Spain remains one of the most strategic gateways in Europe for entrepreneurs, investors, and high-level professionals seeking permanent residency and citizenship in the long term through investment. Although the real estate-based Golden Visa option will close in 2025, the pathway of “residency by investment” and subsequently citizenship continues through qualified investment and business establishment models.
In this article, I will discuss the advantages of the path to citizenship by investment in Spain; new regulations, labor and corporate dimensions, tax and compliance obligations, and how to simplify the process with an expert partner like Corpenza step by step.
1. What Does Citizenship by Investment in Spain Really Mean?
1.1. There is no “direct citizenship”; there is a route from residency to citizenship.
Spain does not offer a “direct passport in exchange for investment” program like Caribbean countries. The model in Spain works as follows:
- You first make an investment (company, investment fund, government bonds, etc.).
- Then you obtain an investor residency permit (Golden Visa type residency).
- After 5 years of legal residency, you apply for indefinite residency (permanent residency).
- As a general rule, you apply for citizenship after 10 years of legal residency.
For citizens of Latin America and some Spanish-speaking countries, this period can be reduced to 2 years; however, for most third-country nationals, a realistic scenario is a 10-year perspective.
1.2. After 2025: Real estate is closed, but the program is not over.
In April 2025, Spain ended the €500,000 real estate route Golden Visa option to protect the housing market. However, the following channels still provide investment-based residency:
- Investment of at least €1,000,000 in Spanish company shares or investment funds.
- Investment of at least €2,000,000 in Spanish government bonds.
- Establishment of an innovative business/company that creates employment and economic value.
Since detailed conditions are frequently updated, it is necessary to check official sources and current guides before applying. For example, current evaluations of Spain’s Golden Visa provide a good summary of investment amounts and processes.
2. Spanish Citizenship: Strategic Advantages and Business Impact
2.1. Free movement within the EU and freedom to establish businesses
Spanish citizenship means EU citizenship. This status creates strong advantages in the business world:
- Right to reside, work, and establish businesses throughout the EU.
- Visa-free travel and flexibility for business meetings within Schengen.
- Full access to the EU single market (finance, technology, logistics, e-commerce, etc.).
A manager overseeing a global team can move EU-based staff much more quickly; an entrepreneur looking to expand their company network in Europe deals with fewer procedural barriers.
2.2. Family-wide protection and intergenerational safety net
Investment-based residency permits have always covered the family; this makes the citizenship advantage felt on a family-wide scale in the long term:
- Spouses and dependent children receive residency rights simultaneously.
- Children gain earlier access to educational and internship opportunities in Spain and the EU.
- The family gains “Plan B” citizenship against political and economic fluctuations.
Large family groups and family offices thus transfer not only their assets but also their human capital to Europe.
2.3. Quality of life, health, and education advantages
Spain consistently ranks high in health system and quality of life rankings. Investor residency holders gain advantages in the following areas:
- Access to the public health system when certain conditions are met.
- Opportunities for children in Spanish and international schools.
- Reduced daily operational risks with a safe living environment and strong infrastructure.
Strong expat communities and an international ecosystem in Spain facilitate both professional networking and family adaptation.
3. Investment Options, Regulations, and Compliance Obligations
3.1. Valid investment pathways: Focus on capital and business model
As of 2025, the main options for residency by investment in Spain are:
- Company shares / investment fund: Minimum investment of €1,000,000. Targets Spain-based companies or designated funds.
- Government bonds: Investment of at least €2,000,000 in Spanish government debt instruments.
- Entrepreneur visa / business establishment: A business plan and company establishment that creates employment and contributes to innovative or regional development.
Each pathway involves different levels of regulation, reporting, and auditing. Therefore, when making an investment decision, it is necessary to consider not only the return but also the compliance costs.
3.2. Compliance and KYC/AML requirements
Spain strictly enforces the EU’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing legislation. For investment-based residency:
- You document the source of funds transparently.
- You demonstrate your tax obligations and clean record.
- If you are establishing a company, you present your business model, cash flow, and employment plan.
Corpenza addresses both financial and legal compliance under one roof while structuring your investment pathway; thus, you proceed with a complete file before banks, immigration authorities, and tax authorities.
3.3. Permanent residency, citizenship, and language integration
The following requirements stand out in the stages of permanent residency and citizenship:
- Actual residency for a certain period (simply entering and exiting for card renewal is not sufficient).
- Clean criminal record and tax compliance.
- Passing language (DELE A2) and culture (CCSE) exams for citizenship application.
Since official requirements change frequently, you can review resources summarizing Spain’s citizenship conditions for up-to-date information; for example, the guide to Spanish citizenship requirements explains the basic framework.
4. Tax Optimization: The Real Picture for Investors
4.1. Tax residency and the 183-day rule
Holding an investor residency permit does not automatically mean you fall under Spanish tax liability. The basic criterion for tax residency is:
- If you stay in Spain for more than 183 days in a calendar year, you are considered a tax resident of Spain by rule.
