Obtaining a residence permit (Startup Visa) by a startup founder in Spain. Service offer

This type of residence permit is intended for entrepreneurs who want to live and do innovative business in Spain.

It is regulated by the Law on the promotion of the ecosystem of emerging companies, adopted on 21 December 2022 and also known as the Startups Law. The Law defines startups and provides for tax and administrative measures to support and promote businesses implementing innovative technologies, and, in particular, it amends Law 14/2013 of 27 September 2013 on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization, in relation to the issuance of entry and residence permits to foreign entrepreneurs.

Advantages of the programme

no requirement to have an existing business in Spain, a residence permit is issued based on a business plan;

allows living in Spain;

allows visa-free travel to the Schengen countries;

allows obtaining a residence permit for the main applicant’s family members: spouse; minor children, and adult children, provided that they are unmarried and financially dependent on the main applicant; parents, provided that they are financially dependent on the main applicant;

allows applying for a permanent residence permit after 5 years of being a resident, and applying for citizenship after 10 years.

Basic requirements for the business project

The business plan of the project must be approved by the National Innovation Company (Empresa Nacional de Innovacion S.A. / ENISA):

the project must be innovative and create added value for the Spanish economy in the long term;
account will also be taken of the founder’s education and professional capacity to successfully implement the project, as well as of the degree of their involvement in the project;
a residence permit can be granted to multiple founders of a single startup.

Basic requirements for the applicant

be a national of a non-EU and non-EEA country; Swiss nationals are excluded as well;
have sufficient funds available:
- for the main applicant – at least 200% of the minimum interprofessional wage (SMI)* per year – approximately EUR 33 200;
- for a second family member included on the application – 75% of SMI per year (EUR 12 450);
- for each additional family member included on the application – 25% of SMI per year (EUR 4 150);
have health insurance valid in Spain;
have no criminal record;
not have been banned from Spain or other countries that have the relevant agreements with Spain.

*In 2025, the SMI is EUR 16 576 per year.

Application procedure and time frame

Submit an online application to ENISA and get the business project approved – within 3 months.

Submit an application to UGE-CE (Large Business and Strategic Groups Unit) for a residence permit for the founder of the startup and family members.

The applicant must be in Spain when submitting the application.

The application processing time is 20 working days.

On approval, submit biometrics and get a residence permit card.

IMPORTANT: It is also possible to apply via the Spanish consulate. In this case, the applicant first obtains a national visa to enter Spain, and then, once in Spain, finalizes the residence permit application.

Residence permit validity period

3 years if the application is made from within Spain;
1 year if the applicant applied from abroad.

Residence permit renewal

Upon expiry, a residence permit is subject to renewal for another 2 years.

If the holder of a residence permit has difficulties launching and developing their business project, it is recommended to consider renewing a residence permit on another basis.

Fees for obtaining a residence permit for a startup founder*

Services	Fees (EUR)
Assistance with obtaining a residence permit for the main applicant, including: · advice on writing and presenting a business plan for a startup; · assistance in submitting an online application to ENISA; · advice on and assistance in preparing a package of supporting documents for the residence permit application, taking into account the individual circumstances of the applicant; · filling in and submitting the residence permit application and supporting documents to the Spanish migration authority electronically; · assistance with payment of government fees and charges for a residence permit; · providing explanations and documents to the migration authority if the migration authority has any additional questions; · following up on the application and notifying the applicant of the decision.	from 10 500**
Obtaining a residence permit for family members – spouse, minor child (for each family member) Payment procedure: 70% payable in advance; 30% payable before submitting the application to the migration authority. Payable by the applicant additionally: translation and certification of documents, health insurance, government fees and charges for a residence permit.	1 500

*The fees are valid at the April 2025, for applications made from within Spain, and do not include VAT.

**The fee may vary depending on the initial information about the business project.

Are you interested in the offer?

from EUR 10 500

Download offer in PDF

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