San Juan is a festival celebrated on the night / morning of 23rd / 24th of June.  A magical night that welcomes the summer season, the celebrations take place during the shortest night of the year; the summer solstice. The festivities are usually held on the beach with friends around bonfires with drinks, food and fireworks.

Legends, tradition and rituals are connected by a common elements: fire and water.  Fire purifies and water recuperates, refreshes, and rejuvenates.  Young people jump over fires which, according to tradition, cleanses the body and the soul. Jumping in the sea at midnight is supposed to be a way to wash away evil spirits.

Every region in Spain has different local traditions, however all of them are related to fire and water.  After midnight, for example, people wash their faces and feet three times in order to be granted three wishes and for a happy twelve months thereafter. Bathing at this time is also said to be beneficial for skin complaints.

Traditionally, the Spanish did not visit the beach until this day in each year.  Thousands of people wandering into the water after midnight with the haze of bonfires everywhere is quite a sight.

Other rituals include, burning a piece of paper with your lovers name on it, or burning something old and personal to leave behind bad spirits from the past and start a new phase.

Dancing and praying around bonfires, and in some areas burning a rag man, which originally symbolized Judas Iscariot.  Pagan and religious traditions merge and blend in this fascinating celebration.

The largest celebration takes place in Alicante, where it is the most important festival in the city.  The San Juan bonfires festival in Alicante originated in 1928.   It was started by Jose María Py, who felt that Alicante needed an important fiesta.  She came up with an idea to combine bonfires with a Valencian tradition known as the “falles“, a traditional celebration held in commemoration of Saint Joseph.

Other countries such as Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, Perú, Bolívia and Cuba celebrate this date influenced by Spaniards, Portuguese and other European immigrants.

It has been on the cards for sometime and now it’s official.  Spain’s so called ‘Golden Visa’ for property purchases is to end.

Tuesday 9th April following an announcement by President Pedro Sanchez the previous day, the start of procedures to do away with the scheme was on the agenda at the weekly cabinet meeting of his ministers.

“We are going to start the procedure to eliminate the granting of the so-called golden visa , which allows access to the residence regime when more than half a million euros are invested in real estate. We are going to take the necessary measures to guarantee that housing is a right and not a mere speculative business,”

The residency by property investment scheme, offers a 3 year residency permit to foreigners from third countries who purchase a property for €500,000 or more.

The scheme, introduced in 2013 in the fallout of the housing market crash and financial crisis, was seen as a way to invigorate the real estate sector by attracting investment from foreigners, but has not been without criticism.  Not least for the lightweight background checks, and being viewed by other EU nations as a back door into the EU for individuals who would otherwise not gain access.

Chinese and Russian buyers are the most represented nationalities over the last 10 years, although this may well have changed since Brexit with the scheme proving popular amongst British buyers and owners of holiday homes in Spain.

In Spain, the scrutiny is more political, with those averse, claiming that it distorts, and has negative socio-economic affects.  In his announcement, it is this which Sanchez seems to indicate as the main driver, as he stated that nearly all approved ‘Golden Visas’ and residency permits for property investments were located in regional capitals such as Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga and Valencia, ‘cities where the housing market is stressed’.

Sanchez added “We do not want a speculative investment model with housing”, further commenting on the aim of his main policy to ‘guarantee access to affordable housing . . . and assure that no citizen has to spend more than 30% of their income towards having a suitable, quality home’.

While the overall perception may be one of property investment for a visa to get access to the EU, for many, in particular, Brits and other nationalities that enjoy visa free travel to Spain and the EU, the scheme is the key to spending more time enjoying a lifestyle in Spain and indeed making a permanent move.

In 2023, foreign buyers bought 15% of all homes sold in Spain with British buyers continuing to top the board as the nationality with the largest numbers buyers.

When Ireland, Portugal and Greece got rid of their ‘Golden Visa’ schemes, lack of affordable rental housing stock in its major cities was also cited as a main reason.

