The Spain Golden Visa — formally known as the Investor Visa or visado de residencia para inversores — is one of the most prestigious residency pathways available in Spain. Designed for non-EU nationals who make a significant investment in the country, it offers a fast track to Spanish residency and, eventually, long-term residence and citizenship.
If you are in the process of gathering your application documents, you will find that the medical certificate of good health is one of the standard requirements. This article explains exactly what it must include to be accepted, why Spanish consulates require it, and how you can obtain a fully compliant certificate entirely online — from China, the Middle East, Latin America, the United States, or anywhere else in the world.
What Is the Spain Golden Visa?
The Spain Golden Visa is a residency by investment programme that grants non-EU nationals and their families the right to live and work in Spain in exchange for a qualifying investment. The most common investment routes include:
- Real estate investment of at least €500,000 in Spanish property
- Capital investment of at least €1 million in Spanish companies or bank deposits
- Government bonds of at least €2 million
- Business projects of strategic interest to Spain, with job creation or significant economic impact
The visa is initially granted for one year (or two years if the residence card is requested directly in Spain) and can be renewed for two-year periods. After five years of legal residence, holders may apply for long-term residency, and after ten years for Spanish citizenship.
The Golden Visa extends to the main applicant’s immediate family members — spouse or partner, dependent children, and dependent parents — who can all be included in the same application.
Full eligibility requirements and current investment thresholds should be verified directly with the Spanish consulate in your country or with a qualified legal advisor, as the programme has been subject to legislative discussions in recent years.
Why Is a Medical Certificate Required for the Golden Visa?
As with all Spanish long-stay visa applications, the Golden Visa requires a medical certificate of good health to confirm that the applicant — and any family members included in the application — does not have any condition that could pose a risk to public health or be incompatible with residing in Spain.
The certificate must comply with the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), the WHO framework that governs health certification standards in the context of international mobility and that Spanish consulates worldwide recognise as the applicable standard for visa and residency applications.
What Must the Certificate Include to Be Accepted?
For your medical certificate to be accepted as part of your Golden Visa application, it must meet the following criteria:
Issued by a doctor licensed in Spain This is the fundamental requirement. A doctor with an active medical licence in Spain operates under the Spanish and EU regulatory framework, which is fully aligned with IHR 2005. A certificate from a doctor in your home country — regardless of how official it appears — will typically not be accepted by Spanish consulates.
Compliant with IHR 2005 A certificate issued by a licensed doctor in Spain automatically meets this international standard. No additional validation, stamp, or confirmation of compliance is needed.
Written in Spanish The certificate must be issued in Spanish to be valid before Spanish administrative bodies and consulates. This means no sworn translation or notarization is required — the document is ready to submit as issued.
No apostille required Because the certificate is issued directly by a doctor licensed in Spain, it does not need to be apostilled under the Hague Convention. This removes one more step from what is already a complex application process.
Based on a genuine medical assessment The certificate must reflect an actual clinical evaluation carried out by the issuing doctor. It cannot be a self-declaration or a document issued without a proper medical consultation.
Does Each Family Member Need a Separate Certificate?
Yes. If you are including family members — spouse, children, or parents — in your Golden Visa application, each person will need their own individual medical certificate of good health. The certificate is a personal document that accredits the health status of a specific individual.
The good news is that all family members can obtain their certificates through the same online process, from wherever they are in the world, without needing to travel to Spain beforehand.
Do I Need to Be in Spain to Get the Certificate?
No. The medical consultation is conducted entirely online via video call with a doctor licensed in Spain. This means you and your family members can obtain your IHR 2005 compliant certificates from China, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, Brazil, the United States, or any other country, well before your Golden Visa application is submitted.
How to Get Your Medical Certificate Online with mediQuo
The process is straightforward and can be completed from anywhere in the world:
Step 1 — Book your consultation Choose a date and time through the mediQuo platform. The total cost is €55 per person, with no hidden fees. This covers the video consultation with the doctor, the medical assessment, and the official certificate.
Step 2 — Complete the pre-consultation health questionnaire Before the appointment, you will receive a short health questionnaire to fill in. If you have recent medical reports or health records, you can attach them so the doctor can review your case in advance.
Step 3 — Video consultation with a licensed doctor Connect with a doctor licensed in Spain via a private, encrypted video call. You can choose to have the consultation in English or Spanish — whichever you prefer. The doctor will assess your case and answer any questions you have about the certificate or the process.
Step 4 — Receive your certificate by email Once the medical assessment is completed and approved, you will receive your official medical certificate directly in your inbox. In most cases, delivery takes place within 24 hours of the consultation.
Please note: The issuance of the certificate is subject to individual medical assessment. The doctor will evaluate each case before proceeding with the certificate.
Preparing your Golden Visa application and need to sort the medical certificates for you and your family?
Book your consultation — €55 · Certificate within 24 hours subject to medical assessment
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a certificate from my doctor in China, the UAE, or my home country? In most cases, no. Spanish consulates require a certificate issued by a doctor licensed in Spain, compliant with IHR 2005. A certificate from a local doctor in your home country does not meet this requirement, regardless of how official it appears.
Does the certificate need to be translated into English or Chinese? No. The certificate is issued in Spanish, which is the language required by the Spanish administration. No translation or notarization is needed to submit it to the consulate.
Does it need an apostille? No. Because it is issued directly by a doctor licensed in Spain, no apostille is required.
How long is the certificate valid? Medical certificates typically have a validity period of three to six months from the date of issue. Given that Golden Visa applications can involve complex coordination across multiple documents and legal processes, we recommend timing your certificate request carefully so it does not expire before you submit the full application.
Can the consultation be conducted in English? Yes. mediQuo’s medical team includes both English-speaking and Spanish-speaking doctors. You can choose your preferred language for the consultation. The certificate will always be issued in Spanish, as required by Spanish law.
How much does it cost per person? The total cost is €55 per person, with no hidden fees. This includes the online consultation, the medical assessment, and the official certificate.
Is the Golden Visa still available in Spain? The Spain Golden Visa programme has been subject to political and legislative discussions in recent years. We recommend verifying the current status and requirements of the programme directly with the Spanish consulate in your country or with a qualified immigration lawyer before proceeding with your application.
Ready to Get Your Medical Certificates?
If you are applying for the Spain Golden Visa and need medical certificates of good health for yourself and your family members, book your online consultations with mediQuo now. Licensed doctors in Spain, available in English and Spanish, with delivery within 24 hours subject to medical assessment.
Book your consultation — €55 · Certificate within 24 hours subject to medical assessment
This article is for informational purposes only. Requirements for the Spain Golden Visa may vary and are subject to legislative changes. For specific queries about your application, please check directly with the relevant Spanish consulate, embassy, or a qualified immigration lawyer.
