Golden Visa Marbella

No. The Spanish Golden Visa was abolished by Organic Law 1/2025 and stopped accepting new applications on 3 April 2025. The reform repealed Articles 63 to 67 of Law 14/2013, which had governed the investor residence visa since 2013. This means no investor — whether buying property in Marbella, purchasing Spanish public debt or investing in company shares — can obtain residence through this route today. The change is permanent and applies across Spain, not only on the Costa del Sol. If your goal is to live in or hold residence rights in Spain, other permits remain available. At MT Legal Lawyers, our team can review your circumstances and advise on the route that now fits your situation.

The Spanish Government withdrew the Golden Visa as part of a wider housing-policy shift. Official figures showed that the large majority of investor visas were linked to real estate, and the Government argued this added pressure to property prices in cities and high-demand coastal areas. The measure was introduced through Organic Law 1/2025, published in the Boletín Oficial del Estado in January 2025, with a three-month transitional period ending on 3 April 2025. Spain followed a wider European trend, as Portugal, Ireland and the Netherlands had already closed comparable schemes. Understanding the reasoning helps investors plan realistically: the closure reflects a settled policy direction rather than a temporary suspension, so we advise focusing on the alternative residence permits that remain open.

Buying property in Marbella no longer grants residence rights in itself. Since the abolition of the Golden Visa, there is no longer a residence permit linked to a €500,000 property purchase or to any other qualifying investment. You may, of course, still buy a home on the Costa del Sol as a non-resident, and many international clients do so for personal use or as an investment. Property ownership can also support certain other applications — for example, by evidencing accommodation and financial means — but it is not a residence route on its own. If your purchase is connected to a wish to live in Spain, our team can advise on combining your property plans with a suitable visa.

If your Golden Visa or investor residence authorisation was already in force before the reform took effect, your rights are protected. The transitional provisions of Organic Law 1/2025 confirm that visas and authorisations valid on the relevant date remain valid for the period for which they were granted. In practice, this means existing holders and their family members keep their residence status and associated rights, provided they continue to meet the original conditions. The abolition therefore looks forward rather than backward. If you hold a Golden Visa and are unsure how the change affects your renewals, family members or long-term residence plans, we recommend a personalised review so you can plan with certainty.

Yes. The transitional provisions of Organic Law 1/2025 state that renewal applications from existing Golden Visa holders are processed and decided under the rules in force before the reform. This means current holders can, in principle, continue to renew their investor residence permit as long as they still satisfy the original requirements, including maintaining the qualifying investment. Renewals are not automatic, however, and the authorities assess each file on its merits. Because the procedural landscape is changing and timing matters, we strongly recommend preparing renewal applications carefully and well in advance. Our team can manage the renewal process on your behalf and confirm that your documentation is complete and correctly presented.

Applications correctly submitted before 3 April 2025 are protected by the transitional regime. The reform allowed a three-month window after publication of Organic Law 1/2025, during which investors could still apply provided they met all requirements and completed the process before the deadline. Files lodged within that window are processed and resolved under the previous rules, and applicants who succeed obtain a permit on the original terms. Applications started after the deadline cannot be accepted under the Golden Visa scheme. If you submitted an application close to the cut-off date and are uncertain about its status, our team can review the file, liaise with the relevant authorities and advise on next steps if any issue arises.

Several routes remain open to non-EU citizens. The Non-Lucrative Visa suits those with sufficient passive income or savings who do not need to work in Spain, and is popular with retirees on the Costa del Sol. The Digital Nomad Visa is designed for remote workers and certain self-employed professionals. The Entrepreneur Visa supports innovative business projects, while the Highly Qualified Worker Visa and the EU Blue Card cover qualified employment. Each has distinct income thresholds, documentation and residence obligations, and the right choice depends on your work situation, family and long-term intentions. There is no longer a pure “investment for residence” permit, so we assess your profile against these alternatives and recommend the most realistic route for your circumstances.

Yes, in most cases. The main alternative permits — including the Non-Lucrative Visa and the Digital Nomad Visa — allow the main applicant to include close family members, typically a spouse or registered partner and dependent children, and in some cases dependent ascendants. Family members are usually added either alongside the main application or through a subsequent family procedure, depending on the route and timing. Each additional family member generally increases the income or savings you must prove, and every applicant must meet requirements such as a clean criminal record and valid health cover. Because the rules differ between permits, we advise planning the family element from the outset. Our team can structure the application so your family’s residence is handled efficiently.

Yes — independent legal advice remains highly advisable for any property purchase in Spain. A conveyancing lawyer carries out essential due diligence: confirming ownership and title at the Land Registry, checking for charges, debts or planning issues, reviewing the contract, and ensuring taxes and notary formalities are handled correctly. These protections apply regardless of whether residence rights are involved, and the end of the Golden Visa does not reduce the legal risks of buying in an unfamiliar jurisdiction. For international buyers in Marbella and across the Costa del Sol, professional representation helps prevent costly mistakes. At MT Legal Lawyers, our conveyancing team can guide you through the full purchase process and coordinate it with any residence application you may wish to make.

We help investors and international buyers adapt to the new framework. Our team can review your objectives, explain which residence permits remain available, and identify the route most suited to your work, income and family situation — whether the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa or another option. We also assist existing Golden Visa holders with renewals and long-term residence planning, and support property buyers with conveyancing and related legal matters in Marbella. With more than 15 years of experience in immigration and property law on the Costa del Sol, we focus on practical, realistic advice. We cannot guarantee any particular outcome, but we can ensure your application is properly prepared and that you understand your options clearly.