Alicante Lawyers

Golden Visa Spain 2026

Legal advice for investor residence renewals in Spain

Spain no longer accepts new Golden Visa applications. The investor residence regime was abolished from 3 April 2025, after Organic Law 1/2025 left Articles 63 to 67 of Law 14/2013 without content. Applications submitted before the cut-off date and existing investor residence permits may still be protected under transitional rules.

Pellicer & Heredia advises international investors on Golden Visa renewals, investment changes, property planning and alternative Spanish residence routes.

Reviewed by Pedro Heredia Ortiz , International Tax Lawyer at Pellicer & Heredia firm

  • Bar Association no. 5954
  • Languages: English and Spanish
  • Last updated: Jun 2026

Do you want to renew your Golden Visa in Spain with complete legal certainty?

We will review your investment and your administrative status, advise you on the current requirements following the program’s abolition, and guide you through the process of renewing or adjusting your residency, ensuring legal compliance and maximum security at every step.

In which country do you currently reside?

The Spanish Golden Visa after 3 April 2025

The Spanish Golden Visa was a residence route for non-EU investors who made a significant investment in Spain. The best-known route was the purchase of Spanish real estate worth at least €500,000 free of mortgage or charges for the minimum required amount. Other routes included public debt, shares in Spanish companies, investment funds, bank deposits and business projects of general interest.

This regime is no longer available for new applications. Since 3 April 2025, new investors cannot obtain Spanish residence simply by making one of those investments. However, the end of the programme does not mean that every existing Golden Visa holder loses their status. Transitional rules must be reviewed carefully, especially where the investor already held a valid visa or residence authorisation, or where the application was filed before the legal cut-off date.

For this reason, the key question in 2026 is not only whether the Golden Visa exists, but whether your specific case is protected, renewable or better redirected to another Spanish immigration route.

Key facts for existing Golden Visa holders

Question
Current position in 2026

Are new Golden Visa applications accepted?

No. Spain ended the investor residence regime from 3 April 2025.

What law changed the regime?

Organic Law 1/2025 modified Law 14/2013 and left Articles 63 to 67 without content.

What happens to applications filed before the cut-off date?

They may be processed under the rules in force on the filing date.

Do valid investor permits automatically disappear?

No. Valid permits keep their validity for the period for which they were issued.

Can existing holders renew?

Renewal may be possible under transitional rules and must be analysed case by case.

Was the €500,000 property route still available after 3 April 2025?

No, for new applications. The figure is now mainly relevant for historical cases and renewals.

Does owning property in Spain still help?

Property ownership can support relocation and tax planning, but it no longer creates a new Golden Visa right by itself.

Can family members be affected?

Yes. Spouses, partners, children and dependent relatives should be reviewed together with the main investor.

Does Golden Visa status equal tax residence?

No. Tax residence depends mainly on actual presence, centre of interests and treaty analysis.

Who can still renew a Spanish Golden Visa?

A renewal may still be possible where the investor already holds a valid investor visa or residence authorisation and continues to comply with the conditions that justified the original approval. This usually means proving that the qualifying investment still exists, that the applicant continues to meet the general immigration requirements and that any family members included in the file remain properly documented. The renewal strategy depends on the original investment route. A property investor will normally need updated Land Registry evidence. A financial investor may need certificates from the Bank of Spain, the financial institution, the fund manager or the relevant registry. If the investment has changed, the new position should be reviewed before filing anything, because the renewal must be aligned with the rules applicable to the initial authorisation and the transitional regime. Pellicer & Heredia can review whether your Golden Visa file is still renewable, whether the investment evidence is sufficient and whether another residence option is safer before your current card expires.

How to renew your Golden Visa in Spain step by step

Step 1 - Confirm your legal scenario

First, confirm whether you are an existing Golden Visa holder, a family member of an investor, an applicant who filed before 3 April 2025, or an investor who is now looking for an alternative route. This distinction is essential because new Golden Visa applications and protected legacy cases are not treated in the same way.

