Two very different routes, both now carrying important caveats. Spain closed its golden visa to new applicants in 2025, and North Macedonia's citizenship route exists in law but shows limited evidence of completed cases.
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.
These routes differ in kind. Spain's golden visa was residency by investment and stopped accepting new applications on 3 April 2025. North Macedonia operates a citizenship by investment route under its own law, but independent reporting suggests limited evidence of completed cases so far. We publish this comparison so the position is clear.
Spain's golden visa is closed, so no current entry figure applies to new applicants. North Macedonia's route requires either a contribution of 200,000 euros to an approved private investment fund held for a set period, or a larger business investment that creates jobs, together with a separate application fee. Confirm the current figures and, importantly, whether the programme is operating, with the official authority.
Spain is closed to new applicants. For North Macedonia, both the processing time and whether passports are actually being issued should be confirmed directly, since reporting notes few or no completed cases to date.
This is the key difference. Spain's golden visa gave residence, not an immediate passport, and is now closed. North Macedonia citizenship, if granted, is a passport. North Macedonian citizens have visa free short stay access to the Schengen area, but North Macedonia is not a member of the EU or the Schengen area, so it does not carry EU rights.
With Spain closed, this is not a live choice for new EU residency. Anyone weighing North Macedonia should consider the limited track record, confirm the programme is operating, and seek independent guidance before committing funds.
| Item | Spain (legacy golden visa) | North Macedonia Citizenship |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Residency by investment | Citizenship by investment |
| Status | Closed to new applicants since 3 April 2025 | Operates in law; limited evidence of completed cases reported |
| Indicative cost | Closed to new applicants | Fund contribution from 200,000 euros, or business investment from 400,000 euros creating jobs, plus an application fee |
| Outcome | Residence, existing holders only | Citizenship and passport, if granted |
| EU or Schengen | EU and Schengen residence | Not in EU or Schengen; visa free short stay only |
| Authority | Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration | Government of the Republic of North Macedonia |
Figures are indicative and current as of June 2026. Government of the Republic of North Macedonia; the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration publishes the binding detail. Verify before you act.
No. Spain stopped accepting new golden visa applications on 3 April 2025.
It gives visa free short stay access to the Schengen area, not EU membership rights, because North Macedonia is not in the EU or Schengen.
Independent reporting notes limited evidence of completed cases. Confirm the current status with the official authority before acting.
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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