Spain's Golden Visa Program Has Been Canceled: What Options for Legal Residency Are Available in 2026?

Spain no longer grants residency based on the purchase of real estate or other large investments; however, alternative pathways to legal residency are available to foreigners. Learn more about six ways to obtain residency in Spain in 2026, including their financial requirements, processing times, and restrictions

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As of April 3, 2025, Spain has completely discontinued its “golden visa” program. It is no longer possible to obtain residency through the purchase of real estate valued at 500,000 euros or more, a bank deposit, government bonds, or any other type of investment provided for by the program. The decision applies to all investment routes, not just residential property transactions, as confirmed by an official announcement from the Spanish government.

At the same time, the abolition of the Golden Visa has not closed the door for foreigners to legally reside in the country. Starting in 2026, residency status can be obtained based on remote work, sufficient savings, employment, entrepreneurial activity, long-term stay, or study. Each option has its own requirements regarding income, documentation, work permits, and duration of stay.

Are you planning to move to Spain or do you want to legalize your stay?

An immigration lawyer from the Visit World portal will analyze your situation, advise you on available options for obtaining legal status, and guide you through every step of the process.

Spain’s Golden Visa Has Been Abolished: What Has Changed Since April 3, 2025

Spain introduced the investment residency program in 2013 to attract foreign capital. It allowed citizens of non-EU countries to obtain a residence permit without the standard requirements for employment, running a business, or long-term residence in the country.

According to the Spanish government, between 2013 and 2023, the country issued 14,576 Golden Visas linked to real estate investments. Residential property purchases accounted for 94 out of every 100 permits issued under the program. About 90% of all investment properties were concentrated in Barcelona, Madrid, Málaga, Alicante, the Balearic Islands, and Valencia.

In some popular cities, the share of such transactions became particularly significant. In 2023, real estate purchases under the investment program accounted for 7.1% of all residential transactions in Marbella, 5.3% in Barcelona, and up to 10% in certain municipalities of the Balearic Islands. Spanish authorities linked the program to additional pressure on markets that were already experiencing a shortage of supply and high prices.

Organic Law 1/2025 suspended all pathways provided for under the program:

- Purchase of real estate valued at 500,000 euros or more

- Investments of at least 1 million euros in shares of Spanish companies or bank deposits

- Purchase of government bonds worth at least 2 million euros

- Financing of business projects intended to create jobs or serve the country’s economic interests

Therefore, as of 2026, it will be impossible to obtain a Spanish Golden Visa regardless of the amount or type of investment. The repeal applies not only to the purchase of residential property but to the entire investor residency program.

What will happen to Golden Visas that have already been issued?

Existing permits have not been automatically revoked: they remain valid until the expiration date specified therein. Holders may also apply for renewal under the rules in effect at the time the initial permit was granted, provided they continue to meet the established requirements, including maintaining the relevant investment.

Applications submitted before April 3, 2025, were processed under the previous rules. However, new applications after that date will no longer be accepted. This is explicitly provided for in the transitional provisions of Ley Orgánica 1/2025.

In our previous article, we discussed labor market trends in Spain: requirements and ways to obtain a work visa.

Alternative 1. Digital Nomad Visa in Spain: Requirements for 2026

The Digital Nomad Visa is available to citizens of non-EU countries who work remotely for a foreign employer or provide professional services to international clients. Spain introduced this pathway as part of the Startup Law to attract remote workers, IT professionals, consultants, and other specialists whose work is not tied to a specific country.

Employees are not permitted to work for Spanish companies. Self-employed professionals and freelancers may collaborate with clients in Spain, but income from such activities must not exceed 20% of their total professional income.

What income must be verified?

The primary applicant must have an income of at least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage (SMI). In 2026, the SMI is 1,221 euros per month in 14 payments, or 17,094 euros per year, according to Real Decreto 126/2026.

Based on this annual figure, the minimum income for a digital nomad is:

- Approximately 2,849 euros per month for the primary applicant

- An additional approximately 1,068 euros per month for the second family member

- An additional approximately 356 euros per month for each subsequent dependent

Therefore, a childless couple must demonstrate approximately 3,917 euros in monthly income, while a family of two adults and one child must demonstrate approximately 4,273 euros.

Key Requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa

In addition to sufficient income, the applicant must demonstrate the stability of their remote work and relevant professional qualifications.

The main requirements include:

- Collaboration with a foreign company or client for at least three months prior to submitting the application

- The company must have been actively operating for at least one year

- Employer’s authorization to work remotely from Spain

- A degree from a university or vocational school, or at least three years of professional experience in the relevant field

- Health insurance with coverage in Spain

- No criminal record

- Compliance with registration requirements and contributions to the social security system

The official requirements and list of documents are published by the UGE division of the Spanish Ministry of Migration.

For how long is the permit issued?

When applying through a consulate outside of Spain, the applicant receives a visa valid for up to one year. If a foreign national is legally residing in Spain, they may apply directly for a three-year residence permit. This permit may subsequently be extended for another two years, provided the grounds for remote work remain valid.

