Golden Visa Spain Ended: What Happened and the Best Alternatives in 2026

Last updated: August 2026

Spain's Golden Visa is no longer available to new applicants.

The Spain Golden Visa program officially ended on April 3, 2025, when Spain repealed the legal provisions governing residence permits for investors, through a final provision of Organic Law 1/2025. The closure did not apply only to the famous €500,000 property route: all of the former investor routes were abolished for new applications, including qualifying investments in Spanish financial assets and public debt.

This means that, in 2026, buying a €500,000, €1 million or even €2 million property in Spain does not give a non-EU national a right to Spanish residency.

However, moving to Spain is still possible. Depending on your circumstances, the main alternatives include the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, employment-based residence permits and the Entrepreneur residence route.

This guide explains:

• •
  when and why the Spanish Golden Visa ended;
• •
  what the old Spain Golden Visa requirements were;
• •
  what happens to existing Golden Visa holders;
• •
  whether buying Spanish property can still help with residency;
• •
  which residence routes have replaced the Golden Visa in practice;
• •
  the 2026 financial requirements for the main alternatives; and
• •
  what foreign property buyers still need, including an NIE and, in many cases, a Spanish bank account.

This guide mainly concerns non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals. EU/EEA/Swiss citizens generally rely on European free-movement rules rather than the visa categories discussed below.

Is Spain's Golden Visa Still Available in 2026?

No.

The Golden Visa in Spain is permanently closed to new applicants under the current legislation.

Spain removed Articles 63 to 67 of Law 14/2013, the provisions that established:

• •
  investor residence visas;
• •
  the definition of qualifying investments;
• •
  proof of investment requirements;
• •
  investor residence authorizations; and
• •
  renewal rules for investors.

The repeal took effect on April 3, 2025.

The Spanish government presented the closure of the Golden Visa primarily as a measure driven by concerns over rising housing costs.

This is important because some older articles suggest that Spain merely abolished the property-based Golden Visa while leaving alternative investor routes available. That is incorrect.

Spain abolished the investor residence category itself. You cannot obtain a new Golden Visa in 2026 by replacing a €500,000 property purchase with €1 million in Spanish shares, a €1 million bank deposit or €2 million in public debt.

When the Spanish Golden Visa Ended

The legal reform was contained in a final provision of Organic Law 1/2025, published in Spain's Official State Gazette (BOE) in January 2025.

The repeal became effective three months later, on:

April 3, 2025.

From that date, the investor provisions in Law 14/2013 ceased to provide a basis for new applications.

The Spanish Government presented the reform primarily as a housing-policy measure. Property had become overwhelmingly the dominant form of qualifying investment under the program.

According to figures presented by the Spanish Government in 2024, 14,576 Golden Visas linked to real-estate investment had been granted between 2013 and 2023. Around 90% were concentrated in six areas:

• •
  Barcelona;
• •
  Madrid;
• •
  Málaga;
• •
  Alicante;
• •
  the Balearic Islands; and
• •
  Valencia.

The Government argued that residence-by-property-investment was contributing to additional pressure in areas already facing high housing demand and constrained supply.

Although housing was central to the political debate, the final reform went further than eliminating the real-estate option: the remaining investment routes were abolished as well.

Why Old Golden Visa Guides Are Now Outdated

There is still a substantial amount of outdated information online about the Spanish Golden Visa.

You may still find pages explaining:

"Buy €500,000 of property in Spain and obtain residency."

That route no longer exists for new applicants.

Other outdated guides still describe:

• •
  a €1 million financial-investment route;
• •
  a €2 million route via Spanish government bonds;
• •
  applications based on a Spain investment visa or other residency by investment routes;
• •
  "Spain Golden Visa requirements" as though they were still current;
• •
  a "Spain Golden Passport";
• •
  old permit durations; or
• •
  old renewal arrangements.

There is another source of confusion: the rules changed several times while the program was operating.

For example, by the final version of the program before its abolition, an initial investor residence authorization was generally valid for three years, followed by potential renewals for successive five-year periods, provided the relevant conditions remained satisfied.

Earlier versions of the program used shorter authorizations, including a previously reported two-year structure.

What Was the Spain Golden Visa?

