3 April 2025 >> SPAIN GOLDEN VISA UPDATE – Raquel Moreno, Spain Immigration Lawyer
Note: The Spanish Government ended the Investor Visa (Spanish Golden Visa) program in April 2025. They will not accept any more applications. All applicaoitns submitted before 3 April 2025 were processed as normal.
The official name for the Spain Golden Visa was the Investor Visa.
No More Spanish Golden Visa Applications
Note: The Spanish Government ended the Investor Visa (Spanish Golden Visa) program in April 2025.
On January 3, 2025, Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE) published Organic Law 1/2025, which abolished the Investor Visa (Golden Visa) program. The final date for application submission was April 3, 2025.
Spain Golden Visa Alternatives
Spain still offers several pathways for non-EU citizens looking to live in Spain. Most are pathways to Spanish citizenship and an EU Passport. Please see our Guide to Spain Visa Types here.
FAQ >> Spain Golden Visa Ends
Is the Spain Golden Visa Abolished?
On January 3, 2025, Spain’s Official State Gazette (BOE) published Organic Law 1/2025, which abolished the Investor Visa *(Golden Visa) program. The final date for application submission was April 3, 2025.
Does Spain have citizenship by investment (CBI)?
No, Spain does not have a residency or citizenship by investment program after the Golden Visa was abolished in 2025. However, you can apply for Spanish citizenship and a European Union (EU) Passport after living in Spain for ten years using a different Spanish visa type.
Can I use the Golden Visa to retire in Spain?
No. The Golden Visa program ended in April 2025. The best visa option to retire in Spain is Spain’s non-lucrative visa.
Why did Spain abolish the Golden Visa/Investor Visa program>
Spain abolished the Golden Visa in 2025 to prioritize affordable housing and address concerns about real estate speculation. This was one of several proposals raised during this period. The government argued that foreign investment in property was driving up housing prices in key cities, making it harder for locals to buy homes in Spain. By ending residency permits tied to property purchases, Spain aims to ensure housing serves residents, not investors.
For the business project route noted above, are you aware of any projects that the government has deemed to meet the criteria (“significant socio-economic impact on the geographical area in which the project is to be carried out, or its significant contribution to scientific or technological innovation”) and on that basis provided a long-stay visa for a foreigner? I have not been able to dig up any information so far.
Thank you.
Hi Mike. The investment category is much less prevalent than real estate, and each case is unique and assessed as such. If you don’t want to start with a chat with a great Spanish immigration lawyer, the Spanish government has a website with lots of information on investing in Spain. All the best, Alastair
When buying real estate ie house/a can we buy more than one property to amount in excess of euros 500000 or deis it have to be a property, singular.
Also my partner Sue, we are not married or Civil Partnership. Is putting 50% in to our new house that we are buying shortly to live in. How do we deal with that please. Thank you
Hi Roger. You can buy more than one property as long as the total value of the assets exceeds €500,000. The second question is more complicated. The individual contribution needs to exceed €500,000, but the primary visa applicant can include a common-law partner on the application. I’d strongly suggest speaking to our Spanish immigration law partner to determine the best way to manage this. We also have a free Webinar on November 15th – you can see the recording of that here: “Which Golden Visa should I choose? Spain or Portugal?“
My ancestors came from Spain originally. They were part of the Spanish conquistadors who landed in Mexico. The original ancestor was my great great great great grandfather who was a General in the Spanish military. His progeny stayed in Mexico until the Mexican revolution made the Spanish population move out. My grandfather moved his family to Chicago in around 1915.
Does my 1/2 Spanish ancestor merit me any advantages in moving to Spain?
Thank you
Hi Robert. Unfortunately, Your ancestry won’t give you any advantage in moving to Spain. If you did have Mexican citizenship you’d qualify for accelerated Spanish citizenship but you’ll still need a Spanish residence permit to live in Spain while you qualify. All the best, Alastair
Does this also include other latin American countries? For example Guatemala? I thought it included any colonized countries.
