Self-Employed Visa Spain (Freelance Visa)

The Self-Employed Visa Spain, also known as Autónomo Visa Spain or Freelance Visa Spain, enables a national from outside the European Union to come to Spain to live and work legally as a self-employed person.

With this visa, UK nationals can become self-employed workers and engage in freelancing (autónomo), consultancy, independent contracting, sole trading, or start their own business in Spain.

Self-Employed Visa holders can apply for permanent residency after living in Spain for five years. After ten years, you may be eligible for Spanish citizenship. With this visa, you can bring close family members to join you in Spain under the Family Reunification.

However, applicants must first obtain a residence and Self-Employed Work Permit to be considered for a Self-Employed Work Visa. Reach out to an immigration expert for more advice on the application process.

Page Contents

• What is the Self-Employed Visa in Spain?
• Eligibility Requirements for the Self-Employed Work Visa in Spain
• Required Supporting Documents for Self-Employed Visa in Spain
• Required Supporting Documents for the Initial Residence and Self-Employed Work Permit
• First Stage: Obtaining the Self-Employed Work and Residence Permit
• Second Stage: Obtaining a Self-Employed Work Visa
• What is the Validity of the Self-Employed Work Visa in Spain?
• What is the Validity of the Self-Employment Work and Residence Permit?
• Registering with the Spanish Social Security System
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

To apply, you must meet the following Spain Self-Employed Visa requirements:

• Have a valid passport
• Be at least 16 years old
• Have health insurance covering your entire stay in Spain
• Provide proof of professional qualifications and academic certificates to show that you are qualified for the job you want to undertake
• Submit a plan for the establishment or activity that you will undertake to show that your project is sufficient to support your business – stating the planned investment, the expected return, the jobs that will be created (if applicable)
• Show that you have sufficient financial resources to carry out the planned investment and that you can support yourself financially during your stay in Spain
• Have no criminal record

Please note that any documents in English must be legalised, apostilled, and submitted with an official translation into Spanish.

To prove your eligibility for the Self-Employed Work Visa, you must submit the following documents with your application:

• Valid passport with at least two blank pages
• Recent passport-size photo
• Criminal record check certificate
• Medical certificate – issued no later than three months before your planned arrival in Spain
• Proof of legal residence or that you are attending classes in person, in the consular district
• Original and copies of the identity documents or passports of one of your parents and a document proving kinship (if the applicant is a minor)
• Completed visa application form
• Proof of the visa fee payment – €80

Any official documents written in English must be legalised, apostilled, and submitted with an official translation into Spanish.

Overview

If your Self-Employed Work and Residence Permit is successful, you can book your visa application appointment at the Spanish Consulate nearest your UK residence.

You will have 30 days from the day your permit application is approved to file your visa application and submit all required documents. The application must be submitted in person (or by one of your parents if you’re a minor).

You will pay the € 80 visa application fee when submitting your application. The Consular officer will then provide you with proof of visa fee payment and a visa tracking number to track the status of your visa application.

What is the Processing Time for a Self-Employed Work Visa in Spain?

Once you submit your Self-Employed Visa application, the processing time can take up to 30 days from the day after submission. Please note that this period can be extended if your application requires further information or documents.

To avoid processing delays, you must fully complete your application and provide all the necessary documents to support your eligibility.

The Self-Employed Work Visa in Spain is valid for 90 days. The purpose of the visa is to allow the holder to enter Spain to establish self-employment. Once you arrive in Spain, you must take further steps to ensure you stay legally.

The Self-Employment Work and Residence Permits are initially valid for 12 months. If you still meet the eligibility requirements, you can renew your permits for 2 additional years.

After 5 years of living in Spain as a temporary resident, you may be eligible for permanent residency. If you meet all of the criteria for Spanish citizenship, you may be eligible to become a Spanish citizen after 10 years of temporary or permanent residency.

After entering Spain, you will have 3 months to set up a Spanish bank account and register with the Social Security System by visiting your nearest Social Security Office (Tesorería General de la Seguridad Social) and completing the application form (TA0521).

After registering, you must apply for the Foreigner Identity Card, in Spanish referred to as Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE), at the Foreign Nationals Office (also referred to as Immigration Office) or the police station nearest to where you stay. You must do so within 30 days after the Social Security System registration.