Spain ended its residency-by-investment Golden Visa on 3 April 2025. Buying a home no longer grants residency, but you can still purchase property freely, and several other residency routes remain open.
What changed, and why
The suspension was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) in January 2025 and took effect three months later, on 3 April 2025. From that date, acquiring a property worth €500,000 or more no longer entitles a non-EU buyer to a residence permit. The government framed the change as a housing-affordability measure, arguing that investment-linked residency was adding pressure to prices in cities such as Barcelona and Madrid.
What it means for property buyers
The key point: only the residency link was removed, not the right to buy. International buyers — resident or not — can still purchase Spanish property exactly as before. If your goal is simply a home or an investment, nothing about the purchase process changes. If your goal was residency through that purchase, you now need one of the alternative routes below.
The residency routes that remain
| Route | Best suited to |
|---|---|
| Non-Lucrative Visa | Buyers with passive income, savings or a pension who will not work in Spain — popular with retirees and lifestyle relocators. |
| Digital Nomad Visa | Remote workers and freelancers earning from outside Spain. |
| Entrepreneur Visa | Founders and investors establishing or backing a business in Spain. |
If you already hold a Golden Visa
Permits in force when the change took effect remain valid for the period for which they were granted, and renewals are assessed under the rules that applied at the time of the original authorisation. If this affects you, take advice from a specialist immigration lawyer on your renewal path.
Frequently asked questions
Was the Spanish Golden Visa abolished?
Yes. The residency-by-property-investment Golden Visa ended on 3 April 2025. From that date, buying a property worth €500,000 or more no longer grants residency in Spain.
Can I still buy property in Spain as a foreigner?
Absolutely. The abolition of the Golden Visa changed only the residency link, not the right to buy. Non-residents can still purchase freely; the purchase simply no longer comes with a residence permit.
What replaced the Golden Visa?
There is no direct replacement. Other routes remain open depending on your circumstances: the Non-Lucrative Visa (for those with passive income or pensions), the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers), and the Entrepreneur Visa (for founders and business investors).
I already hold a Golden Visa — is it still valid?
Yes. Visas and authorisations in force when the change took effect remain valid for their stated period, and renewals are handled under the rules that applied when the original permit was granted. Confirm your position with an immigration lawyer.
Which visa suits a buyer with passive income or a pension?
The Non-Lucrative Visa is typically the best fit for those with sufficient savings, investments or a pension who do not intend to work in Spain. It is a popular route for retirees and lifestyle relocators buying a home.