Step 2 - Review the original investment

Check the investment used for the original approval. For real estate, this normally means verifying ownership, charges, sale agreements, mortgage structure and Land Registry records. For financial routes, the relevant certificates must prove that the qualifying investment still exists and is held by the investor.

Step 3 - Check personal and family requirements

The main investor and included family members should review passport validity, residence card expiry dates, health insurance, economic means, address, civil status documents and dependency evidence where relevant. Family files often fail because one dependent’s documentation is incomplete or no longer reflects the current family situation.

Step 4 - Prepare updated evidence

Before submitting a renewal, gather updated official documents. Depending on the case, this may include Land Registry certificates, bank or investment certificates, proof of continued ownership, health insurance, proof of sufficient resources, passport copies, TIE cards and documents proving family relationship or dependency.

Step 5 - File the renewal application

The renewal must be filed through the correct administrative route and within the applicable timeframe. The file should explain clearly why the case is protected under the transitional regime and why the investor still complies with the conditions that led to the original authorisation.

Step 6 - Respond to official requests

If the administration requests additional information, the response should be precise, documented and consistent with the original basis of approval. Generic explanations are risky in legacy Golden Visa cases because the authorities will focus on whether the transitional conditions are still met.

Step 7 - Renew the TIE card

After the residence authorisation is renewed, the investor and family members may need to update their TIE cards at the National Police. This stage should be coordinated with travel plans, passport validity and any change of address in Spain.

Step 8 - Plan the next legal step

A Golden Visa renewal should not be treated as an isolated formality. Investors should also review tax residence, property ownership, wealth tax exposure, succession planning, rental income, future sale of the property and possible long-term residence or citizenship planning.

What happens if you sell or change the investment?

Selling, refinancing or restructuring the investment can affect your Golden Visa renewal. If the original residence authorisation was based on a property purchase, the sale of that property before securing an alternative qualifying position may create a renewal risk. If the investment is replaced, the new structure must be documented and reviewed before the renewal is filed.

The safest approach is to request legal advice before signing the sale, transferring ownership, changing a company structure or moving funds. A transaction that is valid from a property or tax perspective may still create an immigration issue if it breaks the link between the original authorisation and the qualifying investment.

Pellicer & Heredia can coordinate the immigration, conveyancing and tax review so that the investment decision does not accidentally damage the residence position of the investor or their family.

Golden Visa alternatives in Spain

The end of the Golden Visa does not mean that non-EU citizens have no route to live in Spain. The correct alternative depends on whether the applicant wants to work remotely, retire, invest, run a business, join a Spanish employer, study or simply maintain property in Spain while remaining non-resident.

Non-Lucrative Visa

The Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa may be suitable for retirees and applicants who can live in Spain without working. It is often the closest alternative for former Golden Visa prospects whose goal is lifestyle, family relocation or long-term residence rather than active employment. The main difference is that the NLV requires passive income or sufficient resources and does not allow work activity.

Digital Nomad Visa

The Spanish Digital Nomad Visa may be suitable for remote employees, freelancers and company owners who work mainly for clients or employers outside Spain. It can be especially relevant for US, Canadian, UK and European non-EU professionals who originally considered property investment but actually need a work-compatible residence route.

Highly Qualified Professional Permit

This route may be appropriate where a Spanish company hires a senior professional or specialist. It is not a passive investment route, but it can be a strong option for executives, directors and technical professionals relocating to Spain for a qualified role.

Entrepreneur or business project route

Some investors may be better served by a business route if they intend to launch a project in Spain with innovation, job creation or clear economic impact. This option requires a real business plan and should not be treated as a substitute for passive property investment.

Property purchase without residence

Foreign buyers can still purchase property in Spain. What changed is that the purchase no longer grants a new Golden Visa by itself. Buyers should still obtain a NIE, review the property legally, plan taxes and decide whether they will remain non-resident or apply for a separate residence route.

Tax and property planning for investor residents

Golden Visa status and Spanish tax residence are different concepts. A person may hold a residence permit and still need a separate tax analysis based on days spent in Spain, centre of economic interests, family situation and any applicable double taxation treaty. Spending more than 183 days in Spain during a calendar year is one of the main triggers, but it is not the only factor that matters.

