For many Canadians, the Spain Golden Visa used to look like an attractive route to spend more time in Spain, buy property and secure residency through investment. That has now changed. Spain abolished the investor visa route from 3 April 2025, which means the Golden Visa is no longer available for new applications.
If you are Canadian and planning a move to Spain, this is the key point to understand from the start: buying property in Spain no longer gives access to the old Golden Visa route. Many older articles online are now out of date, so it is important to rely on current information before making decisions about relocation, property purchase or residency planning.
What changed for Canadians?
The main change is simple. Canadians can no longer apply for a Spanish investor visa under the old Golden Visa system, because that route has been abolished. Official Spanish consular pages in English state this clearly, so anyone still searching for “Spain Golden Visa for Canadians” is now dealing with a route that no longer exists for new applicants.
That does not mean Canadians cannot move to Spain. It means they now need to look at the current immigration options that apply to their personal situation, rather than relying on the old property-investment route. This is especially important for people who started their research some time ago and are still working from outdated assumptions.
Can Canadians still buy property in Spain?
Yes. The end of the Golden Visa does not mean Canadians are banned from buying property in Spain. What has ended is the investor visa route linked to that old framework. So, if you are Canadian and want to buy a home in Spain, the purchase itself may still be possible, but it should not be treated as if it automatically creates a residency path. This is an inference from the official abolition of the investor visa route; the consular notices address visas, not a ban on foreign ownership.
For many Canadian buyers, that actually makes planning more straightforward. Instead of trying to make one investment solve everything, it becomes easier to separate the questions properly:
- Do I want to buy property in Spain?
- Do I want to live in Spain full-time, part-time or seasonally?
- What immigration route now fits my circumstances?
Those are better questions than trying to fit today’s reality into yesterday’s visa scheme.
Can Canadians still move to Spain?
Potentially, yes, but not through the old Golden Visa route. The end of the investor visa means Canadians now need to assess which current residency route may fit their goals, finances and personal circumstances. The right answer depends on whether the person is retiring, relocating, working remotely, spending part of the year in Spain or simply buying a second home. The official Spanish consular guidance only confirms the abolition of the investor visa route, so any alternative path should be reviewed under the current rules rather than assumed.
This is where legal advice becomes useful. A Canadian buyer may still be able to buy property, spend time in Spain and organise their affairs properly, but the planning now has to reflect the rules that apply today.
What if you were considering the Golden Visa before it ended?
If you are Canadian and were looking at the Golden Visa before the law changed, the first step is not to panic, but not to rely on outdated information either. Official Spanish consular pages also refer to investors or family members who may already hold this status, which suggests existing situations may need individual review depending on timing and status.
So if you had already started planning, bought property with that route in mind, or think your case may fall into a transitional situation, it is worth getting specific advice based on your timeline and circumstances.
Final thoughts for Canadian readers
If you are Canadian and thinking about Spain, the most important thing to know is that the Golden Visa is no longer the route to focus on. Spain abolished investor visas from 3 April 2025, so any move, property purchase or residency plan now needs to be assessed under the current framework.
That does not mean your plans have to stop. It means they need to be updated. Canadians can still be interested in Spain for lifestyle, retirement, property ownership or longer stays, but the legal route now needs to be reviewed properly instead of assuming the old investor model still applies.
If you are based in Canada and would like to understand how the end of the Golden Visa affects your plans in Spain, Malaga Solicitors can help you review your situation and the current options available.
MALAGA SOLICITORS GROUP
Tel. 952 901 225 – mail@malagasolicitors.com
Author: José Miguel López Ávalos
CEO – Founder – Senior Partner
José is the founder of Malaga Solicitors Group and the head of our Marbella office. He has extensive experience as a legal/tax adviser to individuals and companies, being involved with corporate groups, mergers and acquisitions.
Languages: Spanish and English.
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To find out more about moving to Spain, you can read one of the following blogs:
How to buy a house in Spain from the USA or Canada?
List of International Schools on the Costa del Sol
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