End of the Golden Visa in Spain: exploring alternative options
The Spanish Golden Visa, often referred to as the Property Visa, previously granted automatic residency in Spain to non-EU citizens who invested a minimum of 500,000€ in Spanish Real Estate. This investment could include any type of property: home, commercial, land, or a combination of properties. As opposed to the Wealth Visa, the Golden Visa did not require holders to be in Spain for at least 183 days per year.
However, the Golden Visa is no longer available in Spain. The enactment of Organic Law 1/2025, of January 2nd, 2025, on measures concerning the efficiency of the Public Justice Service, has repealed Articles 63 to 67 of Law 14/2013, of September 27th, on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization, which regulated visas and residence permits for investors, also known as the Golden Visa. The repeal of this legislation takes effect today, April 3rd of 2025, and from this date onward, residence permits and visas for investors cannot be requested.
What are my options if I want to relocate to Spain now?
If you were planning to come to Spain under the Golden Visa program, you may feel uncertain about your current options. Fortunately, there are alternative residency permits available that may suit your needs even better than the Golden Visa.
- Wealth Visa (Non-Lucrative Visa)
Ideal for individuals who can financially sustain themselves without working in Spain, as the Wealth Visa allows residency based on proof of sufficient financial means. The key to obtaining this type of visa rests on being able to prove that you have sufficient means to live in Spain, in one of two ways:
- Showing that you receive a fixed monthly amount by some permanent means, such as from a trust fund or retirement pension. (A salary is not considered permanent, nor is interest received from a bank or mutual fund.)
- Showing that you have maintained a high enough average balance in your bank account during at least a year. The documents you submit must show a bank account in your name.
- Nomad Visa (Remote Work Visa)
If you can work remotely for a foreign company, then you might want to take a look at the Nomad Visa. You can get a residency permit for up to 1 year if you apply for the visa from your country of residence, or up to 3 years if you submit your application from inside of Spain. These visa holders will be employed workers who move to Spanish territory to work remotely exclusively using computer, telematic and telecommunication resources and systems, even if the relocation has been ordered by the employer. Particularly, this circumstance will be fulfilled in the case of employees who have the Visa for international teleworking (Law 14/2013).
- Skilled Worker Visa (Highly Qualified Professional Visa)
If you already have an employer in Spain, they can hire you as a qualified professional through our skilled worker visa service. The skilled worker visa, literally translated from Spanish as the visa for highly qualified professionals (permiso de residencia con visa para empleados altamente cualificados), allows residence and work authorization in Spain for managers or high-end technicians.
- Intra-company transfer Visa (Employee Relocation Visa)
If your company is willing to relocate employees from their foreign office to their Spain office, they can do it with our corporate visa service. This Visa streamlines the process for international mobility and relocates employees to Spain.
Can I still buy a property in Spain as a non-resident?
Of course! Purchasing a property in Spain as a non-resident is easier with our assistance. Strong Abogados has been providing expert conveyancing services since the year 2000.
We are specialized in international clients. We understand your needs and your expectations of service. Our expert legal team is fluent in English ready to assist you.
Additionally, we provide property survey reports before the signing of the Arras Agreement. The inspection of the property and posterior reports is issued by our architect: Lina Llorente, with more than 30 years of experience as head of the department for property purchase. Our real estate lawyers will handle the property transaction, but you will have an architect's perspective before investing your money in Spain.
Ready to make your move to Spain or invest in Spanish property? Contact us today for expert guidance.