BRIDGES · Citizenship and residency programs

Spain GoldenVisa

Closed in 2025

The Spanish golden visa (residence by investment), closed in 2025; historically it granted residence for an investment in real estate from 500,000 euros.

closedsince 2025
€500kthe threshold was
replacementalternatives exist
  • 4 min read
  • Updated: July 2026
  • BRIDGES Research Team
In brief — 30 seconds
What it is
Spain’s golden visa — a residence permit by investment, closed in 2025
How it worked
A residence permit for investing in real estate from €500,000
Status now
The programme has ended; new applications are not accepted
What instead
Other Spanish visas and golden visas of other EU countries
Can you prepare
Yes: choose a current replacement for your goal

In plain words

The Spain Golden Visa is Spain’s “golden visa”, a residence by investment programme that was for many years one of the popular routes into the EU. The classic option was a residence permit for buying real estate in Spain worth €500,000 or more, with the right to live in the country and move freely within the Schengen area.

It is important to understand: in 2025 the programme was closed. Spain, like a number of other EU countries, wound down investment residence through real estate under pressure from rising housing prices and the European Union’s position against “golden visas”. New applications under this programme are no longer accepted, so it cannot be relied on in planning.

It is a clear example of why being up to date matters in investment migration: conditions and the programmes themselves change, and decisions must be based on the rules in force. For those who were considering Spain, we choose working alternatives — other Spanish visas (for remote workers, for example) or golden visas of other EU countries with a path to PR and citizenship.

What is considered instead

Spain’s digital nomad visa
Golden visas of other EU countries
Portugal’s ARI (funds, business)
Hungary’s Guest Investor programme
Paths to EU PR and citizenship
Planning under the current rules

What matters about the Spain Golden Visa

Status
  • Closed in 2025
  • New applications are not accepted
  • Not for planning
How it was
  • Real estate from €500,000
  • Residence by investment
  • Schengen freedom
Why it was closed
  • Rising housing prices
  • The EU’s position
  • A course against golden visas
Replacement
  • Other Spanish visas
  • EU golden visas
  • Current routes

What to do now

  1. 01Define the goal (EU, Schengen, passport)
  2. 02Set aside closed programmes
  3. 03Choose a current alternative
  4. 04Obtain a status that is in force
  5. 05Path to permanent residence and citizenship

What you need to know

  • The Spain Golden Visa is Spain’s residence permit by investment
  • The classic threshold was real estate from €500,000
  • The programme was closed in 2025
  • New applications are no longer accepted
  • Planning must be based on current alternatives

Common mistakes

  • Planning a move through a closed programme
  • Relying on outdated articles and offers
  • Assuming the real estate route still works
  • Not considering alternatives in Spain and the EU
  • Wasting time on options that are no longer current

What this means for a BRIDGES client

Spain’s golden visa was closed in 2025, and we do not build plans on programmes that no longer work. We examine your goal and choose a current alternative — other Spanish visas or golden visas of EU countries — with a real path to PR and citizenship. Planning under the current rules only.

Frequently asked questions

01 /Does Spain’s golden visa still work?

No. The programme was closed in 2025, and new applications are no longer accepted. A move cannot be planned through it.

02 /Why did Spain close the programme?

Because of rising housing prices and the EU’s general position against investment residence through real estate. A number of EU countries have wound down such programmes.

03 /What was the condition before?

The classic option was buying real estate in Spain from €500,000, which gave a residence permit with the right to live in the country and travel in the Schengen area.

04 /What replacement is there in Spain?

The digital nomad visa and other Spanish residence visas for those who want to live in the country. We choose a current route for your situation.

05 /Are there golden visas in other EU countries?

Yes — Portugal’s ARI (through funds and business) or Hungary’s Guest Investor, for example. We choose a programme in force for your goal.

06 /How can you avoid falling for an outdated option?

Rely only on the rules in force. We track changes and offer only working programmes, not closed ones.

See also

Read next

Anna Kovalevskaya
AuthorAnna KovalevskayaHead of Legal, BRIDGES
Sergey Evdokimov
Reviewed bySergey EvdokimovManaging Partner, BRIDGES
Updated
July 2026
Version
1.0
Scheduled review
January 2027
Back to glossary

Were you planning a Spanish golden visa?

The programme is closed — we will choose a working alternative in Spain or the EU for your goal, with a path to PR and a passport.

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