Conditions For Obtaining a Residence Permit in Spain When Buying a House

When buying property in Spain with a view of obtaining a residence permit thereafter, several important points should be taken into consideration:

  1. The fact that you own real estate on territory of Spain is not sufficient to obtain a residency status. To get a Spanish residence, an applicant will need confirm his economic viability, stable income and the source of this income.
  2. In the event that the Spanish authorities issue a favourable decision, a residence permit without the right to work can be received: this is logical, since the submitted documents confirm that you have a high stable income that allows you to work remotely, or not work at all.
  3. When buying expensive property (at a price of € 500,000 and above), the situation is greatly simplified: you get the right to apply for an Investor Visa or a Golden Visa – for yourself and your entire family.

So, today we will take a look at a situation where you have purchased a property in Spain for less than €500,000 and intend to apply for a Spanish residence permit. The application and all necessary documents are submitted to the Spanish Сonsulate in the country of your permanent residence.

All documents drawn up in a foreign language (English, Ukrainian, Icelandic, etc.) must be translated into Spanish and legalized (both consular legalization and translation certified by a sworn translator in Spain are allowed).

The initial residence permit is issued for a period of 1 year. Then, subject to certain requirements and conditions, it is extended for 2 years, then for another 2, and after that you become a proud owner of a permanent residence permit, which implies only renewing a plastic resident card in the police every 5 years.

It should be borne in mind that the Spanish residence imposes on its owner certain obligations (for example, to stay in Spain for at least 183 days a year).

Can I Get Residency in Spain if I Buy a House?

Mandatory Requirements For an Applicant to Obtain a Residence Permit when Buying a House in Spain:

  • Not to be a citizen of an EU member state, Switzerland or a country that is part of this European Economic Area, nor the closest relative of citizens.
  • Not to be in Spain illegally.
  • To have no criminal records in Spain, as well as in the country of your permanent residence for offenses stipulated by the legislation of Spain.
  • To have no ban on entry into Spain, as well as on the territory of countries, with which it had signed relevant agreements.
  • To have sufficient funds and stable income to live in Spain and cover up various assorted costs here, and, if necessary, to have a possibility to return to your homeland. In Spain, for the whole family, the calculation is made in the following way:
  1. 400% IPREM (The Multiplier for the Public Income Index) per month for the main complainant (in 2022, this amount is €2,316.08).
  2. 100% IPREM per month for each family member for which the residence permit is requested (in 2022, this amount is 579.02 €).
  • A private health insurance policy, a valid agreement with an insurance company authorized in Spain.
  • No diseases that constitute a danger to the public, in accordance with International Sanitation Regulations 2005.
  • Not to be a member of the Programme of Voluntary Returns.

Documents Required for Obtaining a Residence Permit When Buying a House in Spain

Can I Get Residency in Spain if I Buy a House?

At the time of submitting the application to the Spanish Consulate, you must have the originals and copies of all required documents:

  • An application for a visa (type D) in duplicate, duly completed and signed by the applicant or by his official representative (if the applicant is a minor).
  • Form EX-01 – this is an application for the granting of a residence permit, in duplicate, duly completed and signed by the applicant or his official representative (if the applicant is a minor).
  • Receipt of payment for visa issuing and payment for registration of a residence permit (Form 790-052).
  • 1 x Photo (passport size) in color, on a white background.
  • Valid passport (expire date is no less than one year).
  • For adult persons: certificate on absence of previous convictions (with apostille and translated into Spanish), issued by the authorities of your country, or the country in which the applicant has lived for the last five years.
  • Documents confirming the availability of sufficient funds for the entire period of residence in Spain (based on family composition). An extract from your account opened with in any bank of Spain can be recognized as such a document.
  • Documents confirming your stable income: extracts from the Property Register, lease agreements, statutory documents, in which the applicant is the founder of the company with the right to receive regular dividends – all these relate to such documents, as well as certificates of employment with position, salary and a confirmation of the possibility to work remotely, bank statements and deposits with a smooth flow of funds, certificates from various investment funds, etc.

We advise you to take the provided financial documents very seriously. The Spanish authorities want to be sure that the applicant and his relatives will not qualify for jobs or any type of social assistance. The applicant, however, retains the right to own a business in Spain and be presented as the founding member of the company with the right to receive dividends.

Also, you must provide:

  • Medical insurance policy, which must necessarily include the repatriation to homeland in the event of an applicant’s death.
  • Medical certificate on the state of health.
  • The deed of purchase of real estate in Spain and an up-to-date extract from the Property Registry (Nota Simple Informativa).
  • Motivation letter, where the applicant explains in a free form, why he wants to move himself and bring his family for permanent residence in Spain.

The Procedure for Obtaining a Residence Permit in Spain When Buying a House

Can I Get Residency in Spain if I Buy a House?

The review period is 3 months. If, following the expiry of the time limit, you have not received any notification, then your request for a residence permit was rejected.
In case of a positive decision, the applicant is obliged to appear at the consulate in person and obtain his D-visa within a month from the date of receipt of the notification. In case of his absence, it is considered that the applicant has refused to get a visa, and his documents are transferred to the archive.

Authorization in Place

  • Within 3 months from the date of obtaining a D-visa, the applicant must arrive in Spain. The initial residence permit is issued for a period of 1 year, and this period is counted from the moment of crossing the Spanish border.
  • In the Police Department at the place of his residence, the applicant must personally request a plastic residence card (Tarjeta de Residencia) and take fingerprints within a month from the date of entry into Spain. Enrollment is done online only.

At the time of fingerprinting, the applicant must submit:

  • Valid passport with a D-visa issued.
  • A completed application for the issuance of a resident’s card in duplicate – Form EX-17.
  • A positive decision on granting a residence permit (Resolución favorable).
  • A receipt of payment for issuing a resident’s card (the fee form can be downloaded through online record).
  • 3 recent photos, in color, on a white background of the size carné.

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