Hola neighbors!
I’ve seen many posts on the forum lately about buying property and getting residency. Since I just went through this whole process last year, hitting a few bumps but gaining some valuable experience, I’m sharing the checklist I put together. Hopefully, it helps those of you considering it or already in the process, so you can have a smoother journey.
Core Process: Buy Property First, Then Apply
First, to be clear, ‘property purchase immigration’ usually refers to the ‘Golden Visa.’ The process is divided into two main steps: Step one is to purchase real estate in Spain valued at €500,000 or more. Previously, some agents for Spain property purchase immigration said you could get a mortgage, but that’s generally not an option anymore; it must be a net investment. The second step is to use the property documents to apply for the investment residency. The required documents for each stage are quite different.
Stage 1: Documents for Property Purchase
This stage is all about getting legally qualified to make transactions in Spain. Finding a reliable lawyer is extremely important and will save you countless headaches. Essentially, you’ll need to prepare:
| Document Name | English Description |
|---|
| NIE | Foreigner’s Identification Number, your essential ID for all economic activities in Spain. |
| Cuenta Bancaria | A Spanish bank account, used for paying the property price and related taxes. |
| Justificante de fondos | Proof of the source and legality of your funds, required for anti-money laundering checks. |
| Contrato de Arras / Escritura | The preliminary purchase contract / The final property title deed. |
Stage 2: Documents for the Investment Residency Application
After you’ve bought the property and received the title deed and a certificate from the Land Registry, you can begin the residency application. The document review here is much stricter, especially regarding their validity period.
- Application Forms: Official standard forms, specifically EX-01 and Modelo 790-052.
- Valid Passport: A complete copy of every single page. Don’t cut corners.
- Personal Photos: Passport-sized photos with a plain white background.
- Criminal Record Certificate: From your country of origin and any country you’ve lived in for the past 5 years. This needs to be translated and have double legalization (e.g., an Apostille). It’s typically only valid for 3 months, so be sure to time this perfectly.
- Proof of Health Insurance: A comprehensive policy from an insurer in Spain with no co-payments or deductibles.
- Proof of Property Ownership: This is the most critical document. It includes the property title deed and an up-to-date certificate (nota simple) from the Land Registry.
- Proof of Financial Means: You must prove you have sufficient funds for your living expenses. Besides the property itself (which is detailed in your Spain property purchase documents), you’ll also need to show proof of savings.
Wishing everyone a smooth journey in settling down in Spain! The sunshine and lifestyle here are truly worth it. Here’s a photo of a small alley near my home—I hope you all find your dream home too.
