This article, aimed at foreign investors from outside the European Union (EU), is merely informative and has no binding legal status.

All non-EU resident foreigners who make a significant capital investment in:

1. Financial assets, by making an initial investment of a value equal to or greater than:

• Two million euros in Spanish public debt securities, or
• One million euros in shares or holdings in Spanish capital companies with a real business activity, or
• One million euros in investment funds, closed-end investment funds or venture capital funds incorporated in Spain, included within the scope of application of Law 35/2003 of 4 November on Collective Investment Institutions or Law 22/2014 of 12 November regulating venture capital entities, other closed-end collective investment entities and amending Law 35/2003 of 4 November, or
• One million euros in bank deposits in Spanish financial institutions.

2. Acquisition of property with an investment equal to or greater than 500,000 euros per applicant.

3. A business project to be developed in Spain that is considered and accredited as being of general interest, for which compliance with at least one of the following conditions will be assessed:

• Job creation.
• Making an investment with a significant socio-economic impact in the geographical area in which the activity is to be carried out.
• Relevant contribution to scientific and/or technological innovation.

Where to apply for a visa or residence permit

Interested persons can submit their visa application at the diplomatic missions and consular offices. Embassies and Consulates.

For a residence permit, they must do so at the Unit of Large Companies and Strategic Groups (UGE-CE).

Required Documentation

General documentation:

• Passport or NIE. The applicant must be over 18 years old.
• Public or private health insurance.
• Certificate of criminal record. No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where the applicant has resided in the last 5 years.
• Proof of sufficient economic means for himself and his family members during his period of residence in Spain.

Specific documentation for investors:

1) Financial Assets

You must prove that you have made the investment in the minimum amount required in the following ways:

• In the case of investment in unlisted shares or company holdings, a copy of the investment declaration made in the Investment Register of the Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness shall be submitted.

• In the case of investment in listed shares, a certificate from the financial intermediary, duly registered with the National Securities Market Commission or the Bank of Spain, must be presented, stating that the interested party has made the investment for the purposes of this rule.

• In the case of investment in public debt, a certificate from the financial institution or the Bank of Spain must be presented, stating that the applicant is the sole holder of the investment for a period of 5 years or more.

• In the case of investment in investment funds, closed-end investment funds or venture capital funds set up in Spain, duly registered with the National Securities Market Commission, stating that the applicant has made an investment of at least one million euros in a fund or funds under its management.

• In the case of investment in a bank deposit, a certificate from the financial institution stating that the applicant is the sole holder of the bank deposit must be submitted.

These certificates must be dated within the following time limits:

• For visas: within a period not exceeding 60 days prior to the submission of the application.
• For residence permits: within a period not exceeding 30 days prior to the submission of the application.

2. Acquisition of real estate

You must prove that you have acquired the property of the real estate by means of certification of ownership and encumbrances from the Land Registry corresponding to the property or properties.

The applicant must prove that he has an investment in real estate of 500,000 euros free of charges or encumbrances. The part of the investment that exceeds the required amount may be subject to liens or encumbrances.

The certification shall incorporate one of the following documents:

- For visas:

• The electronic verification code for online consultation, including the amount of the purchase.
• The corresponding public deed.
• If at the time of submitting the visa, the registration in the Property Registry is in process, it will be sufficient to submit the certificate in which the entry for the presentation of the acquisition document is valid, accompanied by documentation accrediting the payment of the corresponding taxes.

- For residence permits:

Certificate or certificates of ownership and charges from the Land Registry corresponding to the property or properties and which must be dated within 90 days prior to the presentation of the application.

- If the purchase has not been formalized:

Pre-contract with guarantee of compliance by means of a deposit and/or other means admitted by law, formalised in a public deed. You must present: a) The pre-contract with guarantee. b) A certificate from a financial institution established in Spain stating that the applicant has an unavailable bank deposit with the amount required for the purchase, including charges and taxes.

3. Business project

You must provide a favourable report which must be obtained before applying for a visa or residence permit and for the issue of this report you must submit:

• Business Project Report Request Form.
• Copy of Identity Card or Passport.
• In case the application is not submitted by the applicant himself, the supporting document authorizing the representative to submit the documentation in his place shall be attached, accompanied by the Representative's Identity Card or Passport.
• Curriculum Vitae of the applicant, detailing his or her training and professional experience.
• Business project to be developed in Spain justifying at least one of the following conditions: a) Creation of jobs. b) Making an investment with a significant socio-economic impact on the geographical area in which the activity is to be carried out. c) Significant contribution to scientific and/or technological innovation.
• Designation of a Representative for the Management of the Business Project.

To request the Business Project Report, you must go to:

• a) In Visa: To the Economic and Commercial Office of the geographical area where the investor submits the visa application. Get application form here.
• b) In Residence permit: To the Directorate General for International Trade and Investment. Get application form here.

Legal Entities

Investment in Financial Assets or Real Estate can also be made through a Legal Entity domiciled in a territory that is not considered a tax haven, in accordance with current Spanish regulations.

Required documents

General documents:

• Passport or NIE. The applicant must be over 18 years old.
• Public or private health insurance.
• Certificate of criminal record. No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where the applicant has resided in the last 5 years.
• Proof of sufficient economic means for himself and his family members during his period of residence in Spain.

Specific documents:

A report attesting that the applicant for the visa or residence permit directly or indirectly holds the majority of the voting rights and has the power to appoint or dismiss the majority of the members of its management body.

Where should you request the report?

• For Visa: At the Economic and Commercial Office of the geographical area where the investor submits the visa application. Download application form
• For Residence Authorization: At the Directorate General for International Trade and Investment. Download application form