Residency · 10 min read
Spain's Golden Visa — the investor residency programme that granted residency rights to non-EU buyers who purchased property worth €500,000 or more — officially ended for new applications in April 2025. For many international buyers who had included the visa as part of their purchase rationale, the question is obvious: what now?
The answer is that Spain still has multiple legal routes to residency for non-EU nationals — and for many buyers, the alternatives are actually a better fit. Here is a clear breakdown of the three main routes in 2026, who qualifies, and the trade-offs between them.
The Spanish government cited housing affordability concerns — particularly in coastal areas and major cities — as the primary driver for ending the programme. Critics argued that wealthy foreign buyers were inflating prices and reducing supply for Spanish residents. Whether or not the data supported that conclusion, the political decision was made and the programme closed.
Importantly, those who obtained Golden Visas before the closure retain their rights and can continue to renew. Only new applications are no longer accepted.
The Non-Lucrative Visa (Visado de Residencia No Lucrativa) is Spain's long-standing residency route for people who can support themselves financially without working in Spain. It has existed for decades and is well-established in Spanish immigration law.
Despite the name, it does not require you to be retired — it simply requires that you are not working for a Spanish employer or conducting business in Spain. Remote workers earning from non-Spanish sources were in a legal grey area with the NLV until the Digital Nomad Visa arrived.
Key requirement: You must spend at least 183 days per year in Spain to maintain the residency — which also makes you Spanish tax resident. This means declaring worldwide income in Spain and potentially paying Spanish income tax on foreign earnings. Many buyers underestimate this.
Introduced under Spain's Start-Up Law in January 2023, the Digital Nomad Visa was designed to attract remote workers and freelancers from outside the EU. Unlike the NLV, it explicitly permits you to work — but only for non-Spanish companies or clients. You cannot take a job with a Spanish employer or serve predominantly Spanish clients.
It is by far the most popular residency route for working-age international buyers in 2026, particularly those in tech, finance, consulting, design or creative industries who work entirely online.
Tax benefit: Digital Nomad Visa holders can apply for the Beckham Law (Régimen Especial de Impatriados) for up to 5 years — capping Spanish income tax at a flat 24% on the first €600,000 of income, rather than Spain's progressive rates which reach 47%. For higher earners, this is a substantial saving.
Also introduced under Spain's Start-Up Law, the Entrepreneur Visa (Visado de Emprendedor) targets founders and investors who intend to create or expand a business in Spain. Unlike the NLV and Digital Nomad Visa, it permits — and requires — active participation in a Spanish business entity.
Applications are assessed by Spain's General Directorate for International Trade and Investment (DGCOMINVER), which evaluates the business plan, its economic impact, and the applicant's professional track record. Approval is not guaranteed and the process is more involved than the other routes.
This route is most relevant for buyers who are relocating a business or founding a new venture in Spain — rather than those simply looking to live there. Processing times are longer than the NLV or Digital Nomad routes, and the business plan must demonstrate genuine economic value to Spain.
| Feature | Non-Lucrative | Digital Nomad | Entrepreneur |
|---|---|---|---|
| Work in Spain permitted | ✗ | ✓ (remote only) | ✓ (own business) |
| Beckham Law eligible | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Min. income requirement | €2,400/mo | €2,646/mo | Varies |
| Business plan required | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |
| Initial permit duration | 1 year | 3 years | 2 years |
| Path to PR (years) | 5 years | 5 years | 5 years |
| Complexity | Low | Medium | High |
Without a Golden Visa, property ownership no longer grants any direct immigration benefit in Spain. However, owning property does strengthen residency applications in a practical sense: it demonstrates ties to Spain, provides proof of accommodation, and signals long-term intent. Consulates typically look favourably on applicants who can show they have a stable housing situation.
"Many of our clients are purchasing property and pursuing a Digital Nomad or Non-Lucrative Visa simultaneously. The two processes are independent but complementary — having the property sorted first simplifies the visa paperwork considerably."
Whichever visa route you choose, spending more than 183 days per year in Spain makes you Spanish tax resident — meaning you must declare worldwide income in Spain. For many buyers this is not a problem, but it requires proper advice from a Spanish tax specialist (gestora) who understands international income situations. The Beckham Law available on the Digital Nomad and Entrepreneur routes provides meaningful relief for higher earners in the first five years.
We work alongside specialist immigration lawyers and Spanish tax advisors. Book a free call and we'll point you in the right direction for your specific situation.
Book a Free Consultation