SpainBusiness and self-employment

Spain entrepreneur visa (startup)

Entrepreneur visa (Law 14/2013, ENISA report)

In short

Founders of an innovative business, or one of special economic interest for Spain, can obtain an entrepreneur authorisation from the UGE after a mandatory favourable report from ENISA, issued within 10 working days. The visa is valid for one year; the residence authorisation lasts three years, can be renewed for two and leads to permanent residence after five.

checked 25 October 2026

Key facts

Validity
Visa one year; residence authorisation for entrepreneurs three years, renewable for two.
Fee
Standard national (type D) visa fee EUR 90 under Order AUC/891/2024; some nationalities pay a different amount by reciprocity. The consulate states the currency (euros, US dollars or local currency at the official rate); an external service provider, where used, adds its own fee.
Processing time
ENISA report within 10 working days; UGE decision within 20 days; consulate within 10 days.
Family
Spouse or partner, minor children, dependent adult children and dependent ascendants can apply together, each with their own documents and proof of the relationship.
Path to permanent residence
Permanent residence after five years.
Where to apply
UGE online (authorisation and visa can be requested together from abroad), then the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence.

What counts as entrepreneurial activity

The activity must be innovative and/or of special economic interest for Spain and receive a favourable report from ENISA. ENISA assesses the applicant's professional profile and involvement, the business plan (product or service, financing, required investment and funding sources) and the added value for the Spanish economy.

Authorisation from the UGE first

Under Law 14/2013 the authorisation is filed electronically with the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE), which must decide within 20 days; if it does not, the authorisation is deemed granted. With the authorisation, you lodge the visa application at the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence; the consulate has 10 days to decide, extendable if it asks for documents or an interview, and you collect the visa within one month of notification.

  1. You or the Spanish company file the residence authorisation electronically with the UGE; it decides within 20 days.
  2. Read the consulate's page for the "entrepreneur" visa and prepare the documents; foreign documents must be apostilled and translated into Spanish.
  3. Book an appointment with the Spanish consulate responsible for your place of residence, or with its external service provider where it uses one, and lodge the application in person.
  4. Pay the national visa fee (EUR 90 as standard, a reciprocity amount for some nationalities) in the currency the consulate indicates.
  5. Wait for the decision and collect the visa in person within one month of notification.
  6. Enter Spain while the visa is valid and, where required, apply for the TIE within one month.

Renewal and permanent residence

The entrepreneur residence authorisation is valid for three years and can then be renewed for two years; permanent residence is possible after five years.

Family members

Your spouse or partner, minor children, adult children who depend on you and have not formed their own family, and dependent ascendants can apply with you. Each submits the same core documents plus civil registry certificates issued within the last three months, translated and apostilled.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • National visa application form, signed (minors: by a parent or legal representative)
  • Recent colour photo, light background
  • Passport valid at least one year, with two blank pages, issued less than 10 years ago (original and copies)
  • Proof of legal residence in the consular district (for non-nationals, a residence permit of that country)

Work

  • Residence authorisation issued by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE), original and copy
  • Business plan assessed by ENISA (through the UGE)

Other

  • Criminal record certificate from the countries of residence (last two years), apostilled and translated into Spanish

Frequently asked questions

Is there a minimum investment?

No fixed amount; ENISA evaluates the business plan, financing and added value.

Who decides?

The UGE, after a mandatory report from ENISA.

Can I apply from abroad?

Yes, authorisation and visa can be requested together from abroad.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Spain

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period

Study and training

  • Student visa Processing time: Apply at least two months before studies start; once the stay authorisation is favourable, the visa is decided within one month.
  • Researcher visa Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.

Work

  • Work visa Validity: Up to 180 days for authorisations of up to six months, otherwise 365 days; seasonal contracts up to 270 days.
  • EU Blue Card Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Validity: Visa: one year, or the authorisation's validity if shorter; the visa itself proves residence and the TIE is optional. Residence authorisations under Law 14/2013 are renewable for two years at a time.
  • Digital nomad visa Validity: Visa up to one year; then a residence authorisation of up to three years, renewable for two.

Family

Residence

  • Retirement visa Validity: Visa valid for 365 days; apply for the TIE within one month of arrival; renewals are filed in the two months before expiry.
  • Permanent residence Validity: The status is indefinite; the TIE card is first renewed after five years, then every five years until age 30 and every ten years after that.

Faster processing

  • Fast-track and priority visa services Validity: Visa: one year or the authorisation's length if shorter. Highly qualified, entrepreneur and teleworker authorisations: up to three years, renewable for two.

Protection

  • Asylum and international protection Processing time: Border: admission decision within four days; inside Spain: within one month; regular procedure: six months, after which silence counts as refusal.

Spain visa guide