How to Get a Spain Entrepreneur Visa in 2025

The Spain entrepreneur visa is one of the most powerful pathways available in Europe for non-EU founders ready to build something bold. As of 2025, key legal updates have made the process more accessible: the initial visa is now valid for three years, and criminal background checks cover only the last two years, offering relief to many international applicants.

But even with these founder-friendly changes, success depends on preparation, clarity, and understanding Spain’s evolving startup and immigration landscape. If you're ready to launch your venture and secure a Spain business visa, here's what it truly takes to turn your idea into a long-term life and business in Spain.

What is the Spain Entrepreneur Visa?

The entrepreneur visa in Spain - also known as the startup visa - is not your typical work permit. It was introduced through Law 14/2013 to attract global founders who want to launch scalable, innovative businesses that create jobs and contribute to Spain’s economy.

Unlike other entrepreneur visas that often emphasize capital thresholds or local hiring, this one focuses on what your business brings to the market. Whether you're a solo founder launching a clean energy platform or a small team relocating your AI startup, the emphasis is on innovation, market potential, and economic value.

ENISA (Empresa Nacional de Innovación) plays a central role in evaluating your business plan. They determine whether your idea meets the standards Spain has set for modern entrepreneurship. If you succeed, the entrepreneur visa Spain grants three years of legal residence, the right to bring your family, access to the Schengen Area, and a direct pathway to permanent residency and citizenship - a benefit few global entrepreneur visa programs offer.

Spain Entrepreneur Visa Requirements in 2025

To meet the Spain entrepreneur visa requirements, founders must do more than pitch a good idea - they must demonstrate that they’re financially and legally prepared to sustain a life and business in Spain.

Here’s a closer look at the full Spain business visa checklist, updated for 2025:

• A detailed business plan that matches ENISA’s evaluation criteria. It must outline your mission, market analysis, product development roadmap, revenue model, job creation potential, and growth strategy.

• ENISA Approval: No business, no visa. The agency must issue a favorable report confirming your project’s innovation and viability.

• Proof of Funds: While Spain officially uses 100% of IPREM (~€7,200/year), many consulates expect €31,752 for the main applicant, plus €11,907 for a spouse and €3,969 per child. These expectations vary depending on where you apply and reflect local interpretations of the minimum investment threshold.

• Criminal Background Check: Limited to the past two years only. All documents must be apostilled or legalized and translated into Spanish.

• Private Health Insurance: Your plan must cover all services provided by Spain’s public healthcare system, with no deductibles or co-pays, and must be active from the moment you enter the country.

• Valid Passport and Photos: Your passport must have at least 12 months of validity. You’ll also need biometric-style ID photos that meet Spain’s strict technical standards.

• NIE (Número de Identificación de Extranjero): Your foreign ID number in Spain. Essential for contracts, taxes, and account setup.

• Legal Business Structure: You must declare the organizational structure of your company. Most choose the Sociedad Limitada (SL), Spain’s equivalent of a limited liability company, as the preferred legal structure of a business.

• Spain Residence Card Requirements (TIE): Once approved, you’ll register your biometric data and receive the Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero, your physical residence permit.

Documentation for Family Members

If you're applying with family:

• Submit marriage certificates, birth certificates, and proof of dependency (for adult children or parents).

• These must be translated and legally validated.

• You may apply for them at the same time as your application or after your approval.

Processing Time and Application Strategy

The average Spain entrepreneur visa processing time is around 20 business days when applying from inside Spain. Thanks to the administrative silence rule, if no decision is issued by then, the application is considered approved.

For those applying from their home country, the Spain business visa processing time can vary depending on consulate workload, but typically ranges from 4 to 8 weeks.

Many founders underestimate the time required to gather and prepare these documents. Begin early and work backward from your intended application date to ensure a smooth process.

How to Apply for an Entrepreneur Visa in Spain

Whether you're applying from abroad or already living legally in Spain, the entrepreneur visa application process has several stages - each one critical to your success.

Step 1: Prepare a complete application

Start with your business plan. It should meet ENISA’s guidelines on innovation, feasibility, and scalability. Use structured tools like PrometAI’s AI Business Plan Generator to ensure alignment. Alongside the plan, collect all supporting documents: financial proof, health insurance, criminal background checks, legal translations, and passport copies.

