Is the Spanish Golden Visa still available for real-estate investment?
Spain ended the real-estate Golden Visa on 3 April 2025. The capital / business / public-debt / share investment routes survive — but with EU-driven anti-money-laundering scrutiny.
The truth
Spain's Golden Visa (Visado de Residencia para Inversores) was introduced in 2013 to attract foreign investment. The real-estate route — €500k+ property purchase — was the most popular, used heavily by Russian, Chinese, Venezuelan, Iranian, US, and UK investors. Following European Commission pressure on Golden Visa schemes (Malta, Cyprus, Portugal Golden Visa real-estate route similarly closed), Spain passed legislation in April 2024 to terminate the real-estate route, with full effect from 3 April 2025. Surviving Golden Visa investment routes: (1) €1M+ in Spanish company shares; (2) €1M+ in Spanish bank deposits; (3) €2M+ in Spanish government bonds; (4) €1M+ in Spanish investment funds; (5) business project investment of public interest creating employment / generating socio-economic impact / scientific / technological contribution (no fixed amount but typically €1M+). Each route requires applicant to maintain investment for 5 years, plus standard Golden Visa requirements: private health insurance, sufficient income, clean criminal record. Golden Visa provides 3-year initial residence, renewable, leading to permanent residence at 5 years + Spanish citizenship at 10 years (1-2 years for Iberoamerican / Sephardic Jewish / Filipino / Andorran / Equatoguinean applicants).
Why this rumour persists
Marketing materials produced before April 2024 are still circulating; immigration agencies continued to advertise the real-estate route during the transition. The phased end-date (April 2025) created confusion vs immediate termination.
What to actually do
- Check the alternative Golden Visa routes — capital / business investment / public debt remain active
- Consider Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa (€2,400/month passive income proof) for those wanting residence without investment
- Spain's Digital Nomad Visa (€2,646+/month from foreign remote employer) is the most accessible for working applicants
- If you bought Spanish property under the old Golden Visa, your existing residence permit is valid until expiry + renewable under transition rules
- Avoid any agency still advertising the real-estate Golden Visa as available — they're operating outdated information