On 3 April 2025, Spain ended its Golden Visa programme with the passing of the Organic Law 1/2025, which was published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) back in January 2025.
Since 2013, the Spain Golden Visa programme has been a popular option for non-EU citizens, including British citizens following Brexit. It typically required a minimum investment of €500,000 in Spanish real estate, or by making other significant financial contributions.
However, the increasing housing crisis in Spain brought the Spanish Golden Visa programme under intense criticism. The Spanish government concluded that it had turned housing into a speculative business rather than treating it as a basic right, prioritising investor profits over residents’ housing affordability. The proposal to end the Golden Visa was, in fact, a knife-edge decision: 177 Spanish Parliament votes were in favour, while 170 were against.
With Spain’s Golden Visa having ended, what does this mean for UK citizens? Since Brexit, British nationals are subject to the standard Schengen Area rules, meaning they can only stay in Spain for 90 days in any 180-day period as tourists. For those wishing to live in Spain long-term, a long-stay visa is essential. So, what other options are available?
In this article, we’ll explore the topic of how to move to Spain after the Golden Visa ended and whether you can still renew an existing Spain Golden Visa.
We’ll cover Spain residency options post Golden Visa, including: The ‘Non-Lucrative’, Digital Nomad, Highly Qualified Professionals, Entrepreneur and Student Visas.
Can I still renew my Spain Golden Visa in 2025 and beyond?
While in October 2024, around 780 Golden Visas had been awarded (with an average investment of €657,204), more than 573 of these Golden Visas were issued following Spain’s first declaration of the programme’s suspension, as there was a surge in applications during the grace period. If you’re an existing Golden Visa holder wondering whether your existing visa is still valid or can be renewed, here’s what you need to know:
New applications are closed, but existing holders can keep their permits
As of 3 April 2025, new applications for the Spain Golden Visa aren’t accepted. However, if you already hold a Golden Visa, you can keep your residence permit and continue using it until its expiration date. You don’t lose your status simply because the programme has ended.
Renewal rights depend on your investment type
This is where it gets complicated. According to the current wording of Organic Law 1/2025, it appears that only investors in real estate will be able to renew their permits once they have expired.
It seems that other types of Golden Visa investors (such as those who invested in public debt, shares, bank deposits, or investment funds) aren’t currently included in the renewal provisions of the law. So if you hold a Golden Visa based on these non-property investments, you should seek specialist legal advice regarding your renewal eligibility, as the law’s interpretation on this point is still developing.
Requirements for renewal
To renew your Golden Visa (if eligible), you must:
- Keep the original investment active and maintain its value.
- Have visited Spain at least once during each year of your visa period.
Alternative options for living in Spain: Current visa programmes
The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
The Non-Lucrative Visa Spain for British nationals is one of the most popular alternative visa options to the Golden Visa. It’s principally aimed at those who wish to reside in Spain without carrying out any work or business activities. In other words, the visa is for individuals who have the financial means – without working – to support themselves for the duration of their residency. That’s why this is a good option for Spain residency for UK retirees after the Golden Visa.
Who is the Non-Lucrative Visa best suited for?
- As mentioned, retirees who have sufficient passive income (such as pensions, rental income, or investment income) to live in Spain without working.
- Those seeking a “stepping stone” visa to live in Spain initially with a view to later applying for a different visa type.
- Anyone wanting to spend a year in Spain to explore living there before making a longer-term commitment.
Financial requirements for the Non-Lucrative Visa
To qualify, you typically need:
- A regular source of income or savings of approximately €2,640 per month for the main applicant, or €30,000+ annually.
- Enough funds to cover at least the first year of your residence.
It’s crucial to understand that these are minimum figures and requirements increase for dependents. Spanish authorities may request evidence of higher amounts, depending on your circumstances and family size.
How to apply for the Non-Lucrative Visa
The NLV can only be applied for through the Spanish Consulate in your country of residence before relocating. You can’t apply for the NLV in Spain.
Duration and path to permanent residency
The initial residency granted is for one year, after which it can be renewed for two years, and then for a further two. Permanent or long-term residence may be obtained after five years of legal and continuous residence. Importantly, these years can be counted towards the subsequent acquisition of Spanish nationality.
Attractiveness of the Non-Lucrative Visa
Among the benefits of applying for an NLV are:
- Family: Other members of the family (spouse/civil registered partner, and dependent children or parents) can also apply with you, meaning that you all become resident and move to Spain together.
- Healthcare: You will require private health insurance, but if you qualify for the S1 form in the UK, you can gain access to the Spanish healthcare system under the reciprocal agreement between the UK and Spain.
