Residence Permit in Spain 2025: All Alternatives to the Closed Golden visa

Until recently, one of the most popular ways to obtain a residence permit in Spain was the «Golden Visa.» Its key requirement was that foreigners could apply for residency by investing at least €500,000 in real estate or €2 million in government bonds.

However, in 2024–2025, the Spanish government radically revised its policy on this matter, and on April 3, 2025, the program was officially closed. The main argument of the authorities was that the Golden Visa was fueling the rise in housing prices—particularly in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and along the Costa Blanca — and no longer served the interests of the domestic housing market.

This decision left open the question of what alternative pathways to residency remain. In this article, we will outline the most relevant options available in 2025, their requirements, and their prospects.

Non-Lucrative Residence Permit (Residencia no lucrativa)

The Residencia no lucrativa is a residence permit for foreigners who want to live in Spain without engaging in employment on Spanish territory. This option is often chosen by individuals with passive income, savings, rental businesses, pensions, or foreign-based earnings.

Key requirements:

• Financial means. Applicants must show at least 400% of Spain’s baseline socio-economic indicator, the IPREM, which in 2025 is €8400 per year. This equals a minimum annual income of €33,600.
• For dependents, an additional 100% of the IPREM (€8400) is required per person. For example, a family of four must demonstrate income/savings of at least €58,800 per year.
• Proof of housing in Spain, either rented or owned.
• Medical insurance from a Spanish insurance company with full coverage and no co-payments.
• No criminal record in the applicant’s country of residence for the past five years.

The first permit is issued for one year. It can then be renewed twice for two years each, and after five years of legal residence the applicant may apply for long-term residency (residencia de larga duración). During the first year employment in Spain is prohibited, but afterward it is possible to request a change of status (modificación de residencia) and switch to a work-related residence permit.

Advantages:

• Clear financial criteria without the need for a business plan.
• Possibility to bring immediate family members.
• Equal rights to education and healthcare as residents.

Disadvantages:

• No right to work in Spain (at least during the first year).
• High financial thresholds, especially for larger families.
• Unsuitable for those who wish to start a business or work immediately.

Overall, after the cancellation of the Golden Visa, this program has become one of the most popular alternatives. According to Spain’s Ministry of the Interior, in 2023–2024 around 35% of all new residence permits for non-EU nationals were issued under this category.

If the immigration authorities detect that the applicant is regularly receiving payments from clients or companies, this is classified as «unauthorized employment,» which constitutes a direct violation of the residence conditions. On this basis, the applicant may be denied renewal, or in the worst case, have the residence permit revoked.

Entrepreneur and Startup Residence Permits

Spain is actively promoting the attraction of foreign capital and innovative projects through the Entrepreneur Visa (Emprendedor visa) and the Startup Visa (introduced under the Startup Law in 2022). These formats replace the former investment-based residency, shifting the focus from real estate purchases to business creation and job generation.

Key requirements:

• Innovative project. The business must be recognized as innovative and strategically relevant to the Spanish economy.
• Financial capacity. A minimum of 200% of the IPREM = €16,800 per year, plus sufficient resources to launch the business (the lower threshold is often estimated at €50,000—60,000, depending on the project).
• Medical insurance and no criminal record.

The first step is submitting a business plan to ENISA (Empresa Nacional de Innovación), a state-owned company under Spain’s Ministry of Industry and Tourism. ENISA evaluates the originality of the project, its export potential, and the number of jobs it is expected to create.

If ENISA deems the project innovative and significant, it issues an informe favorable (positive assessment). With this document, the applicant can then apply for a residence permit either through a Spanish consulate abroad or directly at the immigration office (Oficina de Extranjería) if already legally in Spain. The visa is initially granted for three years, renewable for an additional two. After five years, the applicant may apply for permanent residence.

Holders of a Startup Visa are allowed to work both in their own business and as employees. Family members (spouse, children) are also granted the right to work.

