- Since 3 April 2025 Spain no longer accepts new residency applications based on property investment.
- People who already hold a golden visa continue under their own conditions.
- Buying a home still helps a residency file, but alongside another route: non-lucrative, self-employment, digital nomad or a company.
What exactly changed?
From 2013 Spain granted investor residency to anyone buying at least €500,000 of property, the scheme everyone called the “golden visa”. Most of these permits were issued through property purchases.
A law passed in 2025 removed this option from 3 April 2025. From that date, buying a home on its own is no longer legal grounds for residency, however expensive the home.
Why did Spain do it?
The official reason was pressure on housing. The government argued that investment purchases in high-demand cities were pushing prices beyond local buyers. Critics replied that golden visas were too small a share of the market to matter much. Either way, the decision was made and has taken effect.
What if you already hold one?
Permits issued before that date have not been cancelled. Holders continue and renew under the conditions they qualified with. If you or a family member holds one, the key is to keep those original conditions in place, including owning the property, and never to miss a renewal deadline.
Which routes remain today?
The good news is that most families who would have chosen the golden visa can reach the same result another way:
Non-lucrative residency
For people with enough income or savings who do not plan to work in Spain. In 2026 the main applicant needs about €2,400 a month, plus about €600 for each family member. Full non-lucrative guide
Self-employment residency
For professionals and business owners who want to work for themselves in Spain. Self-employment guide
Digital nomad visa
For people working remotely for a company or clients outside Spain. Digital nomad guide
Residency through a company
For people launching a real business in Spain. Company guide
So is buying a home still useful?
Yes, its role has simply changed. Your Spanish home is your official address, removes rent from your living costs and, if you let it, its income counts towards the financial requirement for non-lucrative residency.
Money spent on the purchase no longer counts as financial proof. If you plan to buy and apply for non-lucrative residency, budget so that enough savings or income remain after the purchase.
We cover this combination in our residency and property guide.
Where to start
The first step is choosing the route, not the house. Once you know how you will qualify, you know how much of your budget must stay aside for financial proof and how much is free for the purchase. Choosing the home becomes far easier after that.
This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules and figures may change.