Step 2: Apply from Spain or abroad

• If you're already in Spain legally (on a tourist or student visa), you can apply directly through the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) platform.

• If you're abroad, submit your application through your local Spanish consulate. Keep in mind that each consulate may have slightly different requirements and processing timelines.

Step 3: Submit to ENISA

Create your profile on the ENISA portal and submit the business plan. The UGE-CE (Large Companies and Strategic Groups Division) will receive your materials and coordinate the report evaluation.

Step 4: Benefit from administrative silence

Spain’s positive administrative silence rule means that if your application is complete and no decision is issued within 20 working days, it is legally considered approved. However, this rule only applies if every required document is submitted correctly.

Step 5: Finalize your residency

Once approved:

• Book an appointment with the local immigration office.

• Submit biometric data.

• Receive your TIE (residence card) within 3 - 4 weeks.

You may also begin registering for Spanish Social Security, especially if you’re planning to hire employees or access local healthcare.

Spain Entrepreneur Visa Cost and Financial Requirements

Planning for the Spain entrepreneur visa cost means budgeting beyond the basic application fee. Here’s a general breakdown of common expenses:

• Visa application fee: €80.

• Legal assistance (optional but helpful): €1,000–€3,000.

• Translations and apostilles: €250–€600.

• Private insurance setup: €50–€100/month.

• Housing deposits and relocation expenses: €1,500–€3,000+.

Before applying, you’ll also need a favorable ENISA report, which confirms the innovation and viability of your business plan. This step may lead to additional costs for expert review, Spanish translations, or professional support.

But the most crucial cost involves proof of financial solvency. You must show:

• €31,752 for yourself as the primary applicant.

• €11,907 per spouse.

• €3,969 per child.

While the IPREM indicator is the official baseline, some consulates require proof of higher savings or personal income - especially in major cities or high-demand consular districts.

To avoid surprises, prepare for both the IPREM-based minimum and the €30k+ scenario. This ensures your application won’t be delayed or rejected due to stricter local interpretations of financial requirements.

Starting a Business in Spain as a Foreigner

Once your visa is approved, the real work begins: starting a business in Spain as a foreigner. Whether you plan to open a company in Spain from scratch or relocate an existing venture, understanding the legal and cultural terrain is essential.

Company Registration and Legal Steps

To start a business in Spain, here’s how to open a company in Spain successfully:

• Register your company (most choose a Sociedad Limitada) through a notary and the Mercantile Registry.

• Apply for a CIF (corporate tax ID) and obtain your EORI number for import/export business.

• Open a business bank account (usually takes 1–2 weeks).

• Obtain your NIE and digital certificate.

• Register with the Spanish Tax Agency for VAT.

• Finalize company registration in Spain.

• Enroll in Social Security as an autonomo or company director.

Whether you’re launching a tech firm, joining other American companies in Spain, or benchmarking against big companies in Spain, you’ll benefit from a stable legal structure and open access to EU markets.

Business Protocol and Culture

The business culture in Spain blends formality with relationship-building. Initial meetings often begin with casual conversation. While business protocol in Spain respects hierarchy, decisions may take time due to collaborative structures.

Larger cities like Madrid and Barcelona offer faster-paced, international environments, while smaller towns retain a more traditional, regional rhythm. This diversity affects how you open a business in Spain and adapt long-term.

Alternative Visa Options for Entrepreneurs and Freelancers

Spain offers multiple visa routes beyond the entrepreneur program, each with its own pros and limits.

Popular alternatives:

• Spain Startup Visa (alternative name for the entrepreneur visa under Spain’s startup laws).

• Spain Tech Visa: For professionals recruited by Spanish firms in science or tech.

• Digital Nomad Visa Spain: Designed for remote workers with non-Spanish employers.

• Non-lucrative Visa Spain: For those with a stable income or savings who don't intend to work.

• EU Blue Card: For highly qualified workers with specific job offers.

Each of these grants access to the Schengen Area, but only some provide a direct pathway to long-term residence or family relocation. Choose based on your mobility goals, business plans, and local commitments.

Considering other destinations? Check out our complete guide on the Canada Startup Visa Program and how to start a business in Canada from the USA for alternative pathways to launching globally.