Advantages:

• Immediate right to work in Spain.
• Long initial duration (three years).
• Tailored for entrepreneurs with IT or innovative projects.

Disadvantages:

• High bureaucratic threshold, as a convincing business plan and ENISA approval are required.
• Limited to innovative sectors: traditional businesses (cafés, rental properties, small shops) are not eligible.
• Requires active business operation and regular reporting.

The renewal of a Startup Visa is directly tied to fulfilling the approved business plan. If, during the review process, it is found that the project is not being implemented as proposed (absence of declared activities, failure to create jobs, fictitious investments), or if the applicant systematically neglects reporting and tax obligations, the immigration authorities have clear legal grounds to deny renewal or revoke the residence permit.

Digital Nomad Visa

This visa was introduced in Spain at the beginning of 2023 as part of the Startup Law (Ley de Startups). It is designed for professionals who work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain.

Key requirements:

• Financial criteria. Minimum income of €16,800 per year (200% of the IPREM), or around €1400 per month for the main applicant. In addition: 75% of the IPREM for a spouse/partner (€6300 per year) and 25% of the IPREM for each child (€2100 per year).
• Work outside Spain. At least 80% of income must come from companies or clients based abroad. The remaining 20% may be derived from Spanish clients.
• Work experience. Minimum of three months with the current employer (if employed). Freelancers must provide proof of at least one year of professional activity.
• Documentation. University degree or proof of qualifications, private medical insurance, and a clean criminal record.

Initially, the visa can be granted for one year. After arrival in Spain, it can be converted into a residence permit valid for up to three years. It may then be renewed once for an additional two years. After five years of legal residence, holders may apply for permanent residency.

Advantages:

• One of the most accessible residence permits in terms of income requirements.
• Grants the right to work and earn income not only for the applicant but also for family members.
• Fast processing time: decisions are usually made within 20–30 days.

Disadvantages:

• Strict rules regarding the source of income.
• Freelancers often face challenges proving income (contracts, invoices, and tax filings are required).
• If authorities discover that the income-source requirements are not met, renewal may be denied or the residence permit revoked.

Settlement and Integration through Arraigo

Arraigo is a legalization mechanism for foreigners who are already in Spain without formal status. It provides a path to residency through social, labor, or family integration.

Main types of Arraigo:

• Arraigo social (social settlement). Requires at least three years of continuous residence in Spain (proven by municipal registration, rental contracts, medical visits, bills). The applicant must also present a job contract of at least 30 hours per week for a minimum of one year with a Spanish employer. In addition, proof of family ties in Spain or an integration report from the local municipality is required.
• Arraigo laboral (labor settlement). Requires at least two years of residence and proof of having worked legally in Spain for at least six months under an employment contract.
• Arraigo familiar (family settlement). Available to parents of minor Spanish citizens or to spouses/children of Spanish nationals.
• Arraigo para la formación (for training). Introduced in 2022. A foreigner who has resided in Spain for at least two years may apply for residency to pursue professional training. After completing the courses, the status can be changed to a work permit.

Under social, labor, and family Arraigo, immediate work authorization is granted. For those who obtain Arraigo for training, work is only permitted after completing the program. Residence permits are usually issued for one year, after which the holder can switch to a standard work-based residence permit.

Arraigo was originally designed as a tool to legalize the stay of foreigners who were already in Spain illegally or in a «grey zone,» not as a pathway for those planning to enter the country legally. Therefore, despite its advantages, the procedure involves significant risks.

Applicants must spend several years living without a formal status, with limited access to social benefits and under the constant threat of administrative expulsion. If illegal residence is detected, the police are entitled to impose fines, initiate deportation, and issue a ban on entering Spain and other Schengen countries for up to five years.

Another major obstacle is the need to document actual residence (municipal registration, bills, rental contracts, medical records), which is often very difficult for undocumented migrants. Without sufficient evidence, the application is denied.

