Lawyers Specialised in Golden Visa Renewals
Spain’s Golden Visa programme is no longer available for new applications. However, this does not mean that individuals who already obtained a Spanish Golden Visa have automatically lost their right to remain in Spain.
In fact, Spanish law includes a specific transitional regime that allows certain Golden Visas granted before the programme was abolished to continue being renewed, provided that the applicable legal requirements are still met.
At Castell.law, we advise international investors and their families on Golden Visa renewals in Spain. We review the original residence permit, verify that the investment continues to meet the legal requirements, prepare the documentation and handle the renewal procedure from start to finish.
If you currently hold a Spanish Golden Visa and wish to continue residing in Spain, it is important to review your situation before your residence permit expires.
Can a Golden Visa Still Be Renewed in Spain?
Yes.
Although Spain stopped accepting new Golden Visa applications in 2025, the abolition of the investor residence scheme did not automatically cancel residence permits that had already been granted.
The previous Golden Visa regime was regulated by Law 14/2013 and allowed non-EU investors to obtain residence in Spain by making certain qualifying investments, including substantial real estate investments.
The legislation that abolished the Golden Visa programme introduced transitional provisions protecting individuals who had already obtained their visas or residence permits.
This means that, although new Golden Visa applications can no longer be submitted, existing residence permits that fall within the transitional regime may still be renewed in accordance with the legislation applicable when the original authorisation was granted.
This distinction is extremely important.
The End of the Golden Visa Programme Does Not Mean Existing Golden Visas Are Cancelled
Since the Spanish Government announced the abolition of the Golden Visa programme, many existing investors have been concerned that their residence permits would no longer be renewable.
That is not necessarily the case.
Spanish legislation distinguishes between two different situations.
New applications: it is no longer generally possible to obtain a new residence permit as an investor under the former Golden Visa regime.
Existing Golden Visas: residence permits and visas that fall within the transitional provisions remain valid for the period for which they were granted and may, where the legal requirements are met, continue to be renewed under the rules applicable to the original authorisation.
Therefore, if you purchased property or made another qualifying investment in Spain and obtained a Golden Visa before the programme was abolished, your residence status should be reviewed individually.
The date on which the permit was granted, the type of investment made, whether the investment is still maintained, and the current circumstances of the investor and their family may all be relevant.
Requirements for Renewing a Spanish Golden Visa
Holding a Golden Visa in the past does not automatically guarantee a successful renewal.
The renewal application must be properly prepared and the investor must continue to comply with the legal requirements applicable to their particular residence permit.
At Castell.law, before submitting any Golden Visa renewal application, we carry out a full legal review of the original file and the investor’s current circumstances.
Depending on the case, the review may include:
- confirmation that the original Golden Visa falls within the transitional legal regime;
- verification that the qualifying investment is still maintained;
- confirmation that the original legal conditions continue to be satisfied;
- review of the property or assets used to obtain the Golden Visa;
- review of the investor’s identification and residence documentation;
- analysis of residence permits held by accompanying family members;
- verification of health insurance requirements where applicable;
- confirmation of sufficient financial resources where required; and
- review of any other administrative or immigration requirements applicable to the renewal.
Under the previous legislation, investor residence permits could generally be renewed for successive five-year periods, provided that the conditions that originally entitled the investor to the residence permit continued to be met.
Because existing renewals may continue to be governed by the rules applicable when the Golden Visa was originally granted, it is important for each application to be assessed individually.
Golden Visa Renewal Based on Real Estate Investment
One of the most common situations involves non-EU nationals who purchased property in Spain and obtained residence through the real estate investment route.
This was particularly common in areas with a significant international property market, including Mallorca, Ibiza, Madrid, Barcelona, Marbella and the Costa del Sol.
Many foreign buyers acquired Spanish property partly because the investment allowed them to obtain legal residence in Spain.
The abolition of the Golden Visa programme does not necessarily prevent those existing investors from renewing their residence permits.
Where the residence permit falls within the transitional regime, the investor may still be entitled to apply for renewal under the legislation that governed the original Golden Visa.
However, it is essential to confirm that the investment continues to satisfy the applicable requirements.
What Happens If I Have Sold the Property?
This is one of the most important issues affecting Golden Visa renewals.
The Spanish Golden Visa was based on maintaining the qualifying investment that gave rise to the residence permit.
As a result, selling the property, reducing the investment or restructuring the investment may affect the right to renew the Golden Visa.
If you have already sold a property, are considering selling it, or have changed the structure of your investment since obtaining your Golden Visa, you should seek legal advice before submitting your renewal application.
Where possible, we also recommend obtaining legal advice before selling or restructuring the investment.
A property transaction that appears straightforward from a commercial perspective may have significant consequences for your immigration status.
At Castell.law, we can review the proposed transaction together with the immigration implications before any decision is made.
Can Family Members Renew Their Golden Visas?
Golden Visa holders were able to include certain family members within the investor residence regime.
Depending on the circumstances, this could include the investor’s spouse or partner, dependent children and other eligible relatives.
The transitional provisions introduced following the abolition of the Golden Visa programme may also protect residence rights connected with existing investor permits.
For this reason, when dealing with a Golden Visa renewal, it is important to review the position of the entire family, rather than considering the main investor’s residence permit in isolation.
At Castell.law, we can handle the renewal of the principal investor’s permit together with the corresponding residence permits of eligible family members.
