Spanish golden visa set to end in April 2025

Spain is ending its ‘golden visa’ on April 3^rd 2025.

After extensive deliberation and significant pushbacks from opposition parties, the government has announced this is the official ‘cut off’ date – after which, it will no longer be possible to combine a €500,000 property investment with a fast-track residency.

Is it the end of a golden era?

Absolutely – over 15,000 non-EU nationals have taken advantage of the scheme since 2013, successfully using their real estate investment to secure their new life in the sun.

Is it the end of the dream for prospective buyers?

Absolutely NOT – if you’re interested in purchasing a property in the Costa del Sol, whilst also securing EU residency, all is not lost. There’s still time to turn your investment into the lifestyle upgrade you’ve been dreaming of, plus a variety of other options available to you.

Here our property specialists take a closer look.

End of the golden visa

How it will affect our clients – past, present and future.

Existing residents won’t be affected

Already the proud owner of a golden visa?

No need to panic and pack your suitcase just yet.

As outlined in the new regulations, current holders – who have already been granted residency through the golden visa scheme – will not see any changes. Your status is secure, your visa will remain valid until its expiration date and your ability to live and work in Spain is unaffected.

What’s more, your residence permit can continue to be renewed as usual – providing that you still meet the renewal requirements stipulated at the time of its original issuance.

Pending applications are protected

Applied for a golden visa, but not yet received approval?

Again, there’s no cause for concern.

Thanks to a transitional clause in the new law, individuals who have already submitted their application – before the new regulations were enacted – will be unaffected. Your application will still be processed under the old rules. Then when the time comes, your golden visa can be renewed according to the regulations in force at the time of application.

Investment-based residency is still possible

But you’ll need to move quickly.

Spain is likely to explore other avenues for attracting foreign investors in the future. However, details about what alternative residency programs might be remain unclear. Which means, for anyone interested in securing residency via investment, this could be your last chance.

The new regulations include a transitional period, during which you’re still entitled to make a new application for a golden visa – right up until April 3^rd 2025. i.e. there’s still a limited window of opportunity to utilise the scheme and secure an investment-based residency.

It’s important to note that, to apply:

• the investment must already be completed and,
• for real estate investments, the property must be duly registered in the Land Registry.

Since this process can take up to two months, if you’d like to be one of the last few to take advantage of the golden visa programme, time is of the essence – now is the time to act.

What are your options as an investor?

The end of the golden visa doesn’t mean it’s the end of the dream. With the right planning, it’s still very much possible to buy a property and live in Spain as a non-EU/EEA national.

There are currently three main options to choose from:

1.     Seize the day

Following the government’s initial announcement regarding the program’s abolishment in 2024, there was a significant surge in applications. In June 2024, the number of requests for the Spanish golden visa tripled – and this number has skyrocketed again since January 2025.

So why not follow the crowd?

Why not take advantage of this last chance to secure a golden visa?

Here at Bromley Estates Marbella, we’re prepped and ready to move.

Our portfolio features a diverse range of stunning properties for sale in the Costa del Sol, including both new developments and older homes to suit all needs, preferences and budgets. Many of these are available to complete in under six weeks – giving you plenty of time to secure your investment, and apply for a golden visa, before the new regulations come into force.

With the insight and knowledge of our specialists on your side, it’s still possible to obtain an investment-based residency, take the next step in your life and move towards your dream.

2.     Apply for a different type of visa

Where there’s a will, there’s a way.

If you don’t manage to apply for the golden visa by April 3^rd or would like more time to find your dream home, numerous other options are available. All of which will allow you to relocate to the Costa del Sol and remain in the country for at least one year – providing you meet the criteria.

Some of the most common include the:

• non-lucrative visa
• digital nomad visa
• self-employment visa
• work visa

A summary of these can be found in our previous blog ‘Spain to end the golden visa: what options do I have now?’. However, for further information on all the above and their specific eligibility criteria, it’s worth taking a look at visaguide.world and schengenvisainfo.com. 

3.     Use the 90 day rule to your advantage

In other words, utilise your ‘tourist visa’.

As a non-EU/EEA national, you’re still entitled to stay in Spain for 90 days in any 180-day period, and you can use those 90 days however you wish. If you were to purchase a house in the Costa del Sol, you could stay for 90 days in a row, or take several short breaks and extended stays throughout the year – without the need for an official visa or permit.

You’re also still entitled to rent out the property – giving you the option to rent out the property (and make a lucrative profit) during the other 90 days, in your absence.

Time to contact our property specialists?

The bottom line is – golden visa or no golden visa, there’s no need to be deterred.

As a non-EU/EEA national, it’s still 100% possible to invest in real estate in the Costa del Sol and make your dream of living in Spain a reality – and we’re here to support you every step of the way. So why not view our most sought-after properties today? For further expert guidance on the current visa options, please don’t hesitate to contact our team of specialists.

You can give us a call at any time on +34 952 939 460 (+44 208 068 7606). Or simply send your enquiry to info@bromleyestatesmarbella.com and we’ll respond as soon as possible.