How to get an entrepreneur visa for Spain

Spain’s entrepreneur visa is a golden opportunity (and, in fact, a strong alternative to the golden visa) for non-EU citizens who want to live in Spain while building something innovative. Whether it’s an exciting tech startup, a cutting-edge research project or a business that introduces a brand-new service to the Spanish market, this visa offers both residency and the ability to grow your idea in one of Europe’s most vibrant economies.

But successfully applying for a Spanish entrepreneur visa requires much more than just filling in a form. You’ll need a well-prepared business plan, solid proof of your financial stability and the right paperwork in order to be approved.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through every step of the process, including:

• Who qualifies as an entrepreneur
• How to get your business plan approved
• How to apply for the visa both inside and outside Spain
• Which documents you need
• Where to submit your application and typical processing times
• What to do once you arrive in Spain

Let's get started.

Who qualifies as an entrepreneur?

The entrepreneur visa is aimed at non-EU citizens who want to start or relocate an innovative business in Spain. “Innovative” is the keyword: this is not a visa for opening a standard retail shop or small restaurant unless there’s a clear, unique element to your business model.

You should be able to prove:

• You are the founder or main decision-maker of the business
• Your business is innovative and has the potential for significant economic impact in Spain
• You have the skills and experience to run it successfully
• You have sufficient funds to support yourself and get the business off the ground.

What kinds of businesses are eligible for this visa?

Spain is particularly interested in attracting businesses that contribute to innovation, research and technological advancement. Examples of eligible projects include:

• Tech startups (such as apps, platforms and SaaS solutions) that solve a unique problem
• Biotech or renewable energy projects with clear R&D value
• E-commerce platforms introducing a new service model
• Innovative manufacturing processes or advanced engineering solutions

Entrepreneur visa applicants must demonstrate that their projects fills a gap in the Spanish market, will create jobs or foster technological progress.

Getting your business plan approved

One of the most important steps is getting your business plan approved by a Spanish government body, usually the Dirección General de Comercio Internacional e Inversiones (DGCOMINVER).

Your business plan should cover:

• Concept and innovation: What makes your business new or different?
• Market research: Who will use your product or service and why?
• Economic potential: How will it benefit Spain’s economy?
• Financial projections: Revenue, expenses and growth forecasts.
• Job creation: How many people you plan to employ.

A well-presented plan in Spanish increases your chances of approval and speeds up the process. Approval can take several weeks, so it’s always best to start early: without it, you cannot move forward with your visa application.

How to apply for an entrepreneur visa

Once your business plan is approved, you can apply for the visa in one of two ways:

• From outside Spain: Submit your application at the Spanish consulate in your home country. This will give you a visa to enter Spain and collect your residence permit.
• From inside Spain: If you are in Spain legally (for example, on a tourist visa), you can apply directly to the Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE) via the Ministry of Economy’s platform. This often results in faster visa processing times.

Required documents for your visa application

In addition to your approved business plan, you’ll typically need:

• A valid passport with at least one year before expiry.
• A completed visa application form
• Proof of financial means to support yourself and your business: this depends very much on your business model. A small-scale online service might need €10,000 - €20,000, while a more capital-intensive venture might require €50,000 to over €100,000+.
• Criminal background check from your home country (issued within the last 90 days)
• A medical certificate proving you are free from serious communicable diseases
• Proof of visa-compliant health insurance.

All documents must be translated into Spanish and, where applicable, officially certified for international use.

Processing times vary but can range from 20 working days to a few months depending on your location and the complexity of your case.

Common mistakes to avoid

Many entrepreneur visa applications are delayed, or even rejected, due to avoidable errors:

• Submitting a generic business plan: Authorities want originality and economic potential, not a standard template
• Forgetting to translate documents: Non-Spanish paperwork must be professionally translated and, in some cases, apostilled
• Underestimating financial requirements: Authorities may ask for more than the legal minimum, especially if your business won’t be profitable right away
• Overlooking health insurance rules: Without the right coverage, your application won’t be processed.

Spanish authorities require entrepreneur visa holders to have private health insurance that covers all medical costs without co-payments. Travel insurance or partial coverage won’t be accepted.

Feather offers instant, immigration-compliant health policies, so you can download proof of coverage the same day you sign up.

After you arrive in Spain

Once you’re in Spain, you’ll need to complete a few legal and administrative steps:

1. Register your address at the local ayuntamiento (town hall)
2. Apply for your Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero (TIE), your foreigner’s ID card
3. Open a Spanish bank account for your business operations
4. Register with the Spanish tax authorities and, if applicable, the Social Security system
5. Begin executing your business plan according to what was approved

Spain’s entrepreneur visa offers more than just a residence permit: it’s a chance to launch your business in a thriving, internationally connected market. With the right preparation, an approved innovative project and careful attention to the application steps, you can set yourself up for both business and personal success in Spain.