Real-Life Experiences: Has Anyone Moved to Spain With the Entrepreneur Visa?

Several entrepreneurs have successfully relocated to Spain using the entrepreneur visa, and their journeys offer valuable lessons.

If you're wondering has anyone moved to Spain with the entrepreneur visa, the answer is clear. One example is Build to Zero, a sustainability-focused startup founded by a team from Argentina. The founders applied through Spain’s Entrepreneur Visa program and established their operations in Barcelona. Their business model - based on reducing environmental impact in architecture - was approved by ENISA, and they highlighted the importance of crafting a strong, tech-forward business plan tailored to Spain’s innovation ecosystem. Their visa was approved within a month, and they have since hired local talent and integrated into Spain’s startup hubs.

Another real case shared on Expat forums features a Canadian founder who applied from within Spain while on a tourist visa. He secured a co-working space in Madrid, registered his Sociedad Limitada (SL), and submitted his plan to UGE. Although his ENISA report took a few weeks, the overall visa approval came just under the 20-day positive administrative silence rule. He noted that the key was aligning his business pitch with Spain’s strategic goals - digitization and green transformation.

Visa consultancies like Balcells Group and MySpanishResidency have also reported rising approval rates in 2024 and 2025, especially for founders in fintech, SaaS, and renewable energy sectors. Many successful applicants brought their families, noting that spouse and child documentation must be prepared early in the process.

While not all applicants succeed on the first try, these examples show that with a well-prepared plan, localized strategy, and legal guidance, the Entrepreneur Visa can become a viable path to launching a business in Spain and building a new life in Europe.

Resources and Support for Entrepreneurs in Spain

Building a business in a new country is about having the right support systems in place from day one. Spain has steadily developed an ecosystem of tools and services designed to help foreign founders navigate both startup logistics and local regulations.

One standout platform is PrometAI, an intelligent business planning solution tailored specifically for international founders entering regulated markets like Spain. PrometAI’s AI Business Plan Generator helps applicants create ENISA-compliant plans by guiding them through every required section - market analysis, financial projections, legal structure, and job creation strategy. It eliminates confusion and ensures your proposal speaks the language Spain’s reviewers understand.

Beyond business plans, PrometAI also offers insights into legal structures, funding routes, and startup positioning - all of which are crucial for preparing a strong visa application and building a sustainable company post-approval. Other essential resources include:

• Incwell - A business formation and compliance platform helping you incorporate, open bank accounts, and handle immigration paperwork.

• ENISA Portal - Where you submit your startup proposal for official innovation evaluation.

• UGE-CE Website - The government platform to file your residence application if you're already in Spain.

• Spanish Tax Agency - For tax registration, VAT declarations, and compliance.

• Social Security Registration - Needed for healthcare access and employee contributions.

These tools and services form the infrastructure around your entrepreneurial journey. With the right support - from platforms like PrometAI to government channels - your transition into Spain’s startup scene becomes more manageable, efficient, and focused on growth.

Conclusion

Great ideas often need the right place to grow. Spain has quietly become that place for thousands of international founders. With its welcoming business climate, streamlined 2025 visa reforms, and growing network of support, it offers more than just legal access - it offers momentum.

You won’t need to wait years to test your idea or fight through endless red tape. If your vision is bold and your plan solid, Spain gives you room to move, build, hire, and thrive. It’s not just about entry; it’s about integration into a forward-looking entrepreneurial ecosystem.

For anyone ready to turn a global idea into a European reality, the entrepreneur visa isn’t the end goal. It’s the beginning of something much larger.

FAQ

1. How do I get a Spain Entrepreneur Visa in 2025?
   To get a Spain entrepreneur visa, submit an ENISA-approved business plan, financial proof, and required documents via Spain’s UGE platform or a consulate.

2. Can I apply for the entrepreneur visa from within Spain?
   Yes. If you’re legally in Spain (e.g., tourist or student visa), you can apply through UGE without returning to your home country.

3. What is the difference between the Spain entrepreneur visa and Spain startup visa?
   They refer to the same program. The Spain startup visa is often a casual name for the official Spain entrepreneur visa under Law 14/2013.

4. How long does the Spain entrepreneur visa take to process?
   Applications from Spain typically follow the positive administrative silence rule—auto-approval after 20 working days if complete. Consulate times vary.