Golden Visa Spain - Real Estate Route Ends - What Remains

Spain officially scrapped the popular real estate option under its Golden Visa program on **April 3, 2025**. This change means you can no longer gain Spanish residency just by buying a property worth €500,000. But the program itself isn’t dead—several investment routes are still open. Here’s what you can still do if you want to secure residency in Spain through investment.

What Was Removed on April 3, 2025?
Spain’s government eliminated the real estate route under the Golden Visa law, aiming to curb speculative demand and housing inflation. From this date forward, **buying property alone no longer qualifies** you for a Spanish residency visa. Any pending applications submitted before that date may still be valid.

The Golden Visa Program Still Exists — Here’s What Still Works
The Golden Visa framework remains in place. It now only applies to **specific types of high-value investments**. Here are the current options as of mid‑2025:

1. Capital Investment in Spanish Companies
Minimum: €1 million
You can invest in shares of Spanish companies, including startups or listed firms, as long as the investment meets the minimum threshold and is documented properly. This is the most accessible route remaining for private investors.

2. Bank Deposit in a Spanish Financial Institution
Minimum: €1 million
Holding a fixed deposit in a Spanish bank for a specified term (usually 5 years) qualifies you under the capital investment route. You must prove ownership and origin of funds.

3. Investment in Spanish Government Bonds
Minimum: €2 million
This option involves buying long-term Spanish treasury bonds. It’s suitable for conservative investors seeking stability. All transactions must be traceable and declared under Spanish law.

4. Business Development or Entrepreneurship
No minimum, but subject to approval
You can obtain a Golden Visa by founding or funding a business that is considered to be of "general interest" to Spain. This means your venture must:

• Create jobs

This route requires a detailed business plan and review by the Spanish Economic and Commercial Office.

5. Foreign Company Transfer (Highly Skilled Workers)
Route for executives or specialists being relocated to Spain
While technically outside the Golden Visa scheme, Spain offers a separate fast-track residency under Law 14/2013 for qualified employees transferred from abroad. No personal investment required—applies to multinationals or intra-company moves.

Can I Still Invest in Property?
Yes—but you won’t get a Golden Visa for it anymore. Buying a home in Spain still allows you to apply for **other residency types** like:

• Non-Lucrative Visa (for retirees or passive income holders)
• Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers)
• Entrepreneur Visa (if starting a new company)

Bottom Line: The door to real estate-based Golden Visas has closed. But if you’re willing to invest €1–2 million in Spain’s economy—or start a high-impact business—you still have a viable path to residency in 2025.

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