Spain Grants 780 Golden Visas in 2024 So Far
Key Takeaways
1. Spain has granted 780 golden visas to foreign nationals so far in 2024.
2. Since its launch in 2013, over 15,300 individuals have benefited from the program.
3. The majority of recipients come from China, Russia, and the UK.
As of October 2024, Spain has issued 780 golden visas to foreign nationals, according to recent government data.
From January to March, Spain granted an average of 69 golden visas per month, but this figure rose to 95 per month between April and October. Despite the increase, the total number of golden visas issued in 2024 remains significantly lower than the 3,200 granted in 2023.
Spain is one of the European Union's leading countries in issuing golden visas. Since the program's inception in 2013, over 15,300 individuals have received residency through the scheme. The number of golden visas granted each year has fluctuated, staying under 1,000 for many years before exceeding 2,000 in 2022 and surpassing 3,200 in 2023.
The program's largest beneficiaries have been nationals from China, followed by those from Russia and the UK. Other significant groups include citizens from the United States, Iran, Ukraine, Venezuela, and Mexico.
Among the various investment options, the most popular route has been purchasing real estate worth at least €500,000. However, Spain is in the process of removing the real estate investment option, a decision prompted by concerns that it has exacerbated the country's housing crisis. In 2024, the Spanish Congress passed a bill to eliminate this option, following a proposal from Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez to amend the law. The Golden Visa program was initially introduced in 2013 during Spain's financial crisis to stimulate economic growth through foreign investment.