A New Era for Spanish Real Estate Investors
The Spanish government has officially approved significant changes to the residency-by-investment program, commonly known as the ‘Golden Visa’. Starting in January 2026, the minimum real estate investment threshold required to obtain residency status has been increased from 500,000 euros to 1,000,000 euros. This decision was made amid growing concerns over housing affordability for local residents in major cities.
In addition to raising the minimum investment amount, strict new background checks on the origin of funds have been introduced. Investors will now be required to provide an extensive array of documents proving the legitimacy of their capital. A new requirement also dictates that the property must be purchased without utilizing mortgage loans from Spanish banks for at least the base investment amount.
Market experts anticipate that these modifications will shift the focus of foreign investors towards commercial real estate and luxury development projects, where the one-million-euro threshold is much more easily met. The ‘Golden Visa’ program remains attractive for high-net-worth individuals seeking access to EU markets, but the application process has become significantly more complex and transparent.
- Investment threshold raised to 1 million euros
- Stricter checks on the origins of funds
- Ban on using local mortgages for the base amount