
Golden Visas to End in Spain from April 3rd 2025
Starting April 3, Spain will no longer offer “golden visas” as a pathway to residency in Barcelona or the rest of the country.
Starting April 3, Spain will no longer offer “golden visas” as a pathway to residency in Barcelona or the rest of the country.
Is it the end of Golden Visas in Spain? Introduced in Spain in response to the 2008 financial crisis to attract foreign investment, the golden visa allowed residency via various avenues, notably purchasing real estate valued at over 500,000 euros. Despite its popularity, critics contend that the program has fueled rising property prices in major cities like Madrid and Barcelona. The decision to end the golden visa program, announced by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Monday, aligns with his goal of prioritizing housing as a fundamental right and rectifying market imbalances exacerbated by speculative investments.
The EU has consistently stated its aim to make traveling within its borders a safer experience and in order to reduce paperwork and waiting periods, as well as address security concerns, the European Commission (EC) has found a solution: ETIAS.
Below you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions related to the ETIAS travel authorization.
What is a Golden Visa?
In Spain, a Golden Visa is a residence visa issued to a non-EU national who intends to make a significant investment in the country. The visa offers the holder and their family members residency in Spain and access to the Schengen Zone Visa-free. Read through the article to know more about who can get a Spanish Golden Visa, its duration, its requirements, and of course its benefits.
A business visa refers to a short-term Schengen visa that allows you to visit any Schengen country including Spain, for a short period up to 90 days.
Nevertheless, if you intend to stay after these 3 months to develop your economic activity there are other paths that might be more appropriate find out more here.
The NIE Nightmare continues in Spain and while this is happening we wanted to enlighten you on the difference between the different local registration terms and which one you should get depending on your specific case.