Editorial transparency and use of artificial intelligence
This article forms part of the CostaLuz Lawyers blog and is published for general informational and educational purposes only. It was prepared with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools and, before publication, was substantively reviewed and editorially approved by Maria de Castro, a Spanish-qualified lawyer registered with the Cádiz Bar Association under number 2745, founder of CostaLuz Lawyers and the person responsible for the editorial review of the published content.
This article does not constitute legal, tax, immigration, employment, estate-planning or investment advice and does not replace an individual assessment and the professional work of the appropriate CostaLuz Lawyers specialist. No action or omission should be based solely on this information.
Important Update — April 2025: Spain’s Golden Visa programme was permanently closed to new applicants on 3 April 2025 (Law published in BOE 3 January 2025). The closure terminated all investment routes — real estate, investment funds, business projects, public debt and bank deposits. Existing holders and applicants who filed before the deadline retain their rights. For current alternatives see our guides on the Non-Lucrative Visa and the Digital Nomad Visa.
Golden Visa (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025)s have become a popular option for those from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and their families who want to get Spanish residency.
⚠️ Important: the Spain Golden Visa (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025) (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025) / Investor Visa in Spain has been eliminated and is no longer available in any modality. Following recent legal changes, Spain has ended the Spain Golden Visa (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025) (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025) program. Our team can advise on the most suitable alternative based on your profile, such as the Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, or Entrepreneur Visa.
One way to be eligible for the Spain Golden Visa (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025) (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025) in Spain is to invest at least €500,000 (this program has ended) in property. But can you do so through joint ownership?
What does the Law say?
In this instance, Law 14/2013 (of 27 September) on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalisation encompasses various scenarios for property acquisition, covering individual ownership, legal entity acquisition, and marital community property acquisition.
However, the existing legislation doesn’t regulate investments made by several individuals in joint ownership.
Notwithstanding, a 2019 ruling by the High Court of Justice in Madrid clarified this point. It confirmed that joint ownership of a property investment was possible and shouldn’t disqualify anyone from obtaining the Spanish Golden Visa (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025).
The Spanish Golden Visa (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025) and joint property ownership (Program Ended)
The case was brought to the attention of the court after a woman contested a decision by the Spanish Embassy in Abu Dhabi to refuse her residence visa because her investment was made in joint ownership.
The woman making the appeal argued that she had indeed invested the required 500,000 euros in a property and that this should grant her permission to live in Spain as an investor.
This woman, from Argentina, had bought a 92.5925925926% share in a property in Mallorca, with the remainder being owned by a British man. This made the appellant’s share worth 500,000 euros (out of the property’s total value of 540,000 euros).
The High Court of Justice therefore sided with the woman, stating that Spanish Law does not prevent a property being acquired jointly by two (or more) people – as long as the percentage of ownership is equal, or surpasses, the capital investment requirement for obtaining the visa.
Need help getting the Spain Golden Visa (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025) (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025) in Spain? (Program Ended)
The Spanish Golden Visa (closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025) comes with lots of advantages for holders and their family members – but there are also a few limitations to keep in mind.
At CostaLuz Lawyers, we know the requirements inside out and can help you with your application.
So, to avoid any nasty surprises, don’t hesitate to get in touch. We’re here to help!
Legal Notice: The content on this page is provided for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. No action should be taken based solely on this content without first seeking independent professional legal counsel. Each case requires individual assessment based on its specific circumstances. CostaLuz Lawyers accepts no liability for actions taken or not taken based on this content.
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