Spanish Golden Visa ending in 2025

The Spanish Golden Visa route is officially coming to an end in 2025 - a decision that will impact people who planned on using this route to move to Spain. Whether youโ€™re considering applying or are already residing in Spain on this visa, our blog provides insights into how this decision could impact you and what steps you can take.
Spanish Golden Visa ending

On 2 January 2025, the Spanish Government announced that the Golden Visa programme will officially close on 3 April 2025.

The Spanish Government reached this decision after considering a number of factors, such as a rise in applicants to this route, as well as an increase in house prices and EU pressure to close the visa.

Many British nationals may be disappointed by this news, as they might have been planning to use it to move to Spain. Also, any British people living in Spain on this visa may be concerned how they will be impacted by this change. Keep reading to find out more about the reasons behind the Spanish Golden Visa ending, and what it means for you. 

Why is the Spanish Golden Visa ending?

To get a Golden Visa, people have to make a large investment into the Spanish economy, such as by buying a property for at least โ‚ฌ500,000, investing โ‚ฌ1 million in a Spanish business, or other investments. With buying a property being the cheapest option, it is the most popular one. 

As a result, properties in Spain get bought up by people who can afford the high prices, whilst people from Spain struggle to compete with them. In 2023 alone, 27,000 properties were purchased by non-EU residents. This has been an issue in locations such as Barcelona, Madrid and Malaga, as well as the Balearic Islands, where housing prices have started to become unaffordable for locals. The Spanish Government has blamed the increase of property prices on the Golden Visa. 

Background to the decision to end the visa

The Spanish Golden Visa was introduced in 2013, and it has been mostly popular amongst people from China, the US, Russia, and the UK. Over the years, its popularity as a route into Spain has grown; for example, the number of applicants increased from 2017 in 2022 to 3273 in 2023. This increase in applicants is a contributing factor to Spainโ€™s decision to end the visa. 

Since 2023, there has been a debate in the Spanish Government about the Golden Visa, with a few suggestions on what to do with it due to a year-on-year increase of visas being issued. For example, they considered increasing the minimum requirement for a property investment to โ‚ฌ1,000,000, but this did not happen. 

Additionally, other countries in the EU also ended their Golden Visa routes, such as Ireland. Some countries like Portugal have modified the rules of their Golden Visa as well. In both cases, countries have faced similar issues to Spain.

Finally, there has also been pressure from the EU itself for member states to end their Golden Visa programmes. Following a report in 2019, officials from the EU have expressed concerns about the visa, as they believe that they offer opportunities to the rich that people with little money do not have available to them. The EU also thinks that there is a lack of security around Golden Visas, and that they offer easy ways for money launderers, tax evaders and other criminals to escape to countries offering them. 

Ultimately, the Spanish Government decided to follow in the steps of other countries and have now announced the end of the Golden Visa. 

How will people already in Spain on the Golden Visa be affected?

People who are in Spain may be worrying about what the Spanish Golden Visa ending means for them, as there may be concerns that they will not be able to remain in Spain.

Luckily, anyone already in Spain on a Golden Visa will be able to keep on living there, and they will even be able to continue extending their visa once their current leave to remain expires. 

Can I still make a Golden Visa application?

Yes, if you meet the requirements you can still make a fresh application for a Spanish Golden Visa as it has not ended yet. Any applications made before 3 April 2025 will be processed according to the current rules. 

As it will likely be a busy period with a rush of applicants before the visa ends, plus the fact it is only three months until April, it may be a good idea to get the assistance of Spanish visa experts such as ourselves.

Alternatively, you could consider other visa options and see if any suit your unique situation. A visa expert would also be able to help you find the best visa route for your needs. 

How we can help you

Whilst the Golden Visa is ending, there are still other visa options for you to make your dream move to Spain. One of the most popular visas we help people with is the Non-lucrative Visa, also known as a Non-working Residence Visa. This is the best option for people who want to move to Spain, but do not plan on working there. If this interests you, then our friendly team is here to help you through the application process.

To discuss your needs with us, please contact us by either phone, email, our website chatbot, or by booking a free 10-minute assessment

Still unsure about whether you should use our services? Then visit our โ€˜why choose us?โ€™ webpage to see what we can offer you, from in-house drafting to legalisation services. 

Get in touch today for expert Spanish visa assistance.

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We are experts in Spanish emigration. We understand how the system works and guide our clients through the entire process.

Whether you are simply researching your options or ready to apply, we are here to help.

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