Spain | Golden visa program ending

The Organic Act 1/2025 has been published in Spain’s Official State Gazette, confirming the termination of the golden visa program, effective April 3.

Key Points:

• The legislation introduces amendments to Articles 63 through 67 of the Entrepreneur’s Act 14/2013, which provides the legal framework for the establishment of the golden visa program.
• As BAL reported, Spanish immigration authorities announced new criteria in November 2024 to obtain permits regulated by the Entrepreneur’s Act. The termination of the program comes after the Congress of Deputies approved abolishing the golden visa program in December 2024.
• The legislation introduces new transitional provisions, including protection for existing applicants through a three-month transition period.
• Golden visa applications will still be accepted before April 3, and applications pending as of that date will still be reviewed.
• Regarding renewals, applications will be processed and resolved in accordance with the regulations in force at the time of the initial permit approval, maintaining the initial conditions under which they were granted.

Additional Information: The provisions in the Organic Act establish that the validity of the visas and permits — specifically visas and permits for investors through real estate acquisition — in effect by April 3 will be maintained for the period for which they were issued. BAL will provide more information once received regarding the renewal of visas and permits for investors through means other than real estate investment.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice Group.

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