Others, including real estate experts have a different view and warn that ending the scheme could be harmful to the Spanish economy as the country will lose foreign investment into the property sector.

Whatever view taken, one thing now seems certain, the countdown has started and it is just a matter of time before Spain’s ‘Golden Visa’ for property investment comes to an end.

Until then, it remains an option for those who have €500k to invest in a property, and anyone looking to do so, needs to act now before it’s too late.

As Spanish visa and residency specialists, we assist people of all nationalities with their property purchases and obtaining their Golden Visa.

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Aside from the sunshine and many other perks of living in Spain, British mums can enjoy two special days every year.

Today is mothering Sunday in the UK, and people and families all over the country will be appreciating their mothers and treating them to a special day.

In Spain the equivalent day, ‘el dia del madre’, is on Sunday 5th May, so British mums in Spain can look forward to two days of pampering!

It’s not just British mums in Spain who benefit.  Dad’s do too.

Tuesday 19th March, is ‘el dia del padre’ in Spain.  Spanish Fathers Day.  In the UK this year, Fathers Day is Sunday June the 16th.

And while we’re on it, let’s not forget the kids.

For British kids, Father Christmas comes on Christmas Eve and leaves presents, and for those who don’t know, in Spain the Three Kings bring presents on the 6th January!  (‘dia de los reyes’)

Two Mothers Days, Fathers Day twice and double Christmas!

As if there weren’t already enough reasons to want to live in Spain!

Happy (British) Mothers Day!

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa and Residency is now more than a year old and has become the second most popular Spanish residency after the Non-Lucrative Visa.  This visa or residency permit allows the holder to live in Spain and work remotely or online.  It can be applied directly in Spain, or via the Spanish Consulate in the country in which you currently reside.

Portugal has ended its Golden Visa residency program for property investors. This announcement came just a week after Ireland terminated of its ‘Golden Visa’ Immigrant Investor Program.

Both countries introduced Golden Visas in 2012, as did Spain, as they struggled to recover from the global financial crisis. The aim was to prevent banking collapse by bringing foreign money into their real estate markets.

According to Forbes, the scheme has brought in €6.8 billion direct investment into Portugal since its launch in 2012, with the most of the money going into real estate. The knock on effect of this has been rents and house prices have soared in a country which is among the poorest in Western Europe, where according to Reuters, more than half of workers earn less than €1,000 per month.

Because Portugal’s ‘Golden Visa’ program didn’t require any minimum time to be spent in Portugal, properties were bought and left empty, or just used for 2 or 3 weeks and rented as holiday lets for the rest of the year. This resulted in distortions in both the rental and sale sectors of the property market.

The increase in properties let short term for holidays, reduced the availability of long-term rents, pushing up prices which became unaffordable to locals. In Lisbon, short-term rentals now account for more than 60% of listed properties. Lisbon is the third costliest rental market in Europe after Milan and Paris. Rents increased by 37% in that city in the fourth quarter of 2022 alone.

The ‘golden visa’ investment entry point became the floor price for properties in many parts of Portugal. Sellers priced their properties for wealthy foreign buyers pushing asking prices way beyond what locals could afford.

Aside from upsetting the ordinary Portuguese, ‘Golden Visa’ schemes like those offered by Portugal, Ireland and Spain are seen as a back door entry for nationals of non-EU countries into the EU and also vehicles for money laundering.

The European Parliament announced in March last year (2022) that citizenship by investment programmes (i.e. Golden Visa Schemes) should be gradually removed. This proposal passed with 595 votes to 12. EU pressure has already forced Malta, Cyprus, Latvia, and Bulgaria to scrap their ‘Golden Visa’ residency initiatives, so it is not surprising that Ireland and Portugal followed suit, and maybe is only a matter of time before Spain follows.

The Spanish left-wing party political party, Más País this month put forward a bill proposing and end to the property option in the country’s Golden Visa residency program.

