Residency After the Golden Visa: Options for Barcelona Property Buyers

Spain terminated its Golden Visa programme on 3 April 2025, closing the €500,000 property purchase route to residency that attracted over 14,500 investors since 2013. For HNWI buyers eyeing Barcelona’s luxury property market, this marks a fundamental shift in residency planning. Property purchase and residency acquisition are now separate decisions requiring distinct strategies.

The good news: purchasing property in Spain remains entirely unrestricted for foreign nationals. The change: buying alone no longer confers residency rights. This guide analyses the residency pathways now available to Barcelona property buyers, from the Non-Lucrative Visa for those with passive income to the Beckham Law’s substantial tax advantages for relocating executives. We examine EU alternatives for investors who specifically need property-linked residency, and provide the practical timelines and costs that informed buyers require.

Contents

• What happened to Spain’s Golden Visa and why?
• Can existing Golden Visa holders still renew?
• What is the Non-Lucrative Visa and who qualifies?
• How does the Digital Nomad Visa work for remote workers?
• What are the Entrepreneur Visa requirements?
• How does the Beckham Law reduce taxes for relocating workers?
• Which EU countries still offer property-linked Golden Visas?
• What are the application timelines and costs?
• How do I include family members in my application?

What Happened to Spain’s Golden Visa and Why?

Spain’s Congress of Deputies voted 177 to 170 in December 2024 to abolish the Golden Visa programme. The legislation, Organic Law 1/2025, was published on 3 January 2025 with a three-month implementation period, making 3 April 2025 the final deadline for new applications.

The programme had operated since 2013, originally designed to attract foreign capital during Spain’s economic crisis. Over its twelve-year lifespan, approximately 14,576 Golden Visas were issued, with 95% obtained through the €500,000 property investment route. Chinese nationals represented the largest applicant group (37%), followed by non-EU Europeans (39%), with British, American, and Russian investors comprising significant portions.

The government’s rationale centred on housing affordability. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez characterised the abolition as restoring housing as “a right, not a speculative business.” Critics argued Golden Visa purchases represented a negligible fraction of Spain’s housing transactions, but political momentum favoured termination amid broader EU pressure on residency-by-investment programmes.

Table 1: Golden Visa Termination Timeline

What does this mean for property buyers?

Property purchase rights remain unchanged. Non-EU nationals can still freely purchase Spanish property with the same rights as Spanish citizens. The only change: property ownership no longer provides a pathway to residency. Buyers must now consider property acquisition and residency as separate objectives, potentially pursuing different strategies for each.

Can Existing Golden Visa Holders Still Renew?

Yes. The law explicitly protects existing Golden Visa holders and those who submitted complete applications before 3 April 2025. These individuals retain full renewal rights under the regulations in force at the time of their original application.

Renewal conditions for existing holders

Existing Golden Visa holders must continue meeting the original programme requirements:

• Maintain the qualifying investment: The property (or other qualifying asset) must remain in your ownership
• Valid visa status: Your current Golden Visa must be valid or expired for no more than 90 days
• Visit Spain: You must have visited Spain at least once during each year of your visa period
• Clean criminal record: No serious criminal convictions since initial approval

The renewal cycle follows the original structure: an initial one-year visa (or three years if applied from within Spain), followed by two-year renewals, progressing toward the five-year permanent residency threshold and eventual citizenship eligibility after ten years.

What happens if I sell my Golden Visa property?

Selling the qualifying property terminates your renewal eligibility. The investment must be maintained throughout your residency period. Some investors have explored “swap” strategies, selling one property and immediately purchasing another of equal or greater value, but this requires careful legal structuring and advance notification to authorities.

What is the Non-Lucrative Visa and Who Qualifies?

The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), also known as the Non-Working Residence Visa, offers the most straightforward residency pathway for financially independent individuals who do not intend to work in Spain. It is particularly suited to retirees, those living on investment income, and anyone with sufficient passive income or savings.

