Spain Golden Visa Alternatives: Residency & Citizenship Options in Spain and Abroad

Spain has officially ended its Golden Visa program, leaving non-EU nationals seeking residency and citizenship to explore alternative pathways.

These Spain Golden Visa alternatives include options like the Digital Nomad Visa, Non-Lucrative Visa, Highly Qualified Professional Visa, and family-based or student residency routes.

This article breaks down:

• What is the problem with the Golden Visa in Spain?
• What replaces a Golden Visa in Spain?
• How to get residency in Spain without a Golden Visa?
• What is the difference between residency and citizenship in Spain?

Key Takeaways:

• Spain has ended its Golden Visa, but there are local alternatives like the Digital Nomad and Non-Lucrative Visas.
• There is no direct replacement, but several visas still offer a path to long-term residency and citizenship.
• Strong Golden Visa alternatives include Portugal, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Italy, and the UAE.
• Spain still offers multiple citizenship routes, with timelines ranging from 1 to 10 years.

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The information in this article is for general guidance only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice, and is not a recommendation or solicitation to invest. Some facts may have changed since the time of writing.

Why is Spain stopping the Golden Visa?

The Spanish government officially ended the Golden Visa program on April 3, 2025.

This decision was driven by rising concerns over housing affordability and social inequality, as real estate investment by non-residents was inflating property prices in major cities.

The termination also aligns Spain with EU trends emphasizing sustainable residency programs over investor-driven schemes.

How long is a Spain Golden Visa valid for?

Before its termination, the Spain Golden Visa granted an initial one-year residence permit, which could then be renewed in two-year increments.

Holders were eligible for permanent residency after five years of legal residence and citizenship after ten years, with shorter timelines for nationals of certain countries.

Will Spain replace the Golden Visa?

Spain currently has no official replacement for the Golden Visa.

Instead, the government is promoting alternative legal pathways for non-EU nationals seeking residency and citizenship, including digital nomad programs, professional visas, and family reunification pathways.

What is the alternative to the Golden Visa in Spain?

Since Spain has discontinued its Golden Visa program, non-EU nationals now rely on other residency pathways, including visas for remote workers, retirees, skilled professionals, family members, students, and job seekers.

These alternatives offer legal residence in Spain without requiring a real-estate investment.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa

The Spain Digital Nomad Visa allows international remote workers to reside legally in Spain while working for foreign employers or as self-employed individuals.

Key requirements:

• Proof of remote employment or freelance activity.
• Minimum monthly income of approximately €2,762 (200% of Spain’s minimum wage in 2025).
• Private health insurance.
• Relevant professional experience or degree.

This visa can also include family members and offers a pathway to long-term residency.

Spain Non-Lucrative Visa

The Spain Non-Lucrative Visa is designed for retirees or individuals with passive income who do not intend to work in Spain.

Key requirements:

• Financial independence: Minimum required amount is 400% of Spain’s Public Multiple Effects Income Indicator (IPREM) for the main applicant, plus 100% of the IPREM for each dependent.
• Private health insurance: Full coverage in Spain with no co-payments.
• Application: Submit via Spanish consulate in the home country before entering Spain

After five years, holders can apply for long-term residency and, eventually, citizenship.

Spain Highly Qualified Professional Visa

The Spain Highly Qualified Professional Visa is aimed at skilled professionals with job offers in Spain, particularly in technical, managerial, or executive roles.

Key Requirements:

• Valid job offer: Must be from a Spanish company in a managerial, technical, or specialized role.
• Salary thresholds:
  • Managers/Executives: Minimum annual salary of €54,000.
  • Academic/Scientific Professionals: Minimum annual salary of €40,000.
  • Young professionals under 30: Eligible for a 25% salary reduction, making the minimum salary approximately €30,500.
  • Strategic SMEs: If employed by a small or medium-sized enterprise in a strategic sector, the salary requirement may be reduced by 25%.
• Salary in kind: Non-cash benefits can constitute up to 30% of the total salary package.
• Education and experience:
  • A university degree is typically required.
  • Alternatively, at least three years of relevant professional experience may be acceptable.
• Application process:
  • The application is processed through Spain’s Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE).
  • The initial residence authorization is valid for up to two years and can be renewed.

This visa is processed through the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit for expedited processing.

Spain Family Reunification Visa

The Spain Family Reunification Visa allows family members of Spanish citizens or residents to join them in Spain.

Key Requirements:

• Proof of family relationship: Marriage or partnership certificates, birth certificates, or dependency documentation, translated and legalized.
• Sufficient financial means: Sponsor must show income of at least 150% of the IPREM plus 50% per dependent.
• Adequate housing: Proof of suitable accommodation meeting local standards.
• Legal residency of sponsor: Minimum one year in Spain with a valid permit.
• Health insurance: Coverage for sponsor and family members.

This pathway is particularly useful for long-term residency and eventual citizenship.

Spain EU Blue Card

The Spain EU Blue Card targets highly skilled non-EU nationals seeking mobility within Europe.

Requirements:

• Education or Experience: Applicants need a university degree or five years of relevant professional experience.
• Job Offer: Must have a binding employment contract in Spain for a highly skilled role, typically six months or longer.
• Salary Threshold: Minimum gross annual salary of €40,077, with higher thresholds for managers or reductions for applicants under 30.
• Health Insurance: Coverage valid in Spain is required.
• Application Process: Processed through Spain’s UGE-CE, the unit for highly skilled professional visas.

Holders can apply for permanent residency and eventually Spanish citizenship.

Spain Student Visa

Spain Job Seeker Visa

The Spain Job Seeker Visa allows non-EU nationals to search for employment within Spain.