The Spain Golden Visa programme was introduced in 2013 through Law 14/2013 on support for entrepreneurs and internationalization, creating a residency by investment route for qualifying non-EU citizens.

It created a preferential immigration framework for qualifying non-EU investors making a "significant capital investment" in Spain.

Depending on the type and stage of the application, qualifying investors could obtain an investor visa or investor residence authorization.

One of the major attractions of the program was that investor status was not simply a non-working residence permit. Under the legislation applicable before the closure, the investor visa authorized its holder to reside and work in Spain during its validity.

The route could also accommodate qualifying immediate family members under the rules then in force.

However, it is important to distinguish the former Golden Visa from citizenship. It was widely marketed to international investors seeking residency in Spain.

Was There a Spain Golden Passport?

No.

The expressions "Spain Golden Passport" and "Golden Passport Spain" are misleading.

Spain operated a residence-by-investment program, not a direct citizenship-by-investment program.

A qualifying investment could provide residence rights under the former scheme. It did not allow someone to purchase Spanish citizenship or immediately obtain a Spanish passport. Only a period of legal residency could eventually allow someone to apply for Spanish citizenship. The program did not grant Spanish citizenship directly and was not citizenship by investment.

Spanish nationality is governed by separate nationality legislation and residence requirements, with obtaining Spanish citizenship possible only through that separate legal route.

Property Investment

Real estate became the best-known route under the former Golden Visa Spain requirements.

An applicant could historically qualify by acquiring Spanish real estate with a value of at least:

€500,000 per applicant.

The crucial detail was that the required €500,000 qualifying portion generally had to be free of charges or encumbrances.

For example, under the previous regime:

• •
  Property purchase price: €800,000
• •
  Minimum qualifying unencumbered amount: €500,000
• •
  Potential amount above that threshold that could be financed: €300,000

The investment could relate to Spanish real estate meeting the statutory conditions, but satisfying the €500,000 threshold was only one part of the immigration application.

Applicants also had to meet the other legal requirements applicable to investor residence.

And the Spain Golden Visa cost was never simply €500,000. That figure represented the minimum qualifying real-estate investment. A buyer could additionally incur:

• •
  property transfer or VAT-related taxes depending on the transaction;
• •
  notarial expenses;
• •
  Land Registry costs;
• •
  legal and professional fees;
• •
  mortgage-related costs where relevant; and
• •
  ongoing ownership taxes and charges.

These costs vary depending on the property, location and nature of the transaction.

Most importantly, none of these purchases qualifies a new applicant for a Golden Visa in 2026.

Previous Investment Requirements

The property route was only one component of the former Spanish Golden Visa program.

Immediately before the closure, qualifying investments could include the following:

A business project could qualify under the former investor provisions where it was considered of general interest, taking into account factors such as job creation, significant socioeconomic impact in the relevant geographic area, or a relevant contribution to scientific or technological innovation; while some guides describe investment in a business project as requiring a minimum of €1 million, the historical statutory rule was not a single fixed minimum for business projects.

These are now historical Spain Golden Visa requirements. They should not be interpreted as current investment options.

There is no equivalent rule in 2026 under which investing €500,000, €1 million or €2 million automatically creates a right to Spanish residence.

What Happens to Existing Golden Visa Holders?

The closure did not automatically cancel every investor visa or residence authorization issued before April 3, 2025.

Spain established transitional rules for legacy cases, further detailed in administrative management criteria issued by the immigration authority in June 2025.

This is one of the most important areas where a simple statement such as "the Golden Visa was abolished" is insufficient.

Applications Submitted Before April 3, 2025

Applications submitted before the reform became effective can, where they fall within the transitional provisions, continue to be processed according to the rules that were in force when the application was submitted.

Spain's immigration authority has also clarified, in its June 2025 management criteria, that a residence application can remain admissible where the underlying investor visa was applied for before April 3, 2025, even where its effectiveness or subsequent processing occurs after that date.

This means the key legal issue is not simply whether someone invested before April 3.

There is an important difference between:

• •
  buying qualifying property before April 3, 2025

and

• •
  having made the relevant protected immigration application before April 3, 2025.

A person should not assume that an old property purchase alone preserves a right to make a new investor application today.

