A Unique Opportunity: Investing in Empty Spain with Up to 80% in Government Grants
Peace, nature... and money
Have you ever felt like the best investment opportunities are already gone? Think again. There is a unique opportunity: investing in “Empty Spain.” This is a niche market, backed by the Spanish government, that is redefining the concept of smart investment. This isn’t charity; it’s a business with massive potential for appreciation, where public institutions could cover up to 80% of the investment through grants.
And it’s not just an investment opportunity. It’s also a great opportunity for anyone looking for:
A slower pace of life.
More space at a lower price.
A challenge or…
A move without creating a negative social impact (gentrification, etc.).
Does it sound too good to be true? It’s more real than you think.
What Exactly is "Empty Spain"?
“Empty Spain” (“España Vaciada”) isn’t a specific place on the map, but a reality. It refers to the thousands of towns in the interior of the country—in regions like Castilla y León, Aragón, Castilla-La Mancha, Extremadura, and Galicia—that have suffered dramatic depopulation for decades. In Catalonia, areas of Tarragona, Lleida and the Pyrenees are in the same situation.
These are villages with stone houses, silent main squares, and cobblestone streets yearning for a second chance. For an investor, this translates to one simple thing: rock-bottom property prices and huge potential for revaluation for those who can see beyond a crumbling facade.
The Game Changer: 80% in Grants? Yes, You Read That Right.
This is where the concept becomes compelling. It’s not just a smart investment; it’s a supported and subsidized investment. The Spanish government, through various rural reactivation plans and NextGeneration EU funds, has grant lines that can cover up to 80% of the cost of rehabilitating a house.
How does it work?
You typically submit a project to the regional or local government detailing the renovation. If approved, you receive a non-repayable grant that can range from 40% to that spectacular 80% in some cases, depending on the municipality and the project’s impact (especially if it creates local jobs).
The “Rural Golden Visa”: Investing in these projects doesn’t just get you a property. For non-EU foreigners, it can be your key to preferential residency. While the classic Golden Visa (for a €500,000 purchase) was officially discontinued in April 2025, rural reactivation projects are looked upon very favorably by immigration authorities, potentially fast-tracking your process.
Added Benefits: On top of the grants, you can get IBI (Property Tax) discounts for several years and reduced corporate tax rates if you start a business like a rural hotel or a winery.
Why It's a Unique Opportunity investing in Empty Spain: From Ruin to Diamond in the Rough
This isn’t just another investment. It’s a unique opportunity because it combines a low entry price with unprecedented public support. Ideas that are already working prove it:
Premium Rural Tourism: Don’t talk about “holiday rentals,” talk about “experiences.” That manor house you renovate with an 80% grant becomes a magnet for families and digital nomads willing to pay to disconnect in an authentic setting.
Back-Office Coworking: High-speed fiber optic internet is already there. Combine high-tech workspaces with mountain tranquility. It’s “rural coliving,” the trend merging productivity and quality of life.
Agro-Tourism with a Personal Brand: Buy an adjacent plot of land, plant an organic vineyard or olive grove, and offer stays where guests participate in the harvest. You’re selling a story, and Empty Spain is full of them.
The Human Side: A Word of Caution
It’s not all a bed of roses. The bureaucracy can be slow (although the grants aim to streamline it). The locals will be wary at first, until they see you are not a speculator but a neighbor coming to bring life back to the place. You will need patience and a good local advisor. But the final result is priceless.
From Idea to Reality, with an Expert Guide
Investing in Empty Spain is undoubtedly the unique opportunity of the moment for an investor with vision.
But we understand that taking the step from abroad can be daunting: How do I find the ideal property? How do I negotiate the price? But let’s be honest – navigating this from abroad is the real challenge. How do you find the right property when you’re not here? How do you negotiate a good deal from another country? And honestly, who has the time to figure out all that grant paperwork?
Well, that’s where we come in.
Our journey into this started by accident. We’d help people settle in Barcelona, but then they’d ask: “What about those beautiful empty villages we drove through?” Good question. So we started looking into it, and now it’s become our specialty.
Here's what we actually do for you:
Instead of you spending hours on idealista.es, we get in our car and visit these towns. We know which areas have the best grant opportunities, and we find properties that make sense for international investors.
When it comes to dealing with local sellers, we’re your people on the ground. Negotiating in Spain has its own rhythm – we handle that dance for you.
As for the grants? We’ve become experts at cutting through the red tape. We know which forms to file, who to talk to, and how to make sure you get every euro available.
The bottom line: we understand what you need as an international investor because we’ve been working with people like you for years. This is home for us, so you won’t get the ‘tourist treatment’ – you’ll get the real scoop on how things actually work.
If the idea is interesting but the logistics seem overwhelming, the easiest next step is just to tell us what you have in mind. We’ll give you our honest take on whether it’s a good fit. We’ll tell you straight up if we can help.