Applications for a permit submitted from within Spain are reviewed by the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos. The statutory deadline for a decision is 20 business days. After five years of continuous legal residence, the applicant may qualify for long-term residency.

A separate benefit may be the special tax regime for employees who have moved to Spain, known as the “Beckham Law.” If the conditions are met, a 24% tax rate may apply to Spanish employment income up to 600,000 euros during the year of relocation and the following five tax years. However, this regime is not granted automatically, and for ordinary freelancers, the ability to use it is significantly limited.

Read more about the Digital Nomad Visa in Spain 2026 in this article.

Alternative 2. Non-lucrative residency in Spain: how much money is required in 2026

Non-lucrative residency, or residencia no lucrativa, is suitable for people with savings or a stable passive income who do not plan to work in Spain. The application is submitted through the Spanish consulate in the country of legal residence.

Financial Requirements

The main applicant must demonstrate funds equal to 400% of the IPREM, and an additional 100% of the IPREM must be added for each family member. In 2026, the IPREM remains at 600 euros per month.

The minimum amounts are:

- 28,800 euros per year for the principal applicant

- an additional 7,200 euros per year for each family member

- 36,000 euros for a married couple

- 43,200 euros for a family of two adults and one child

Financial capacity can be proven through bank statements, deposits, pensions, dividends, rental income, or other legal sources. The current amounts for 2026 are provided by the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Conditions and Terms

This permit does not grant the right to work in Spain as an employee or as a self-employed individual. You should also not treat it as a standard visa for remote work: the Digital Nomad Visa is intended for such activities.

The initial residence permit is issued for one year and can then be extended for two years. To renew it, you must:

- Maintain health insurance and sufficient funds

- Prove you have 57,600 euros for the primary applicant and 14,400 euros for each family member for the next two years

- Actually reside in Spain for more than 183 days during the calendar year

- Ensure that minor children of compulsory school age attend school

After five years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for long-term residency. The official rules for application and renewal are established by Real Decreto 1155/2024.

About free housing in Spain for expats — read more at the link.

Alternative 3. Entrepreneur Visa in Spain: For Which Business Projects Is It Granted?

The entrepreneur visa is intended for founders of innovative projects that are of economic interest to Spain. The law does not set a fixed minimum investment amount; however, the applicant must demonstrate the viability and potential of the business.

The opinion of the state-owned company ENISA plays a key role. The following factors are considered during the evaluation:

- The founder’s professional experience and qualifications

- The innovativeness of the product, service, or business model

- The scalability of the project

- Market and competitor analysis

- Financial plan and sources of funding

- Potential for job creation

- Economic benefits for Spain

- Use of technology and intellectual property

A typical restaurant, store, beauty salon, or local service company without an innovative component generally does not qualify for this route. For such projects, the standard residency program for the self-employed—cuenta propia—is more appropriate.

How do you apply for the permit?

The application is submitted electronically to the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE). Afterward, the UGE independently requests the mandatory opinion on the business project from ENISA. ENISA must provide this opinion within 10 business days, as stipulated by the official guidelines of the Ministry of Migration.

In addition to the business plan, the applicant must confirm:

- No criminal record

- Sufficient funds to cover living expenses

- Public or private health insurance

- Compliance with the requirements to start the relevant business activity

- Registration with and payment of contributions to the social security system after launching the business

The residence permit is issued for three years with the right to conduct business activities throughout Spain. Upon expiration, it can be renewed for another two years if the project remains operational and continues to meet the initial conditions. After five years of legal residence, you may apply for long-term residency.

Alternative 4. Work Residence in Spain: Employment or Self-Employment

You can obtain residence through an employment contract with a company in Spain or by registering as a self-employed individual. These routes do not require an innovative project or significant capital, but the applicant must have a real job or a viable business plan.

Residency through employment – cuenta ajena

The application is submitted by the Spanish employer, not the prospective employee. The company must provide a signed contract, confirm its financial capacity, and have no outstanding debts to tax authorities or the social security system.

The situation on the national labor market remains a key factor. It is easier to hire a candidate from a non-EU country if:

- The profession is listed in the SEPE catalog of shortage occupations

- The employer has demonstrated that they were unable to find a candidate on the domestic market

- The applicant qualifies for a statutory exception

- The candidate is a citizen of Chile or Peru, for whom international agreements apply

The initial permit corresponds to the duration of employment but may not exceed one year. It is typically limited to a specific profession and autonomous community. Detailed requirements are available on the website of the Spanish Ministry of Migration.

Residence for the Self-Employed – cuenta propia

This option allows you to start a regular business or work as an autónomo.

Unlike the entrepreneur visa, there is no requirement to demonstrate the project’s innovative nature.

The applicant must provide a business plan, proof of sufficient investment, professional qualifications or experience, as well as the necessary licenses and permits. There is no fixed minimum capital requirement: the amount depends on the type of activity and projected expenses.

