Spain no longer grants residence permits for investment: since 3 April 2025 the entire investor programme has been abolished, covering both property purchases from €500,000 and investment in companies, bonds and bank deposits. Spain does not offer, and never has offered, citizenship by investment. But capital still helps you get a residence permit: you can live on the income from it with a non-lucrative permit, or use it to start your own business and get an entrepreneur or self-employment permit. Here is what happened to the golden visa, which routes suit a person with money and how much you need to move in 2026.
What was abolished and what happened to existing visas
Organic Law 1/2025 emptied Articles 63–67 of Law 14/2013 on investor visas and residence permits with effect from 3 April 2025. No new applications are accepted on any of the former routes.
- Applications filed before 3 April 2025 are decided under the rules in force on the filing date.
- Visas and permits already issued remain valid until they expire.
- Renewals are decided under the rules in force when the permit was first granted.
How the programme worked and why it was abolished is covered in our article on the Spanish golden visa.
Can you get Spanish citizenship by investment
No. The Spanish Civil Code knows two routes, and neither is linked to money:
- by residence: as a general rule after 10 years of legal and continuous residence immediately before the application;
- carta de naturaleza: granted by Royal Decree at the government’s discretion in exceptional circumstances. It is not a programme with an investment threshold.
More in our guide to Spanish citizenship.
Which residence permits suit a person with capital
Non-lucrative residence permit: live on income from capital
It suits people who will not work in Spain and live on passive income or savings. The funds requirements are set by Article 62 of the Immigration Regulation:
- for the applicant: at least 400% of IPREM a month, currently €2,400;
- for each family member: another 100% of IPREM a month, currently €600;
- the amount must cover the whole term of the permit — for one person for a year that is €28,800.
The law allows funds to be proven by any evidence, including property title deeds, bank certificates and statements of foreign accounts. If the funds are shares in Spanish companies, you must show that you do not work in them. More on the non-lucrative residence permit page.
Self-employment: invest in your own business
The self-employment permit (cuenta propia) is granted for a specific project. Under Article 84 of the Immigration Regulation you must:
- meet the requirements that apply to Spanish nationals for opening and running the activity, such as licences and registrations;
- have the qualifications or experience the profession requires, if any;
- show that the planned investment is sufficient to launch the project and how it will affect employment, including your own.
The law sets no minimum amount: whether the investment is sufficient is assessed from the business plan. More in our guide to cuenta propia in Spain.
Entrepreneur and startup visa: an innovative project
Law 14/2013 grants an entrepreneur residence permit for three years, renewable for two, with the right to long-term residence after five years. The project must be innovative or of special economic interest for Spain, which is confirmed by a report from the state agency ENISA on the business plan, the founder’s profile and the benefit to the economy. More on the startup visa to Spain page.
Digital nomad permit: if your income is from remote work
If your main income is employment or contracts with companies outside Spain, the digital nomad permit fits: income from 200% of the minimum wage a month, currently €2,849. More in our guide to the digital nomad visa in Spain.
How much property do you need to buy for a residence permit
None: buying property of any value no longer gives a right to residence on its own. But a flat or villa in Spain helps with other routes:
- the law allows property title deeds as one form of evidence of funds for a non-lucrative permit, although the living funds are still calculated from IPREM for the whole term;
- your own home settles the address and municipal registration needed for the residence card.
Purchase taxes by region are covered in our guide to luxury property in Spain.
Taxes for an investor after moving
- More than 183 days in Spain in a calendar year means tax residence and income tax on worldwide income.
- Wealth tax and the solidarity tax on large fortunes above €3,000,000 apply to worldwide assets for a resident.
- Entrepreneurs with a favourable ENISA report can opt for the special regime for people moving to Spain, the Beckham regime with a 24% rate. More in our guide to the Beckham law in Spain.
If your capital is large, the timing of the move and the ownership structure should be planned before you get the residence permit.
How we help
We choose the route that fits your capital, source of income and plans in Spain, prepare the documents and support you until you receive the residence card:
- non-lucrative residence permit: calculating the family’s funds and preparing the evidence;
- self-employment permit and startup visa: business plan, company registration and the ENISA report;
- tax planning for the move: residence, wealth tax, the Beckham regime.
More on the non-lucrative residence permit, startup visa and business registration pages.
Frequently asked questions
Can you get a Spanish residence permit by investment in 2026?
No. The investor programme, including residence for property from €500,000, was abolished on 3 April 2025. Capital helps you get a non-lucrative permit or a permit for your own business.
Can you get Spanish citizenship by investment?
No. Citizenship is granted by residence, as a general rule after 10 years, or at the government’s discretion in exceptional circumstances. Spain has no citizenship-by-investment programme.
What happens to golden visas already issued?
They remain valid until they expire, and renewals are decided under the rules in force when first granted. Applications filed before 3 April 2025 are decided under the old rules.
How much money do you need for a non-lucrative residence permit?
At least 400% of IPREM a month for the applicant, currently €2,400, plus 100% of IPREM, currently €600, for each family member, for the whole term of the permit.
Does buying property give a residence permit in Spain?
No. But property title deeds can prove part of the funds for a non-lucrative permit, and your own home is needed for municipal registration.
How much do you need to invest for an entrepreneur residence permit?
There is no fixed amount. For self-employment the investment must be sufficient for the project according to the business plan, and for the entrepreneur permit under Law 14/2013 the project needs a favourable ENISA report.
Where else in the EU can you get residence by investment?
An overview of countries that still grant residence or citizenship for investment is in our article on the Spanish golden visa, in the section on other countries.
Sources
- What was abolished and what happened to existing visas
- Can you get Spanish citizenship by investment
- Which residence permits suit a person with capital
- How much property do you need to buy for a residence permit
- Taxes for an investor after moving
- How we help
- Frequently asked questions
- Can you get a Spanish residence permit by investment in 2026?
- Can you get Spanish citizenship by investment?
- What happens to golden visas already issued?
- How much money do you need for a non-lucrative residence permit?
- Does buying property give a residence permit in Spain?
- How much do you need to invest for an entrepreneur residence permit?
- Where else in the EU can you get residence by investment?
- Sources