So Portugal’s shop is closed, but as things stand Spain’s ‘Golden Visa’ Property Investor Residency remains an option (for now) for those who have €500k to invest in a property.

If you’re interested in obtain a Spanish Golden Visa through property investment, the clock is ticking … the time to act is now.

Find out more about Spain’s Golden Visa residency for property investors.

If you’re not a Spanish citizen and want to live in Spain, you have to obtain Spanish residency.  The process that you have to follow to get Spanish residency depends on your nationality, whether you are from an EU country, and if not, what you plan to do whilst you are a Spanish resident.

Nationals of member states of the European Union and Switzerland, as well as other countries party to the agreement on the European Economic Area, have an unconditional right to reside in Spain.  Nationals of countries aside from these, are able to gain residency based on achieving other qualifying conditions.

For someone planning to live long term in Spain, temporary Spanish residency is the first step towards getting permanent resident status, which can be applied for after 5 years. Thereafter if someone so wishes, they can apply for Spanish citizenship after completing 10 years of permanent residency in Spain.

British citizens / UK nationals now have to follow the same process as other non-EU national citizens of third countries to get Spanish residency, i.e. first obtain a visa.

The minimum income required for a British Citizen / UK national to obtain a residency visa, is a lot higher than it was to get residency before Brexit.  In most cases a single applicant needs to have at least €28k per year, whereas previously less than €7k income would have been sufficient.

You also have to obtain a police criminal check report, and medical certificates are also required for most visa applications.

The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa offers residency to British nationals who have the financial means to support themselves without working.  The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa scheme is therefore ideal if you are retired or have passive income, for example from a portfolio of properties or other investments.  The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa allows full-time residency in Spain with an expectation of a minimum of 6 months residence maintained.

What does the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa Offer UK British Nationals?

The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa gives permission to reside in Spain for up to 5 years, providing ongoing eligibility requirements continue to be met.  The TIE, tarjeta de identidad de extranjero is the residency card that is issued.  The TIE is initially valid for 1 year, and can be renewed twice for 2 years at a time.  When 5 years of full-time residency has been completed, permanent residency can be applied for.

A Visa for Full-Time Living in Spain

The Non-Lucrative Visa is intended for people who want to live in Spain full-time.   Time spent in Spain does not count towards the Schengen limit, so travel in the rest of the Schengen area up to 3 months out of 6 months, is also still possible.

Spouse or legal partner, children under 18 years and dependent ascendants can also obtain residency in Spain under the Non-Lucrative Visa scheme.  This of course providing there are sufficient financial means to support all applicants.

Unlike the ‘Golden Visa‘, there is a minimum amount of time that must be spent in Spain to be able to renew residency, so it may be not ideal for holiday home owners who want to spend more than 3 months in one go in Spain, but typically spend less than 6 months altogether, e.g. 5 months over the winter.

How does a British UK National Apply for a Non-Lucrative Visa & Residency?

British nationals who wish to get a Non-Lucrative Visa, must apply for it at the Spanish Consulate in the UK, or if they reside in another country, through the consulate of that country.  Once the visa has been approved, it’s valid for 90 days from the date of issue.  During this time the holder must travel to Spain and apply for their residency card or TIE tarjeta de identidad de extranjero.  The application for the TIE, must be made within 30 days of arrival in Spain.

Applications for the Non-Lucrative Visa cannot be presented by a legal representative and must be applied for in person.  There is an application fee of £516.

Summary of Non-Lucrative Visa General Requirements

The Non-Lucrative visa applicant must:

● Have a valid passport with at least 1 year before expiry
● Not have entered or stayed illegally in Spanish territory
● Not have been refused entry in any of the 26 Schengen countries
● Have sufficient financial means to cover personal and family living costs (€27,000 for the applicant plus €7,000 for each dependent family member)
● Be 18 years or over, with no criminal record in Spain nor in any countries where they have resided in the previous 5 years
● Have access to public healthcare, or private health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain

You can read more about the costs and requirements in our article Understanding the Requirements and Costs for British Nationals to Get Spanish Residency

FAQS About the Non-Lucrative Visa for Spanish Residency for British Nationals

CAN INCOME FROM MY BUSINESS OR SELF-EMPLOYED REMOTE WORK BE USED

No, the non-lucrative residency visa does not allow the holder to carry on any business activity whilst in Spain

CAN SAVINGS BE USED INSTEAD OF INCOME?