Hi Sarah – if you are talking about the accelerated 2-year citizenship pathway, then yes, Guatemala is included. https://movingtospain.com/spanish-citizenship/#appendix-1 Regards, Alastair
Thanks for the great article. Once I’m granted the visa for acquisition of RE or RIC, is there are time limit to acquire the RE or make the investment? Would I be able to arrive, rent first while researching for a property? Thanks, Pedro
Hi Pedro. You need to progress the investment before your application, and you must submit the application in your country of residence before moving to Spain (unless you are already a resident of Spain with a different immigration permission, for example, a Spanish non-lucrative visa). This process is why we strongly suggest meeting with an expert Spanish immigration lawyer or Golden Visa specialist before starting the process. All the best, Alastair
I have a entrepreneurship plan that will bring $ in from tourists . I also plan on hiring locals . Does this merit me a entrepreneurship visa and with this visa can I bring my children. How soon does it become a PR
Hi Janell – if your business plan, experience, and funding model are solid, then you have a good chance of an entrepreneur visa. Our Spanish immigration lawyer will be able to assist with crafting your application. All the best, Alastair
Hi Alastair,
I have a question about this statement, which says that ‘Financially dependent children over 18’ could be included .in the application.
My son is 22 years old, he is a student and lives with us in our house, works part-time, but his salary is not covering all the expenses, because he spends half of the time for his study.
Could he be considered as a ‘Financially dependent child over 18’? And what proof whould be needed to confirm that?
Thank you,
Andrei
Hi Andrei. As your case is ambiguous, I’d suggest speaking with our Spanish Immigration Lawyer partner for the best way to approach this application. All the best, Alastair
Hello. I heard the Golden Visa is ending, is this true? Is there an end date where it is “too late” to apply?
On the investment, if looking for a home around $500-600k do you have to put down $500k to satisfy the requirement or can you put down less as long as the total purchase (with mortgage) is $500k+? Basically could I put down say $300k and get a mortgage for the rest?
Thank you!
Hi Mark. Yes, as of May 2024, the Spanish government intends to pass legislation to amend or terminate the Golden Visa program. However, until that legislation is passed, they’ll still accept applications. The investment must be more than €500K, the minimum cash amount toward the purchase (so you could top up with a mortgage for a house over €500K). Regards, Alastair
Do you need to have the 500k upfront for investment? or can you start a business in country and make up the difference in the 5 year period under the entrepreneur visa
Hi Matthew – there is no specific value for the new business investment Golden visa (Residency Visa for Capital Investor (RIC)). As per the article, “investment levels depend on the location and sector. The Consular Economic and Commercial Office will look at your project and decide if it has a “significant socio-economic impact on the geographical area in which the project is to be carried out or its significant contribution to scientific or technological innovation.”. I’d suggest speaking with a Spanish Golden Visa expert before starting this process to ensure the best chance of success. The Entrepreneur Visa is a different immigration pathway managed under different legislation. Our immigration lawyer partner will be happy to help you select the best option. All the best, Alastair
Quick question regarding ‘ongoing’ visa applications after the initial. We’re currently looking to go for the initial golden visa application BUT if this process is due to end does that then mean any subsequent renewals will be stopped going forward or is it the case once you have had the first golden visa approved you can continue renewals until the 10year cycle is reached. Strange question but before i go too far down this route wanted to understand whether we just look at a non-lucrative option later down the road.
Hi Steve. I can only make some informed guesses here. 1) The Golden Visa program is still open, so we need visibility into the proposed changes (which may never happen). 2) Historically, Spain has not made changes that retroactively impact existing visa holders. 3) You can apply for permanent residency after five years, so that is as long as you need a Golden Visa. Based on those three factors, it is very, very unlikely that a Golden visa holder would be forced to change immigration permissions. All the best, Alastair