Entrepreneur Visa Spain (visa de emprendedor)
Spain’s flourishing economy makes it an excellent choice for entrepreneurs looking to expand globally. Thanks to the Entrepreneur Law of 2013, business-minded individuals who wish to establish a startup or expand their business footprint can obtain the Entrepreneur visa.
To learn more about the Spain Entrepreneur visa including the eligibility and how you can obtain one, call us at +44 (0) 333 305 9375. We are always available to provide you with the needed assistance.
What is an Entrepreneur Visa in Spain?
The Spain Entrepreneur visa (visa de emprendedor) is a resident permit that allows foreign nationals (non-EU citizens) to establish an innovative business enterprise in Spain. The permit is valid for a period of three years but can be renewed after the initial three years. With the Entrepreneur visa, you can take your family along. This includes your spouse, children who are still financially dependent on you, and dependent parents. Unlike most countries, there are no minimum capital requirements nor minimum number of jobs to create.
To be eligible for this visa, your business must contribute to the economy of the country and it must serve the public interest.
The Entrepreneur visa scheme has two categories:
- A Startup visa – This is for non-EU nationals who are outside the country but need to come to Spain to establish a business.
- A residence permit – This is applicable if you are already in Spain but need a permit to set up your business.
When applying for the visa, you will be required to provide a number of documents. One of the key documents you have to provide is a comprehensive business plan. The system will scrutinise your business plan to determine if you are eligible or not. This is why it is important you prepare a robust business plan with a unique, viable and innovative business idea. Your business idea should be one that has the potential to attract investment, generate employment, contribute to the socioeconomic development of the country and utilise advanced technology.
It might be difficult for you to determine if your business plan will be eligible for this visa. In order to avoid wasting money and time for a visa application that will be rejected, we strongly recommend you get in touch with our legal professional at +44 (0) 333 305 9375. Our legal team have years of experience helping entrepreneurs establish their businesses in Spain. Once you discuss your situation and business plan with us, we will let you know if your plan will be approved or not.
Page Contents
- What is an Entrepreneur Visa in Spain?
- Requirements for Entrepreneur Visa Spain
- Required Documentation for Spain Entrepreneur Visa Application
- Application Process for Spanish Entrepreneur Visa
- Renewal of Your Entrepreneur Visa in Spain
- What to Do in Case Your Entrepreneur Visa Application is Rejected
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Requirements for Entrepreneur Visa Spain
Overview
To qualify for the Entrepreneur visa for Spain, you must meet some strict requirements. These can be grouped into three main aspects: your business idea, your professional and academic profile and your business plan.
Business Idea
As stated in Law 14/2013 (the 2013 Entrepreneur Law that regulates all the visas in this category), your business idea is pivotal when applying for the Entrepreneur visa. In order for your application to be successful, your business idea must meet the following three primary conditions.
- The first and most important condition is that it must be an original business idea. It must be innovative. It should be different from what is already in the market.
- Your proposed business should benefit the economy of Spain. It should be able to generate substantial revenue for the country and provide jobs in the long run.
- Finally, the business must create investment opportunities in the country.
Your Professional and Academic Profile
Once you submit your application, the relevant body will look at your professional profile. This will help them determine if you have the capacity and training to execute your business idea successfully. Before you begin your application, ensure you have an exceptional academic and professional profile. Your profile should show that you have the necessary skills to build your company. It should also indicate your current level of education and trainings you have undergone.
You should also be able to explain your motivation to start the business and how you got the business idea. You can demonstrate all these through your CV. The more you are able to convince the authorities of your exceptional expertise, experience and motivation, the more likely it is for your application to be approved. If your profile is not substantial enough for the business idea you are proposing, your application might be rejected.
Business Plan
This is also very critical to the success of your application. In your business plan, you need to explain your business idea in detail. You should include a comprehensive market analysis, funding sources and business profitability in the plan. You should also discuss the strategy you will use to implement the idea and a forecast of your revenue. You should also specify how your business will impact the Spanish economy, including the number of jobs it is expected to create. Also, reference letters, patents and testimonials from clients can significantly increase the likelihood of getting approval.