Golden Visas Already Valid on April 3, 2025

Investor visas and authorizations that were valid when the reform took effect remain valid for the period for which they were granted.

The Government's June 2025 administrative management criteria further state that renewals can be admitted where the initial investor authorization met all the requirements necessary for it to have been granted. These are administrative interpretive criteria rather than a published legal text, so individual cases should be confirmed with the relevant authority or a qualified advisor.

This means existing holders should not assume that abolition automatically prevents renewal.

However, the investor must still examine whether the conditions supporting the legacy authorization continue to be met.

Existing Family Members and New Family Applications

The position of family members requires particular attention.

Spain's 2025 administrative guidance distinguishes between:

• •
  family members who already held valid residence after April 3, 2025; and
• •
  new family applications made after the program closed.

Existing valid family authorizations can continue under their existing status.

However, new investor-family applications submitted after April 3, 2025 are not simply added to the abolished investor route. Spain's immigration authority has indicated that the general immigration framework must instead be considered.

This can be particularly relevant where a marriage, birth or other family situation arises after the closure.

Can a Golden Visa Be Inherited?

The residence right itself is personal.

Spain's post-closure administrative criteria expressly reject the idea that a Golden Visa residence entitlement can simply be transferred through:

• •
  inheritance;
• •
  donation; or
• •
  another transfer of the investment after the closure.

Someone inheriting a property from a Golden Visa holder does not inherit the deceased person's Spanish investor residence status.

Should Existing Holders Sell Their Investment?

This should be assessed individually.

A legacy investor who wants to renew should not sell, transfer or restructure the qualifying investment on the assumption that their residence status is unaffected.

The post-closure rules governing continuation, renewal and changes to qualifying investments are technical.

Existing Golden Visa holders should therefore review:

• •
  the type of original investment;
• •
  when the visa or residence authorization was requested;
• •
  when it was granted;
• •
  its current expiry date;
• •
  whether the qualifying investment is still held; and
• •
  whether any planned change could affect a future renewal.

Anyone hoping to keep or convert legacy status should maintain legal residency compliance under the applicable rules.

Does Buying Property Still Give You Spanish Residency?

No. This is the most important practical consequence of the Golden Visa closure: property ownership and immigration residence are now separate matters.

Buying property no longer gives new applicants a Spanish residence permit or temporary residence permit.

A non-EU national can buy property in Spain without becoming a Spanish resident, and foreign buyers have the same ability to purchase property as Spanish citizens, but the purchase alone does not create immigration rights.

Likewise, a non-EU national can qualify for Spanish residence without purchasing property.

There is no current rule under which buying:

• •
  a €500,000 apartment;
• •
  a €750,000 house;
• •
  a €1 million villa;
• •
  a €2 million property portfolio; or
• •
  any higher amount

automatically gives the buyer Spanish residency.

Property ownership may still be relevant to your relocation in a practical sense. For example, the property may become your Spanish home and provide evidence relating to your accommodation. See our guide to housing in Spain for foreigners for practical advice on finding and renting property.

But the residence authorization must come from a separate immigration route.

For international buyers whose main objective is to move to Spain rather than simply own an asset there, this changes the recommended order of planning:

1. 1
   Identify the right route to obtain Spain residency.
2. 2
   Check the immigration, tax and work implications.
3. 3
   Structure the property purchase separately.

Buying first and determining immigration eligibility afterwards can create an expensive mismatch.

Best Alternatives to the Spain Golden Visa

There is no direct replacement for the Golden Visa.

The former program was fundamentally investment-based. Most of the main residence routes available in Spain today instead depend on what the applicant intends to do while living in the country.

The most relevant alternative generally depends on whether you intend to:

• •
  live from savings or other financial resources;
• •
  work remotely;
• •
  work for a Spanish employer; or
• •
  build an innovative business in Spain.

Non-Lucrative Visa

The Spain Non-Lucrative Visa, often abbreviated as the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), is one of the most obvious alternatives for former Golden Visa prospects whose primary objective is to live in Spain without working.

It can be particularly relevant for retirees and other financially independent applicants who do not intend to work in Spain. See our complete Spain Non-Lucrative Visa 2026 guide and our retirement visa guide for detailed requirements.

