Lets look at the entrepreneur startup visa in Spain.
Spain, with its vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and thriving economy, is a dream destination for many. If you’re an innovative thinker with a groundbreaking business idea, the Entrepreneur Visa could be your golden ticket to Spanish residency. At SpainResidency.com, we’re here to guide you through this exciting pathway to making Spain your new home.
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In this post we cover the following: (click any section to see its content)
Entrepreneur startup visa in spain.
- WHAT IS THE SPANISH ENTREPRENEUR VISA? »
- IS THE ENTREPRENEUR VISA RIGHT FOR YOU? »
- KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR VISA »
- THE APPLICATION PROCESS: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE »
- IT IS POSSIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS VISA FROM WITHIN SPAIN? »
- WHY CHOOSE SPAINRESIDENCY.COM? »
- HOW TO BEGIN AN APPLICATION »
- ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN »
- SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A SOLICITOR »
WHAT IS THE SPANISH ENTREPRENEUR VISA?:
The Entrepreneur Visa is specifically designed for non-EU citizens who wish to develop an innovative business project with significant economic interest for Spain. It’s not just about starting any business; it’s about bringing fresh ideas, creating jobs, fostering investment, and contributing to the Spanish economy. This visa offers a fantastic opportunity to combine your entrepreneurial spirit with the unparalleled quality of life that Spain offers, and include your dependant first family members.
IS THE ENTREPRENEUR VISA RIGHT FOR YOU?:
This visa category is ideal for individuals who:
- Have a novel and innovative business idea with the potential for growth.
- Can demonstrate the economic interest of their project for Spain (e.g., job creation, investment, technological advancement).
- Possess the qualifications and experience to successfully execute their business plan.
- Have sufficient financial resources to support themselves and their family.
KEY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE ENTREPRENEUR VISA:
Navigating the requirements is a crucial step. Here’s a breakdown of the essential criteria:
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Innovative Business Project with Economic Interest: This is the cornerstone of your application. Your business plan must showcase the innovative nature of your venture and its potential positive impact on the Spanish economy. This will be assessed through a favorable report from either the Directorate General for Trade and Investment or ENISA (National Innovation Company).
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Detailed Business Plan: A comprehensive and well-structured business plan is essential. It should include details about your business activity, products/services, market analysis, financial projections, team (if any), and the innovative aspects and economic value for Spain.
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Favorable Report: You’ll need to obtain a positive report confirming the innovative nature and economic interest of your project. This involves submitting your business plan for evaluation.
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Financial Resources: You must prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and any accompanying family members during your initial stay in Spain. The required amount is typically a percentage of the IPREM (Public Indicator of Income of Multiple Effects).
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No Criminal Record: You’ll need to provide a criminal record certificate from your country of origin and any other countries where you’ve resided in the last five years.
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Health Insurance: You must have a public or private health insurance policy with full coverage in Spain.
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Not Be Illegally in Spain: You cannot apply for this visa if you are already in Spain illegally.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE:
While the journey might seem complex, understanding the steps involved can make it more manageable:
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Develop Your Innovative Business Plan: This is the foundation of your application. Invest time and effort in creating a compelling and detailed plan.
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Seek the Favorable Report: Submit your business plan to DGCti or ENISA for evaluation.
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Gather Supporting Documentation: Collect all the necessary documents, including your passport, criminal record certificate, proof of financial means, and health insurance.
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Apply for the Visa: Once you have the favorable report, submit your visa application at the Spanish Consulate in your country of origin.
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Enter Spain: If your visa is approved, you can travel to Spain.
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Apply for Your Residency Card: Within one month of your arrival in Spain, you must apply for your Entrepreneur Residency Card.
IT IS POSSIBLE TO APPLY FOR THIS VISA FROM WITHIN SPAIN?:
Yes, in many cases, it is possible to apply for the Entrepreneur Visa (or the Entrepreneur Residency Authorization) from within Spain if you are legally present in the country, for example, on a tourist visa.
