The Spain Startup Visa is a permit for a foreigner to enter, reside and conduct business activities in the territory of the country. Migrants who can prove the innovation of their business idea and its economic benefit to the country can immigrate with their family. The entrepreneur does not need to invest a certain amount of money in the business, but must confirm the financial means for the attainment of goals and life. The applicant can register for a 3-year residence permit in Spain, then extend their stay, and in the future – apply for permanent residence and citizenship.
Among the total number of self-employed in the country, which is about 3.4 million, the number of foreigners exceeds 417,000. This indicates the activity of migrants in the aspect of starting their business on the territory of Spain and the use of an attractive immigration program for legalization of stay. Almost anyone can apply for a Spanish start-up visa if they have a clear plan for the realization of their business. The general requirements for applicants are loyal, and one of the main stages is the approval of the project by an authorized authority.
Spain Startup Visa Legal Framework
The general conditions for obtaining a residence permit, including on the basis of business activity, are regulated by the Law “On the rights and freedoms of foreigners in Spain and their social integration”. In the case of relocation for the purpose of developing a business, the Law “On Support for Entrepreneurs and their Internationalization” is also relevant, which establishes the requirements for obtaining a business residence permit, its validity and rules for renewal.
Advantages of Spanish residence permit for entrepreneurs
- The opportunity to stay in the country for three years with permit renewal, further registration of the permanent residence and citizenship;
- No requirements for the amount of capital investment in a start-up;
- Access the European market with your own business project;
- Move with your family with the registration of similar permits for relatives;
- Profitable investment of funds with the prospect of multiplying them;
- The opportunity to work in Spain without having to apply for a special additional permit;
- Visa-free travel to other Schengen countries and almost all EU countries;
- Access to quality health care at European level.
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Spain Startup Visa Requirements (2025 update)
To qualify for a Startup Visa in Spain, a foreigner must be of legal age and meet the following requirements:
- The individual must not be a citizen of an EU country;
- Approval of the candidate by the National Innovation Society (ENISA);
- Proof of a stable and regular income to ensure the applicant’s stay in the country;
- No criminal record for the last 5 years in all countries where the foreigner has resided for the specified period;
- The applicant has current health insurance.
How to Apply for a Startup Visa in Spain
- Develop a business plan.
In order for the authorized body to consider a foreigner’s candidacy, he or she must provide data on his or her education, experience and his/her involvement in the company’s activities. In addition, an accurate description of the planned employment and their outcomes, market analysis, financing details and the value of the start-up to the Spanish economy will be required. - Obtain a visa (if necessary) and arrive in Spain.
Applying for a residence permit by starting a business is possible on Spanish territory. By law, there are no requirements regarding the legal ground a person has to be in the country, that is, you can enter under the visa-free regime or with a Schengen visa. There is also an option to open a special annual entry permit for entrepreneurs – you must apply to the Spanish embassy/consulate, the requirements are the same as for a residence permit, but instead of ENISA the project must be approved by the Directorate General of International Trade and Investment or the competent trade and economic authority. - Apply for start-up approval.
The business project of a foreign applicant must be approved by the National Innovation Company. To do so, the applicant must create an account on the ENISA website and fill out an entrepreneur form describing the planned activity. Next, the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Division (UGE-CE) receives the application data and, after evaluating the start-up, issues a report. - Formalize the residence permit application and obtain the status.
The entrepreneur should fill out and sign the MIT application form and scan all the necessary documents. The residence permit application is submitted through the UGE-CE website, the data should be entered in a special form and the prepared files should be uploaded. The system will issue a confirmation. After receiving the confirmation of approval of the application, the candidate has to visit the police station to provide biometric data, and after 3-4 weeks – to collect the residence card.
Spain Startup Visa Duration and Renewal Rules
ENISA’s review prior to issuing a Spanish residence permit for entrepreneurs usually takes no more than 3 months from the date of submission of all necessary documents, including additional information, therefore it is in the applicant’s interest to prepare thoroughly to avoid delaying the process. Residence permits are processed within 20 working days. The residence permit based on a start-up is issued for a period of 3 years. After the permit expires, the residence permit can be extended on the same basis for another 24 months.
Documents Required for the Spanish Startup Visa
The documents required to obtain a Spanish start-up residence permit in Spain include:
- Passport;
- Completed application form;
- Certificates of no criminal record issued by the competent authorities of the countries where the applicant has resided during the last 5 years;
- Medical insurance – private or public;
- Applicant’s professional profile and business plan;
- Data confirming the financial means to stay in the country.