The route also generally requires appropriate health insurance and compliance with the relevant clean criminal record, documentation and consular requirements.

An Important 2026 NLV Renewal Rule

The current Spanish immigration regulation contains a particularly important rule for applicants comparing the NLV with the former Golden Visa.

The initial Non-Lucrative residence authorization is generally valid for one year.

For renewal, the applicant must meet the ongoing requirements and must have resided genuinely and effectively in Spain for more than 183 days during the calendar year.

A renewed authorization is generally valid for two years.

This makes the NLV a very different product from the old investor program for individuals whose objective is primarily to maintain Spanish residence while spending limited time in the country.

It also makes tax planning particularly important.

Table: Non-Lucrative Visa 2026 indicative minimum resources

Digital Nomad Visa

For people who want to continue working remotely while living in Spain, the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, usually shortened to the Digital Nomad Visa, is much more relevant than the Non-Lucrative Visa.

After the Spain Golden Visa ending, this has become one of the main new residency pathways for remote workers. See our complete Digital Nomad Visa 2026 guide for income thresholds, documents and application steps.

Spain formally refers to this category as international teleworking, and the visa lets qualifying remote workers live in Spain for up to 12 months when applying from abroad.

It is designed for qualifying third-country nationals who perform employment or professional activity remotely using telecommunications technology for businesses primarily located outside Spain.

Employees

A qualifying remote employee must work for a company located outside Spain.

The employer must have a real and continuous activity, and the applicant must demonstrate that the employment relationship can be carried out remotely.

The law also requires evidence of an existing relationship with the relevant company before the application.

Self-Employed Digital Nomads

The rules are more flexible for qualifying self-employed professionals.

A self-employed Digital Nomad Visa holder may perform some professional activity for Spanish companies, provided that the Spanish activity does not exceed 20% of their total professional activity.

This distinction is important:

• •
  Employee: work is for companies outside Spain.
• •
  Self-employed professional: limited Spanish-client activity can be permitted within the statutory cap.

Qualifications and Experience

Applicants generally need to demonstrate either:

• •
  an appropriate graduate or postgraduate qualification, professional training or qualifying business-school education; or
• •
  at least three years of relevant professional experience.

The foreign company or group must also generally demonstrate at least one year of real and continuous activity, and the professional or employment relationship normally needs to predate the application. Applicants must also be at least 18, hold a valid passport with at least one year of validity, and submit translated and legalized documents where required.

Digital Nomad Visa Income Requirements in 2026

Financial resources are tied to Spain's Minimum Interprofessional Salary (SMI).

The official SMI for 2026 is:

€1,221 per month (14 payments per year).

For this route, the immigration authority calculates the threshold on the annualised SMI (the SMI paid over 14 instalments, divided across 12 months), which results in the financial thresholds shown below rather than a simple 200% of the monthly SMI figure.

These financial amounts are only one part of the application.

Applicants also need to address issues including:

• •
  employment or professional documentation;
• •
  proof that the activity can be performed remotely;
• •
  company history;
• •
  qualifications or professional experience; and
• •
  Spanish Social Security coverage or, where applicable, valid coverage under an international coordination agreement.

This last point is particularly important. An applicant who meets the monthly financial threshold does not automatically qualify for the Digital Nomad Visa.

Table: Digital Nomad Visa 2026 minimums (corrected)

Visa vs Residence Permit

There are also two procedural situations worth distinguishing.

A person applying from abroad can apply for the international telework visa as an alternative route for those who may have previously looked at the Golden Visa in Spain, and this visa can have a maximum validity of one year. Applications from abroad are typically submitted through the Spanish consulate or, if the applicant is legally in Spain, through the immigration office.

A qualifying foreign national who is legally present in Spain may instead be able to apply directly for an international telework residence authorization without first obtaining the visa abroad.

That residence authorization can be valid for up to three years, with potential renewals for periods of two years where the conditions continue to be satisfied. Applicants should also expect to provide biometric data during the in-person stage of the process.

For many active professionals who previously considered the Golden Visa in Spain, this is now one of the most important alternative routes.

Work Visa

If your objective is to work for a Spanish employer, the standard Digital Nomad route is generally not the appropriate solution.

Spain has several employment-based immigration categories.