Validity is  extended from 3 months to 12 months with the opportunity to convert to a work visa once employment is secured.

Key Requirements

• Educational Qualification: Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or higher recognized in Spain.
• Financial Means: Proof of sufficient funds to support oneself during the stay is required.
• Health Insurance: Valid health insurance coverage for the duration of the stay in Spain is mandatory.
• Clean Criminal Record: Applicants must provide a certificate of no criminal record from their home country.
• Medical Certificate: A medical certificate confirming the absence of diseases with serious public health implications is required.
• Application Submission: The visa application must be submitted at the Spanish consulate or embassy in the applicant’s home country.

Residency by Settlement Spain

Also known as Arraigo, the residency by settlement Spain option is for individuals who have lived in the country for a certain period.

Key Requirements:

• Continuous Residence: Applicants must have lived in Spain for at least two or three years, depending on the Arraigo type.
• Social Integration: Proof of integration, such as a certificate from the local municipality or completion of a language/cultural course, is required.
• Employment or Study Links: Applicants may need a work contract, training, or evidence of ties to the community.
• Clean Criminal Record: A certificate confirming no criminal history in Spain or abroad is mandatory.
• Health Insurance and Financial Means: Applicants must demonstrate ability to support themselves and have health coverage in Spain.

What is the alternative to Spain Golden Visa abroad?

The main alternatives to the Spain Golden Visa abroad are other residency-by-investment programs offered by countries such as Portugal, Greece, Malta, Cyprus, Italy, and the UAE.

Offered in the same broader European region, these residency-by-investment programs serve as strong alternatives to the Spain Golden Visa by providing comparable access to EU mobility, long-term residency, and future citizenship pathways.

Portugal Golden Visa

Offers a flexible residency-by-investment program, now focused on investment funds, job creation, and cultural donations instead of property.

It remains popular for its five-year citizenship route and favorable tax regime for new residents.

Greece Golden Visa

One of Europe’s most affordable options, requiring a minimum property investment of €250,000 (rising to €400,000 in select areas). Residency is granted quickly and extends to family members.

Malta Permanent Residence Program (MPRP) and Citizenship by Merit

Provides both permanent residency and citizenship-by-investment routes. Though higher in cost, Malta’s programs offer direct access to EU mobility and a stable financial environment.

Cyprus Residence by Investment Program

While its citizenship program has ended, Cyprus still grants residency through property or business investment, with the added benefit of a Mediterranean lifestyle and favorable tax conditions.

Italy Golden Visa

The Italy Investor Visa allows investment in government bonds, startups, or established companies, offering a path to long-term residency and eventual citizenship.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) Golden Visa

For those seeking non-EU options, the UAE’s Golden Visa framework, particularly in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, offers tax advantages, business freedom, and long-term residency for investors and skilled professionals.

What are the pathways to Spanish citizenship?

Spain offers several routes to citizenship, such as marriage, residency, and descent.

Spain Citizenship by Residency

• Individuals can apply for citizenship after ten years of continuous legal residence in Spain. This period is reduced for certain groups, such as refugees (5 years) or nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Portugal (2 years).

Spain Citizenship by Marriage

• Non-Spanish spouses can apply for citizenship after one year of legal residence in Spain if married to a Spanish citizen. Applicants must provide proof of marriage and cohabitation, as well as integration into Spanish society.

Spanish Citizenship by Descent

• Individuals born to Spanish parents or grandparents may be eligible for citizenship (jus sanguinis), even if they were born abroad. The process requires official documentation of lineage and may include proof of cultural ties or residence.

Spanish Dual Citizenship

• Spain permits dual citizenship with certain countries, including Ibero-American nations, Andorra, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, the Philippines, and France. Citizens of other countries are generally required to renounce their previous nationality when naturalizing.

What’s the difference between residency and citizenship in Spain?

Residency in Spain allows non-EU nationals to live, work, or study in the country for a set period, depending on the visa or permit type.

Residents maintain their original nationality and may face limitations, such as voting rights or certain public benefits.

Citizenship in Spain grants full legal rights, including the ability to vote, hold public office, and obtain a Spanish passport, while also providing access to EU freedom of movement.

Achieving citizenship requires meeting residence requirements, integration criteria, and sometimes language or cultural tests, making it a more permanent and comprehensive legal status than residency.

What is the easiest way to get permanent residency in Spain?

For most expats, the easiest route is through long-term residency visas such as the Non-Lucrative Visa, Digital Nomad Visa, or the EU Blue Card, which provide structured pathways to permanent residency after five years.

What is the fastest way to get Spanish citizenship?

The fastest pathway is typically citizenship by marriage (after one year of residence) or through descent if the applicant has Spanish parents or grandparents.

Other naturalization routes generally require ten years of continuous residence.

Which Golden Visa is better, Spain or Portugal?

While Spain’s Golden Visa program has ended, Portugal’s Golden Visa remains active, allowing investors to obtain residency through business investment or job creation.

For those exploring alternatives to the Spain Golden Visa, Portugal is particularly relevant because it offers a shorter path to citizenship, five years of residency versus Spain’s ten years, making it a more efficient option for investors seeking EU residency and eventual nationality.

EU Mobility Advantage: Portuguese citizenship or long-term residency allows holders to live and work in Spain under EU freedom of movement rules, providing similar flexibility to a Golden Visa without Spain’s investment requirement.

Conclusion

Spain’s termination of the Golden Visa program does not eliminate opportunities for non-EU nationals.

With alternatives , residency and eventual citizenship in Spain remain achievable.

Additionally, countries like Portugal, Malta, and Canada provide attractive alternatives for investors and expats seeking residency or citizenship abroad.

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