Existing Golden Visa holders should review Spanish tax exposure before renewing, selling property, renting a home, moving investment income to Spain or becoming long-term residents. Common issues include rental income tax, non-resident tax, capital gains tax on sale, wealth tax, the Solidarity Tax for large fortunes, inheritance tax and foreign asset reporting obligations such as Form 720 if the person becomes Spanish tax resident.

For high-net-worth families, the best decision is usually not only an immigration decision. It is a combined residence, property, tax and estate planning decision.

Common mistakes after the Golden Visa abolition

  • Assuming that the Golden Visa is still open because old articles, videos or agency pages remain online.
  • Using the €500,000 property threshold as if it still created a new residence right after 3 April 2025.
  • Selling the original property before checking the effect on renewal.
  • Preparing a renewal with outdated certificates or incomplete family documents.
  • Confusing minimum presence for Golden Visa renewal with the residence periods required for long-term residence or citizenship.
  • Ignoring Spanish tax consequences because the original permit was obtained through investment.
  • Waiting until the TIE is about to expire before reviewing the file.
  • Choosing an alternative visa without checking work activity, income source, tax residence and family needs.

Why Pellicer & Heredia for Golden Visa renewals and alternatives?

Pellicer & Heredia is a Spanish law firm based in Alicante with more than 20 years of experience advising international clients on immigration, property, tax and inheritance matters in Spain. This combination is especially important for Golden Visa holders because their legal needs rarely fit into one isolated category.

Our team can review the original investment, prepare the renewal strategy, coordinate property evidence, advise on tax residence, plan the sale or transfer of assets and identify the most appropriate alternative route when the Golden Visa is no longer available for a new application.

If you already hold a Golden Visa, filed an application before the cut-off date or were planning to buy property in Spain as a route to residence, we can assess your options before you make a decision that may affect your legal status.

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Spain no longer accepts new Golden Visa applications. The investor residence regime ended from 3 April 2025, after Organic Law 1/2025 modified Law 14/2013 and left Articles 63 to 67 without content. If you had already filed an application before the cut-off date or already hold a valid investor permit, your case may still be protected by transitional rules and should be reviewed individually.

Spain ended the Golden Visa as part of a wider political and legal change affecting residence by investment. The real estate route was especially controversial because it allowed non-EU investors to obtain residence through property purchases of at least €500,000. The current legal position is that new residence rights can no longer be created through that investor regime, although transitional cases and renewals may still exist.

No. Foreign buyers can still purchase property in Spain, but the purchase no longer creates a new Golden Visa right. Property ownership may be relevant for lifestyle, investment, tax and relocation planning, but a non-EU buyer who wants to live in Spain must now consider another residence route, such as the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, work permit, entrepreneur route or family-based option.

If you already hold a valid Golden Visa or investor residence authorisation, the end of the programme does not automatically cancel your status. Valid permits keep their validity for the period for which they were issued. The important question is whether your permit can be renewed under the transitional rules and whether you still meet the conditions that justified the original approval.

Renewal may still be possible for existing holders, but the file must be reviewed carefully. The authorities will normally expect proof that the original qualifying investment is still valid and that the applicant continues to meet the general requirements. If the investment, family situation, passport, health insurance or residence card has changed, legal advice is recommended before filing the renewal.

The documents depend on the original investment route. Property investors usually need updated Land Registry evidence and proof that the qualifying investment remains in place. Financial investors may need certificates from banks, investment entities, registries or the Bank of Spain. The file may also require passports, TIE cards, health insurance, proof of resources and updated family documents for dependents.

Golden Visa renewals historically required a much lighter physical presence than other residence routes, but long-term residence and citizenship have stricter residence requirements. Existing holders should distinguish between maintaining or renewing an investor permit and building a path to permanent residence or Spanish nationality. The strategy should be checked before assuming that occasional visits are enough for every future objective.

Family members included under the investor residence file may be able to renew with the main investor if the family relationship and dependency conditions still apply. Spouses, registered partners, minor children, dependent adult children and dependent parents may require updated documents. A family renewal should be prepared as a coordinated file, not as separate isolated applications.

