Spain Golden Visa Abolished: Residency Options for Marbella Property Buyers in 2026

Update 2026: Spain’s Golden Visa – the residence permit granted for buying property worth €500,000 or more – was abolished on 3 April 2025. If you are planning to buy a villa in Marbella or Benahavís and want to live in Spain, this guide explains what changed, who is still protected, and which residency routes buyers are using in 2026.

What happened to the Spanish Golden Visa?

Organic Law 1/2025, published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) on 3 January 2025, repealed articles 63 to 67 of Law 14/2013 – the legal basis of the investor residence permit. The repeal took effect on 3 April 2025 and closed every investment route, not only real estate: property, shares, bank deposits, public debt and business projects.

The Government’s stated aim was to reduce pressure on housing prices in high-demand areas. In practice, buying a home in Spain no longer gives you a right to residency by itself.

Are existing Golden Visa holders affected?

• Applications filed before 3 April 2025 keep their acquired rights and continue to be processed.
• Current holders can renew under the rules that applied when their permit was granted, as long as they keep the qualifying investment.
• A lapsed permit cannot be revived – if you let it expire, you would have to apply under a different route.

Residency alternatives for Marbella property buyers in 2026

Buying a luxury villa is still one of the most popular ways for international families to settle on the Costa del Sol. These are the main routes non-EU buyers combine with their purchase:

1. Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)

Designed for people who will live in Spain without working here – ideal for retirees and investors living off income or savings. The applicant must prove passive income or funds of around €28,800 per year (400% of IPREM), plus roughly €7,200 for each additional family member, private health insurance and a clean record. Owning your villa in Benahavís or Marbella makes the accommodation requirement simple.

2. Digital Nomad Visa

For professionals who work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain. The income threshold is linked to the minimum wage and is currently around €2,850 gross per month for the main applicant. It can be applied for from inside Spain and offers access to a special tax regime in certain cases.

3. Entrepreneur and highly qualified professional visas

If you plan to run an innovative business or relocate as a senior executive, Spain’s Startup Law routes remain open. They require a viable business plan or a qualifying employment contract rather than a fixed investment amount.

4. EU citizens and family members

Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland do not need a visa – they simply register as residents. Non-EU family members of EU citizens can apply for a family member residence card.

Does it still make sense to buy luxury property in Marbella?

Yes. Demand in Marbella, Benahavís and the Golden Mile is driven mostly by lifestyle buyers from Northern Europe, the UK, the Middle East and the Americas, and prime new-build supply remains limited. Branded residences such as Tierra Viva in Benahavís – 53 villas designed with Automobili Lamborghini – attract buyers for their design, privacy and sea views rather than for a visa.

What has changed is the order of steps: today you choose your residency route first, then buy the property that fits it.

Checklist before buying a villa as a non-EU buyer

• Get your NIE (foreigner identification number) and open a Spanish bank account.
• Choose your residency route with an immigration lawyer before signing.
• Budget roughly 10–13% on top of the price for taxes and fees (IVA and stamp duty on new builds).
• Review the developer’s bank guarantees for stage payments on off-plan homes.
• Plan your tax residency: from 183 days a year in Spain you become tax resident.

Frequently asked questions

Can I still get a Golden Visa by buying property in Spain?

No. Since 3 April 2025, new Golden Visa applications based on property investment are no longer accepted.

What is the easiest visa for retirees buying in Marbella?

For most non-EU retirees, the Non-Lucrative Visa is the most common route, provided they can show sufficient passive income and private health insurance.

Can I renew my existing Golden Visa?

Yes, holders whose permit was granted or applied for before 3 April 2025 can renew under the transitional rules, while they maintain the investment.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules and thresholds change every year – always confirm your case with a Spanish immigration lawyer.

Thinking about a villa at Tierra Viva? Contact us for the brochure, availability and a private viewing, or explore the Esmeralda, Zafiro and Diamante villas.