The correct route depends on factors such as:

• •
  the type of position;
• •
  salary;
• •
  qualifications;
• •
  professional experience;
• •
  the employer;
• •
  whether the role is difficult to fill domestically; and
• •
  whether a specialized immigration category applies.

Under the standard employed-worker route, the employer normally applies for the initial residence and work authorization.

Among other requirements, the national employment situation may need to permit the recruitment unless an exemption or another qualifying circumstance applies.

Spain separately provides routes for certain specialized profiles, including:

• •
  highly qualified professionals;
• •
  EU Blue Card applicants;
• •
  researchers;
• •
  intra-company transferees; and
• •
  other categories covered by specific immigration rules.

This is why "work visa" should not be treated as one single standardized Spanish permit. See our guide to working in Spain for more detail on employment-based routes.

For a former Golden Visa prospect who already has a genuine job offer from a Spanish employer, employment-based residence can be considerably more logical than trying to recreate an investment-based immigration strategy.

Entrepreneur Route

Spain also retains an immigration route for entrepreneurs, but it should not be confused with the abolished investor program.

The current Entrepreneur residence authorization is intended for applicants planning to start, develop or direct an economic activity that is considered innovative and/or of particular economic interest to Spain.

The project is assessed on its substance.

Factors considered include:

• •
  the applicant's professional profile;
• •
  their involvement in the project;
• •
  the business plan;
• •
  the product or service;
• •
  market analysis;
• •
  financing;
• •
  expected investment;
• •
  sources of funding;
• •
  innovation;
• •
  added value to the Spanish economy; and
• •
  investment opportunities generated by the project.

A positive, mandatory assessment from ENISA plays a central role in evaluating the entrepreneurial activity.

Is There a Minimum Investment for Spain's Entrepreneur Visa?

There is no fixed statutory minimum investment amount comparable to the former €500,000 Golden Visa threshold.

There is also no general statutory rule saying that every entrepreneur must create a predetermined minimum number of jobs.

Instead, the authorities assess the project as a whole.

This makes the Entrepreneur route fundamentally different from the old Golden Visa program Spain model.

Having capital is useful for demonstrating that the project is viable, but capital alone is not enough.

A passive property investment, ordinary asset-holding company or business created principally to obtain residency should not be assumed to satisfy the entrepreneur criteria.

The residence authorization for entrepreneurs can be granted for three years, followed by a potential two-year renewal if the relevant conditions continue to be met.

Golden Visa vs NLV vs Digital Nomad Visa

The following comparison shows how Spain's main alternatives differ from the former investor program.

The most important point is that the three routes are not interchangeable.

A wealthy remote worker is not automatically better suited to the NLV simply because they have sufficient savings.

Likewise, purchasing Spanish property does not make someone eligible for either the NLV or Digital Nomad Visa.

Eligibility depends on the requirements of the specific immigration category.

Work Rights

Work authorization is one of the clearest differences.

Former Spanish Golden Visa

Before the closure, the investor visa itself was sufficient to reside and work in Spain during its validity.

Non-Lucrative Visa

The NLV is specifically for residence without carrying out employment or professional activity.

It should not be selected by someone whose plan is to move to Spain while continuing their normal remote job.

Digital Nomad Visa

The Digital Nomad route is built specifically around remote economic activity.

Employees work remotely for businesses outside Spain.

Qualifying self-employed professionals may additionally work with Spanish companies within the permitted 20% limit. Applicants will also usually need private health insurance or other qualifying health coverage as part of this route.

Spanish Work Permit

Employment-based permits authorize work according to the conditions of the specific residence and work category.

Entrepreneur Residence

The entrepreneur authorization permits the applicant to develop the qualifying entrepreneurial activity forming the basis of the residence.

Income and Investment Requirements

The financial logic is also completely different.

Former property Golden Visa

Historically, this former route was also known as the Spain investment visa or a residence visa for qualifying investors:

€500,000 qualifying unencumbered real-estate investment per applicant through a qualifying real estate purchase.

Non-Lucrative Visa in 2026

For the main applicant:

€2,400 per month / €28,800 for one year.

Plus:

€600 per month / €7,200 per year for each dependent.

