Can Your Spouse Work on a Golden Visa? Dependent Rights Explained

Reading time: 8 minutes

Ever wondered if that coveted Golden Visa extends working privileges to your loved ones? You’re not alone in this maze of immigration complexity. Let’s cut through the confusion and decode exactly what your spouse can—and cannot—do when you secure residency through investment.

Table of Contents

• Understanding Golden Visa Basics
• Spouse Work Authorization: The Big Picture
• Country-by-Country Analysis
• Navigating Employment Restrictions
• Maximizing Your Family’s Opportunities
• Your Strategic Roadmap Forward
• Frequently Asked Questions

Understanding Golden Visa Basics

Here’s the straight talk: Golden Visas aren’t just about you—they’re family packages with varying degrees of flexibility. When you invest €250,000 in Greek real estate or €500,000 in Portuguese property, you’re not just buying residency; you’re purchasing a pathway for your entire immediate family.

Key Family Inclusion Benefits:

• Spouse automatic inclusion in most programs
• Dependent children coverage (typically under 18-25)
• Some programs include dependent parents
• Shared residency renewal requirements

But here’s where it gets interesting: residency doesn’t automatically equal work authorization. Think of it like having a library card versus permission to reorganize the books—related privileges, different scopes.

The Employment Authorization Spectrum

Golden Visa programs operate on a spectrum from complete work freedom to significant restrictions. Portugal’s D7 visa allows immediate employment, while Greece’s Golden Visa traditionally prohibited work entirely until recent regulatory shifts.

Consider Maria and Carlos, a Spanish couple who invested in Portuguese real estate in 2019. Maria could immediately establish her consulting practice, while Carlos launched a local tech startup—both leveraging Portugal’s employment-friendly policies to build substantial businesses alongside their residency investment.

Spouse Work Authorization: The Big Picture

The landscape has evolved dramatically. According to recent OECD immigration data, 73% of EU Golden Visa programs now offer some form of dependent work authorization—up from just 45% in 2018. This shift reflects growing competition between countries seeking to attract high-net-worth families.

Three Primary Authorization Models

1. Immediate Work Rights: Countries like Portugal, Cyprus, and Malta grant spouses full employment authorization upon residency approval. No additional applications, no waiting periods.

2. Conditional Authorization: Spain and Italy require separate work permit applications but streamline the process for Golden Visa dependents. Typical processing: 2-4 months versus 6-12 months for standard applicants.

3. Restricted Access: Greece and some Caribbean programs limit employment to specific sectors or require substantial additional investments for work privileges.

Country-by-Country Analysis

Portugal: The Gold Standard

Portugal’s program stands out for spouse employment flexibility. Your partner receives immediate work authorization covering:

• Full employment rights in any sector
• Business establishment without additional permits
• Professional licensing (subject to credential recognition)
• EU mobility after five years of residency

Real-world example: James, a British architect, invested €500,000 in Lisbon real estate in 2020. His wife Sarah immediately established a successful digital marketing consultancy, generating €150,000 annual revenue while maintaining their residency requirements through minimal physical presence.

Spain: Streamlined but Selective

Spain’s approach requires additional steps but offers substantial benefits once approved. Spouses must apply for work authorization separately, but Golden Visa holders receive priority processing and relaxed requirements.

Timeline and Requirements:

• Initial application: 2-3 months
• Employment contract or business plan required
• Sector restrictions in regulated professions
• Renewable annually for first three years

Greece: Recent Liberalization

Greece historically prohibited Golden Visa holder employment but introduced significant reforms in 2023. Spouses can now:

• Apply for independent work permits
• Establish businesses with additional €400,000 investment
• Access EU employment after seven years

Navigating Employment Restrictions

Common Challenges and Solutions

Challenge 1: Professional Licensing Recognition
Many spouses face credential recognition hurdles, particularly in regulated professions like medicine, law, or engineering.

Strategic Solution: Research recognition procedures during the Golden Visa application process. Portugal and Spain offer streamlined recognition for EU/US qualifications, while countries like Cyprus may require additional certification.

