Spain’s Golden Visa does not have a strict residency requirement. Visa holders must visit Spain at least once per year, but they are not required to live in Spain to maintain the visa.
- Portugal: Portugal has a relatively low residency requirement, where investors need to spend an average of seven days per year in the country to renew their visa. This low requirement makes it attractive for those who want flexibility.
- Greece: Greece has no minimum stay requirement, making it similar to Spain in terms of flexibility for investors who do not plan to reside full-time in the country.
- Italy: Italy requires visa holders to reside in the country for a certain period if they wish to apply for permanent residency or citizenship. However, the investor visa itself does not have strict annual residency requirements.
3. Path to Citizenship
- Spain: Golden Visa holders in Spain can apply for permanent residency after five years, and citizenship after 10 years. However, for citizenship, they must live in Spain for at least six months per year during the qualifying period.
- Portugal: Portugal’s program is particularly attractive because it allows investors to apply for citizenship after five years without needing to live in the country full-time. This is a key advantage over Spain’s program.
- Greece: In Greece, applicants can apply for citizenship after seven years of continuous residence. However, continuous residence is required, which is a more stringent condition compared to Spain and Portugal.
- Italy: In Italy, citizenship can be applied for after 10 years of residence. However, there is a faster path for those of Italian descent or those who marry an Italian citizen.
4. Family Inclusion
- Spain: The Spain Golden Visa allows for the inclusion of the investor’s spouse, children under 18, and dependent adult children or parents in the application.
- Portugal: Similar to Spain, Portugal’s Golden Visa allows for family reunification, including spouses, dependent children, and the parents of the applicant.
- Greece: Greece also allows the inclusion of spouses, children under 21, and dependent parents. The age limit for children is higher than in Spain and Portugal.
- Italy: Italy allows the inclusion of immediate family members, including spouses and dependent children, under the investor visa program.
Summary
Spain’s Golden Visa requires a minimum investment of €500,000 in real estate, with flexible residency requirements and a path to citizenship after 10 years. In comparison, Portugal offers a similar investment threshold but allows citizenship after five years without significant residency. Greece offers the lowest investment requirement at €250,000 with no residency obligations, while Italy offers multiple investment options with relatively flexible residency requirements. The choice between these programs will depend on the investor's priorities, such as the amount of investment, residency requirements, and the desired path to citizenship.