In this case:
- You have a declaration and tax obligation in Spain for your worldwide income.
- Double taxation prevention agreements come into play; with proper structuring, you can reduce excess tax burden.
Corpenza evaluates Spanish, Turkish, and other country regulations together in tax optimization projects; thus, you synchronize your investment plan with migration, tax, and corporate dimensions.
4.2. Corporate structuring, international accounting, and payroll management
When you establish a company in Spain, you need to plan not only the setup phase but also ongoing financial compliance:
- International accounting standards (IFRS compliance, group reporting)
- Corporate tax and VAT management
- Payroll processes for local and remote employees
Corpenza provides the opportunity with international accounting and payroll services:
- Enables you to expense salaries of remote employees in different countries through Spain or another EU country on a contractual basis.
- Simplifies your tax and social security-like premium obligations in multi-country operations with centralized payroll management.
4.3. Tax optimization and structuring scenarios
For an investor based in Spain, tax optimization relies not only on lowering rates but also on structuring correctly. For example:
- Dividing the holding structure between Spain + another EU country
- Positioning IP (intellectual property) revenues in another jurisdiction with a low tax rate
- Flexibilizing the employee and consultant pool with “staff leasing” and posted worker frameworks
At this point, a consulting team that follows both Spanish legislation and EU-wide regulations becomes critical.
5. Advantages of International Workforce, Posted Worker, and Staff Leasing
5.1. Mobile teams in Europe and posted worker model
The investment and incorporation step in Spain often does not remain limited to operations in a single country. In EU projects, the following scenarios frequently arise:
- A company based in Spain conducts a short-term project in Germany.
- The headquarters is in Spain; team members operate in several different EU countries.
In these cases, the “posted worker” regime comes into play. When the correct structure is established:
- The employee legally operates in the country they are sent to.
- Social security and tax obligations are optimized according to the correct country and duration.
5.2. Flexible scaling with staff leasing
Every investor does not have to establish a permanent staff from day one. The “staff leasing” (temporary employment agency) model is a strong alternative for project-based, temporary, or remote teams:
- Employees are employed through Corpenza or partner solutions.
- You lease this personnel during the project duration; payroll and compliance burden remains with Corpenza.
- You show salary and fringe benefit expenses as expenses in your company.
This model particularly offers practical solutions for:
- Investors looking to limit risk when entering a new market
- Technology ventures wanting to manage remote global teams under one roof
- Engineering and construction companies bidding on short-term EU projects
providing practical solutions.
5.3. Managing the residency, work permit, and compliance triangle together
Residency by investment is not just about a passport and card; it is also an expanding workforce strategy. In Spain and other EU countries:
- You plan the residency and work permits for your employees.
- You conduct payroll, social security, and tax reporting in the correct country.
- You increase your operational agility while minimizing compliance risks.
Corpenza aligns your investment residency and citizenship goals with your business strategy by integrating global mobility, incorporation, international accounting, payroll, and posted worker processes within a single ecosystem.
6. Strategic Roadmap: Step by Step Citizenship by Investment in Spain
6.1. Needs analysis and country selection
In the first step, you answer the following questions clearly:
- What is your priority: EU passport, tax optimization, workforce mobility, or family security?
- How much capital are you ready to commit for how long?
- Do you want to establish a business based in Spain, or are you considering passive investment?
Corpenza evaluates the suitability of Spain for your profile by also considering other options in Europe and globally.
6.2. Investment and incorporation design
In the second phase, the investment channel and incorporation model become clear:
- For active investors: Company establishment in Spain, business plan, employment projection.
- For those wanting a more passive structure: Investment in funds, bonds, or company shares.
- For those with group companies: Holding structure, branch or subsidiary within the EU.
At this point, we derive a concrete roadmap by matching the official framework from resources like Spanish investor residency requirements with your specific situation.
6.3. Integrated management of residency, workforce, and tax plan
After the investment decision, Corpenza manages the entire process in an integrated manner:
- Residency permit: Preparation of documents, application strategy, inclusion of family members.
- Incorporation and accounting: Establishment, trade registry, bank accounts, international accounting, and reporting.
- Payroll and staff leasing: Payroll, contracts, and posted worker processes for remote and on-site teams.
- Tax optimization: Balancing tax residency and obligations in Spain and other countries.
Thus, the path to citizenship by investment in Spain transforms from a risky process of random steps into a controlled, measurable, and strategically aligned project with your business goals.
6.4. Long-term perspective: What happens after obtaining citizenship?
After obtaining citizenship, you enter a new phase:
- You establish new companies, branches, and partnerships across the EU.
- Family members gain full freedom in the EU education and labor market.
- Global mobility is further strengthened with second or third citizenship strategies.
Corpenza continues to provide consultancy and operational support for tax structuring, asset planning, international employment, and new market entries at this stage.
Citizenship by investment in Spain is not just a passport project; it is a comprehensive mobility move that redefines your business, family, and tax position on a global scale. With the right structure, a disciplined compliance approach, and an experienced partner, you can transform this move into sustainable and measurable success.