Challenge 2: Tax Optimization Complexity
Employment income can trigger complex tax obligations across multiple jurisdictions.

Strategic Solution: Implement tax planning before starting employment. Many Golden Visa holders benefit from non-habitual resident programs or holding company structures to optimize their global tax position.

Self-Employment Alternative Strategies

When traditional employment faces restrictions, entrepreneurship often provides greater flexibility. Consider Elena, a Russian marketing executive whose husband invested in Spanish real estate. Rather than navigating employment authorization delays, she established a consulting firm serving Eastern European markets—generating €200,000 annually while maintaining complete control over her professional trajectory.

Business Establishment Benefits:

• Greater control over residency compliance
• Potential tax optimization opportunities
• Pathway to expanded family immigration options
• Enhanced citizenship application profiles

Maximizing Your Family’s Opportunities

Strategic Timing Considerations

Success often depends on coordinating multiple moving pieces. Smart families align Golden Visa applications with:

• Professional transitions: Career changes or sabbaticals
• Business cycles: Natural expansion or relocation points
• Education timing: Children’s school year transitions
• Tax year optimization: Minimizing global tax exposure

Pro Tip: The right preparation isn’t just about avoiding problems—it’s about creating scalable, resilient family mobility foundations that adapt to changing circumstances over decades, not just years.

Building Long-term Career Capital

Smart spouses use Golden Visa periods strategically, building skills and networks that enhance their long-term career prospects across multiple jurisdictions. This might involve:

• Language acquisition for local market access
• Professional network development
• Local business partnership exploration
• EU-wide certification pursuit

Your Strategic Roadmap Forward

Ready to transform your family’s global mobility from constraint into competitive advantage? Here’s your practical implementation pathway:

Phase 1: Assessment and Planning (Months 1-2)

• Evaluate spouse’s professional goals against target countries’ employment policies
• Research credential recognition requirements for relevant professions
• Analyze tax implications of employment versus self-employment strategies
• Consult with immigration attorneys specializing in Golden Visa employment rights

Phase 2: Strategic Application (Months 3-6)

• Time Golden Visa application to align with professional transition windows
• Prepare employment authorization documentation simultaneously
• Establish local banking and business infrastructure preemptively
• Begin networking and market research in target jurisdictions

Phase 3: Activation and Optimization (Months 7-12)

• Execute employment or business establishment plans
• Implement tax optimization strategies based on actual income patterns
• Build professional networks and local market presence
• Monitor and adjust strategies based on policy changes and personal circumstances

The Golden Visa landscape continues evolving rapidly, with increasing recognition that attracting high-net-worth families requires comprehensive spouse employment solutions. Countries that fail to adapt risk losing competitive advantage to more flexible jurisdictions.

What professional dreams has your family put on hold waiting for the right mobility solution? The time for strategic action is now—before increasing competition makes Golden Visa acquisition more challenging and expensive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can my spouse work immediately after Golden Visa approval?

This depends entirely on the specific country’s program. Portugal, Cyprus, and Malta grant immediate work authorization to spouses, while Spain, Greece, and Italy require separate applications. Check your target country’s specific policies, as these change frequently and can significantly impact your family’s transition timeline.

Do I need to maintain the Golden Visa investment if my spouse becomes the primary earner?

Yes, Golden Visa investment requirements remain tied to the primary applicant regardless of family employment circumstances. However, spouse employment income can help meet financial stability requirements for citizenship applications and may provide flexibility for eventual investment restructuring once permanent residency or citizenship is achieved.

How do employment restrictions affect our path to EU citizenship?

Employment history often strengthens citizenship applications by demonstrating local integration and tax contribution. Countries like Portugal and Spain view spouse employment positively in citizenship evaluations, while some programs require specific residency patterns that employment can help fulfill more naturally than passive investment alone.

Article reviewed by Lydia Hartmann, Greenfield Development Strategist | Permits to Profitability, on July 7, 2025