Savings may be taken into account in lieu of income, or to ‘top up’ a shortfall in the minimum required amount.  Savings must be sufficient to cover the minimum income requirement for the duration of the residency.  E.g. for 5 years residency with savings only requires savings of 5 times €27,000.

WHAT ABOUT TAX RESIDENCE?

Non-lucrative residency is intended for people that want to live in Spain for 6 months or more.  If the minimum amount of time has not been spent in Spain, the residency renewal may be turned down.  The 183 day rule is the starting measure for determining tax residency.  You are deemed to be a Spanish tax resident if you spend 183 days or more in Spain during any one calendar year.  You would also be deemed to have change your country of habitual residence, and therefore fiscal residence if for example you spent 180 days in Spain, 120 in the UK and the other 65 in another, or other countries.

DOES THE NON-LUCRATIVE VISA OFFER PERMANENT RESIDENCY?

Non-lucrative residency can lead to permanent residency in Spain.  To obtain permanent residency the holder of the visa must prove effective residence, (maximum of 10 months out of Spain), throughout a qualifying period of 5 years.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A NON-LUCRATIVE VISA AND TIE?

The Spanish Consulates in the UK give a timescale of 3 months.  From our experience over the last 2 years, we have found they typically take 3 to 6 weeks from date of submission to be approved.  However take twice as long over the summer months, and if applications have queries raised or additional information requested, then they will also of course take longer.

If you need more information or advice about getting a Non-Lucrative Visa for residency in Spain, or would like to employ the services of a professional company that specialises in Spanish residency visas, we’ll be glad to assist.  Please get in touch.

Get A Free Spanish Residency Visa Assessment

Phone/WhatsApp (+34) 951 77 55 44 / (+44) 033 000 10 777

Andalucía has become one the top 3 regions in Spain with the least taxes.  On the 21st September 2021, the regional president, Juanma Moreno, announced the scrapping of Wealth Tax in Andalucía.

The tax has accounted for just 0.6% of income for the regional government (€95m annually), and Moreno believes the change will have a very positive impact on increasing revenue by attracting investment.

A large number of the highest wealth tax payers left Andalucía in 2020, resulting in a loss of income of estimated at around €18m (€3.5 million euros in wealth tax and €14 million in personal income tax).

The president is hoping that removing Wealth Tax will encourage people with high income who spend long periods in Andalucía, but are not tax resident, to make it the region their permanent home and pay tax there.

The Spanish ‘Golden’ Visa for Property Investors offers residency to individuals who make a real estate investment in Spain of €500,000 or more.  The Golden Visa scheme has been in existence since September 2013 when legislation for the ‘residency by investment scheme’ was passed.  The aim being to attract foreign investors at a time when the economy of Spain was not in a very good place.  Since it’s inception, over 25,000 foreign investors have benefited from the scheme.

The main nationalities benefiting have been Chinese, Russian and US.  However now that the UK is no longer in the EU, Spain can expect to receive, if it’s not doing so already, significant numbers of Golden Visa applications from British Nationals who wish to enjoy their holiday residence, without the 90 day Schengen limitation.

What does the Spanish Golden Visa Offer UK British Nationals?

The Spanish Golden Visa is valid for 1 year.  During this time the holder of the visa can apply for permission to reside in Spain and get a residency card, better known as a TIE, tarjeta de identidad de extranjero .  Golden Visa residency permission is granted for 3 years at a time and is renewable indefinitely providing the minimum level of investment and other eligibility requirements are maintained.