Here’s a breakdown of why and how:
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Legal Presence is Key: You must be in Spain legally at the time of application. This typically means you entered the country with a valid visa (like a tourist visa) or are otherwise in a regular immigration situation.
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Direct Application to UGE-CE: If you are legally in Spain, you can directly submit your application for the Entrepreneur Residency Authorization to the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE). This avoids the need to apply for the initial visa at the Spanish Consulate in your home country.
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Faster Processing: Applying from within Spain can sometimes lead to faster processing times for the residency authorization. The UGE-CE aims for a resolution within 20 working days.
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The Process from Within Spain Generally Involves:
- Obtaining a Favorable Report: Just like applying from abroad, you’ll need to present your innovative business project to ENISA (Empresa Nacional de Innovación) to obtain a favorable report confirming its innovative nature and potential economic interest for Spain. You can often start this process while in Spain.
- Submitting the Application to UGE-CE: Once you have the favorable report (or even concurrently in some cases), you can submit your application for the Entrepreneur Residency Authorization directly to the UGE-CE. This is usually done online through their electronic platform.
- Providing Required Documentation: You’ll need to provide the same core documents as applicants from abroad (passport, proof of financial means, health insurance, criminal record certificate, etc.).
- Biometrics and TIE (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero): If your application is approved, you will need to schedule an appointment to provide your biometric data and obtain your TIE (foreigner identification card).
Important Considerations:
- “Tourist Visa” Limitations: While you can apply from within Spain on a tourist visa, ensure your 90-day stay hasn’t expired. You cannot apply if you are in an irregular immigration situation.
- Specific Requirements: The fundamental requirements for the Entrepreneur Visa (innovative project, economic interest, financial means, etc.) remain the same whether you apply from within or outside Spain.
- Legal Advice: It is highly recommended to seek advice from an immigration lawyer in Spain who can guide you through the specific procedures and requirements for applying from within the country, as processes and interpretations can sometimes vary.
In summary, applying for the Entrepreneur Visa/Residency Authorization from within Spain is a viable option for those who are legally present in the country and have a qualifying innovative business project. It can potentially streamline the process and offer faster processing times.
WHY CHOOSE SPAINRESIDENCY.COM?:
Navigating the intricacies of the Spanish Entrepreneur Visa can be challenging. At SpainResidency.com, we offer expert guidance and support to simplify the process. We can help you:
- Understand the specific requirements and ensure you meet all criteria.
- Prepare a strong and compelling business plan.
- Navigate the application process for the favorable report.
- Gather and organize the necessary documentation.
- Provide ongoing support throughout your journey to Spanish residency.
HOW TO BEGIN AN APPLICATION:
The entrepreneur startup visa in spain is due to start accepting applications from 20/05/2025.
Contact-us-here to employ our legal services and begin your application.
Our legal services will work together with you to prepare the required certificates and documents, advise on which ones of these need to be translated and which need to carry an apostle, complete the application documents, attach any other required legal letters and carry out the application. We will work together with you through the whole process.
ALL TYPES OF RESIDENCY AVAILABLE IN SPAIN:
- Digital-Nomad visa Spain (Remote worker in Spain)
- Non-Lucrative visa Spain (Spanish visa non lucrative)
- Student-Visa Permit (Student-Visa & up-to 30 hours work per week)
- Self-Employed visa Spain (Self employed expats in Spain)
Please see-here our video-blog with options and legal-advice to obtain residency in Spain.
Remember that immigration procedures and immigration regulations change regularly, so it’s crucial to stay updated with the latest information from reliable sources. If you have specific questions or concerns about your situation, it’s advisable to consult with immigration authorities or legal professionals specializing in immigration matters, to do this, please click-here »
DO YOU REQUIRE ASSISTANCE TO APPLY FOR RESIDENCY IN SPAIN?
We are a Spanish Solicitor and assist our clients with all types Spanish legal processes.
Permanent residency is obtained after 5 years of Spanish Residency through Self-Employed Residency, Digital-Nomad, Non-Lucrative Residency or Golden-Visa. This followed by 5 years as a permanent resident in Spain and means you can then obtain Spanish Citizenship with a Spanish Passport.