Spain's Golden Visa officially closed on April 3, 2025, ending the real estate route that had attracted Chinese, Russian and Latin American investors since 2013. Existing visa holders retain their status. New applicants need to look at the Digital Nomad Visa or Non-Lucrative Visa instead.
Who this is for: If you already hold the visa, this is your renewal guide. If you're new — read the Digital Nomad and Non-Lucrative sections.
Investment routes
No new applications accepted after April 3, 2025.
For retirees and remote workers (with caveats).
Beckham Law eligible. Path to permanent residency.
Deep dive
Why Spain closed it
The Sánchez government framed the closure as a housing affordability measure — Golden Visa property purchases were concentrated in Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga and the Balearics, the same markets with the worst affordability crises. Real-estate Golden Visas accounted for ~94% of all approvals, so closing them effectively ended the program.
What current holders need to know
If you held a Spain Golden Visa on April 3, 2025, you can renew indefinitely under the original rules. Family reunification still works. The path to permanent residency (5 years) and citizenship (10 years, or 2 for nationals of Spain's former colonies) is unchanged.
The Digital Nomad Visa as alternative
Introduced in 2023, this visa requires €2,762/month income from non-Spanish sources, an employment contract or freelance clients of 3+ months, and qualifies you for Beckham Law (24% flat tax on Spanish income up to €600k for 6 years). It's a path to permanent residency and citizenship on the same timeline.
In this issue
Spain Golden Visa Cost in 2026 — Full Breakdown
Every euro, dollar and dirham. Government fees, legal fees, recurring costs and the €500,000 headline number for the Spain Golden Visa.
Spain Tax Guide for Golden Visa Holders (2026)
Beckham Law (24% flat for 6 years). How residency, source rules and special regimes interact for Spain Golden Visa holders.
How to Apply for the Spain Golden Visa — Step-by-Step (2026)
From initial documents to residence card. The realistic 20 days Spain Golden Visa application process, end to end.
Spain Golden Visa for Families — Spouse, Children & Parents
Who qualifies as a dependent under the Spain Golden Visa, what each costs, and how schooling and healthcare actually work.
Spain Citizenship Through the Golden Visa — Realistic Timeline
Path to a Spain passport: 10 years. What naturalization actually requires, and the catches the brochures skip.
The honest tradeoffs
- + Existing holders keep their residency and renewals
- + Digital Nomad Visa fills much of the gap for active professionals
- + Beckham Law tax regime still available
- − Program permanently closed to new investors
- − Citizenship still requires 10 years (2 for Latin Americans)
- − Bureaucracy heavier than Portugal or Greece
Frequently asked
Can I still apply for Spain's Golden Visa?+
No. The program closed to new applications on April 3, 2025.
Will current holders lose residency?+
No. Renewals continue under the original rules indefinitely.
What's the closest alternative?+
The Digital Nomad Visa for working professionals, or the Non-Lucrative Visa for retirees with €30k+/year passive income.