For assistance with your business plan, reach out to our professional team at +44 (0) 333 305 9375. We will work with you to develop a comprehensive business plan that will increase your chance of success.
Required Documentation for Spain Entrepreneur Visa Application
Overview
For the applicants:
- National visa application form. You are required to fill out the application form and sign each section accordingly.
- A valid passport. You will need to submit both the original and a photocopy along with your application. Your passport must have a validity period of at least 1 year and must have at least two blank pages. Also, if your passport is older than 10 years, it will not be accepted.
- A recent passport-sized photograph. The background should be bright and there should be no clothing covering the face.
- Favourable report from ENISA to attest that your idea is valid. You can get this report through the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit.
- Proof of financial means. You will be required to submit original documents that show you have sufficient financial resources or a regular source of income for yourself and your family (if they will be going with you).
- Health insurance
- Criminal record check certificate. This should be issued by your country of residence for the past five years. The document must be apostilled or legalized.
- If you are submitting your application through a representative, you will be required to provide proof of the representative’s capacity and identity. You must also submit a document accrediting their representation or power of attorney.
- Proof of payment of the visa fee.
For the family members:
Each family member accompanying the entrepreneur must submit the following documents.
- Some of the documents itemised above, which include the national visa application form, recent passport-sized photograph, valid passport, criminal record check certificate, health insurance, and proof of payment of the visa fee.
- A document that shows proof of relationship with the entrepreneur. This could be a birth certificate or marriage certificate.
- For older children, they will need to submit their civil status and proof of financial dependence.
- For parents, they will need to submit proof that they are under the care of the entrepreneur.
Additional Documents to Boost Your Chances of Approval
In addition to the documents listed above, you can include extra proof that can boost your chances of success. For example, a letter from an investor or a letter from your clients attesting to the uniqueness of your product can help your application.
When preparing your application, it is essential you gather all the required paperwork and also ensure they are error-free. All foreign documents should be properly apostilled or legalized, and where applicable, you might need to translate the document into Spanish. Ensure you cross-check your paperwork as you don’t want any mistake or omission that would result in your application being rejected.
Application Process for Spanish Entrepreneur Visa
The beautiful thing about the Spain Entrepreneur visa is that you can apply for it from outside of Spain or from Spain.
Application Procedure From Outside Spain
You begin the application from your country of residence. Submit all the necessary documents online via the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas). The UGE electronic office allows you to request an initial authorisation, attach documents, make corrections to a pending authorisation and check the progress of your request. You will also be required to submit your business plan to the General Directorate of Foreign Trade and Investment (if you are residing in your home country at the time of the application). The plan will be evaluated to determine if you are eligible for the visa or not. You should get a response within 10 days notifying you of the status of your application. If your application is approved, you will be given a visa that permits you to travel and enter Spain. Once you travel to Spain, you can receive your residence card.
Application Procedure From Spain
Alternatively, you can apply for the Entrepreneur visa in Spain. This is applicable if you are already in Spain on a Visitor’s visa.
To begin your application, you go to the UGE’s headquarters in Madrid. Send all the relevant documents to the Large Business Units. Then, submit your business plan to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.
Your application will be reviewed and you will receive a response about your eligibility within 20 days. If you get a favourable response, your Entrepreneur visa will be processed within a month.
Renewal of Your Entrepreneur Visa in Spain
The Spain Entrepreneur visa is valid for a period of three years. Once it expires, you will need to renew your residence permit in order to keep residing in Spain. For your visa renewal, your business must meet all the requirements and standards as when you initially applied. Upon successful renewal, you will get a two-year extension period. After the two-year extension period, you can apply for a long-term residency.
It is advisable you submit a renewal application within 60 days before your current permit expires. If your current card has expired and you are yet to submit a renewal application, ensure you do so within 90 days from the date of expiry. After approval, go to the national police to register your fingerprint and get your new resident permit.
