T he Spanish Golden Visa has been abolished. Here’s what this means and what alternatives are available.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of 3 April 2025, under Organic Law 1/2025, Spain has completely abolished its investor residency scheme, commonly known as the Golden Visa. This abolition affects all investment routes, not just real estate: the public debt, shares/company participation, investment fund, and bank deposit routes have also been repealed. No new applications can be filed under any of these routes.
Anyone who already held a Golden Visa, or had a pending application, before 3 April 2025, retains its validity and can apply for renewal under the regulations in force at the time the original permit was granted.
Below we briefly explain what the Golden Visa was, what alternatives now exist for those seeking Spanish residency, and answer the most common questions from those who already hold a valid Golden Visa.
Golden Visa: abolition and alternatives
What was the Golden Visa?
Introduced in 2013 under Law 14/2013 regarding the support of entrepreneurs and their internationalization, the Golden Visa allowed non-EU citizens to obtain Spanish residency in exchange for a significant investment, whether through a real estate purchase of at least €500,000, public debt, shares in Spanish companies, investment funds, or bank deposits.
Over time it became one of the most widely used investor residency routes in Europe, particularly among non-EU investors, including British citizens following Brexit. Further information on the implications of Brexit can be found in our article Brexit in Spain.
What alternatives exist now to reside in Spain?
With the Golden Visa abolished, those seeking to establish residency in Spain need to apply through one of the other existing immigration routes, among which the following stand out:
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Entrepreneur visa Aimed at those developing an innovative business project of particular economic interest to Spain. |
Non-lucrative residency Designed for those with sufficient financial means to reside in Spain without needing to work in the country. |
Highly qualified professional / international remote worker Aimed at qualified professionals or those working remotely for a foreign company. This route may also benefit from the Beckham Law tax regime. |
Each of these routes has different requirements and timelines, and the most suitable option will depend on each applicant’s personal and professional circumstances. If you are considering relocating to Spain following the abolition of the Golden Visa, we recommend a personalised consultation to identify the option that best fits your case.
Frequently asked questions for existing Golden Visa holders
The following questions are aimed at those who obtained their Golden Visa, or filed their application, before 3 April 2025, and need information regarding renewal or maintenance of their permit.
Can I get a mortgage to invest in the property?
For those who obtained their Golden Visa through the real estate route, it was possible to get a mortgage for part of the purchase of the property, provided the minimum contribution by the applicant was €500,000.
For example, one could apply for a mortgage of €250k in case of buying a property valued at €750,000, but in all cases, the minimum contribution of €500k had to be fulfilled by the applicant.
Can I vehicle the investment through a company?
It was possible to purchase the property through a company, in which case, in order to benefit from the Golden Visa, the applicant had to have control of the company by holding a majority of the voting rights.
Once the property is acquired must I live there?
There is no obligation for the Golden Visa holder to reside in the property, so it is viable to rent it to a third party without affecting the validity of the Golden Visa or its renewal.
Once the permit is granted do I need to live in Spain?
The Golden Visa is an authorisation to reside in Spain, which does not imply that the holder must change their residency to Spain.
For how long was the visa granted?
The Golden Visa was granted for an initial period of one year, renewable for two consecutive years, as long as the investment is maintained, under the regulations in force at the time of the original grant.
Can I obtain Spanish nationality after the Golden Visa?
Yes, the residency granted by the Golden Visa can open the door to Spanish nationality, subject to meeting the other general requirements.
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At Legaliaspain we are experts in immigration and real estate law. Whether you need help renewing your existing Golden Visa or want to explore which residency route best fits your situation following the abolition of this scheme, do not hesitate to get in touch with us for further information.