No €500,000 property purchase is required. It can also lead to permanent residency after the required period of legal residence, provided the holder continues to meet the longer-term residence rules. See our guide to permanent residency in Spain.

Digital Nomad Visa in 2026

For the main applicant:

approximately €2,849 per month.

Plus approximately:

• •
  €1,069/month for the first accompanying family member;
• •
  €357/month for each additional family member.

Again, no qualifying property investment is required.

But the applicant must have genuine qualifying remote work. These amounts are based on 200% (and 75%/25% for family members) of the 2026 SMI as annualised by the immigration authority, and should be confirmed against the current official figures before applying.

Entrepreneur Route

No fixed Golden-Visa-style minimum applies.

The applicant instead needs a project capable of satisfying Spain's innovation and economic-interest assessment.

Work Route

There is no universal "Spain work visa income requirement" applicable to every employment route.

Salary, contract and qualification requirements depend on the authorization being used.

Tax Considerations

Immigration residence and tax residence are separate legal concepts.

Obtaining permission to reside in Spain does not, by itself, answer every tax-residency question.

Under Spain's domestic tax rules, an individual can generally become Spanish tax resident where, among other circumstances:

• •
  they spend more than 183 days during the calendar year in Spain; or
• •
  Spain is the main center or base of their activities or economic interests.

There is also a rebuttable family-based presumption in certain circumstances.

International double-tax treaties can become relevant where more than one country considers someone resident.

Under the former Golden Visa route, holders did not need to live in Spain full-time and generally only needed to visit Spain at least once each year to maintain it.

That low-presence structure appealed to applicants seeking residency in Spain with free movement within the Schengen Area, but without an immediate full tax relocation.

Spanish tax on worldwide income is a tax-residence issue, not an automatic result of simply holding a residence authorization. See our guide to taxes and taxation in Spain for more detail.

This distinction is especially important when comparing the old Golden Visa with the NLV.

Under the current immigration rules, an NLV holder seeking renewal must demonstrate more than 183 days of real and effective residence in Spain during the calendar year.

That does not mean immigration renewal and tax residence are legally identical tests, but it makes tax-residence planning particularly important for an NLV holder.

What About the Beckham Law?

Spain has a special tax regime for certain people who become Spanish tax residents as a result of relocating to the country, commonly referred to as the Beckham Law regime.

Following reforms to the regime, certain qualifying international teleworkers, entrepreneurs and other eligible inbound professionals can potentially fall within its scope. Access is generally more straightforward for employed teleworkers than for self-employed professionals, whose eligibility is more limited.

However:

A Digital Nomad Visa does not automatically grant Beckham Law status.

Eligibility depends on the tax legislation and the applicant's individual circumstances, including the reason for relocating and prior Spanish tax-residence history, and should be confirmed with a tax advisor.

Anyone relocating with substantial foreign income, investments, company interests or assets should examine the immigration and tax consequences before moving, rather than treating them as two independent decisions after arrival.

Table: Golden Visa vs Non-Lucrative Visa vs Digital Nomad Visa

Buying Property Without a Golden Visa

The end of the Spain Golden Visa programme does not prevent foreigners from buying property in Spain.

A foreign national can still purchase:

• •
  a primary residence;
• •
  a second home;
• •
  holiday property;
• •
  rental property;
• •
  commercial property; or
• •
  an investment portfolio.

The key difference is that the transaction does not create a residence permit.

Foreign buyers should therefore treat the property transaction and immigration process as two separate workstreams.

Before buying, due diligence should normally include verification of the property's legal position through the Spanish Land Registry.

A nota simple can provide important information including:

• •
  registered ownership;
• •
  mortgages;
• •
  liens or other charges;
• •
  certain legal restrictions;
• •
  the property's registered status; and
• •
  other relevant registry information.

Taxes also vary depending on factors such as:

• •
  whether the property is new or resale;
• •
  the autonomous community;
• •
  the purchase value;
• •
  the type of transaction; and
• •
  the buyer's circumstances.

Generic property-tax percentages should therefore not be used as a substitute for transaction-specific calculations.

NIE

Foreign buyers will commonly need a NIE (Número de Identidad de Extranjero).

The NIE is the identification number assigned to foreigners who have economic, professional or social connections with Spain.

