Yes, the investment can be financed through a mortgage, but the initial €500,000 required for the Golden Visa eligibility must be free of any liens or encumbrances. This means that while you can take out a mortgage to finance part of your property purchase in Marbella, the first €500,000 of the investment must be made using your own funds, without financing.

Yes, family members can be included in the Golden Visa application. This typically includes the spouse or legal partner, dependent children, and dependent parents. Including family members allows them to enjoy the same benefits as the main applicant, such as residency in Spain and visa-free travel within the Schengen Area. However, it's important to provide the necessary documentation to prove their relationship to the main applicant and their dependency status.

The processing time for a Golden Visa application can vary, but generally, it takes around 2 to 3 months from the submission of a complete application to receive a decision. This timeline can fluctuate based on the workload of the Spanish consulate or immigration office handling the application and the completeness and complexity of the application submitted.

The minimum investment required to qualify for the Golden Visa in Spain is €500,000. This investment must be made in real estate and should be free of any liens or encumbrances. The investment can be distributed across multiple properties, as long as the total amount meets or exceeds the stipulated threshold.

Obtaining a Golden Visa offers several significant benefits, including residency in Spain for the investor and their immediate family members. It allows for visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, providing greater freedom of movement across Europe. Additionally, after a certain period, it opens the path to permanent residency and citizenship in Spain, subject to fulfilling specific requirements. For real estate investors, it also presents an opportunity to invest in a stable and attractive market.