Core requirements

The NLV prohibits employment or professional activity in Spain. Your income must come from sources outside Spain, such as pensions, rental income from foreign properties, investment dividends, or substantial savings.

Income thresholds for 2025:

The financial requirement is calculated at 400% of Spain’s IPREM (Indicador Público de Renta de Efectos Múltiples), currently set at €600 per month. This translates to:

• Main applicant: €2,400/month or €28,800/year
• Spouse or partner: Additional €600/month (€7,200/year)
• Each dependent child: Additional €300/month (€3,600/year)

For a couple, the combined requirement reaches €36,000 annually. A family of four would need to demonstrate approximately €43,200 per year in passive income or equivalent savings.

How is income proven?

Acceptable documentation includes pension statements, bank statements showing regular income deposits, rental agreements for foreign properties, dividend statements, and evidence of investment portfolio returns. Bank statements should demonstrate consistent income over at least six months. Alternatively, applicants can show lump-sum savings sufficient to cover the entire residency period.

Residency obligations

The 2025 legislation reinstated the 183-day minimum residency requirement. To maintain your NLV, you must spend at least 183 days per year in Spain. This differs from the Golden Visa, which had no minimum stay requirement. Spending over 183 days also triggers Spanish tax residency, meaning worldwide income becomes subject to Spanish taxation.

Does the NLV lead to permanent residency?

Yes. After five years of continuous legal residence (spending at least ten months per year in Spain), NLV holders can apply for permanent residency. Spanish citizenship becomes available after ten years of legal residence, subject to language and integration requirements.

How Does the Digital Nomad Visa Work for Remote Workers?

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa, introduced in January 2023, provides residency for remote workers employed by non-Spanish companies or freelancers with predominantly foreign clients. For Barcelona’s tech-adjacent property buyers, this pathway combines lifestyle flexibility with relatively straightforward qualification.

Eligibility criteria

Employment requirements:

• Work remotely for a company registered outside Spain
• Have held your position for at least three months
• Your employer must have operated for at least one year
• Maximum 20% of income may come from Spanish clients (for freelancers)

Income requirements (2025):

• Main applicant: €2,763/month (200% of Spanish minimum wage)
• Spouse or partner: Additional €1,036/month (75% of minimum wage)
• Each child: Additional €345/month (25% of minimum wage)

A couple would need combined income of €3,799/month (approximately €45,600/year). A family of four requires roughly €4,489/month.

Qualifications:

• University degree, professional certificate, or
• Minimum three years of relevant work experience

Visa duration and renewal

The initial visa grants one year of residency when applied from abroad. If applied from within Spain (while legally present), you receive a three-year residence permit directly. The visa can be renewed for up to five years total, after which permanent residency applications become possible.

Tax implications

Digital Nomad Visa holders may qualify for the Beckham Law tax regime (covered below), paying a flat 24% on Spanish-source income up to €600,000. Without Beckham Law election, spending 183+ days in Spain triggers standard tax residency, with progressive rates up to 47%+.

Table 2: Residency Pathway Comparison Matrix

What Are the Entrepreneur Visa Requirements?

The Entrepreneur Visa (also called Startup Visa) suits those planning to establish innovative businesses in Spain. Unlike Golden Visa property investment, no minimum capital requirement exists, but the business must demonstrate innovation and economic value to Spain.

What qualifies as “innovative”?

Spanish authorities assess business plans against specific criteria:

• Innovation: The product or service must be genuinely new, not merely replicating existing offerings
• Economic interest: The business should benefit Spain’s economy through job creation, technology transfer, or investment attraction
• Strategic alignment: Priority sectors include ICT, green energy, biotechnology, health sciences, aerospace, and digital transformation
• Scalability: The business model should demonstrate growth potential

Traditional businesses such as restaurants, retail shops, or service providers do not qualify. The innovation bar is substantial, typically requiring technology-based solutions or genuinely novel business models.

