Spain attracts thousands of foreigners year after year. We are talking about foreigners who just wish to visit the country for a couple of weeks , while others want to settle in and start their new life in a new country. Then, of course, one question arises: how can I do it from a legal standpoint? How can I get residency?
Since April 3, 2025, buying a home in Spain, regardless of its value, no longer gives the right to obtain a residence permit. The one known as Golden Visa, which allowed just that, was repealed by Organic Law 1/2025.
If you purchased your property or applied before that date, your situation may be protected by a transitional regime. If you haven’t started anything yet, keep reading: we explain what changed and what real alternatives exist today to obtain residency in Spain after buying a property.
Short answer: no.
From 2013 until April 3, 2025, Spain allowed non-EU citizens to obtain a residence permit through a minimum real estate investment of 500,000 €. It was the so-called golden visa or Golden Visa, regulated in articles 63 to 67 of Law 14/2013.
Organic Law 1/2025, of January 2, left these articles without content. Since April 3, 2025, it has not been possible to submit new residency applications for real estate investment, regardless of the amount invested.
Nevertheless, you may still purchase a property in the country as a foreigner, but that will not yield any right towards residency anymore.
What if you already had a Golden Visa or an application in process?
There is a transitional regime to protect those who were already within the system before the change:
- If you submitted your application before April 3, 2025, your file continues to be processed in accordance with the regulations in force at the time of the application.
- If you already have a Golden Visa granted, your authorization remains valid for the period for which it was issued.
- If you need to renew it, the renewal is governed by the regulations that were in force when the visa was granted, not by the current regulations.
Buying a home in Spain is still possible, but it does not give you residence
Nothing prevents a foreigner from buying property in Spain, with or without residence. What has changed is that this investment, by itself, no longer generates any immigration rights.
If your goal is only to have a property in Spain (for vacation use or as an investment), you can do so as a non-resident. If your goal is to live in Spain, you need to obtain residency through a different and independent means of purchase.
But don’t worry, there are many real ways to obtain residency in Spain today
- Non-profit residence: Designed for those who have sufficient financial means to live in Spain without working here.
- Self-employment or economic activity: For those who want to develop a professional or business activity in Spain.
- Other routes depending on your situation: there are other options depending on your profile (rooting, family reunification, studies, etc.)
How long can you stay in Spain if you own a property?
90 days. If you own a property in Spain, you can stay up to 90 days, which is the time allowed for tourists in the country.
In case you wish to stay longer than that, you will have to apply for a regular residence permit.
But, thanks to being the owner of a property, and in case its value is higher than 500.000€, you have it simple: you can obtain the investor visa, valid for 3 years.
In the following sections we will explore this path in greater detail.
If I buy a house in Spain, can I live there permanently?
Yes, if you buy a house you can live there permanently, as long as you have a valid residence permit that allows you to legally reside in the country.
In case you are a EU citizen, that is a EU registration certificate.
And, on the other hand, if you are a non-EU citizen, that requires applying a for a regular residence permit.
Which were the main requirements to buy a house in Spain and get residency?
First and foremost, the most crucial requirement you had to meet for a successful application was to demonstrate the real estate investment.
That was done through the certificate of ownership from the Land Registry, and the deed supporting the purchase of the property or properties. You can find more information about how property purchasing works in Spain here.
Even though the most common path was buying a property (as then the required investment amount is lower, 500.000€), there were also other options, such as buying shares of a Spanish company or purchasing Spanish debt.
Nevertheless, then the minimum investment rose to over 1 million euros.
On the other hand, we found some extra requirements; even though those are really attainable.
If you wanted to get residency after buying a property, you would have to hire private health insurance with a Spanish company. Usually, costs ranged between 50 and 70€ per month, even though you may find discounts for families.
Also, you had to submit your criminal records certificate, showing an absence of entries.
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