Is the Spain Golden Visa still available?
No. Spain abolished the property-investment Golden Visa on 3 April 2025 under Ley Orgánica 1/2025, so buying property no longer grants residency. Existing permits remain valid and renewable, and non-EU buyers now use the Digital Nomad, Non-Lucrative or entrepreneur visa routes instead.
- Applications lodged before the cut-off continue under the old rules.
- Existing holders keep renewal and family reunification rights.
- The Non-Lucrative visa requires passive income and no Spanish work.
- Property purchase and mortgage eligibility are unaffected by the change.
Key takeaways
- Property purchase no longer qualifies for Spanish residency (effective 3 April 2025).
- Existing Golden Visa holders keep their residency and can renew under the previous rules.
- Non-EU buyers can still buy Spanish property freely — the visa route is separate from purchase.
- Alternative residence routes: Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, entrepreneur/investor routes.
- The change was driven by housing-affordability policy, not restrictions on foreign ownership.
What changed in April 2025
Ley Orgánica 1/2025 abolished the €500,000 property-investment route to the Spain Golden Visa (Residence Visa for Investors) with effect from 3 April 2025. The stated policy objective was to reduce speculative demand in urban housing markets — the same driver behind Portugal's earlier reforms and the current review of similar schemes elsewhere in Europe.
Other investor routes (Spanish company shares, business projects, government bonds, bank deposits) technically remain within Ley 14/2013, but the property route — by far the most widely used — is closed.
What this means for existing holders
Golden Visas granted before 3 April 2025 remain valid. Holders can renew under the previous rules and, after five years of continuous residence, apply for permanent residency. Applications submitted before the cut-off are being processed on the old terms.
If you purchased before April 2025 and never applied for the visa, you cannot apply now. Ownership of the property continues unchanged — you simply do not have a residency pathway attached to it.
Non-EU buyers can still buy freely
The abolition is a change to immigration law, not property law. UK, US, Middle East, Swiss and other non-EU nationals continue to purchase Spanish property without restriction. Our non-resident mortgage service handles the mortgage side; independent Spanish counsel handles the conveyancing. Nothing has changed at the buying process itself.
Alternative 1: Digital Nomad Visa
Launched in 2023, the Digital Nomad Visa is now the most common route for non-EU professionals wanting to relocate to Spain. Requirements:
- Remote work for a non-Spanish employer, or self-employed with mostly non-Spanish clients (max 20% Spanish income).
- Minimum monthly income c.€2,760 (200% of the Spanish minimum wage) — higher for dependants.
- University degree or 3+ years' relevant professional experience.
- Private health insurance and clean criminal record.
- Beckham Law tax regime available — flat 24% on Spanish-sourced income up to €600,000 for six years.
Alternative 2: Non-Lucrative Visa
Suited to retirees or those with passive income. You must demonstrate sufficient means to live in Spain without working — currently c.€2,400/month for the applicant plus c.€600/month per dependant, evidenced from savings, pensions or investment income. Private health cover is required. You cannot work in Spain on this visa.
Alternative 3: Entrepreneur and business routes
Ley 14/2013 still permits residence for entrepreneurs presenting an innovative business project of general interest to Spain (approved by ENISA), and for company investors placing €1m+ in Spanish shares or €2m+ in government bonds. These routes are more complex than the old property track and typically require specialist immigration counsel.
Tax planning before you relocate
Becoming Spanish tax resident (183+ days per year, or centre of economic interests in Spain) exposes worldwide income and assets to Spanish tax. The Beckham regime materially reduces this for eligible new arrivals. Wealth tax and inheritance tax vary sharply by region — Madrid and Andalucía are notably favourable. Take specialist advice before your first Spanish tax year begins.
Frequently asked
Questions from readers
Can I still buy property in Spain as a non-EU citizen?
Yes. The 2025 reform ended the residency route tied to a €500,000 property purchase, but the right to buy is unchanged. UK, US and other non-EU citizens continue to purchase Spanish property freely, on the same terms as before.
I applied for the Golden Visa before April 2025 — am I safe?
Applications submitted before 3 April 2025 continue on the old rules. Existing holders retain their residency and can renew under the pre-reform terms. Only new property-route applications are blocked.
What replaces the Golden Visa for HNW families?
There is no direct replacement. The Digital Nomad Visa suits working professionals; the Non-Lucrative Visa suits retirees; the entrepreneur route suits founders. For pure investors seeking residence, Portugal, Greece and Italy still offer investment-linked options.
Does buying property help any other visa application?
Owning a Spanish home strengthens Non-Lucrative and Digital Nomad applications by demonstrating means and Spanish ties, but it is not a formal qualifying criterion. The financial-means test is the primary hurdle.
How long does the Digital Nomad Visa take?
Applications filed at the Spanish consulate abroad typically take 4–8 weeks. Applications filed inside Spain (from a tourist entry) go via the UGE unit and often resolve within 20 working days — the faster route in practice.