Renewing the Golden Visa in Spain

Many foreigners choose to acquire real estate as a way to obtain residence in Spain, a step that can be highly beneficial. However, if you wish to maintain your residence long-term, it is crucial to understand the requirements and conditions you must meet to renew your Golden Visa. We will explore in detail how to successfully renew your investment visa in Spain, including a comprehensive list of requirements, deadlines, and legal advice to help you avoid complications.

When should I renew my Golden Visa?

The first important issue is knowing the duration and validity of the investment visa. The initial investor residence card is valid for 2 years (instead of 1 year if you obtain it through the Spanish consulate in your home country). Once this period expires, it needs to be renewed.

One of the main advantages of this visa, under the Entrepreneur Law, is that after the initial renewal, the new residence card will be valid for 5 years. This means you will avoid the need to renew the Golden Visa every 2 years, as is the case with other types of residence under the general regime, reducing the frequency with which you need to go through bureaucratic procedures.

It is essential to begin the renewal process within a specific timeframe: between 60 days before and 90 days after the expiration of your card. If you do not meet this deadline, it will not be possible to renew your visa.

Main Requirements to Renew the Investor Visa

One of the most notable advantages of residence by investment is that the renewal requirements are straightforward and easy to meet. Essentially, you must fulfill two main conditions to successfully renew your Golden Visa:

1. Maintain the Investment: You must demonstrate that you still own the assets, investments, or properties worth at least the same amount you initially used to obtain the visa. If the value of your assets has increased, even better, but the minimum requirement is to maintain the original value.
2. Visits to Spain: You must prove that you have visited Spain at least once during the validity of the card. There is no minimum duration required for each stay, which means you can fulfill this requirement with a short visit.

This last requirement is especially flexible and valuable, as it allows you to freely circulate within the European Union with your family members and live in other EU countries if desired.

Why Choose Lexmovea to Renew Your Golden Visa in Spain?

Renewing your Golden Visa is a crucial step to maintain your residence and the associated benefits in Spain. At Lexmovea, we understand the importance of this process and offer a comprehensive and specialized service to ensure a successful and hassle-free Golden Visa renewal.

What Sets Us Apart in Processing the Golden Visa?

• Experience and Knowledge: We have a team of expert immigration lawyers with deep knowledge of the legislation and specific requirements for Golden Visa renewal in Spain.
• Personalized Advice: We analyze your individual situation, assess any changes that may have occurred since your initial application, and provide a strategy tailored to your needs.
• Efficient Management: We handle all procedures and documentation, from gathering requirements to submitting the application and tracking the process.
• Peace of Mind and Security: We offer a transparent and reliable service, keeping you informed at all times about the status of your renewal and resolving any questions you may have.
• High Success Rate: Our track record of successful cases supports our confidence that your renewal is in the best hands.

Don’t take risks with your Golden Visa renewal. Trust Lexmovea for a worry-free renewal and secure your future in Spain. Contact us today and discover how we can help you!

Can I Apply for Permanent Residence or Spanish Nationality When Renewing the Golden Visa?

Yes, You Can Apply for Both Permanent Residence and Spanish Nationality When Renewing Your Golden Visa, But the Key Is Knowing When and Under What Conditions You Can Do It.

When Can I Apply for Permanent Residence or Spanish Nationality?

It is important to note that all the years you spend as the holder of a Golden Visa count towards both permanent residence and Spanish nationality. However, to apply for either of these options, you must meet certain residency time requirements in Spain:

• Permanent Residence: You can apply for permanent residence after living in Spain for a minimum of 5 years with a Golden Visa.
• Spanish Nationality: To apply for nationality, you generally need to have resided in Spain for 10 years. However, if you are a citizen of the Philippines, Portugal, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, or any Ibero-American country, you can apply after just 2 years of residence.

The Typical Path to Permanent Residence and Nationality

The usual path to obtaining permanent residence and later nationality is as follows:

1. Obtain the initial investor residence card, which is valid for 2 years.
2. Renew your Golden Visa for an additional 5 years.
3. After spending 3 years with this renewed card, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residence.
4. After 5 years with permanent residence, you can apply for Spanish nationality.

Key Considerations for Investor Residence Renewal

It is crucial to understand that, while renewing the Golden Visa does not require you to stay in Spain for a minimum period, things change if your goal is to obtain permanent residence or nationality. In these cases, you will need to meet certain effective residence requirements in Spain.

For permanent residence and nationality, there are limits on the maximum time you can spend outside Spain each year, and it is essential to comply with these limits if you want to advance in these processes.

Requesting the Renewal of Investor Residence

Renewing your Golden Visa follows a process similar to the initial application:

1. Gather Documentation: You need to gather all the required documents for the renewal and submit them to the Large Enterprises Unit (UGE). Collecting all the necessary documentation is crucial to expedite the process of requesting your Golden Visa renewal in Spain.
2. Quick Resolution: If you meet all the requirements, you will receive a favorable response within 20 days.
3. Appointment at the Foreigners’ Office: Once approved, you must schedule an appointment at the Foreigners’ Office to have your fingerprints re-registered.
4. Collect Your Renewed Card: After about 30 days, you will be able to collect your renewed residence card.

