What is important for renewing an investor’s residence permit in Spain

As of April 3, 2025, Spain has permanently stopped issuing Golden Visas. Now it is impossible to obtain an investor’s first residence permit solely through the purchase of expensive real estate. The program is effectively closed to new applicants, but its participants continue to enjoy the status they have already received.

The main consequence for existing investors is that they can still renew their residence permit, provided they maintain the investment and comply with the legal requirements.

Who can extend an investor’s residence permit?

The right to extension is available to foreigners who have issued an investor residence permit (and related statuses for family members) before the cessation of accepting new applications. Subject to compliance with investment, insurance and tax conditions, they can extend the residence further.

It is important to understand that we are talking about maintaining an already issued status, and not about applying for a new investor residence permit based on a fresh purchase of real estate.

Validity period and renewal format

Extension of an investor’s residence permit in Spain is issued in blocks of 5 years. Each time the investor is issued a new residence permit for a period of 5 years.

Formally this not permanent residence permit, and extension of temporary status with a five-year validity period of the card. At the same time, if the conditions of residence and tax residency are correctly observed, such a status can be part of a long-term strategy for moving and subsequent obtaining permanent residence or citizenship according to the general rules of residence in Spain.

The cost of the service for extending an investor’s residence permit

Support for the renewal of an investor’s residence permit by the Alegria team includes preparation, verification of the package of documents and support at key stages. Basic cost of the service:

Basic requirements for the renewal of an investor’s residence permit in Spain in 2025

To extend an investor’s residence permit after the cancellation of Golden visas, it is important to fulfill several key conditions.

Requirement 1 – Maintain health insurance

Private health insurance must be valid continuously the entire period of ownership of the investor’s residence permit. You cannot take out a policy solely to receive the first card, then cancel it and remember about the insurance only when renewing.

If the insurance policy was interrupted or the conditions of coverage deteriorated, the migration authorities have the right to ask additional questions or refuse to renew. Therefore, it is important to ensure that your insurance meets the coverage and duration requirements in advance.

Requirement 2 – payment of all taxes and fees

The Spanish Tax Service carefully checks investors for unclosed tax obligations: property taxes, possible fines, and other mandatory payments.

Before applying for an extension, you must ensure that all taxes and fees have been paid, there are no debts, and supporting documents can be submitted if necessary. The presence of debt increases the risk of refusal when renewing an investor’s residence permit.

Requirement 3 – preservation of the object on the basis of which the investor’s residence permit was issued

One of the practical requirements of migration authorities is do not sell the property, on the basis of which the investor’s residence permit was issued, without correctly replacing the investment and notifying the authorities.

Formally, this is not directly stated in the law, but in practice, after the abolition of the initial residence permit for investments, departments are much more attentive to preserving the investment basis. At the same time, the law retains the rule that the investor can change the object to another that fully meets the requirements for cost and parameters.

If you need to sell an object, it is important to follow the rule:

• sell the previous property and purchase a new one of similar or greater value;
• do this as quickly as possible;
• within 30 days after changing the investment, notify the migration service and confirm the new object with documents.

Compliance with this procedure is especially important if an appeal request is filed in the event of a refusal to extend the residence permit due to a change of object. Correct documentation for the sale and purchase within 30 days significantly strengthens the investor’s position.

Extension of investor residence permit for family members

Spouse and minor children

As a rule, renewal of an investor’s residence permit for a spouse and minor children occurs without significant difficulties. If they maintain their main investor status, valid insurance and correct family documents, their residence will be extended for the same period.

Adult children

With adult children, the situation is more sensitive – in each case, migration authorities assess whether their financial dependence from an investor. The general requirements are as follows:

• an adult child must not work;
• he should not have his own family;
• economic dependence on the investor’s parent must remain, confirmed by documents.

The list of evidence (certificates, proof of training, documents on transfers of funds, etc.) is selected individually. The issue of adult children is almost always resolved on an individual basis.

New family members

If, after receiving a residence permit for an investor, the applicant has new family members (marriage, a child was born), their joining does not occur automatically, but through a standard procedure family reunion.

In such cases, it is convenient to combine the renewal of an investor’s residence permit and planning for family reunification in a single strategy with a migration lawyer.

Documents and what needs to be updated when renewing

When renewing an investor’s residence permit, there is no need to re-translate a number of basic documents if they have already been legalized and translated upon initial submission. In particular, this applies to:

• birth certificates;
• marriage certificates.

However, in a number of cases, documents need to be updated:

• if the investor and adult family members did not reside permanently in Spain, it is necessary to update the police clearance certificates;
• for adult children, proof of financial dependence on the investor must be updated;
• If you change your insurance, place of residence, or family composition, additional documents may be required.

Each situation is considered individually, and the list of documents may vary depending on the family and its migration history.

ATTENTION: We also help our clients with the extension of their residence in Spain without the right to work (no lucrativa or “white residence”). You will find details about this service here.