Entrepreneur Visa in Spain - How to build your business in Europe

When it comes to getting an entrepreneur visa in Spain, the process can be a bit complex, but it’s worth it if you’re planning and setting up a business in Spain. The country offers these visas to foreign nationals who aren’t citizens of the EU. Basically, if you have a business idea that’s going to benefit Spain’s economy or public interests, you might just qualify for a three-year residency visa. Sounds good, right? But don't rush into it. You’ve got to be sure you tick all the right boxes because this visa has some pretty strict requirements.

I learned that the Spanish Startup Visa works on a case-by-case basis. You don't necessarily need a big pile of money to invest or promise to hire locals. But, your business better be something that contributes to the local economy. It’s not just about setting up a random company. They want to see you invest in something that’ll actually help Spain. The Directorate-General for International Trade and Investments (that’s a mouthful!) handles the project assessments and makes the final call on whether you’re approved.

Specific Documents to Apply for the Entrepreneur Visa

There’s quite a bit of paperwork involved. First, you have to fill out a national visa application form. Sounds obvious, but don’t forget to sign each section, or they might throw it out. Then, a valid passport. You’re going to need both the original and a photocopy of the biometric data pages. And the passport should be good for at least a year and have two blank pages. If your passport’s older than ten years, you’re out of luck; time to get a new one.

Next, they’ll ask for a passport-sized photo. Don’t overthink it. Just make sure you’re not wearing glasses or anything that covers your face. And keep the background light. You’ll also need to prove that you’ve paid all the necessary fees.

Now comes the tricky part: proving you meet all their requirements. That includes showing you’ve got enough money to support yourself, health insurance, and anything else they ask for. Plus, you’re going to need a solid business plan. This isn’t some school project. It has to be detailed—talk about how your business will benefit Spain’s economy. Show them that you’ll create jobs or bring some innovation to the table. You want to make them see that your idea is essential for the country’s socio-economic growth.

You’ll also need a document from the Commercial Office. This is key because it shows that your business plan is accepted and has potential. They’ll be looking at things like how original your idea is, whether it’ll create jobs, and what value it’ll bring to Spain. Once they give you the green light, you can start the actual visa application process with the Immigration Office.

 

Your expert profile

But let’s not forget about your own background. Your professional profile is really important too. They want to see who you are and what you’ve done. Your business idea is one thing, but can you actually make it happen? That’s the big question. So, it’s essential to show off your experience, education, and any skills that are relevant to your business. The more qualified you are, the better your chances of approval.

Honestly, if you’ve got a degree or some kind of certification related to your business, it’s going to help a lot. Even better if you’ve got a master’s. It just shows that you know what you’re doing, which gives them more confidence that your startup will succeed.

Brief Guideline for Your Business Plan

When you’re putting together your business plan, remember, this is the thing that’ll make or break your application. It needs to explain in detail what your business is, how it’ll fit into the Spanish market, and whether it’s going to be profitable. You should also include a market analysis—talk about who your competitors are, who your customers will be, and what you’re offering that’s different. It’s kind of like a sales pitch but for your visa.

Other Business Visa Choices

You can go for the Self-Employed Visa (aka Spain freelance visa), which is better for freelancers or professionals who want to work independently. And then there’s the Investor Visa, which is for people making big investments in Spain—like buying real estate or government bonds. While not business-related, a viable option for remote work is the Spain digital nomad visa.

Application Methods for The Entrepreneur Visa

There are actually two ways you can apply for the entrepreneur visa. If you’re not already in Spain, you can apply from your home country. All the papers can be presented online through the Unidad de Grandes Empresas (UGE) website. If approved, you’ll get a visa that allows you to enter Spain and start your business.

But if you’re already in Spain on a tourist visa, things are a little easier. You can apply directly while you’re here, which saves you the hassle of doing it from abroad. You’ll need to head to the UGE headquarters in Madrid and submit all your paperwork there. If you’re going this route, make sure you have everything ready because you’ll need to submit your business plan to the Ministry of Economic Affairs.