Do I Need to Keep Investing in Spain to Apply for the Golden Visa Renewal?

The answer is yes. To have your Golden Visa renewal approved in Spain, it is essential to prove that you have maintained the investment during the initial visa’s validity. However, this does not mean that you cannot adjust the value of your investment. You can modify the value of the investment as long as you maintain the minimum required by law.

Although you can adjust the value of your investment, you cannot change the type of investment. For example, if you obtained the Golden Visa through a real estate investment, you cannot sell the property and invest in private investment funds to apply for renewal. You must keep the same type of investment for the renewal to be approved.

Who Can Apply for the Golden Visa Renewal in Spain?

The renewal of the Golden Visa in Spain is available not only to the main investor but also to certain family members. Those who can apply for the investor residence renewal include:

• Investors: The primary holder who made the initial investment.
• Spouses: The husband or wife of the investor.
• Minor Children: Children who have not reached the age of majority.
• Adult Children: Children who are financially dependent on the investor and are unmarried.
• Parents of the Investor: Provided they are over 65 years old and financially dependent on the investor.

Renewal of the Golden Visa for Family Members

The Golden Visa renewal in Spain applies not only to the main investor but also to their direct family members, allowing the entire family unit to continue benefiting from residence in Spain. Family members who can apply for renewal with the investor include the spouse, minor children, financially dependent adult children, and parents of the investor who are financially dependent on them.

For family members to renew the Golden Visa, certain specific requirements must be met. Adult children must demonstrate that they are financially dependent on the investor and have not married. As for the investor’s parents, to renew their visa, they must be over 65 years old and financially dependent on the Golden Visa holder. These requirements ensure that the family unit can continue to benefit from residence in Spain under the Golden Visa regime, maintaining their stability and security in the country.

Can Adult Children Apply for Golden Visa Renewal in Spain?

One of the most common questions when renewing the Golden Visa in Spain is whether adult children can also apply for renewal. Spanish authorities allow the renewal for adult children as long as two fundamental conditions are met: they must be financially dependent on the investor and must be unmarried. Therefore, it is essential to prove that the adult children have not married and depend financially on the Golden Visa holder for them to renew this visa.

Renewal for the Investor’s Parents

Similarly, the investor’s parents can apply for Golden Visa renewal as family members of the holder, provided they are financially dependent on the investor and are over 65 years old. This criterion is important for them to continue benefiting from the visa under the same conditions as the main investor.

Assistance with Golden Visa Renewal

At Lexmovea, we understand the importance of meeting all the requirements to ensure a successful renewal of your Golden Visa in Spain. Our team is here to help you process and obtain your residence renewal under the Golden Visa, ensuring that the entire process is as smooth and efficient as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions about Golden Visa Renewal

1. When should I renew my Golden Visa in Spain? You must request the renewal of your Golden Visa within 60 days before its expiration or within 90 days after it expires. It is crucial to meet this deadline, as failing to do so may result in losing the right to renew your visa.
2. Is it necessary to maintain the initial investment to renew the Golden Visa? Yes, it is mandatory to maintain the investment you made to initially obtain the Golden Visa. You can adjust the value of the investment, but you cannot change the type of investment. For example, if you obtained the Golden Visa through purchasing property, you must keep that real estate investment and cannot replace it with another type of investment, such as private funds.
3. What are the main requirements to renew the Golden Visa?
   • The key requirements to renew your Golden Visa in Spain are:
   • Maintain the investment in Spain with the same type and minimum value used to obtain the Golden Visa.
   • Have visited Spain at least once during the validity of the visa. No minimum duration of stay is required.
4. Can my family members renew the Golden Visa with me? Yes, your direct family members can renew the Golden Visa with you. This includes your spouse, minor children, adult children who are economically dependent on you and are unmarried, and your parents over 65 years old who are also financially dependent on you.
5. What happens if I change my type of investment before renewing the Golden Visa? If you change the type of investment, your renewal application will be rejected. To have your renewal approved, you must maintain the same type of investment you used to obtain the Golden Visa initially.
6. How long does the Golden Visa renewal process take? The renewal process is relatively quick. Once you submit the application and meet all the requirements, you should receive a response in about 20 days. After approval, you will need to re-register your fingerprints at the Foreigners’ Office, and you will receive your renewed card in approximately 30 days.
7. Can I renew my Golden Visa if I have been outside Spain for long periods? Yes, you can renew your Golden Visa even if you have spent long periods outside Spain, as long as you have made at least one visit to the country during the validity of the visa. However, if you plan to apply for permanent residence or nationality, you will need to meet more stringent residency requirements.
8. Is it mandatory to hire a lawyer to renew the Golden Visa? It is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. An immigration lawyer can help ensure that all requirements are properly met and that the application is submitted without errors, preventing unnecessary delays or rejections.
9. What happens if I do not renew my Golden Visa within the established deadline? If you do not renew within the 60 days before or 90 days after the expiration, you may lose your right to renewal and will have to start the application process from scratch. This would involve new procedures and potentially losing your resident status in Spain.