If the main applicant is accompanied by family members, he/she must enclose their IDs, birth certificates of children, marriage certificates of spouses. In case of adult children or parents of the founder, proof of financial dependence on the main applicant is required.
Spain Startup Visa Costs in 2025
One of the most important advantages of the Spanish residence permit program for start-ups is that there are no specific amounts that must be invested in the business. The applicant can choose the amount of capital to be invested, without its size affecting the likelihood of obtaining a residence permit. In this case, the applicant will have to prove the general available finances to ensure his stay in the country (alone or with his family).
In the case at hand, the legislation does not establish the minimum amounts specifically for the application of a start-up residence permit, however, there are some requirements for the opening of a special business visa to Spain – 100% of IPREM ( EUR 7,200 per year) for the main applicant and 70% of IPREM for each family member. Approximate expenses for one per month are about EUR 700 excluding housing. Renting a two-room apartment for a family costs an average of EUR 1,300.
In addition, one should consider the state fees and expenses of dealing with some paperwork. The total cost of a residence permit can be found on the UGE-CE website after filling out the form. A visa usually costs EUR 80. If a foreigner plans to use professional assistance, then it is necessary to calculate the services of lawyers, with the help of which he/she will be able to solve all issues much faster and more efficiently.
Specialists are ready to make of the cost of moving to Spain through a start-up, based on all future expenses.
Key Features of the Spanish Startup Visa
Those who wish to immigrate to Spain through a startup residence permit should consider several important program features:
- There is no need to have a functioning company at the time of applying for a residence permit, it’s enough to submit a promising and detailed business plan of the startup;
- There is no need to invest any amount in the project when applying for a residence permit, however, it is still necessary to indicate other sources of funding and the amounts of future investments;
- It is not necessary to apply for a special start-up visa to enter Spain, although it is possible, one can apply for a residence permit when staying in the country on any legal grounds;
- There is an opportunity to apply for a residence permit for family members at the same time as the main applicant or after the latter has received the document;
- To apply for a residence permit, the project must be recognized as innovative by a special authorized body, which takes time, which is why one should apply for it immediately after preparing a business plan.
Open up new opportunities with a Spanish residence permit:
- Living in a developed country;
- Residency for all family members;
- Prospects for permanent residency and citizenship;
- Travel in Europe visa-free.
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Startup Visa Spain: Reasons for Rejection and What to Do
An application for a Spanish business residence permit may be turned down because a person does not meet one or more of the requirements – for example, the inability to prove financial solvency. Also, inaccurate or knowingly submitting false information in the dossier is considered a ground for refusal. The fact that the applicant’s biography shows criminal convictions or serious crimes with other forms of responsibility is an objective factor for a negative decision on the application.
In case of a refusal, there is an opportunity to file an appeal or to submit a new application based on the previous errors.
In order to avoid refusals, one should carefully study the requirements, prepare the file correctly and follow the procedure according to the norms, with the effective assistance of .
Spain Startup Visa Renewal in 2025
The Spanish residence permit through a start-up is initially granted for 3 years – to investors and their family members. The latter include spouses, minor and adult financially dependent children, parents who depend on the foreigner. Then the status can be renewed for another 2 years, if the conditions of its initial issuance are maintained. The applicant also has the right to change the residence permit to any other of the available ones according to the current migration programs.
According to Spanish legislation, after 5 years of legal residence in the country, the holder of an entrepreneurial residence permit may apply for a permanent residence permit in Spain with a wide range of rights and opportunities. A similar option for continued residence is available to the entrepreneur’s family members. Applicants for permanent residence must comply with the conditions of permissible absence from the country for 5 years – up to 6 consecutive months or 10 in total. Those who participate in the program of business immigration through a startup have the right to obtain Spanish citizenship under the standard naturalization procedure – that is, after 10 years of legal residence in the country.
Legal assistance for immigration to Spain
For foreigners, the process moving to Spain is accompanied by a number of difficulties and problems related to studying the program terms and conditions, preparing documents, and applying for the residence permit. Specialists provide detailed advice on all issues related to immigration to the country, and then effectively implement your plan into reality. Lawyers independently collect the necessary documents, take care of their translation and authentication, help to submit the dossier. A foreigner can count on accompaniment when visiting the police station to take biometrics.
Working with specialists, the applicant does not run the risk of making a mistake and suffering the consequences (refusal, delay of the procedure). Each stage of the procedure is carried out quickly, efficiently and in accordance with the norms. The result will not keep you waiting for a long time.
