It is no secret the best visa in Spain is hands down a Golden Visa.
So much so, that the Spanish government was under huge pressure to put an end to them.
Spain ends its wildly popular Golden Visa program on the 3rd of April 2025.
You have until that day to apply for the best and most coveted visa.
Unbeknownst to you, if you bought a property in Spain on or after September 2013 you are eligible to qualify. It is important to note that Golden Visas work retroactively. If you already own a property in Spain, you may apply for one.
Anyone interested should apply right now, before April’s deadline.
This is your last chance to apply for a Golden Visa before the window of opportunity closes.
Golden Visas take under 3 weeks to attain through us.
For example, US nationals buying property anywhere in Spain could apply for it almost at no extra cost.
- What is a Golden Visa?
- Key benefits of a Golden Visa
- Requirements to attain a Golden Visa in Spain
- Golden Visa application procedure
- Golden Visa frequently asked questions
- Can I still apply for a Golden Visa?
- If I apply for a golden visa now, and the Spanish government phases them out in April, am I still entitled to renewals?
- What happens if I apply now for a Golden Visa, and the Spanish Immigration Office replies after the 3rd of April 2025?
- Can I work in Spain? Can my family work in Spain?
- Are Golden Visas retroactive?
- Can I live anywhere in Spain?
- Conclusion
What is a Golden Visa?
The Golden Visa is a residence permit granted to all non-European nationals on investing in Spain.
This visa allows applicants to live and work in Spain (optional).
It is initially granted for 3 years and then works on 5-year renewals.
It opens the path to permanent residency (after 5 years) and to Spanish nationality (after 10 years).
Key benefits of a Golden Visa
It offers multiple advantages which I cover extensively in my article: Golden Visa in Spain: 21 reasons to apply.
Spain’s Golden Visa offers several benefits, namely:
- Immediate residency. Allows you - and your family - to live and work in Spain, overriding the 90/180-day limitation.
- Freedom of movement in the European Union. Allows visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area (27 countries).
- Tax advantage: Unlike every other visa in Spain, the Golden Visa is the only one that does not automatically make you a tax resident in Spain on renewals. This is a unique trait of golden visas not shared by any other visa.
- Extended family included. Allows the possibility to include the applicants’ parents.
- Clear rules. Initially granted for 3 years, then renewable every 5 years.
Requirements to attain a Golden Visa in Spain
There are several paths to qualify for a Golden Visa:
- Real estate investment. Invest a minimum of €500,000 in real estate in one, or more, properties (this is hands down the least expensive option).
- Bank deposit. Deposit €1mn in a Spanish bank.
- Capital investment. Invest €1mn in shares of a Spanish publicly traded company.
- Invest in public debt. Invest a minimum of €2mn in Spanish Treasury bonds.
- Business project. Develop a business project in Spain that generates employment, has a significant socioeconomic impact, or involves scientific and technological advances.
Golden Visa application procedure
- Collate all the required documents
- Electronic visa application is submitted to Madrid
- Visa is granted in under 3 weeks through us
- Attain a biometric residency card
Golden Visa frequently asked questions
Can I still apply for a Golden Visa?
Yes, you still can.
You have until the 3rd of April 2025 to apply, hurry.
If I apply for a golden visa now, and the Spanish government phases them out in April, am I still entitled to renewals?
Yes, you are.
The fact that the Golden Visa program is being phased out does not preclude your statutory visa renewal rights, do not worry.
You may continue renewing the Golden Visa indefinitely for as long as you please.
What happens if I apply now for a Golden Visa, and the Spanish Immigration Office replies after the 3rd of April 2025?
Nothing happens.
As long as you apply now, before April’s deadline, your application will go through as normal, do not worry.
Madrid can, and will, reply to your Golden Visa application post-April’s deadline; it does not impact on your application in any way, do not worry.
Can I work in Spain? Can my family work in Spain?
In short, yes.
A Golden Visa is one of the few visas that allows you, and your family, to work in Spain (optional).
Are Golden Visas retroactive?
Indeed, they are.
If you bought a property in Spain, on or after the 29th of September 2013, you may qualify.
Can I live anywhere in Spain?
Yes, anywhere you choose:
- Barcelona
- Costa del Sol
- Granada
- Madrid
- Malaga
- Mallorca
- Seville
- Sotogrande
- ...so many great places to choose from.
Conclusion
There are several visas you can apply for if you plan to move to Spain.
We offer a full summary in our Idealista article: Moving to Spain in 2025? Spanish visa overview.
However, the king of all visas is the Golden Visa.
It is by far the most privileged visa one can attain in Spain.
Which explains why the government was under huge political pressure to suppress them.
Our multidisciplinary team at Larrain Nesbitt Abogados (LNA) has attained over one thousand visas over the last decade for our non-EU clients and their families.
At LNA we get you a golden visa in under three weeks.
Take advantage of Golden Visas while they last, apply today!
Your family’s success is only one call away.
LNA has a 100% track record of attaining Spanish visa & residency permits since 2013. We have assisted over one thousand satisfied visa clients and their families.
At Larrain Nesbitt Abogados (LNA) we have over 22 years of experience specializing in taxation, and property conveyance. We also assist clients with immigration & residency visas and inheritance procedures (probate). You can contact us by e-mail at info@larrainnesbitt.com, by telephone on our UK line (+44) 0754 3838 218 or Spanish line (+34) 952 19 22 88, or by completing our contact form.
Please note the information provided in this article is of general interest only and is not to be construed or intended as substitute for professional legal advice. This article may be posted freely in websites or other social media so long as the author is duly credited. Plagiarizing, whether in whole or in part, this article without crediting the author may result in criminal prosecution. Ní neart go cur le chéile. Voluntas omnia vincit.
Larraín Nesbitt Abogados, small on fees, BIG on service.
2025© Raymundo Larraín Nesbitt. All Rights Reserved.
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