In such cases, the applicant’s details may be passed on to the police, who will add the individual to the database of immigration violators and initiate administrative proceedings. In most cases, this results in a formal deportation order and a ban on entering the Schengen Area for up to five years.

Other Types of Residence Permits

In addition to the already mentioned options, Spanish legislation provides several other mechanisms that are not part of the main list, as they are not universal and can only be used by a limited group of people.

Family Reunification Residence Permit (Reagrupación familiar)

This option is available to those who have close relatives already legally residing in Spain. The applicant must be the spouse, minor child, or parent of a Spanish/EU citizen or a long-term resident. In this case, the resident acts as a sponsor and must prove sufficient income: at least 150% of the IPREM for the household (€12,600 per year), plus 50% of the IPREM (€4200) for each dependent.

The sponsor must also provide proof of housing adequate for the entire family. No additional financial requirements are imposed on the applicant, and once granted, this residence permit immediately gives the right to work in Spain on equal terms with residents.

Residence Card for Spouses and Partners of EU Citizens (Tarjeta de familiar de ciudadano de la Unión)

Spouses and registered partners of Spanish citizens or citizens of other EU states may obtain a residence card through a simplified procedure. Unlike family reunification for non-EU foreigners, the requirements here are more flexible.

If the spouse is a Spanish citizen, it is only necessary to show that the family will not become a «burden on the social assistance system.» Typically, providing a rental or property contract along with proof of income (employment contract, salary certificate, or bank statements) is sufficient.

If the spouse is a citizen of another EU country residing in Spain, they must meet one of the following conditions: be employed, be a student, or prove sufficient income. In practice, the minimum threshold in most regions is around 100% of the IPREM per month — approximately €700 per month or €8400 per year for the family.

The residence card for family members of EU citizens is issued for five years and automatically grants the right to work in Spain.

Student Residence Permit (Autorización de estancia por estudios)

This permit is intended for those enrolling in universities, postgraduate programs, master’s degrees, or professional training courses. To qualify, applicants must present proof of enrollment in an accredited educational institution and show financial means of at least €8400 per year to cover living expenses.

Students are allowed to work up to 30 hours per week, provided that the work does not interfere with their studies. After graduation, it is possible to change status to a work-based residence permit (for example, via an employment contract — contrato de trabajo).

Residence for Internships and Training (Residencia para prácticas)

This program is aimed at graduates of foreign universities (or students who graduated no more than two years prior to the application) who wish to undertake paid internships in Spain.

To participate, applicants must:

• Find a Spanish company willing to sign an internship agreement (convenio de prácticas) or an employment contract in the internship format.
• Sign an agreement lasting between six months and two years.
• Provide proof of housing and medical insurance.

This program allows participants to work legally in Spain within the framework of the internship and, upon successful completion, is often used as a «bridge» toward obtaining a standard work-based residence permit.

Future Changes in Spain’s Immigration Policy

Since 2022, the European Commission has been urging EU member states to phase out «Golden Visa» programs, viewing them as a driver of housing price inflation and a risk to financial transparency. Spain’s abolition of the Golden Visa became part of this broader policy shift. Instead of passive investment-based visas, the country is now focusing on programs that stimulate innovation and the labor market. This shift is especially significant given Eurostat’s projection that by 2030 Spain could face a shortage of up to 2 million workers in IT, engineering, and healthcare.

Already, the Digital Nomad Visa and Startup Visa are seen as tools to attract valuable specialists. Consequently, the government is considering extending their duration from three to five years, eliminating the need for renewal.

Further measures under discussion include the liberalization of student residence permits to encourage more graduates to remain and work in Spain, as well as reducing the required period of residence for applying for Arraigo social from three years to two.

The likelihood of these reforms being adopted is high, as is the possibility of new proposals aimed at further simplifying the process of obtaining residency in Spain. In any case, only time will tell which of these initiatives will become law and how they will shape the country’s residence permit landscape.