Application process

1. Business plan preparation: Must meet ENISA (Empresa Nacional de Innovación) evaluation criteria
2. ENISA review: The agency assesses innovation and viability
3. UGE submission: File application with the Large Business and Strategic Groups Unit
4. Approval: Typically within 20 working days

Financial requirements

While no minimum investment is mandated, applicants must demonstrate:

• Sufficient funds to support themselves and family (approximately €31,752 for main applicant, €11,907 for spouse, €3,969 per child according to some consulates)
• Ability to fund initial business operations
• Credible financial projections for the venture

Benefits

The Entrepreneur Visa grants three-year residency, renewable for additional two-year periods. Holders may qualify for Beckham Law taxation. Family members can be included, with spouses permitted to work in Spain. The visa also provides free movement within the Schengen Area.

How Does the Beckham Law Reduce Taxes for Relocating Workers?

The Beckham Law (officially the Special Tax Regime for Inbound Workers) offers Spain’s most significant tax advantage for relocating high earners. Named after footballer David Beckham, who benefited when joining Real Madrid in 2005, the regime allows qualifying individuals to pay a flat 24% tax rate on Spanish-source income rather than progressive rates reaching 47%+.

Eligibility requirements

To qualify for the Beckham Law in 2025:

• No prior Spanish tax residency: You must not have been tax resident in Spain during the previous five years
• Work-related relocation: Your move must be for employment purposes, either:
  • Employment contract with a Spanish company, or
  • Assignment to Spain by a multinational employer, or
  • Digital Nomad Visa for remote work (recent expansion), or
  • Entrepreneur Visa for innovative business founders
• Work performed in Spain: At least 85% of your work must be conducted in Spanish territory
• Application deadline: Submit within six months of registering with Spanish Social Security

Who cannot apply?

• Freelancers and self-employed individuals (except Digital Nomad Visa holders meeting specific criteria)
• Professional athletes
• Directors with ownership stakes exceeding 25% in Spanish companies (with some exceptions)

Tax benefits

Table 3: Beckham Law Savings Calculation

Note: Income above €600,000 is taxed at 47% even under Beckham Law

Additional benefits:

• Foreign income exemption: Dividends, interest, rental income, and capital gains from outside Spain are not taxed in Spain
• Wealth tax exemption: Foreign assets are generally excluded from Spanish Wealth Tax
• Duration: The regime applies for six tax years (the year of arrival plus five subsequent years)

Family coverage

Since 2023 amendments, family members may also qualify for Beckham Law benefits:

• Spouse or partner
• Children under 25 years old
• Dependent parents

Each family member must meet residency criteria independently, but the regime now extends beyond the primary applicant alone.

Application process

1. Obtain NIE (Foreigner Identification Number)
2. Register with Spanish Social Security upon starting employment
3. File Form 149 with the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) within six months
4. Submit supporting documentation including employment contract and prior tax residency certificate

Which EU Countries Still Offer Property-Linked Golden Visas?

For investors specifically requiring residency tied to property purchase, several EU countries maintain Golden Visa programmes. These alternatives involve trade-offs in terms of investment thresholds, lifestyle, tax regimes, and citizenship pathways.

Greece: The tiered alternative

Greece restructured its Golden Visa in September 2024, introducing geographical pricing tiers while maintaining property-purchase eligibility.

Investment thresholds:

• €800,000: Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, islands with 3,100+ residents
• €400,000: All other regions (single property, minimum 120 sqm)
• €250,000: Commercial-to-residential conversions or heritage building restorations

Key features:

• No minimum stay requirement
• Five-year renewable residence permit
• Family inclusion (spouse, children under 21, dependent parents)
• Citizenship after seven years of actual residence (183+ days annually)
• No right to work in Greece

Portugal: Fund investment only

Portugal eliminated property purchase as a Golden Visa route in October 2023. The programme continues through alternative investments.

