Spain Abolished the Property Golden Visa: What Buyers Need to Know Now

Did Spain really cancel the Golden Visa for property buyers? Yes. On 3 April 2025, the Spanish government officially ended the residency-by-investment route tied to real estate purchases. If you've been researching buying on the Costa Blanca and had residency somewhere in your thinking, this article will tell you exactly what changed, what's still available, and — crucially — what stayed exactly the same: your right to buy.

What the Abolition Actually Means

The Golden Visa programme that linked a property purchase to a Spanish residency permit no longer accepts new applications. The route that allowed non-EU nationals to obtain residency by investing above a set threshold in Spanish real estate is closed.

Existing holders are unaffected. If you already had a Golden Visa through property investment, your status is secure and renewable under the original terms. The change only affects new applications made after the abolition date.

The announcement, made by Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, was framed around housing affordability and pressure on local markets — particularly in coastal and metropolitan areas. The political context matters less than the practical reality: a route that many international buyers had planned around no longer exists.

What this does not change is the ability of any non-resident to purchase property in Spain. There is no restriction on ownership. British buyers, American buyers, Scandinavian buyers — anyone can still buy a home on the Costa Blanca. The Golden Visa was about residency, not about the right to own property. Those are separate questions entirely.

The Problem With Not Knowing the Difference

Here is where buyers get into trouble. Many people arriving at this market conflated two very different objectives: buying a property, and securing the right to live in Spain.

If you wanted both — ownership and residency — through a single mechanism, that route is gone. Buyers who assumed the Golden Visa was still on the table, perhaps because they read articles from 2023 or spoke to an agent who hadn't updated their knowledge, are now facing a planning gap. They may have structured their finances, their timeline, or their family's relocation plans around a programme that no longer exists.

The cost of that gap depends on what your actual goal is. If you were buying purely as an investment or holiday home, the abolition changes nothing for you. If you were buying because you wanted to move to Spain permanently, you now need a different plan — and the sooner you build it, the better.

Residency Alternatives That Are Still Open

The Golden Visa was never the only path to Spanish residency. It was simply the most widely marketed one, because it required no proof of income and minimal time in-country. With it gone, buyers who want to live in Spain need to understand the routes that remain.

The Non-Lucrative Visa

This is the most widely used residency option for international retirees and people with passive income. It grants the right to live in Spain without working. To qualify, you need to demonstrate sufficient savings or regular passive income — dividends, pension, rental income — to support yourself without employment in Spain. The financial thresholds are set by the Spanish government and vary depending on family size.

The Non-Lucrative Visa does not permit you to work in Spain. For retirees or those with investment income, this is usually not a constraint. It requires a medical certificate, criminal record check, and private health insurance in Spain. Annual renewals apply, and after five years you can apply for long-term residency.

The Digital Nomad Visa

Introduced in 2023, Spain's Digital Nomad Visa is designed for remote workers employed by companies outside Spain. If you work for a foreign company and can do your job from anywhere, this route allows you to live in Spain legally while continuing your existing employment or freelance work. Income thresholds apply, and at least 80% of your income must come from clients or employers outside Spain.

Other Golden Visa Routes (Still Active)

The Golden Visa programme itself has not been abolished — only the real estate route within it. Other investment categories remain open. A significant investment in Spanish company shares, government bonds, or Spanish bank deposits can still qualify. These routes involve higher capital thresholds and different structures. An immigration lawyer can assess whether any of these alternatives make sense for your situation.

If You Just Want a Holiday Home: The 90-Day Rule

A large proportion of buyers on the Costa Blanca are not seeking to move permanently. They want a second home — somewhere to spend weeks or months each year, particularly retirement years. For these buyers, the Golden Visa abolition is almost irrelevant.

What does matter, particularly for British and other non-EU nationals, is the Schengen 90-day rule. As a tourist, you can spend up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the Schengen Area — which includes Spain. This is not a Legado issue or a property issue. It applies to any Schengen country you visit, cumulatively.

For buyers who plan to spend significant time at their Costa Blanca property each year, the 90-day limit is the practical constraint to plan around — not residency visas. Many owners use their allowance strategically, combining stays with time in non-Schengen countries. If you want to exceed 90 days, a Non-Lucrative Visa is the standard solution.

Your Property Purchase Remains Straightforward

None of what's described above changes how a property purchase works. The legal process, the reservation, the independent lawyer, the NIE, the notary — all of that is unchanged. The Costa Blanca new build market is operating normally. Developers are selling. Prices continue to move upward as demand from international buyers remains strong.

If you have residency questions specific to your situation, we work with immigration lawyers who specialise in exactly these scenarios. We're not immigration advisers — that's their job. But we can make the right introduction and ensure the property and residency conversations happen in parallel rather than in sequence.

Browse our current new build properties on the Costa Blanca to see what's available now. Prices move. The properties that are right for your situation today may not be available in three months.

If you have a residency question or want to understand how buying fits into a broader relocation plan, we're happy to talk it through. No forms, no waiting — reach out in the chat and we'll point you in the right direction.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still buy property in Spain as a non-EU national?

Yes, without restriction. The Golden Visa abolition affected residency-by-investment, not property ownership. Any non-resident can purchase property in Spain regardless of nationality.

What happened to existing Golden Visa holders?

Existing holders are fully protected. Their residency status is valid and renewable under the original terms. The change only affects new applications for the property investment route made after April 2025.

What's the best residency option for someone who wants to retire to Spain?

The Non-Lucrative Visa is typically the right route for retirees with pension or investment income. It requires proof of sufficient passive income and private health insurance, but does not require employment in Spain.

Is the Golden Visa completely gone, or just the property route?

Only the real estate investment route was abolished. Other Golden Visa categories — including significant investments in Spanish company shares, government bonds, and bank deposits — remain available. An immigration lawyer can advise on which, if any, apply to your situation.

How does the 90-day rule affect my use of a Costa Blanca holiday home?

Non-EU nationals can spend up to 90 days in the Schengen Area within any rolling 180-day period. This applies whether you own property or not. If you want to spend more time in Spain, a Non-Lucrative Visa is the standard solution — and owning property significantly strengthens that application.