For a decade, buying property worth €500,000+ earned non-EU nationals Spanish residency through the Golden Visa. That programme has been wound down — so it’s important to be clear-eyed about what remains.
What changed
The Spanish government moved to end the property route to the Golden Visa, citing housing-affordability pressure in major cities. If residency-by-property was central to your plan, that specific path can no longer be relied upon.
What this means for buyers: Marbella property is still an outstanding lifestyle and investment purchase — but treat residency as a separate question with its own route, rather than something that comes bundled with the deal.
Routes that remain for non-EU buyers
- Non-lucrative visa (NLV): for those who can support themselves without working in Spain — popular with retirees and the financially independent. Requires proof of income/savings and private health cover.
- Digital nomad visa: for remote workers and the self-employed with clients largely outside Spain.
- Work or entrepreneur routes: if you’ll be employed by, or starting, a Spanish business.
EU/EEA nationals, of course, have freedom of movement and don’t need any of this.
The practical advice
Decide what you actually need — a home, residency, or tax relocation — because they’re three different problems. Buy the property on its own merits, and take dedicated immigration and tax advice for the residency piece. If residency status matters to your purchase, tell us in your brief and we’ll factor it in.
This is general guidance, not immigration advice. Rules change — confirm current requirements with a qualified Spanish immigration lawyer.
General guidance, not legal or tax advice — always engage an independent Spanish lawyer (abogado) and tax adviser for your specific purchase.