Spain Golden Visa (Abolished)

What the program offered

Spain’s golden visa was created by Articles 63 to 67 of Law 14/2013 of 27 September 2013 on support for entrepreneurs. It gave non-EU investors and their families a residence visa, and then a renewable residence permit, for:

• buying Spanish real estate worth at least €500,000, free of charges and encumbrances;
• investing €1 million in shares of Spanish companies or in Spanish investment funds, or holding €1 million on deposit in a Spanish bank;
• buying €2 million of Spanish public debt; or
• a business project in Spain considered to be of general interest.

There was no minimum stay to keep the permit, and holders could work in Spain. Permanent residence was possible after five years of legal residence and citizenship, as for any resident, after ten years (two years for nationals of Ibero-American countries).

Why it was abolished

In April 2024 Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced that the government would end the golden visa to help make housing affordable in Spain’s most stressed property markets, where most golden visas were linked to real estate. Parliament approved the change, and Organic Law 1/2025 was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 3 January 2025. Its 21st final provision repealed Articles 63 to 67 of Law 14/2013 after a three-month transition. From 3 April 2025 no new investor visas can be requested.

What happens to existing golden visa holders?

Applications filed before 3 April 2025 continue under the old rules. Visas and residence permits that were valid on that date remain valid for the period they were issued for, and holders can still renew them as long as they keep meeting the investment requirements.

Sources

• EY – Spanish parliament approves suspension of the Golden Visa program for investors
• JDA – Spain eliminates the Golden Visa program with the new Organic Law 1/2025
• Best Citizenships – Spain golden visa sunsets on April 3, 2025
• Best Citizenships – Spain golden visa