This allows the entire process to be coordinated through one law firm.
When Should I Start Preparing My Golden Visa Renewal?
One of the most common mistakes is waiting until the residence permit is close to expiry before beginning the renewal process.
A Golden Visa renewal may require the collection of property documents, Land Registry certificates, financial evidence, insurance documentation, family documents and evidence relating to the original investment.
Obtaining and reviewing this documentation can take time.
We therefore recommend reviewing your Golden Visa well before its expiry date.
Starting the process early gives your lawyer time to identify potential problems and, where possible, resolve them before the application is submitted.
This has become particularly important following the abolition of the Golden Visa programme.
Renewals should no longer be approached as a purely administrative formality. Each application should be reviewed carefully to ensure that it falls within the transitional regime and continues to satisfy the applicable legal requirements.
Golden Visa Renewal Lawyers in Mallorca, Menorca, Ibiza & Formentera
At Castell.law, we provide a complete legal service for Golden Visa holders who wish to maintain their residence in Spain.
Our objective is simple: our clients should not have to interpret Spanish immigration legislation, determine which transitional provision applies to them or prepare the renewal application themselves.
We handle the entire process.
1. We Review Your Original Golden Visa
We examine when and how your Golden Visa was granted and determine which legal regime applies to your renewal.
2. We Verify Your Investment
We analyse whether the investment that originally entitled you to obtain the Golden Visa is still maintained and whether it continues to meet the applicable requirements.
3. We Review Your Family’s Residence Status
Where family members obtained residence permits linked to the investor, we review their position together with the principal applicant.
4. We Prepare the Documentation
We tell you exactly which documents are required, review them before filing and identify any potential issues in advance.
5. We Submit the Golden Visa Renewal
Our lawyers prepare and submit the renewal application on your behalf.
6. We Handle the Procedure Until a Decision Is Issued
We monitor the application, deal with administrative requests for additional documentation where necessary and assist the client throughout the entire procedure.
For international investors, this means the renewal can be handled by a Spanish law firm without having to manage the procedure personally.
Golden Visa Renewal Lawyers in Mallorca and Throughout Spain
Castell.law is based in Palma de Mallorca and regularly advises international clients with property and investments in the Balearic Islands.
We work with foreign property owners and investors throughout Mallorca, Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera, as well as clients with investments elsewhere in Spain.
Our firm can assist clients in English throughout the entire process and can also coordinate immigration matters with any related legal issues concerning their Spanish property or investments.
This can be particularly useful where a Golden Visa renewal is connected with a future property sale, restructuring of an investment, inheritance, corporate ownership or other legal transaction in Spain.
My Golden Visa Is Expiring. Can Castell.law Handle the Renewal?
Yes.
If you currently hold a Spanish Golden Visa, the abolition of the programme does not automatically mean that your residence permit cannot be renewed.
The key question is whether your permit falls within the transitional regime and whether you continue to satisfy the legal requirements applicable to your original Golden Visa.
At Castell.law, we specialise in assisting international clients with Golden Visa renewals in Spain.
We can review your existing residence permit, examine your investment, determine whether the renewal requirements are met and handle the complete application on your behalf.
If your Golden Visa is approaching its expiry date, we recommend reviewing the case in advance rather than waiting until the final weeks.
Contact Castell.law and send us a copy of your current Golden Visa or residence permit. Our lawyers will review your situation, confirm the applicable renewal requirements and take care of the entire renewal process for you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Golden Visa Renewals in Spain
Can I Apply for a New Golden Visa in Spain?
Generally, no.
Spain abolished the Golden Visa programme for new applicants in 2025.
However, individuals who already obtained a Golden Visa before the programme ended may still have renewal rights under the transitional provisions.
Can an Existing Spanish Golden Visa Be Renewed?
Yes, in qualifying cases.
Existing permits covered by the transitional regime may continue to be renewed subject to the rules applicable when the original residence authorisation was granted.
Do I Need to Keep My Property to Renew My Golden Visa?
In real estate Golden Visa cases, maintaining the qualifying investment is normally a key element of the renewal.
If you have sold the property or are considering selling it, legal advice should be obtained before proceeding.
How Long Is a Golden Visa Renewal Valid?
Under the previous Golden Visa regime, investor residence permits could generally be renewed for successive periods of five years, subject to continued compliance with the legal requirements.
The precise position should nevertheless be reviewed in each individual case.
Can Castell.law Renew My Golden Visa If I Do Not Live in Mallorca?
Yes.
Although our law firm is based in Palma de Mallorca, we assist international clients with Golden Visa matters involving property and investments throughout Spain.
Can You Also Handle My Family’s Residence Permits?
Yes.
Where family members hold residence permits linked to the principal investor, we can review and coordinate their renewal applications together with the investor’s application.
Do I Need to Travel to Spain to Start the Process?
Not necessarily.
Much of the initial legal review and preparation can be handled remotely. Once we have reviewed your documentation, we can advise you on any steps that may require your personal presence.
Contact a Golden Visa Renewal Lawyer
If you already hold a Golden Visa and want to continue your residence in Spain, obtaining legal advice before your permit expires can help avoid unnecessary complications.
At Castell.law, we provide a fully managed Golden Visa renewal service for international investors and their families.
Send us your current residence permit and details of the investment used to obtain your Golden Visa. We will review your case and advise you on the next steps.