The initial permit is issued for one year. It is limited to a specific autonomous community and sector of activity. The official list of requirements is availableon the Ministry of Migration’s portal.

After the first year, both types of permits can be renewed for four years. A renewed residence permit allows you to work either as an employee or as a self-employed individual in any region of Spain. After five years of legal residence, you can apply for long-term residency.

In our previous article, we discussed taxes in Spain in 2026: how much employees, entrepreneurs, and property owners pay.

Alternative 5. Arraigo in Spain: Legalization After Residing in the Country

Arraigo allows people who are already in Spain and have employment, family, social, or educational grounds for legalization to obtain residency. Following the entry into force of the new immigration regulations on May 20, 2025, the required period of residence for most types of arraigo was reduced from three to two years.

During these two years, the total duration of absences from Spain must not exceed 90 days. Residency must be confirmed with documents such as empadronamiento registration, medical records, municipal certificates, or other official documents.

In 2026, there are five main types of arraigo:

1. Arraigo sociolaboral. You must have lived in Spain for two years and provide one or more employment contracts with a total of at least 20 hours of work per week. The salary must meet the SMI or the sectoral collective bargaining agreement in proportion to the hours worked.

2. Social arraigo. Two years of residence are required, along with family ties to a foreign national legally residing in Spain, or a positive report on social integration. If a relative is present, financial resources must be confirmed at 200% of the IPREM for both the relative and the applicant, i.e., 1,200 euros per month in 2026.

3. Socio-educational integration. After two years of residence, the applicant must enroll in or commit to enrolling in vocational training as required by law. The applicant is permitted to work as an employee for up to 30 hours per week.

4. Second-Chance Integration. Intended for individuals who held a regular residence permit during the previous two years but were unable to renew it for reasons unrelated to public order, security, or public health.

5. Family-based residence permit (Arraigo familiar). Available, in particular, to parents or guardians of a minor who is a citizen of another EU member state, the EEA, or Switzerland. There is no minimum prior residence requirement.

A standard residence permit under the “arraigo” category is issued for one year and grants the right to work. The exception is the family-based residence permit (arraigo familiar), which is valid for five years.

For the socioformativo permit, the right to work is limited to 30 hours per week.

Incidentally, Spain has been named the best country in Europe for real estate investment for the first time.

6. Studying in Spain as a Path to Subsequent Residency

A study permit is legally classified as an autorización de estancia, not as a standard residence permit. It allows you to stay in Spain legally while studying and, after receiving your degree, to transition to work or entrepreneurial status.

In 2024, Spain issued 118,947 study permits—a 93% increase from 2014. According to data from the Ministry of Migration, 68% of the permits were related to higher education, and 53% of students chose Madrid or Barcelona.

Basic Requirements for a Student Permit

The applicant must be enrolled in a full-time or hybrid program at a recognized educational institution and pay the registration fee or tuition.

The applicant must also demonstrate:

- At least 600 euros per month, or 100% of the IPREM, excluding tuition costs

- An additional 450 euros per month for the first family member

- 300 euros per month for each subsequent family member

- Health insurance

- No criminal record, if the stay exceeds six months

For higher education programs, the permit may remain valid for the entire official duration of the program. Students are entitled to work as employees or self-employed individuals for up to 30 hours per week, provided the work is compatible with their academic schedule. Students at higher education institutions do not need to apply separately for a work permit. Current requirements are published on Spain’s official immigration portal.

What to Do After Graduation?

Graduates can immediately change their student status to an employment-based residence permit or a self-employment residence permit if they meet the relevant requirements. Another option is to apply for a 24-month permit to seek employment in their field of study or to develop a business project.

An important restriction: during these 24 months, the job-search permit itself does not grant the right to work. After receiving a suitable job offer, you must separately switch to a work residence permit. Student status should also not be automatically equated with the five years of ordinary residence required to apply for a national long-term residence permit.

What to Check Before Submitting Documents for Spanish Residency?

Following the abolition of the “golden visa,” the purchase of real estate alone no longer grants the right to residency. The applicant must select a separate legal basis and substantiate it with supporting documents.

Before submitting your application, you should verify:

- Whether you are permitted to apply from within Spain or must submit your application through a consulate

- What income or savings amount must be verified as of the application date

- Does the chosen status grant the right to work

- Are an apostille and a certified translation of foreign documents required

- How will residency affect tax status and social security contributions

- Does the period of stay count toward the five-year requirement for long-term residency

- When should you submit documents to renew or change your status?

The SMI and IPREM financial thresholds are subject to change, and consulates sometimes impose additional requirements regarding the format of bank statements, insurance, and proof of income. Therefore, you should verify the final set of documents against the official regulations immediately before submission.

Spain’s immigration laws are changing, and it can be difficult to navigate the new opportunities on your own. On the Visit World portal, you can consult with an immigration lawyer who will help you assess your chances of legalization, choose the best path forward, and prepare the necessary documents.

Book a consultation to get a personalized strategy for immigrating to Spain!

Reminder! We previously reported that Spain is tightening rules for tourists in 2026.

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