Entrepreneur visa
Key Requirements
Core eligibility
You must be non-EU/EEA/Swiss (a “third-country national”).
Have a business idea/project which is innovative, scalable, and brings economic benefit to Spain (job creation, technological/strategic interest).
Be of legal age (18+).
Have no criminal record for specified period in Spain/abroad.
Have health insurance (private or public) valid in Spain.
Provide proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself (and dependants) during your stay.
Business plan & approval
A detailed business plan is central: market analysis, competitive advantage, scalability, jobs to be created, investment / funding plan.
Your project must often be evaluated/approved by a Spanish competent body (for example Empresa Nacional de Innovación, S.A. (ENISA) or the unit dealing with “large companies and strategic groups” – sometimes via the “UGE-CE” (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Grupos Estratégicos).
Documentation
Key documents you will likely need:
Valid passport
Completed application form
Business plan (in Spanish or translated)
Criminal record certificate(s) from country(ies) of residence over the required period.
Proof of health insurance
Proof of financial means (bank statements, investment funds, etc)
Possibly proof of lodging/address in Spain once you arrive
Payment of visa/application fees.
If you’re applying with family, birth/marriage certificates etc.
Duration & Renewal
The initial residence permit for this “start-up/entrepreneur” type is often granted for 3 years.
Afterwards you may apply for renewal/extensions (e.g., another 2 years) if your business is operational and meets conditions.
Ultimately, if you remain compliant, this could feed into longer-term residency.
Investment / Minimum amount
One of the good points: there isn’t always a fixed large investment requirement in some guides (i.e., no set minimum investment amount for every case).
However: you must show you have enough funds to support yourself and the business. Some sources cite amounts like ~€31,752 for the main applicant plus extra for dependants (for guidance only).
How to Apply (UK applicant perspective)
Since you’re in the UK, here’s the usual flow:
Prepare your business plan – assemble a strong proposal in Spanish (or with Spanish translation) covering the required criteria (innovation, scalability, economic benefit to Spain).
Submit your project for approval – likely to ENISA or UGE. Wait for the favourable report.
Apply for the visa/residence permit through the relevant Spanish consulate in the UK (likely the one covering your region). Provide all documentation.
Once approved, enter Spain, register your address (“empadronamiento”) and apply for your foreigner ID card (TIE – Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero).
Register your business in Spain (choose legal form: e.g., Sociedad Limitada (SL) for many entrepreneurs) and start operations.
Monitor compliance: your business must operate, create impact, etc, especially before renewal time.
Things to Consider / Tips
The business idea really matters: If it’s just a small local shop or something with no real innovation or job creation, it may be viewed less favourably. Many guides advise focusing on sectors like IT/tech, green energy, biotech etc.
Get professional help: these applications can require detailed planning, translations, legalization of documents, etc. A specialist immigration/business lawyer may prove helpful.
Timing & processing: The typical processing time (once business plan is approved and application complete) cited around 20 working days for the residence permit portion, but you need to factor time for business plan review, document collection etc.
Family: If you have spouse/children, you’ll need to include them and prove your ability to support them financially.
Location & business ecosystem: Spain has cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, etc. The local ecosystem (accelerators, funding, networks) can help.
Keep in mind tax, social security, setting up a business entity in Spain, local compliance (labour, VAT, etc) – you’ll need to operate properly.
Always check the latest rules. Immigration law can change. For example, Spain ended or is phasing out its “golden visa” for property investment (though that’s a different route) which shows how policies shift.
Summary
Non-EU nationals can apply for the Spanish entrepreneur/start-up visa if they bring an innovative business idea to Spain.
Must show business plan, innovation, sufficient funds, health insurance, no serious criminal history, etc.
No fixed huge investment amount (in many cases), but the business must be realistic, scalable and beneficial to Spain.
Initial permit typically ~3 years; renewal possible.
UK applicants apply via Spanish consulate, portion of processing in Spain.
Good for relocating, starting a business and bringing family.