Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez: Adapting Spain’s RBI Program for Global Investors

Under the leadership of Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, Spain’s Residency by Investment (RBI) program, commonly known as the Spain Golden Visa, has undergone significant transformations. Once one of Europe’s most sought-after residency schemes, Spain’s program has been restructured to align with the government’s vision for economic stability, sustainable growth, and real estate market regulation.

With a strong focus on foreign direct investment, job creation, and innovation, the Spanish government has ensured that the program remains competitive and attractive while addressing housing market concerns and speculative investment trends. As a result, Spain’s RBI program now prioritizes business investment, entrepreneurship, and high-value economic contributions over traditional real estate investment.

Spain’s Golden Visa program offers several pathways for investors, each catering to different financial strategies and economic interests. To qualify, applicants must select one of the following investment routes:

• Business Investment – €1 Million+
  • Invest at least €1 million in Spanish company shares or private equity funds.
  • Eligible investments include growth-stage startups, established businesses, and private investment funds regulated by Spain’s National Securities Market Commission (CNMV).
• Job Creation Through Entrepreneurship
  • Establish a new business in Spain that creates local employment and contributes to the country’s economic development.
  • The business must be innovative, economically viable, and aligned with Spain’s national priorities, such as renewable energy, AI, or technology-driven industries.
• Scientific or Technological Research Investment – €500,000+
  • Invest €500,000+ in Spanish research and development projects, supporting innovation in biotechnology, renewable energy, or digital transformation.
  • Eligible research institutions must be recognized by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation.
• Capital Transfer – €1 Million+
  • Deposit €1 million into a Spanish financial institution or invest in government bonds, providing direct capital infusion into Spain’s economy.

Spain’s real estate investment pathway, once the most popular route, was phased out in 2024 to prevent foreign investor-driven property inflation and preserve housing affordability for residents. However, business investment and economic contributions remain at the core of Spain’s Golden Visa strategy, offering high-net-worth individuals and entrepreneurs a secure and structured route to European residency.

Under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s administration, Spain’s Golden Visa program has evolved into a future-proof residency option, offering strong advantages for global investors and their families. Some of the top benefits include:

• Fast-Track Residency Processing – Investors receive Spanish residency within 20 to 30 days, making it one of Europe’s most efficient RBI programs.
• No Minimum Stay Requirements – Investors are not required to reside in Spain, allowing them to maintain global mobility while holding Spanish residency.
• Visa-Free Travel Across the Schengen Zone – Residency permits grant visa-free access to 26 Schengen countries, ensuring seamless travel for business and leisure.
• Pathway to Citizenship After 10 Years – Spanish residency holders can apply for Spanish citizenship after 10 years, provided they meet integration requirements, including language proficiency and proof of ties to Spain.
• Family Inclusion – Investors can include their spouse, children, and dependent parents, ensuring a comprehensive, family-friendly residency solution.
• Business-Friendly Environment – Spain remains one of Europe’s strongest economies, offering strategic access to EU markets, a skilled workforce, and a high-growth entrepreneurial ecosystem.

Since taking office, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has implemented progressive policies aimed at modernizing Spain’s investment landscape, strengthening economic resilience, and promoting sustainable foreign investments. His administration’s key economic priorities include:

• Encouraging Foreign Direct Investment in High-Growth Sectors – Attracting capital into technology, energy, and AI-driven industries to position Spain as an innovation hub.
• Strengthening Spain’s Startup and Entrepreneurship Ecosystem – Introducing policies that support foreign entrepreneurs in launching businesses with reduced tax burdens and improved regulatory transparency.
• Ensuring Sustainable Economic Contributions from Foreign Investors – Shifting the Golden Visa focus from passive real estate investment to business and technology investments that generate long-term economic value.
• Boosting Research and Development Initiatives – Incentivizing foreign investment in R&D, with a focus on green energy, life sciences, and smart technology.

By aligning Spain’s RBI program with national economic priorities, Prime Minister Sánchez has ensured that Spain remains an attractive, forward-thinking destination for global investors while maintaining financial and social stability.

At Tisoro Global, we have successfully guided numerous clients through Spain’s evolving RBI program, and the results have been exceptional. Investors continue to benefit from Spain’s strong economy, dynamic business opportunities, and strategic EU market access.

Clients highlight three major advantages of Spain’s current investment residency model:

• A streamlined, efficient application process, ensuring quick approvals with clear regulatory guidelines.
• A diverse range of investment options, allowing investors to tailor their residency strategy to their business and financial goals.
• Spain’s stable and growth-oriented economy, which supports long-term wealth preservation and business expansion.

Unlike traditional residency programs focused solely on real estate, Spain’s restructured RBI program now offers a future-proof residency solution centered on business, innovation, and sustainable economic growth. Investors who align with Spain’s forward-thinking investment landscape gain not only EU residency but also a strategic foothold in one of Europe’s strongest economies.

With Prime Minister Sánchez’s administration actively promoting foreign investment through structured economic policies, Spain remains a premier destination for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and high-net-worth individuals seeking European residency.

As global residency policies evolve and investment thresholds increase, now is the best time to secure your place in Spain’s highly structured RBI program under its current regulations.

At Tisoro Global, we provide comprehensive end-to-end support, ensuring that your investment aligns with your long-term financial and residency goals. Our team of legal experts and financial advisors will assist you in navigating the application process efficiently while maximizing your investment returns.

The opportunities are vast, the benefits undeniable, and under Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez’s leadership, Spain has never been a smarter investment.