Current options:

• €500,000: Qualifying venture capital or private equity funds (no real estate exposure)
• €250,000: Cultural heritage donations (reduced to €200,000 in low-density areas)
• €500,000: Business investment creating minimum five jobs

Key features:

• Minimal stay requirement (seven days in year one, fourteen days every two years)
• Citizenship eligibility after five years (potential increase to ten years under pending legislation)
• Family inclusion available
• Fund investment returns vary; capital is locked for minimum five years

Italy: The €250,000 option

Italy’s Investor Visa requires €250,000 minimum investment in innovative startups or €500,000 in Italian companies.

Key features:

• Two-year initial visa, renewable for three years
• Citizenship after ten years
• No minimum stay requirement
• Optional flat tax regime of €100,000 per year on foreign income

Table 4: EU Golden Visa Alternatives Comparison

Which alternative suits Barcelona-focused buyers?

Greece offers the closest equivalent to Spain’s former programme: property-linked residency with no minimum stay. However, it requires establishing a presence in Greece rather than Spain. For investors prioritising Barcelona lifestyle, the Spanish Non-Lucrative Visa or Digital Nomad Visa may prove more practical, accepting that property purchase and residency are now separate considerations.

What Are the Application Timelines and Costs?

Residency applications involve multiple stages, professional fees, and government charges. Understanding realistic timelines prevents frustration and enables proper planning.

Table 5: Application Timeline and Cost Breakdown

Document requirements common to all pathways

• Valid passport (minimum one year remaining validity, two blank pages)
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled, from each country of residence in past five years)
• Medical certificate confirming no serious communicable diseases
• Private health insurance valid in Spain (full coverage, no co-payments)
• Proof of accommodation in Spain (purchase, rental agreement, or hotel booking)
• Financial documentation specific to visa type
• Application forms (varies by pathway)

All foreign documents must be apostilled or legalised and accompanied by sworn Spanish translations.

Renewal costs

Residence permit renewals (TIE cards) typically cost €15-25 in government fees, plus legal assistance if required (€300-800). Renewals must be filed 60 days before expiry and no later than 90 days after expiry.

How Do I Include Family Members in My Application?

All Spanish residency pathways permit family inclusion, though specific requirements vary.

Eligible family members

Standard coverage:

• Spouse or registered partner
• Children under 18
• Dependent children 18-25 (if in full-time education or unable to support themselves)
• Dependent parents (demonstrating financial dependency)

Digital Nomad Visa additions:

• Siblings and grandparents may qualify in exceptional circumstances

Income adjustments for dependents

Each pathway requires additional financial proof per family member:

• NLV: +€7,200/year per adult, +€3,600 per child
• Digital Nomad: +€12,432/year for spouse, +€4,140 per child
• Entrepreneur: +€11,907 for spouse, +€3,969 per child (consulate-dependent)

Application approach

Family members can apply:

• Concurrently: Submit applications together with main applicant (recommended)
• Subsequently: Through family reunification after main applicant obtains residence

Concurrent applications streamline processing and ensure family arrives together. Subsequent applications require the main applicant to demonstrate adequate housing and income to support additional members.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still buy property in Barcelona without a visa?

Yes. Property purchase rights are unrestricted for foreign nationals. You can buy, own, and sell Spanish property regardless of residency status. The Golden Visa termination only eliminated the residency benefit; it did not affect property rights.

What is the fastest pathway to Spanish residency?

The Digital Nomad Visa typically processes fastest, with decisions within 15-45 days for qualifying remote workers. The Entrepreneur Visa also benefits from a 20-working-day “positive administrative silence” rule, meaning no response within that period constitutes approval.

Can I work in Spain on a Non-Lucrative Visa?

No. The NLV explicitly prohibits employment or professional activity in Spain. Violation can result in permit revocation. If circumstances change and you receive a job offer, you must apply to modify your residency status to a work permit.

How does Brexit affect British buyers?

British nationals are now treated as third-country (non-EU) applicants for all Spanish residency pathways. The 90/180-day Schengen tourist rule applies: maximum 90 days within any 180-day period without a visa. For longer stays, a residency permit is required.

Is the Beckham Law worth it for moderate earners?

