Entrepreneur-Visa as Self-Employed
Who is THIS RESIDENCY for?
Spain has implemented a new legal framework for the self-employed entrepreneur visa, effective as of May 20, 2025.
This reform modernizes the requirements and processes to attract international talent and facilitate entrepreneurship.
Reduction in required documents and faster resolution times.
Technical evaluation of the business plan, prioritizing projects with economic impact and job creation potential.
Yes, it is possible to apply for a self-employed entrepreneur-visa in Spain and include immediate family members (spouse/common-law partner and children under 18 or older with disabilities) under the same procedure.
Initial validity of 1 year, renewable for 4 years if objectives are met providing a path to permanent residence:, attainable after 5 years of legal residence, when the holder can apply for a long-term residence card, moving towards obtaining Spanish Citizenship.
You are required to have a business plan and enough funds to set it up and live for the duration of the first period (1 year). The funds will have to be in an account in the name of the applicant. The amount of funds you will need to show will depend on the type of business you wish to start. Generally, we believe that a minimum of around €100,000 will cover the most basic type of business venture. You are also required to have a bank account with enough funds for the duration of your permit. The authorities may also request that you have a rental contract for commercial premises. Finally, you are required to have a clean criminal record in the country where you have lived in the last 4 years. Private medical insurance is also required.
- Apply for a residence permit as a self-employed person: Submit your business project, financial plan, and other requirements.
- Include family members in the application: Attach family members’ documents to the main file.
- Approval and entry to Spain: If the permit is granted, family members will receive visas to travel together.
- Obtain a Foreigner’s Identity Card (TIE).
It may take in the region of 45 days to get the required application paperwork ready. It may take around 2 months to be approved from date of application, depending on from where the application is made and the time of the year.
From Outside Spain:
Submit the business plan for approval.
Apply via the Spanish consulate in your home country. Processing time: 10–20 days after business plan approval.
From Within Spain:
Directly apply while present in Spain on a tourist visa.
Biometric registration (TIE card) required within 1 month of approval
Can I apply with my family?
Yes, it is possible to apply with your spouse and children who are dependents to obtain Spanish residency.
How long is the permit for?
There are 3 periods of validity: the initial permit is valid for 1 year. On renewal, has validity for 2 years, then a further 2 years and once you have achieved 5 years, you renew your permit to become a permanent resident and move towards obtaining Spanish Citizenship.
What is the eligibility criteria?
You are required to have a business plan and enough funds to set it up and live for the duration of the first period (1 year). The funds will have to be in an account in the name of the applicant. The amount of funds you will need to show will depend on the type of business you wish to start. Generally, we believe that a minimum of around €100,000 will cover the most basic type of business venture. You are also required to have a bank account with enough funds for the duration of your permit. The authorities may also request that you have a rental contract for commercial premises. Finally, you are required to have a clean criminal record in the country where you have lived in the last 4 years. Private medical insurance is not required because as an official worker, you will have social security cover in Spain.
How long can the Spanish Residency process take?
It may take in the region of 45 days to get the required application paperwork ready. It may take between 2 and 6 months to be approved from date of application, depending on the Consulate and the time of the year.
Do I have to spend more than 6 months in Spain?
By law, you are required to spend more than 6 months in Spain to be eligible for renewal. If you do not spend this time the authorities may not renew the Spain residency permit although this is not always the case; however, it is important that you are aware that there is a risk of rejection should the authorities detect that you have not been in the country for at least 6 months, either in one period or in alternate periods.
