Neither of these is a standard open investment route today. Spain closed its golden visa to new applicants in April 2025, and Austria's citizenship by exception is a rare discretionary grant rather than a priced programme.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
Spain's golden visa allowed residence in return for a property investment for more than a decade. It closed to new applications on 3 April 2025 when Organic Law 1/2025 repealed the relevant articles. Applications filed before that date are still processed, and existing holders may renew under the original conditions.
Austria's citizenship by exception sits in section 10, paragraph 6 of the Citizenship Act. It allows citizenship for an extraordinary contribution in the national interest. It is granted at the discretion of the Federal Government acting through the Council of Ministers, case by case, and there is no published investment amount or fixed eligibility formula.
Spain's golden visa is closed to new applicants, so it is not a route you can start today. Spain still offers other residence options, such as the non lucrative visa and the digital nomad visa, which are separate from the closed golden visa. Austria's route exists but is rare, discretionary and not a programme you apply to like a priced scheme. Treat it as exceptional rather than routine.
Spain's golden visa previously required a property investment, but since it is closed we do not present its figures as if available. Austria's route has no published price, and we do not invent one. Public commentary cites very large contributions, but the binding position is that the Federal Government decides each case and publishes no set figure. Confirm with the official authority.
Because Spain's golden visa is closed, there is no current timeline for new applicants. Austria's citizenship by exception offers no guaranteed timeline or outcome, since each case turns on the Federal Government's assessment of extraordinary merit. Neither should be treated as a predictable investment route.
If you wanted Spanish residence by buying property, that specific route is gone, and other Spanish visas may fit instead. Austria's route only suits a very small number of people who can show extraordinary contribution and accept full discretion. For most investors, a vetted advisor can point to open programmes with clearer rules.
| Item | Spain (legacy golden visa) | Austria Citizenship by Exception |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025 | Open but rare and discretionary |
| Outcome | Was residence | Citizenship |
| Route | Was property investment | Extraordinary contribution, case by case |
| Published price | No longer available | None published |
| Legal basis | Repealed by Organic Law 1/2025 | Section 10(6) of the Citizenship Act |
| Decision maker | Spanish migration authority | Austrian Federal Government |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Spain Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. It closed to new applications on 3 April 2025 under Organic Law 1/2025. Applications filed before then are still processed, and current holders may renew under the original conditions.
There is no published price. It is a discretionary grant by the Federal Government for an extraordinary contribution, decided case by case. Confirm the current position with the official authority.
Spain still offers other residence routes, such as the non lucrative visa and the digital nomad visa, which are separate from the closed golden visa. Check current rules with the official authority.
Information, not advice. Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Always confirm the present rules with the official program authority and a licensed professional before you act.
The rules for this route changed recently. Confirm the current position with current guidance before you act.
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