Spain Golden Visa: Current Status
and Alternatives for International Investors.
In April 2024 Spain announced the end of the real-estate route to the Golden Visa. Here is what changed, what remains valid, and the residency-by-investment paths still open today.
Quick answer — Spain's Golden Visa programme through real-estate investment was repealed in 2024 and ceased to operate in April 2025. Investors who had already initiated the process before that date keep their rights. For new applicants, the available paths are the Investor Visa through capital investment (shares, public debt, business projects) and other residency routes such as the Digital Nomad Visa or the Non-Lucrative Residence Permit.
What changed in 2024
Key reforms
- The €500,000 real-estate route was abolished.
- Other capital-based investor visa thresholds remain in force: €1M shares, €2M public debt, qualified business projects.
- Pending applications filed before the cut-off date are processed under the previous regime.
Alternatives still available for non-EU investors
Available routes
- Investor Visa (capital, shares, public debt, business projects) — still operational.
- Digital Nomad Visa — for remote workers / freelancers serving non-Spanish clients.
- Non-Lucrative Residence Permit — for individuals with sufficient passive income.
- EU Blue Card / Highly Qualified Professional — for executives and specialists.
See also our Digital Nomad Visa Spain landing for the most popular route since the Golden Visa reform.
How Vidale Group supports your residency strategy
Our scope
- Eligibility assessment and route selection.
- Document preparation, apostille and translation coordination.
- Filing before the relevant Spanish consulate or UGE-CE office.
- Tax-residency planning and Beckham Law evaluation when applicable.
- Renewal management.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Spain Golden Visa still available in 2026?
No. The real-estate route to the Golden Visa was abolished in April 2024 and ceased operating in April 2025. The wider "Investor Visa" remains available through capital investment, business projects, shares and public debt.
What replaced the Spain Golden Visa for property investors?
There is no like-for-like replacement. Property investors who do not qualify for the remaining Investor Visa routes typically apply for the Digital Nomad Visa or the Non-Lucrative Residence Permit, depending on income source.
Do my pending Golden Visa applications still work?
Yes. Applications filed before the official cut-off date are processed under the previous regime, including renewals.
Can I still get Spanish residency by buying property?
Buying real estate alone no longer grants residency. It can, however, be part of a broader strategy combined with passive income (Non-Lucrative) or remote employment (Digital Nomad Visa).
How long does the Investor Visa take?
Typically 20 working days from filing for the consular visa, plus 60–90 days for the residence card once in Spain. Vidale Group coordinates the full timeline.