Spain Entrepreneur Visa
Designed for non-EU nationals who wish to enter Spain to develop an innovative business project of economic interest.
For: Entrepreneurs and startup founders planning to launch a business in Spain.Estimated Timeline
2-4 months
The Application Process
Step by step, from start to approval.
Business Plan Preparation
Build a detailed plan that shows market potential, the funding you've already secured, and clear social or economic impact for Spain. The plan is the centrepiece of your file: weak plans are the most common reason applications fail.
- 10 to 30-page plan covering the team, the product or service, market analysis, financial projections (3 to 5 years), and committed funding.
- Apostilled criminal-record certificate covering every country where you've lived for the last 5 years.
- Proof of qualifications and experience relevant to the business (CVs, diplomas, references).
- Health insurance from a Spanish-licensed provider plus financial means equivalent to 100% IPREM for the applicant and 50% IPREM per family member.
- Sworn translation into Spanish for every document not originally in Spanish.
Favorable Report
Innovative projects go through ENISA under the Startups Law (Ley 28/2022), which evaluates technological novelty and scalability. Non-innovative entrepreneurs go through the Dirección General de Comercio (formerly ICEX) under Ley 14/2013, which evaluates general economic interest, jobs created, and investment.
- ENISA's evaluation focuses on R&D content, scalability, and team. Decisions usually come back within 10 to 20 working days.
- The non-innovative report focuses on investment volume, jobs created (a target of 5+ direct hires within 3 years is common), and your contribution to the sector.
- A favourable report doesn't guarantee the visa: it's an input that the consulate or UGE-CE then weighs alongside the rest of the file.
- If the report is unfavourable, you can revise the plan and resubmit. The Startups Law allows multiple attempts.
Visa Application
With the favourable report in hand, you apply at the Spanish consulate that covers your area of residence (1-year visa, then renewed in Spain) or directly to UGE-CE in Madrid from inside Spain on a tourist stamp (3-year residence card issued).
- Government fee is approximately €80 for the consular visa, or €74 for the in-country residence file (Modelo 790-038).
- UGE-CE in-Spain decisions are typically resolved within 20 working days, with positive default if the office misses the deadline.
- Consular timelines vary: expect 1 to 3 months from appointment to decision.
- You'll need a Spanish NIE for the in-country route. A tax representative can request it on your behalf.
Residence Permit
After arrival (or directly via UGE-CE), you receive a residence-and-self-employment permit valid for 3 years. Spouses and dependent children can be included on the same file with no extra processing time.
- Within 30 days of arrival, attend a fingerprint appointment at a National Police station to collect the physical TIE card.
- You can incorporate the Spanish company before arrival (through a representative) or during the first weeks after the residence is granted.
- Renewal at year 3 requires evidence the project is operating: hires made, revenue generated, taxes filed.
- After 5 years of legal residence you become eligible for permanent residence; after 10 for citizenship (2 years for nationals of certain Latin American countries, the Philippines, and a few others).
Core Requirements
What you need to qualify for this visa.
A detailed business plan demonstrating innovation, job creation, and economic impact for Spain
Minimum financial means of 100% IPREM for the applicant, plus 50% IPREM per family member
A favorable project report from the relevant authority (based on innovation, investment, and socioeconomic impact)
Clean criminal record for the past 5 years
Private health insurance with full coverage in Spain
Do You Qualify?
Answer a few quick questions to see if you meet the key requirements for this visa.
Do you have a business plan that introduces something innovative to the Spanish market?
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