Will the golden visa ever return to spain? and what happens now that the king is dead?
Spain’s Golden Visa, a program offering residency to non-EU citizens who made significant investments in the country, has been a hot topic for years. Its recent demise has sparked debate about its impact on the Spanish economy and whether it might ever make a comeback.
So, will we see the return of the Golden Visa, and what are the consequences of its disappearance?
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Will the golden visa ever return to spain? and what happens now that the king is dead?:
- WHAT WAS THE GOLDEN VISA? »
- WHY WAS IT SCRAPPED? »
- WILL IT EVER RETURN? »
- WHAT HAPPENS NOW? »
- GOOD OR BAD FOR THE ECONOMY? »
- LOOKING AHEAD »
- GET ADVICE ON ALTERNATIVE PERMITS »
- ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN »
- SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SOLICITOR »
WHAT WAS THE GOLDEN VISA?:
The Golden Visa, officially known as the “residence by investment” program, allowed non-EU citizens to obtain residency in Spain by investing in real estate (€500,000 minimum), making a capital investment, or investing in a Spanish business.
This programme was initially designed to attract foreign investment and boost the Spanish economy.
WHY WAS THE GOLDEN-VISA SCRAPPED?:
The Spanish government recently ended the Golden Visa program, end day; 03/03/2025, primarily due to concerns about its impact on the housing market.
Rising property prices, particularly in popular areas, were increasingly attributed to the influx of foreign buyers attracted by the visa.
The government aims to make housing more accessible to locals and address concerns about affordability.
WILL IT EVER RETURN?:
The million-dollar question!
While nothing is certain in politics, the current sentiment suggests a return of the Golden-Visa in its previous form is unlikely in the near future.
The government’s focus is clearly on addressing housing affordability, and reinstating a program that contributed to rising prices would be contradictory to this goal.
However, it’s not impossible that a modified version of the golden-visa program could emerge in the future. Perhaps with stricter investment requirements, limitations on where investments can be made, or a focus on investments that directly benefit the wider economy rather than just the real estate sector.
WHAT HAPPENS NOW? THE ECONOMIC IMPACT:
The disappearance of the Golden Visa has several potential economic consequences:
- Reduced Foreign Investment: A direct impact will be a decrease in foreign investment, particularly in the real estate sector. While some argue that this investment was inflating the market, it undeniably contributed to economic activity and job creation.
- Stabilizing Housing Market: The primary goal of abolishing the visa was to stabilize the housing market. It remains to be seen whether this will be achieved, but theoretically, reduced demand from foreign investors could help slow down price increases.
- Potential Shift in Investment: The absence of the Golden Visa might encourage foreign investors to explore other investment avenues in Spain, such as investing in businesses or innovative projects. This could lead to a more diversified and sustainable form of foreign investment.
- Impact on Related Industries: Sectors that benefited from the Golden Visa, such as real estate agencies, legal services, and construction, may experience a slowdown in activity.
GOOD OR BAD FOR THE ECONOMY?:
Whether the abolition of the Golden Visa is ultimately good or bad for the Spanish economy is a complex question with no easy answer.
While it addresses concerns about housing affordability, it also risks deterring foreign investment. The long-term impact will depend on various factors, including the overall economic climate, government policies, and how effectively Spain can attract alternative forms of foreign investment.
LOOKING AHEAD:
The end of the Golden Visa marks a significant shift in Spain’s approach to attracting foreign investment.
It highlights the government’s commitment to addressing housing affordability and prioritizing the needs of its citizens.
While the short-term impact may be challenging for some sectors, it also presents an opportunity for Spain to develop a more sustainable and equitable model for attracting foreign investment that benefits the entire economy and the Spanish population.
Only time will tell if this change proves to be beneficial in the long run.
GET ADVICE ON ALTERNATIVE RESIDENCE PERMITS:
At SpainResidency.com, we understand the complexities of Spanish residency and citizenship. We are here to provide you with valuable information and resources to help you navigate the process.
We are a solicitor and can provide full legal advice, we encourage you to further explore our website for more details on residency permits, required documentation, and other essential information.
ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN:
- Digital-Nomad visa Spain (Remote worker in Spain)
- Non-Lucrative visa Spain (Spanish visa non lucrative)
- Student-Visa Permit (Student-Visa & up-to 30 hours work per week)
- Self-Employed visa Spain (Self employed expats in Spain)
Please see-here our video-blog with options and legal-advice to obtain residency in Spain.
Remember that immigration procedures and immigration regulations change regularly, so it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest information from reliable sources. If you have specific questions or concerns about your situation, it’s advisable to consult with immigration authorities or legal professionals specializing in immigration matters, to do this, please click-here »
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Permanent residency is obtained after 5 years of Spanish Residency through Digital-Nomad, Student-Visa, Non-Lucrative Residency or Self-Employed Residency. This followed by 5 years as a permanent resident in Spain and means you can then obtain Spanish Citizenship with a Spanish Passport.