The breakeven point depends on individual circumstances, but the 24% flat rate generally benefits those earning above €60,000 in Spanish-source income. Below this threshold, standard progressive rates may be comparable. Higher earners see the most dramatic savings.

Can I rent out my Barcelona property as a non-resident?

Yes, but Barcelona’s rental regulations are complex. Tourist rental licenses (HUT) are being phased out by 2028 with no renewals. Long-term rentals face rent control in designated zones. Non-residents must pay non-resident income tax (19% for EU/EEA citizens, 24% for others) on rental income, with limited deduction options. Understand tax implications in our Barcelonaproperty tax guide.

What happens if my visa application is rejected?

You can appeal within one month by submitting corrections to the Consulate, file a judicial review with the High Court within two months, or address rejection reasons and reapply. Rejections often relate to documentation issues rather than fundamental ineligibility.

Does property ownership help any visa application?

Indirectly, yes. Owning property demonstrates ties to Spain and eliminates accommodation proof requirements. It does not provide points or preference in any current programme, but it does simplify one application requirement.

Can Digital Nomad Visa holders buy property?

Absolutely. The visa grants full property purchase rights. Many Digital Nomad Visa holders use their extended residence period to explore the Barcelona market before purchasing. For market context, see our Barcelona luxury property guide.

How long until I can apply for Spanish citizenship?

Ten years of legal residence is required for standard citizenship applications (reduced to two years for nationals of certain Latin American countries and former Spanish colonies). You must demonstrate basic Spanish language competence and pass a cultural integration exam.

Should I apply from my home country or within Spain?

Both options exist for most pathways. Applying from within Spain (while legally present) often yields faster processing and longer initial permits (three years versus one year for Digital Nomad Visa). However, it requires legal entry into Spain first, typically as a tourist.

What are the Spanish language requirements?

Residency permits have no language requirements. Citizenship applications require basic Spanish competence (A2 level) demonstrated through the DELE exam or an approved alternative.

Can I maintain residency without actually living in Spain?

The NLV requires 183 days annually. The Digital Nomad Visa renewal requires six months presence. The former Golden Visa required only one annual visit. Consider your lifestyle needs when selecting pathways.

Are there any residency options linked to Barcelona specifically?

No. All Spanish residency permits are national, granting the right to live anywhere in Spain. However, your NIE registration and empadronamiento (municipal registration) will be tied to a specific address, typically where you own or rent property.

How do I choose between pathways?

Consider your circumstances:

• Passive income, no work plans: Non-Lucrative Visa
• Remote worker for foreign company: Digital Nomad Visa
• Relocating for Spanish employment: Employment visa + Beckham Law
• Launching innovative business: Entrepreneur Visa
• Need property-linked residency: Consider Greece Golden Visa

Families should review our international schools guide when planning relocation. Compare Spanish markets in our Barcelona vs Madrid vs Marbella analysis.

Key Takeaways

• Spain’s Golden Visa ended 3 April 2025; property purchase no longer grants residency
• Existing Golden Visa holders retain full renewal rights if they maintain their investment
• The Non-Lucrative Visa suits those with €28,800+ annual passive income who won’t work in Spain
• Digital Nomad Visa requires €33,156+ income from remote work for non-Spanish employers
• Entrepreneur Visa has no minimum investment but requires genuinely innovative business plans
• Beckham Law offers 24% flat tax (versus 47%+ progressive) for qualifying relocating workers
• Greece maintains property-linked Golden Visa (€250,000-€800,000 depending on location)
• Portugal Golden Visa continues via €500,000 fund investment (no property route)
• All pathways permit family inclusion with additional income requirements
• Property purchase remains unrestricted; residency is now a separate planning exercise

For exclusive access to Barcelona’s most exceptional luxury properties and comprehensive market insight, contact our specialized advisory team at barcelona@blackprive.com

Author

Alexander Thornbury MRICS analyses European luxury property markets for UHNWI buyers and family offices. With 15 years advising clients at leading international property consultancies, he specialises in cross-border transactions and tax-efficient property structuring.

His analysis is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice.

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