Spain remains an attractive destination for families, professionals and international entrepreneurs. With the Golden Visa route closed to new applicants, alternative residency options require careful legal, financial and documentary planning.
Spain continues to attract non-EU nationals seeking long-term residence in Europe. Families, remote professionals, entrepreneurs and retirees are drawn by its quality of life, education system, healthcare, legal stability and international connectivity. At the same time, immigration applications are now reviewed with increasing attention to financial capacity, genuine purpose of residence and consistency of supporting documents.
One of the most important developments is the end of Spain’s investment-based residence route for new applicants. Since April 3, 2025, the Golden Visa pathway has no longer been available for new real estate or financial investment applications. As a result, applicants who previously considered property investment as a route to residence must now assess other legal options, including non-lucrative residence, the digital nomad visa, entrepreneur residence, employment-based permits and family reunification.
The non-lucrative residence visa remains a key option for applicants who have sufficient financial means and do not intend to work or carry out professional activity in Spain. It is often used by families, retirees and individuals with passive income or assets outside Spain. Applicants must normally prove sufficient resources, commonly linked to 400% of the IPREM for the main applicant, as well as private health insurance, a clean criminal record and other consular requirements.
The digital nomad visa is designed for professionals who work remotely for companies or clients located outside Spain. For this route, income alone is not enough; the applicant must demonstrate a genuine, ongoing and legally valid remote working relationship. Employment contracts, service agreements, company letters, professional qualifications, social security documentation and proof of business activity may all play an important role in the outcome of the application.
Other immigration routes may also be relevant depending on the applicant’s profile. These include employment residence, self-employment residence, student stay and subsequent modification, residence for family members of EU citizens, family reunification and long-term residence. Each option has its own requirements regarding financial means, timing, residence continuity, family links, health insurance, employment status and renewal conditions.
Iberex Spain is based in Madrid and assists Chinese, Spanish and international clients with immigration, tax, company formation, employment law and international legal consulting. For applicants planning to move to Spain in 2026, early assessment is essential. A well-structured residency strategy should consider not only the visa application itself, but also future renewals, tax residence, family planning, housing, business interests and long-term settlement in Spain.