Spain scrapped its property-based Golden Visa in April 2025, but relocating to the Costa del Sol remains entirely possible through several well-established visa routes.
For years, international buyers assumed that purchasing a home on the Costa del Sol could double as a fast track to Spanish residency. That link no longer exists. In April 2025, Spain abolished its residency-by-investment Golden Visa, and buying property no longer grants any right to live in the country. The good news is that this changes very little for the many people who genuinely want to relocate. Spain still offers several clear, well-tested visa routes, and the Costa del Sol remains one of Europe's most desirable places to build a new life.
If you are planning to move to Spain after Golden Visa abolition, this guide explains the live alternatives, how property fits into the picture, and the practical steps worth taking before you commit.
What actually changed in April 2025
The Golden Visa allowed non-EU nationals to obtain Spanish residency in exchange for a qualifying investment — most commonly a property purchase above a set threshold. That scheme has now ended. Property ownership on its own confers no residency rights whatsoever.
What has not changed is your ability to buy a home in Spain. Foreigners of any nationality can still purchase property freely, spend time here within the limits of their visa status, and let the property when they are away. The purchase and the residency question are now simply two separate processes, handled through different channels.
It is worth being clear on one point that causes confusion: EU and EEA citizens were never affected by the Golden Visa and continue to enjoy free movement. The routes below are relevant chiefly to non-EU nationals — for example British, American, Canadian or Middle Eastern buyers.
The live residency routes
Three pathways cover the vast majority of people relocating to the Costa del Sol today. Each suits a different profile.
The Non-Lucrative Visa
The Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) is designed for people who can support themselves without working in Spain. It is the natural choice for retirees, financially independent individuals and those living off savings, pensions, dividends or rental income earned outside Spain.
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient regular income or assets to cover their living costs, hold comprehensive private health insurance valid in Spain, and show a clean criminal record. The visa is applied for at a Spanish consulate in your country of residence before you move, then exchanged for a residence card once you arrive. It is typically granted for an initial period and renewable, and after continuous legal residence it can lead towards permanent residency.
The key restriction is in the name: it does not permit you to work in Spain. Remote work for a foreign employer sits in a grey area under this visa, which is precisely why the next route exists.
The Digital Nomad Visa
Introduced under Spain's startup legislation, the Digital Nomad Visa is aimed at remote workers and self-employed professionals whose clients or employer are based outside Spain. It has become the route of choice for a new generation of younger relocators who want the Costa del Sol lifestyle without giving up their careers.
Broadly, applicants need to show an ongoing relationship with a company or clients abroad, a qualifying level of income, relevant professional experience or qualifications, and private health cover. The visa allows you to live in Spain while continuing to earn from foreign sources, and it may offer favourable tax treatment for those who qualify — a point to confirm with a Spanish tax adviser rather than assume.
Because it explicitly permits work, the Digital Nomad Visa fills the gap the NLV cannot, and it has quietly absorbed much of the demand that once flowed towards property-based residency.
Standard work and self-employment routes
If you intend to work for a Spanish employer or run a business in Spain, the conventional work-permit routes apply. An employer can sponsor a work visa, while entrepreneurs and the self-employed can apply under the autónomo framework, subject to a viable business plan and the relevant approvals. These routes involve more paperwork than the NLV or Digital Nomad Visa, but they are well established and remain fully open.
Where property now fits in
Buying a home no longer helps your visa application, but it very much helps your quality of life — and for most relocators that was always the real goal. A settled address, whether owned or rented, also makes the practical side of moving smoother, from registering on the local padrón to arranging utilities and schooling.
Many people arriving on an NLV or Digital Nomad Visa choose to rent first while they get to know the different towns, then buy once they are certain of their preferred location. Browsing Costa del Sol property to rent is a sensible way to test an area before committing capital. When you are ready to purchase, the range of Costa del Sol property for sale spans everything from beachfront apartments to hillside villas.
Remember to budget for transaction costs. On a resale property in Andalucía, the transfer tax (ITP) is 7%, and you should also allow for notary, land registry and legal fees on top of the purchase price.
Choosing your base on the Costa del Sol
The coast is far from uniform, and the right neighbourhood depends on your lifestyle and stage of life.
For lifestyle and amenities
Marbella remains the anchor of the region, combining year-round services, international schools and an established expatriate community. The Marbella area guide is a useful starting point for understanding its distinct districts, from the old town to the residential enclaves inland.
For families and value
Estepona has grown into one of the coast's most appealing towns for families, with a revitalised centre and a calmer pace than the Marbella hotspots. Neighbouring inland villages offer greenery and space. Reviewing the Estepona area guide gives a clear sense of what daily life there looks like.
For privacy and prestige
Buyers seeking gated exclusivity gravitate towards areas above Marbella and towards Sotogrande further west, where larger plots and a quieter rhythm prevail. These locations suit those who want space and discretion rather than nightlife on the doorstep.
A practical timeline
While every case differs, a realistic sequence looks something like this:
- Decide your route. Match your circumstances to the NLV, Digital Nomad Visa or a work route.
- Gather documentation. Income evidence, health insurance, criminal-record certificates and their translations and apostilles take time to assemble.
- Apply from abroad. Most routes begin at a Spanish consulate in your home country.
- Secure accommodation. Renting on arrival keeps you flexible.
- Register locally. Obtain your NIE, register on the padrón and exchange your visa for a residence card.
- Buy when ready. Purchase your permanent home once you know the coast well.
Get the right advice
Immigration and tax rules interact in ways that are easy to underestimate, and they can change. Before relocating, engage an immigration lawyer to confirm your eligibility and a tax adviser to understand your residency and reporting obligations. The cost of professional guidance is modest against the value of getting the move right first time.
The end of the Golden Visa closed one door, but the Costa del Sol has never been more accessible to those who genuinely want to live here. With the right visa in hand and a clear-eyed approach to property, relocating remains as achievable as ever.