- Low investment: The funds that you need to show for the visa aren’t retained or frozen. You can freely access and use this money after the visa has been approved.
- Travel: Gain the freedom of the Schengen Area, while maintaining your minimum requirement of 183 days in Spain (as per tax residency rules).
- Study: Allows the possibility of studying and furthering your education in Spain.
The Digital Nomad Visa
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa is for any foreigner planning to live in Spain as a resident while working remotely, whether self-employed or for a company or employer outside of the Spanish national territory, and using computer telematics and telecommunication media and systems.
This visa has become increasingly popular among UK professionals who work remotely and wish to enjoy Spain’s lifestyle. When the applicant is self-employed, he/she can also work for a company located in Spain, as long as the percentage of this particular work doesn’t exceed 20% of the total amount of his/her professional activity.
Educational and professional requirements
The applicant must have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree from a university, college or business school of prestige, or have at least three years of work experience in his/her current field of activity.
Financial requirements
Applicants must demonstrate that they earn at least twice the Spanish minimum wage, typically between €2,640 and €3,080 per month. This ensures that digital nomads can support themselves (and any dependents) while residing in Spain.
Where can you apply?
One of the major advantages of the Digital Nomad Visa is that you can apply for it from within Spain or from the Spanish Consulate in your country of origin. This flexibility makes it more accessible than some other visa types, such as the Non-Lucrative Visa.
Duration and processing
Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa allows remote workers to stay for an initial period of up to one year when applying from outside Spain, or up to three years when applying from within the country. Those who enter on the one-year visa can convert it to a three-year residence permit upon arrival in Spain. After the initial period, the residence permit can be renewed for an additional two years, bringing the total to five years of legal residence. Following five continuous years in Spain, visa holders become eligible to apply for permanent residency, providing a clear pathway to long-term settlement in Spain.
The Digital Nomad Visa is processed quickly by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE), which specialises in fast-tracking applications for remote workers and highly qualified professionals.
Attractive benefits
- Tax: Digital nomads residing in Spain may qualify for more favourable tax treatment under special tax regimes. Specifically, eligible digital nomads can benefit from a 24% tax rate on income up to €600,000 per year, rather than the standard progressive Spanish income tax rates, which can be significantly higher.
- Family: The digital nomad’s spouse or unmarried partner, dependent children and dependent relatives in the ascending line who form part of the family unit may also obtain the visa.
Application requirements
To apply for the Spain Digital Nomad Visa, items to be submitted include (amongst others):
- National Visa Application Form
- A recent passport-sized colour photograph, valid passport, criminal record certificate
- Proof of health insurance and income
- Marriage or birth certificate, if applicable, or proof of cohabitation
- Proof of qualifications and/or work experience
- For international workers, proof of employment from an international employer confirming that the applicant has worked for them for at least three months
- Companies House document (or equivalent) of the international employer confirming the company’s existence
- Payment of the prescribed visa fee
- An NIE number (Número de Identidad de Extranjero)
The Entrepreneur Visa
The Spain Entrepreneur visa (also known as the Startup Visa) is for foreigners moving to Spain to undertake an innovative, entrepreneurial activity of particular economic interest for Spain.
Requirements
- Your business project must be innovative and demonstrate high growth potential.
- The business plan must be approved by ENISA (National Innovation Company) as an innovative activity of special economic interest for Spain.
- You must demonstrate sufficient financial resources (minimum equivalent to 100% of Spain’s Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator, IPREM, plus 50% of IPREM for each family member).
- Processed by the UGE-CE.
Many of the documents required to apply for a Spain Entrepreneur visa are similar to the Digital Nomad Visa, plus:
- A favourable report on the project issued by ENISA, obtained through the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit.
- Financial means documentation proving the entrepreneur has sufficient resources for themselves and accompanying family members.
- Foreign documents must be legalised or apostilled and, where applicable, must be submitted together with an official translation into Spanish.
Family members
The following family members of the entrepreneur may also obtain the visa:
- The spouse or unmarried partner.
- Children and adult children who are financially dependent on the worker and who have not created a family unit of their own.
- Relatives in the ascending line in the worker’s care.
In addition, the Spain Entrepreneur Visa accredits residence in Spain during its validity period, making it unnecessary for the entrepreneur to obtain a Foreigner Identity Card initially. However, the entrepreneur may apply for this card at the Foreign Nationals’ Office or the corresponding Police Station.
Validity
Spain’s Entrepreneur Visa is initially valid for one year when applied for from a Spanish consulate abroad, which can then be converted to a three-year residence permit upon arrival in Spain. For those applying from within Spain, a three-year residence permit is granted directly. The permit can be renewed for an additional two years, provided the business remains innovative, viable and continues to contribute to the Spanish economy. Following five continuous years of legal residency, entrepreneurs become eligible to apply for permanent residency.