Selling the property used for the original Golden Visa can create a renewal risk if the residence authorisation still depends on that investment. Before selling, you should check whether you already have long-term residence, whether another qualifying investment exists, whether the family file is affected and whether an alternative immigration route is safer. The sale should be coordinated with immigration and tax advice.

A change of investment may be possible in some legacy cases, but it must be documented correctly and reviewed before the renewal is filed. The key issue is whether the new position continues to satisfy the legal basis of the original authorisation and the transitional rules. Investors should avoid moving funds, selling assets or changing ownership structures without prior legal review.

Renting out the property does not usually invalidate the investor residence status by itself, provided that the qualifying ownership and investment conditions remain in place. However, rental income creates Spanish tax obligations, especially for non-resident owners. The immigration position and the tax position should be reviewed together, particularly if the property is rented regularly or through tourist rental platforms.

Under the former real estate route, the minimum required investment of €500,000 had to be free of mortgage, charges or encumbrances. Financing could only affect the part of the price above the required threshold. For new applications this route is no longer available, but this rule can still matter when analysing historical files, renewals and investment evidence.

The best alternative depends on why you want to move to Spain. Retirees and passive income applicants often consider the Non-Lucrative Visa. Remote workers may be better suited to the Digital Nomad Visa. Executives may need a Highly Qualified Professional permit. Investors launching an active project may consider an entrepreneur route. A legal review should compare residence rights, work permission, family needs and tax impact.

The Non-Lucrative Visa can be a strong alternative for retirees and financially independent applicants who do not need to work in Spain. It is not identical to the Golden Visa because it has different income, stay and renewal requirements, and it does not allow work activity. It is usually best for applicants who want to live in Spain using passive income, savings or pensions.

For remote workers, freelancers and international business owners, the Digital Nomad Visa may now be more useful than the former Golden Visa because it is designed for remote work from Spain. It can also interact with tax planning, including possible Beckham Law analysis. However, it is not suitable for purely passive investors who do not perform qualifying remote work.

Yes. Non-EU investors can still buy property, invest in companies, open bank accounts, launch businesses and manage assets in Spain, subject to the applicable legal and tax rules. What changed is the immigration effect of the investment. Investment alone no longer creates a new Golden Visa right, so residence planning must be handled separately.

Not automatically. Spanish tax residence depends on factual and legal criteria, including the number of days spent in Spain, the centre of economic interests, family situation and any applicable double taxation treaty. A Golden Visa holder who spends limited time in Spain may remain non-resident, while a holder who lives in Spain most of the year may become Spanish tax resident.

Yes. Property ownership can create Spanish tax obligations even if the owner is not tax resident in Spain. Non-resident owners may have to file annual non-resident tax returns, report rental income and pay local property taxes. If the property is sold, capital gains tax and other transaction costs may apply. Tax planning should be reviewed before renting or selling.

A valid Spanish residence card generally allows travel within the Schengen Area under the applicable Schengen rules. However, investors should check passport validity, TIE validity, renewal timing and travel plans before leaving Spain. Pending renewals, expired cards or changes in family status can create practical travel issues.

A Golden Visa may form part of a long-term residence strategy, but permanent residence and citizenship require more than simply holding the permit. Continuous residence, actual presence, legal status, integration requirements and nationality rules must be reviewed. Investors who only visit Spain occasionally may be able to renew a legacy permit but may not be building the residence record needed for long-term residence or citizenship.

This depends on your current status, investment, family situation, work activity, tax residence and future plans. Renewal may be the safest route if you are clearly protected by transitional rules and the investment remains valid. Switching may be better if you sold the investment, need to work remotely, want a clearer long-term residence path or no longer fit the investor route.

Request a Golden Visa status review

If you hold a Spanish Golden Visa, your card is close to expiry, your investment has changed or you were planning to apply through property investment, contact Pellicer & Heredia before taking the next step. We will review your case, confirm whether transitional rules may protect your position and advise you on renewal or alternative residence options in Spain.

Request your Golden Visa status review