Foreign investors · National coverage · Bilingual ES/EN
Investment Visas & Residency in Spain 2025
The Golden Visa was abolished in April 2025. The available alternatives — Entrepreneur Visa, Highly Qualified Professional and Digital Nomad Visa — offer solid residency pathways fully compatible with the Beckham Law (24% flat rate, 6 years). We advise throughout the entire process.
Comparison of the three current pathways
The 3 alternatives to the Golden Visa in Spain
Each pathway has different requirements, timelines and ideal profiles. The right choice depends on whether you plan to create a company in Spain, work for a Spanish employer or maintain your foreign clients while living in Spain.
Entrepreneur Visa
Law 14/2013 (Entrepreneurs Act)
Key requirements
- ·Innovative business project with social or economic impact in Spain
- ·Favourable report from ENISA or competent regional body
- ·Sufficient financial resources for the duration of the stay
- ·Private health insurance or equivalent public coverage
Resolution timeline
30-90 days
Renewal
2 years (renewable); permanent residency after 5 years
Family reunification
Yes, simultaneous from the initial application
Beckham Law
Compatible · 24%, 6 years
Highly Qualified Professional Visa
Law 14/2013 (Entrepreneurs Act)
Key requirements
- ·Employment contract or job offer from a Spanish company or multinational with a presence in Spain
- ·Higher university degree or minimum 3 years of accredited professional experience
- ·Salary above 1.5× the average wage (approx. €40,000–45,000/year)
- ·Private health insurance or equivalent public coverage
Resolution timeline
20 days (fast-track)
Renewal
2 years (renewable); permanent residency after 5 years
Family reunification
Yes, simultaneous from the initial application
Beckham Law
Compatible · 24%, 6 years
Digital Nomad Visa
Law 28/2022 (Start-up Act)
Key requirements
- ·Remote work for foreign companies or clients (max. 20% of income from Spanish sources)
- ·Proven employment or client relationship of at least 3 months
- ·Minimum income equivalent to 200% of minimum wage (approx. €2,760/month in 2025)
- ·Private health insurance or equivalent public coverage
Resolution timeline
15-45 days
Renewal
Initial 1 year; 3-year residence permit available from Spain
Family reunification
Yes, simultaneous from the initial application
Beckham Law
Compatible · 24%, 6 years
| Visa | Timeline | Renewal | Family reunification | Beckham Law |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrepreneur Visa | 30-90 days | 2 years (renewable); permanent residency after 5 years | Yes, simultaneous | Yes · 24%, 6 years |
| Highly Qualified Professional Visa | 20 days (fast-track) | 2 years (renewable); permanent residency after 5 years | Yes, simultaneous | Yes · 24%, 6 years |
| Digital Nomad Visa | 15-45 days | Initial 1 year; 3-year residence permit available from Spain | Yes, simultaneous | Yes · 24%, 6 years |
Art. 93 Spanish Income Tax Act — Special regime for displaced workers
Beckham Law: reduced taxation for 6 years
The special regime for displaced workers, commonly known as the Beckham Law, allows new tax residents in Spain to be taxed as non-residents during the year of relocation and the following five tax years. The result is a flat-rate taxation significantly lower than the general progressive income tax scale.
It is one of the most competitive tax regimes in Europe for attracting senior executives and international investors, and is compatible with all three currently available residency visas.
The application must be submitted to the Spanish Tax Agency (AEAT) within 6 months of starting the activity in Spain. Once that deadline has passed, the right to apply the regime for that period is forfeited.
Tax rate
Duration and eligibility
- ·Year of relocation + 5 following tax years = 6 years in total
- ·No tax residence in Spain during the 10 years prior to relocation
- ·Relocation driven by employment or business activity in Spain
- ·Application to the Tax Agency within 6 months of starting the activity
- ·Compatible with all three current residency visas
Family reunification
Bring your family from day one
Eligible family members
- ·Spouse or registered civil partner
- ·Children under 18 years of age
- ·Adult children with certified disability
- ·Dependent ascendants of the permit holder
How it works
The family reunification application can be submitted jointly with the main application. There is no need to obtain the holder's residence permit first. Reunified family members receive a residence authorisation linked to the holder's permit and may work in Spain without requiring an additional work authorisation.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Spanish Golden Visa still available?
No. The Golden Visa for real estate investment was abolished in April 2025 by Organic Law 1/2025. Applications submitted before the law came into force were processed under the previous rules, but no new applications are accepted. The currently available alternatives are the Entrepreneur Visa, the Highly Qualified Professional Visa and the Digital Nomad Visa.
What is the difference between the Entrepreneur Visa and the Highly Qualified Professional Visa?
The Entrepreneur Visa is designed for those who create or manage a business project in Spain and requires a favourable report from ENISA. The Highly Qualified Professional Visa is for those employed by a Spanish company or multinational with a presence in Spain, with a higher university degree or at least 3 years of accredited experience and a salary of approximately €40,000–45,000/year. The Highly Qualified route offers a fast-track resolution of 20 days, significantly faster than the Entrepreneur Visa.
What are the requirements for the Digital Nomad Visa?
The Digital Nomad Visa (Start-up Law 28/2022) requires: remote work for foreign companies or clients with a maximum of 20% of income from Spanish sources; proof of an employment or client relationship of at least 3 months; minimum income equivalent to 200% of the minimum wage (approx. €2,760/month in 2025); and health insurance. It does not require continuous physical presence in Spain.
How does the Beckham Law work for new residents in Spain?
The special regime for displaced workers (Art. 93 of the Spanish Income Tax Act), known as the Beckham Law, allows a flat tax rate of 24% on employment income up to €600,000 during the year of relocation and the following 5 tax years (6 years in total). Income above €600,000 is taxed at 47%. The applicant must not have been a tax resident in Spain during the 10 years prior to relocation. The application must be submitted to the Tax Agency within 6 months of starting the activity. It is compatible with all three current residency visas.
Can family members be included in the visa application?
Yes. All three visas allow simultaneous family reunificationfrom the initial application. Eligible family members include the spouse or registered civil partner, children under 18, adult children with certified disability, and dependent ascendants. It is not necessary to obtain the holder's residence permit first — the family application can be submitted at the same time.