Find Your Path to Spain
The Golden Visa ended April 3, 2025 (Organic Law 1/2025) — but there are more options than ever. Compare every residency pathway and find the one that fits your situation.
2026 Visa Options
Each pathway has different requirements, benefits, and restrictions. Here's an overview.
Tourist & Short-Stay
Everything you need to know about entering Spain as a tourist: Schengen visa requirements by nationality, 90/180 day rule, ETIAS, and transitioning from tourist to resident.
Digital Nomad Visa
Everything you need to know about Spain's Digital Nomad Visa in 2026: income requirements, Beckham Law tax benefits, application process, and eligibility criteria.
Non-Lucrative Visa
Complete guide to Spain's Non-Lucrative Visa for retirees and passive income earners. Financial requirements, restrictions, and application steps for 2026.
Entrepreneur Visa
How to get Spain's Entrepreneur Visa in 2026. Requirements for the 'innovative project' criteria, application process, and investment alternatives after the Golden Visa.
Student Visa
Updated 2026 guide to Spain's Student Visa with new 30-hour work rights, easier transition to work permits, and pathway to permanent residency.
Arraigo Social
The 2026 Arraigo Social reform reduces the residency requirement from 3 to 2 years. Complete guide to regularization through social roots in Spain.
Family of EU Citizen
Complete guide to the Tarjeta de Familiar de Ciudadano de la UE. How spouses, children, and dependents of Spanish or EU citizens can obtain residency in Spain for 2026.
Arraigo Familiar
Complete 2026 guide to Arraigo Familiar: 5-year residency with immediate work rights for parents, children, and partners of Spanish citizens. Applied from within Spain.
Quick Comparison
Side-by-side overview of key requirements and benefits.
| Visa Type | Income / Financial Req. | Can Work? | Beckham Law? | Processing Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tourist & Short-Stay | Varies | No | Not eligible | 15-30 days |
| Digital Nomad Visa | €2,849/month | Yes | Eligible | 20-30 days |
| Non-Lucrative Visa | ~€28,800/year | No | Not eligible | 30-45 days |
| Entrepreneur Visa | Varies | Yes | Eligible | 20-30 days |
| Student Visa | Varies | Yes | Not eligible | 30-45 days |
| Arraigo Social | Varies | Yes | Not eligible | 30-45 days |
| Family of EU Citizen | Varies | Yes | Not eligible | 30-45 days |
| Arraigo Familiar | Varies | Yes | Not eligible | 30-45 days |
What Happened to the Golden Visa?
Spain's Golden Visa (investment-based residency) program officially ended on April 3, 2025, per Organic Law 1/2025.
No new Golden Visa applications are accepted as of April 3, 2025 (Ley Orgánica 1/2025).
The Golden Visa allowed non-EU nationals to obtain residency through a minimum €500,000 real estate investment. The Spanish government repealed the program via Organic Law 1/2025, citing concerns about housing market inflation and speculation in major cities like Madrid, Barcelona, and Malaga.
Grandfathering clause for existing holders: If you obtained a Golden Visa before April 3, 2025, your residency permit remains valid and can be renewed indefinitely, provided you maintain the original qualifying investment. This includes renewals of both the initial visa and subsequent residence authorizations.
The best alternatives in 2026 are the Entrepreneur Visa (for investors willing to start or fund a business), the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote workers), and the Non-Lucrative Visa (for those with passive income or savings).
Not Sure Which Visa to Choose?
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