Purchasing Spanish property is a classic example of an economic reason for needing one.

The number is commonly used for procedures involving:

• •
  property transactions;
• •
  taxes;
• •
  banking;
• •
  contracts;
• •
  administrative formalities; and
• •
  other economic activities in Spain.

However:

An NIE is not a residence permit.

Obtaining a NIE does not give someone permission to live permanently in Spain, just as owning Spanish property no longer provides investor residency. See our complete NIE guide for more detail.

For buyers organizing a transaction from abroad, Hiliv provides a NIE Express service that can be completed remotely for eligible cases, allowing this administrative step to be handled without waiting until the buyer has relocated to Spain.

Spanish Bank Account

A Spanish bank account can also make a property purchase and subsequent ownership easier.

It may be useful for:

• •
  property-related payments;
• •
  utilities;
• •
  local taxes;
• •
  homeowners' association fees;
• •
  insurance;
• •
  mortgage payments; and
• •
  recurring direct debits.

Opening an account is nevertheless separate from immigration status.

A bank will conduct its own onboarding and anti-money-laundering checks. Foreign buyers can therefore be asked for information concerning:

• •
  identity;
• •
  tax residence;
• •
  occupation;
• •
  source of funds;
• •
  origin of purchase capital; and
• •
  supporting financial documentation.

Requirements vary by financial institution and customer profile.

A Spanish bank account does not provide residence rights and should not be confused with proof of immigration status. See our guide to opening a bank account in Spain.

Hiliv can also assist international clients with Spanish bank account opening, including cases where the account-opening process begins before relocation.

Which Spain Golden Visa Alternative Is Best in 2026?

There is no universal replacement for the Golden Visa.

A better way to choose is to begin with the activity you intend to carry out in Spain.

You want to retire in Spain

Consider the Non-Lucrative Visa if you have sufficient financial resources and do not intend to work.

You are financially independent and do not work

The Non-Lucrative Visa is generally the first route to examine.

Remember that its current renewal rules require genuine residence in Spain for more than 183 days during the relevant calendar year.

You work remotely for a foreign employer

The Digital Nomad Visa / international telework route may be appropriate if your employment, employer, financial resources, qualifications and Social Security position meet the requirements.

You are self-employed with international clients

The Digital Nomad route can also apply to qualifying professionals. Limited work for Spanish clients may be possible, provided the Spanish activity stays within the statutory 20% limit.

You have a job offer in Spain

Examine the appropriate employee residence and work authorization, highly qualified professional route or EU Blue Card route depending on your profile and position.

You want to create an innovative company in Spain

The Entrepreneur residence authorization may be appropriate where the project is genuinely innovative and/or of particular economic interest to Spain.

You only want to invest in Spanish property

You can still buy the property.

But there is no current property-investment residence route.

If you also want to live in Spain, you need to qualify separately for an immigration status that matches your personal circumstances.

The Bottom Line

The Spanish Golden Visa ended on April 3, 2025.

There is no new Golden Visa in Spain in 2026, and the closure was not limited to real estate. Spain abolished the investor residence provisions covering the former €500,000 property route and the other qualifying investment categories.

Existing holders and certain pre-closure applications benefit from transitional arrangements, so legacy cases should be assessed separately rather than treated as automatically cancelled.

For new applicants, the central question has changed. It is no longer:

"How much do I need to invest to obtain Spanish residency?"

It is:

"Which residence category matches what I actually intend to do in Spain?"

For most applicants, the answer will fall into one of four categories:

• •
  Non-Lucrative Visa: for financially independent applicants who will not work;
• •
  Digital Nomad Visa: for qualifying international remote workers;
• •
  Work-based residence: for applicants working for a Spanish employer; or
• •
  Entrepreneur residence: for qualifying innovative business projects.

Property can still be part of your move to Spain. You can buy a home, obtain an NIE, open a Spanish bank account and establish yourself in the country.

But since April 2025, property investment and immigration residence must be planned separately.

Hiliv helps international clients navigate the administrative steps that follow a residency decision: obtaining your NIE, completing Padrón registration, securing your residence card (TIE) and opening a Spanish bank account. Whether you are exploring a Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad route or simply buying property as a non-resident, we can help you handle the paperwork so you can focus on your move.