If you’re looking to invest in real estate or start a business in Europe, you may be interested in the Golden Visa program. Spain and Italy offer this opportunity, and they allow non-EU citizens to obtain residency permits.
In this article, you can take a closer look at the Spain and Italy Golden Visa programs, including their investment options and benefits.
Italy Golden Visa Program
Italy’s Golden Visa program, also known as the Investor Visa for Italy, was launched in 2017. It aimed to attract foreign investment and boost the country’s economy.
Under the program, non-EU citizens who invest in Italy can obtain a renewable two-year residency permit. After this period, they can extend it for another three years. There’s no direct Italy citizenship by investment program. However, you can stay in Italy for 10 consecutive years. At the end of this period, you can apply for naturalization to become an Italian citizen. Also, you don’t have to renounce your original citizenship. You can get dual citizenship.
Benefits of an Investor Visa for Italy
Italy investor visa benefits both investors and the country. It provides an easy and fast process. You can find some of the best advantages below:
- Visa-free travel within the Schengen zone
- Becoming eligible for Italian citizenship after 10 years
- Benefitting from a special tax regime
- Inclusion of family in your application for Investor Visa Italy
- Opportunity to work in Italy (family members included), and
- Benefitting from the Italian National public healthcare.
Investment Options of Golden Visa in Italy
Golden Visa in Italy offers four different investment options. These are:
- €500,000 investment: You make this investment in an Italian limited company
- €1 million: You make donations to a philanthropic initiative in Italy
- €250,000 investment: You make this investment in an Italian innovative startup
- €2 million investment: You invest this amount in Italian government bonds.
So, these are the main list of Italy Golden Visa price. Let’s now look into Spain’s investment program.
Spain Golden Visa Program
Like Italy Golden Visa, Spain’s Golden Visa offers similar benefits to applicants. Having a Spain Golden Visa means having the opportunity to benefit from high standards of living. The country especially attracts businesses and families.
A Golden Visa in Spain provides the opportunity to work, live, and study in Spain. Also, it may lead to permanent residency and citizenship in the future. You can apply for permanent residency after five years of temporary residence. If you complete 10 years of permanent residency, you can apply for naturalization to become a citizen. At that step, you’ll need to meet some criteria.
Benefits of Golden Visa Spain
Golden Visa to Spain offers some great benefits for its applicants. One of them is the travel advantage. After you get a Spain Golden Visa, you can travel visa-free between Schengen countries.
Another important advantage of the program is that your family members can benefit from these rights as well. So, your children can study in Spain. The country has lots of schools that provide education for international students.
Also, Spain offers certain pension schemes for retirees. It’s in fact a popular country to retire to.
Golden Visa for Spain: Investment Options
Spain Golden Visa offers mainly three different types of investment. These are:
- Real Estate Investment
- Business Development, and
- Capital Transfer.
The real estate investment option requires at least €500,000 investment in real estate in Spain. You can choose a commercial or residential property or both.
The business development option aims to boost the Spanish economy. Eligibility of this option entails €1 million investment. Accordingly, you need to create employment. Also, your investment must have an impact on the country especially socioeconomically. It also needs to contribute to scientific/technological innovations.
Finally, Golden Visa Spain offers a capital transfer option. In this case, you’ll invest a minimum amount of €1 million in Treasure Bonds. It’s also a popular option because of its security. Another option is to invest a minimum of €1 million in shares in Spanish companies. Or, in bank deposits with a Spanish financial institution.
So, deciding which Golden Visa program is right for you depends on a variety of factors. These include your investment goals, travel plans, and personal preferences. If you’re primarily interested in investing in real estate, you can choose Spain citizenship by investment. On the other hand, if you’re interested in investing in a start-up or company, an Italian Golden Visa can be a good choice.
In short, both Spain and Italy Golden Visa program offer non-EU citizens a unique opportunity. Start your adventure today and apply!