What to Do in Case Your Entrepreneur Visa Application is Rejected
A rejected application is not the end of the road. If your application was denied, you can explore any of the following options.
- File for an appeal. If you believe you fulfilled all the requirements but were denied probably due to an oversight, an appeal could work. However, this could take several months which can delay your plans.
- Reapply. Given the fact that it takes about 20 days for new applications to be processed, reapplying might be a better alternative to filing an appeal. If you are confident of your business plan and you believe there is a high possibility that your application will be accepted, then you should submit a new application from scratch.
- Explore other options. There are other similar visa types in Spain that you can explore. If your application was denied because your business idea is not innovative enough, you can consider applying for the self-employment permit which is less stringent when it comes to innovation. Another alternative is the Self-employed worker visa. If you have the financial means to invest, you can explore the Golden Visa scheme which offers you residency via investment in real estate.
To avoid having a rejected application, it is highly recommended you speak with an experienced lawyer. Our legal team at Total Law can guide you through the application process. We will let you know if you are eligible to start with. We will also assist you when preparing your paperwork to ensure there are no mistakes. If your application was rejected, you can also reach out to us for advice on the next course of action that is best for your situation.
How Can Total Law Help?
The Spanish market offers exciting opportunities to entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas. The government has signed over 100 free trade agreements with different countries around the world. These facilitate the exportation of products and make it easy to conduct business internationally.
However, the application process could be complex with stringent requirements – your business idea must be innovative, your professional profile must be exceptional and your business plan must be convincing. You need the expertise of an experienced lawyer to significantly increase your chances of success. Total Law is here to help.
Our professional lawyers are well versed and experienced to provide you with legal assistance and guidance to ensure you meet the requirements of the Spanish immigration law. We will meticulously review your business plan and let you know if your business idea is innovative enough to get approval. We will also help you prepare the required documents and enhance your professional profile.
For more information about the services we provide and how we can help with your unique situation, reach out to us at +44 (0) 333 305 9375. You can also contact us online for immediate assistance.
Advice Package
Comprehensive immigration advice tailored to your circumstances and goals.
Application Package
Designed to make your visa application as smooth and stress-free as possible.
Fast Track Package
Premium application service that ensures your visa application is submitted to meet your deadline.
Appeal Package
Ensure you have the greatest chance of a successful appeal. We will represent you in any case.
The Advice Package
During this untimed Advice Session with our professional immigration lawyers in London, you will receive our comprehensive advice, completely tailored to your needs and your situation.
The Application Package
With our Application Package, your dedicated immigration lawyer will advise you on your application process and eligibility. Your caseworker will then complete and submit your forms to the Home Office on your behalf.
The Fast Track Package
Our Fast-Track Application Package is a premium service for those who need to submit their application in time with their deadlines. Your case will become a top priority for our lawyers and you will benefit from our highest-quality services.
The Appeal Package
By choosing our Appeal Package, you can rely on our lawyers’ legal knowledge and experience to ensure you have the highest chance of a successful appeal. We will also fully represent you in any hearings/tribunals.
Related pages for your continued reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
EU citizens can start a business in Spain without a visa. All you need to do is get an NIE if you are from an EU country. If you are a non-EU citizen, you will need a permit to start a business in Spain. You can apply for the Entrepreneur visa or other similar visa in this category.
Yes, the Spain Entrepreneur visa allows you to bring your family members along with you. You can bring your spouse, your children who are still financially dependent on you, and your parents who are under your care.
For the Spain Entrepreneur visa, there is no minimum investment amount and no minimum number of job requirements.
Legal Disclaimer
The information provided is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. While we make every effort to ensure accuracy, the law may change, and the information may not reflect the most current legal developments. No warranty is given regarding the accuracy or completeness of the information, and we do not accept liability in such cases. We recommend consulting with a qualified lawyer at Total Law before making any decisions based on the content provided.