If you are searching for Spain citizenship by investment programs, you need to know the truth upfront: Spain does not offer a direct pathway to citizenship through financial investment. Unlike countries such as Malta, Turkey, or the Caribbean nations, Spain requires all applicants to go through the standard naturalization process, which involves years of legal residency.
This guide answers the most common questions about Spanish citizenship. It explains what happened to the Golden Visa program and outlines the actual paths available to obtain a Spanish passport.
Does Spain Have Citizenship by Investment?
No. Spain does not grant citizenship by investment. There is no legal mechanism that allows foreign nationals to obtain a Spanish passport simply by making a financial contribution or investment in the country.
All applicants for Spanish citizenship must fulfill the standard naturalization requirements, regardless of their wealth or investment capacity. This typically involves residing legally in Spain for 10 consecutive years before becoming eligible to apply for citizenship.
What Was the Spain Golden Visa Program?
The Spain Golden Visa was a residency by investment program, not a citizenship program. It allowed non-EU nationals to obtain a residence permit by making a qualifying investment in Spain. The program was established under Law 14/2013 and offered several investment routes, including:
- Real estate investment of at least EUR 500K
- Bank deposit of at least EUR 1.0M
- Investment of at least EUR 1.0M in shares of Spanish companies or investment funds
- Investment of at least EUR 2.0M in Spanish government bonds
- Creating a business project considered to be of general interest
The vast majority of Golden Visa applications were made through the real estate option, which created significant pressure on Spain's housing market.
When Did the Golden Visa End?
The Spain Golden Visa program officially ended on April 3, 2025. The program was abolished through Organic Law 1/2025, which was published in the Official State Gazette on January 3, 2025, with a three-month transition period.
The Spanish government cited housing market speculation and the rising cost of homes for local residents as the primary reasons for discontinuing the program. Nearly all Golden Visa investments had been channeled into real estate. This put significant upward pressure on property prices in major cities.
Transitional Protections
Investors and their family members who submitted applications before April 3, 2025, are protected under transitional provisions. These applications will still be processed under the previous rules. Holders retain all benefits and renewal rights associated with their Golden Visa residence permits. New applications submitted on or after April 3, 2025, are no longer accepted under any investment category.
How to Get Spanish Citizenship: The Standard Path
Since there is no citizenship by investment option, all applicants must follow Spain's naturalization process. This process is called citizenship by residency. It requires fulfilling several mandatory conditions.
10-Year Residency Requirement
The standard requirement for most foreign nationals is 10 years of continuous legal residency in Spain immediately prior to the citizenship application. Only residency permits granted under Spanish immigration legislation count toward this requirement. Time spent in Spain as a tourist, on a student visa, or without proper documentation does not count toward the 10-year period.
Additional Requirements
Beyond the residency period, applicants must demonstrate:
- Good civic behavior: Proven through criminal record certificates from the country of origin and reports from Spanish authorities
- Integration into Spanish society: Demonstrated by passing two tests administered by the Instituto Cervantes covering Spanish language proficiency and knowledge of Spanish constitutional and sociocultural matters
- Oath of allegiance: Swearing or promising allegiance to the King and obedience to the Spanish Constitution and laws
Renunciation of Previous Nationality
Spain generally requires applicants to renounce their previous nationality when acquiring Spanish citizenship. However, significant exceptions exist for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal. These nationals are not required to renounce their original citizenship.
