Understanding Spain's Entrepreneur Visa

The Entrepreneur Visa facilitates entry and residency for individuals outside the European Union (EU) who intend to develop an innovative and economically impactful business in Spain. It also supports family reunification and offers a streamlined path to residency and citizenship. Recent amendments in 2022 further enhance its benefits.

This visa is designed for:

• Entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas.
• Founders of startups aiming to establish operations in Spain.
• Business professionals contributing to Spain's technological or scientific advancement.
• Remote workers (introduced under the Digital Nomad Visa provisions of 2022).↗

To qualify, you need:

1. Innovative Business Plan: Demonstrates economic potential and innovation.
2. Approval from UGE: The Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit must validate your plan.
3. Financial Means: Proof of self-sustainability during the initial phase equivalent to 100% of the IPREM (2025: €600 per month), 150% if moving with Spouse or Unmarried Partner (900€ per month) and 50% additional for each dependent (300€ per month).
4. Health Insurance: Valid public or private coverage from a Spanish provider.
5. Clean Criminal Record: No criminal record in the past two years (reduced from five).

There are several steps:

1. Prepare Your Business Plan: Focus on innovation and economic impact.
2. Submit to UGE: Include required documentation for certification. As of 2022, ENISA↗ evaluates entrepreneurial activities.
3. Visa Application: Apply at a Spanish consulate or submit a combined visa and authorization request.
4. Arrival in Spain: Finalize residence applications and obtain your TIE card.↗

Recent updates streamline simultaneous applications for visa and residence authorization.

Essential documents include:

• Detailed business plan.
• Passport, valid for the entire stay.
• Proof of financial resources, such as bank statements.
• Valid health insurance.
• Clean criminal record certificate, translated into Spanish.
• For family members: proof of relationship (e.g., birth or marriage certificates).

Important: All documents in foreign languages must be translated and legalized if required.

The visa is valid for three years (amended from two) and renewable for two years, provided you:

• Maintain business operations.
• Continue meeting financial and insurance criteria (you can apply for public health insurance).
• Reside in Spain for at least six months per year.

• Tax Residency: Established if you stay over 183 days annually.
• Corporate Tax: Standard rate is 25%, with a reduced rate of 15% for startups in their first two profitable years.
• Income Tax: Progressive rates range from 19% to 47%.

The Entrepreneur Visa offers a pathway to:

1. Permanent Residency: After five years of legal residence, provided criteria are met.
2. Citizenship: After ten years, or two for certain nationals (e.g., Latin America, Andorra).Applicants must demonstrate integration into Spanish society and language proficiency.