A Visa for Residence, Work, Travel & Part Time Living in Spain

Golden Visa Residency allows holder and their family to remain in Spain for an unlimited period of time.   Time spent in Spain does not count towards the Schengen limit, so travel in the rest of the Schengen area up to 3 months out of 6 months, is also still possible.

Spouse or legal partner, children under 21 years who live in the household, and dependent ascendants can also obtain residency under the Golden Visa scheme.  So the entire family can benefit. The investor and family members can also work or run a business in Spain if they so wish.

Unlike the Non-Lucrative and other types of residency, there is no minimum amount of time that must be spent in Spain to keep residency.  This makes the Golden Visa ideal for British ‘swallows’, owners of second homes, who want to spend the winter months in Spain, typically around a couple of months at the end of the year, and 3 months at the beginning of the year before the summer.

How does a British UK National Apply for a Property Investor Golden Visa?

The Golden Visa holder is not required to travel to Spain to apply for the visa, and the visa is the only one where the application can be made by a representative.  The application can be made via the Spanish Consulate in the UK, in which case a visa is issued, or if the applicant is already in Spain, the residency permission can be applied for directly through the Ministry for Work and Social Economy.  Once residency permission is granted the investor has to travel to apply in person for the TIE, so for this stage in the process you have to be in Spain.

You must be legally present in Spain to apply directly for residency permission under the Golden Visa Scheme, (without the need to first obtain a visa).  If you are able to apply directly for residency, you do not need to apply for a visa via the Spanish Consulate.

Summary of Property Investor Golden Visa General Requirements

The applicant must:

• Have a valid passport with at least 1 year before expiry
• Not have entered or stayed illegally in Spanish territory
• Not have been refused entry in any of the 26 Schengen countries
• Have sufficient financial means to cover personal and family living costs (€28,000 for the applicant plus €7,000 for each family member)
• Be 18 years or over, with no criminal record in Spain nor in the countries where they have resided in the previous 5 years
• Have public or private health insurance with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain
• Have purchased property in Spain (after September 2013) amounting to an overall net investment of €500,000 or more
• Provide certificate from the land registry to prove the investment.

FAQS About the Property Investor Golden Visa

CAN THE INVESTMENT BE MADE USING A COMPANY

Yes, the investment can be made through a company or other legal entity provided:

i) The company or legal entity is not located in a tax haven.

ii) The applicant has the majority of the voting rights in the company and is fit enough to appoint and dismiss the majority of the company directors.

ARE THEIR RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF THE PROPERTY?

There is no restriction to the use of the property by the investor.  They can live in it or rent it out.  Commercial property is also a qualifying investment under the Property Investor Golden Visa Scheme.  If the property is sold, then the investor and any beneficiary family members lose the right of residence.

WHAT ABOUT TAX RESIDENCE?

As the investor is not required to stay a minimum time in Spain, tax domicile is not affected unless they make Spain their country of habitual residence, i.e. the country in which they spend the majority of their time.  The starting measure for this is the 183 day rule.  You are deemed to be a Spanish tax resident if you spend 183 days or more in Spain during any one calendar year.  Spain would also be deemed to be your country of fiscal residence if for example you spent 180 days in Spain, 120 in the UK and the other 65 in another or other countries.

DOES THE GOLDEN VISA OFFER PERMANENT RESIDENCY?

Golden Visa residency can lead to permanent residency in Spain, independent from the investment.  To obtain permanent residency the holder of the visa must prove effective residence (more than 183 days per year) throughout a qualifying period of 5 years.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET A GOLDEN VISA AND OR RESIDENCY PERMISSION?

The Golden Visa applications processed by the Consulate is granted within 10 days of submission. The residency permission applications are processed electronically and granted within a maximum time limit of 20 days from submission.

If you need more information or advice about getting Golden Visa residency in Spain, or would like to employ the services of a professional company that specialises in Spanish residency visa, we’ll be glad to assist, so please get in touch.

Get A Free Spanish Residency Visa Assessment