The Highly Qualified Professionals Visa
This visa is designed for individuals with specialised skills or management experience who have secured a job offer from a Spanish company.
Requirements
- A job offer from a Spanish company for a specialised or management position.
- Generally, a salary exceeding €40,100 per year (or €54,200 per year for director-level positions).
Benefits
- It’s processed quickly by UGE-CE
- It’s initially granted for three years
- Family members can join the main applicant
Student Visa
The Student Visa is an excellent option for those wishing to pursue education in Spain, whether for language studies, undergraduate degrees, postgraduate programmes, or vocational training.
Key features
- Allows residency for the duration of your enrolled course at a Spanish institution.
- Permits some part-time work (limited hours) while studying.
- Can later be changed to a residence and/or work permit after completing your studies, making it a potential pathway to long-term residency.
- Family members can accompany the main applicant.
The Family Reunification Visa
Unlike the visa options discussed above, the Family Reunification Visa is not a pathway for UK citizens to initially move to Spain, but rather for family members of foreigners who already have legal resident status in Spain and wish to exercise the right to family reunification.
Eligible family members include the spouse or registered partner (not separated in fact or in law); children under 18 or those with disabilities who can’t provide for their own needs; and parents over 65 who are in the applicant’s care, where there are substantiated reasons for authorising their residence in Spain.
Key required documents include:
- A valid passport
- The applicant’s residence card
- Initial family reunification permit
- Documentary evidence proving the family relationship (such as marriage certificates, birth certificates, or proof of registered partnership).
The Family Reunification Visa is valid for 90 days, after which a Foreigner Identification Card must be applied for within one month of entry into Spain at the Foreign Nationals’ Office or Police Station in the relevant province.
Critical post-arrival requirement: The TIE card for UK citizens
Regardless of which visa route you choose, UK nationals planning to live in Spain must apply for the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) − the Foreign Identity Card − within 30 days of arrival.
The TIE serves as your official residence document and proof that you are legally residing in Spain. Critically, it is the only document that grants British residents exemption from the EU Entry/Exit System (EES), launched on 12 October 2025, which will track the entry and exit of all non-EU nationals through biometric data and automatically calculate days spent in the Schengen Area.
Without a TIE card, UK nationals may face delays, additional checks, or complications at borders, even with valid Spanish residence permits, and will be subject to the 90-day Schengen tourist limits. Prioritise obtaining your TIE card immediately after arrival to avoid any issues.
Best EU investment visas after the Spain Golden Visa ended
Are you considering other countries in Europe to reside in? Several EU countries continue to offer investment-based residency programmes, including Portugal (€250,000+ in cultural investments or venture capital), Greece (€250,000-€800,000 property investments) and Malta (approximately €169,000 combined investments). Each country has specific requirements and processing timelines to consider.
Conclusion
Despite Spain suspending its Golden Visa programme on 3 April 2025, Spain offers multiple visa routes to EU and non-EU citizens looking to live and work in the country. The key is understanding which visa aligns with your financial situation, work status and long-term goals.
Should you require notarial, apostille and/or legalisation services for your Spanish visa application, please contact us today by calling us on 020 7630 1777 or emailing us at: info@notary.co.uk
FAQs
Can I still renew my Spain Golden Visa in 2025?
Yes, if you already hold a Golden Visa, you can keep it until expiration. Real estate investors can renew their permits by maintaining their original investment and visiting Spain at least once per year. Other investment types should seek legal advice on renewal eligibility.
What is the Non-Lucrative Visa and who is it for?
The Non-Lucrative Visa allows UK nationals to live in Spain without working. It’s ideal for retirees with passive income (pensions, rental income) and requires approximately €2,640 per month in financial resources. The initial visa is valid for one year and renewable.
How long is Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa valid?
The Digital Nomad Visa is valid for one year when applying from outside Spain, or three years when applying from within the country. It can be renewed for an additional two years, with permanent residency eligibility after five continuous years.
What is the TIE card and why do UK citizens need it?
The Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE) is your official Spanish residence document. UK nationals must obtain it within 30 days of arrival. It’s the only document that exempts British residents from the EU Entry/Exit System and proves legal residency in Spain.
What are the best alternatives to Spain’s Golden Visa for UK citizens?
The most popular alternatives include the Non-Lucrative Visa (for retirees and those with passive income), the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers), the Entrepreneur Visa (for innovative business ventures), and the Highly Qualified Professionals Visa (for those with job offers in Spain).