Spain Entrepreneur Visa and Residence Permit: Legal and Tax Support

Your business in Spain, with legal and financial planning from the outset

Planning to move to Spain to develop your business? The Spain entrepreneur visa and residence permit route supports eligible founders whose business activity is innovative and/or of special economic interest to Spain. The key is to demonstrate that your project qualifies and prepare an application that brings together your experience, funding and relocation plans.

At Pérez Parras Economistas y Abogados, we combine immigration advice under Law 14/2013 with financial analysis of your business and personal tax planning. We help you assess this route, prepare your documents and submit your application to the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE), with the ENISA report required for this procedure.

From our offices in Málaga and Nerja, we advise entrepreneurs planning to establish themselves anywhere in Spain, including those organising their move from abroad.

If you also wish to explore the Beckham Law tax regime, seek advice before relocating. The date on which you obtain your residence authorisation can affect your eligibility.

Does your project qualify for Spain’s entrepreneur residence permit?

This residence route is for foreign nationals who fall within its scope and intend to start, develop or manage an entrepreneurial business activity in Spain. Citizens of the European Union, the European Economic Area and Switzerland fall under a different residence framework.

Your project must receive a favourable ENISA report, as explained in the UGE’s official guidance for entrepreneurs. The assessment considers, among other matters:

• Your professional background, qualifications and experience, together with your actual involvement in the business.
• Your product or service, its target market and what makes your proposition distinctive.
• The business plan, funding requirements and sources of investment.
• Innovation, added value for the Spanish economy and opportunities for investment or job creation.

There is no general minimum investment figure or minimum number of jobs that, on its own, determines eligibility. However, you must explain convincingly how the business will be launched and sustained.

A technology solution, an innovative business process or a service with a significant economic contribution may warrant assessment. Eligibility depends on the features and supporting evidence of each project. Incorporating a Spanish limited company, purchasing shares or having capital available does not replace that assessment.

Our first step is to assess whether this route fits your actual business activity and what you need to demonstrate. Where self-employment, international remote work or another residence framework appears more appropriate, we explain the alternative that should be considered.

Lawyers and economists for your Spain entrepreneur visa application

Initial assessment of your circumstances and business project

We review your nationality, country of residence, immigration status, role in the business and proposed timetable. We also consider whether your family will accompany you and which decisions should be made before the application process begins.

This assessment identifies the legal basis for your entrepreneur residence application, the strengths of your project and any areas needing further evidence or development.

Business plan and supporting documents for ENISA

We help you structure or review your business plan so that the commercial proposal and financial forecasts are consistent. Our work is based on genuine information about the market, competitors, expected revenue, costs, funding, team and implementation timetable.

Your plan needs to explain both the value of your proposition and your ability to deliver it. Unsupported sales forecasts or a generic description of innovation can weaken the application.

Entrepreneur residence application to the UGE

We organise your documents, prepare the application and handle submission and follow-up within the agreed scope of our engagement. If the authorities request clarification or additional documents, we assess the request and prepare the response.

If you are outside Spain, we coordinate the residence authorisation with the relevant consular visa procedure. We can also advise on applications for your family members and the steps required after approval.

Tax planning and setting up your activity

We connect your immigration decisions with your tax residence, business structure and the obligations arising from your activity. Where the conditions may be met, we assess eligibility for the Beckham Law regime and plan the move around the relevant tax deadlines.

Before you engage us, we set out in writing the work included, our fees and any additional services you may need, such as translations, company formation, appeals or ongoing advice.

Spain entrepreneur visa and residence permit requirements

In addition to the business project and favourable ENISA report, applicants must meet the general requirements of Law 14/2013. For your entrepreneur residence application, we review:

• Identity and immigration status: a valid passport, being at least 18 years old and not being in Spain irregularly.
• Criminal records and admissibility: compliance with the applicable criminal-record requirements and absence of relevant entry bans.
• Healthcare cover: public or private health insurance that meets the conditions applicable to your circumstances.
• Financial means: sufficient resources to support yourself and, where relevant, accompanying family members.
• Project documentation: the business plan and evidence of your background, participation, funding and proposed activity.
• Application formalities: administrative fees and, where required, sworn translations, legalisation or apostilles for foreign documents.

Money available for personal and family living costs must be distinguished from the investment allocated to the business. We review both and tailor the document checklist to your circumstances and the current procedure.

How we handle your entrepreneur residence permit and visa

1. Establish the right route before applying

We determine the appropriate sequence depending on whether you are lawfully in Spain or living abroad. If you wish to assess a special tax regime, we incorporate that analysis into the timetable at this stage.

2. Prepare the project and supporting evidence

We review the business plan, financial forecasts and personal documents. We organise the information needed to assess the activity and your involvement in it.

3. Coordinate the ENISA assessment and UGE application

We follow the current operational procedure for obtaining the report and processing the authorisation. ENISA assesses the business project; the competent immigration authority decides the residence application.

4. Handle the visa and steps after approval

When you are relocating from abroad, the relevant consular visa is processed following approval of the residence authorisation. We also advise on the foreign national identity card (TIE) and the steps required to start your activity in your particular circumstances.

The term “Spain entrepreneur visa” remains widely used. It is important to distinguish the current residence authorisation and any associated consular visa from the former one-year visa for preparatory business arrangements under Article 68, which was abolished. We check the current route before you organise your journey.

Duration and renewal of your entrepreneur residence permit

The entrepreneur residence authorisation is initially granted for three years and is valid throughout Spain. It allows you to live and work in Spain within the scope of this authorisation.

The permit may be renewed for two years if the required conditions continue to be met. Preparing before expiry allows time to review the documents. Keep evidence of the business activity actually carried out and its continuity from the outset.

Certain family members may apply together with the entrepreneur or subsequently: a spouse or partner in an equivalent relationship, minor children, financially dependent adult children who have not formed their own family unit, and dependent parents or other direct ascendants. The family relationship and other applicable requirements must be evidenced.

Family residence authorisations permit work, subject to employment legislation. We assess each application and coordinate the family’s documents and relocation dates.

Entrepreneur residence and tax: plan before moving to Spain

Immigration residence and tax residence are different matters. Obtaining a residence permit does not, by itself, determine your entire tax position or give you automatic access to the Beckham Law regime.

For those seeking to elect into the special inbound tax regime through qualifying entrepreneurial activity, Article 113.2 of the Spanish Personal Income Tax Regulations requires, in this situation, the Article 69 residence authorisation to be held before moving to Spain. A specific route involving a prior ENISA report applies to people covered by EU free-movement rights. The remaining tax requirements must also be met.

We therefore review your relocation date, the start of the activity, your tax residence history and the business structure together. If you are already in Spain, we need to examine the facts and the routes applicable to your position.

Our guide to Beckham Law requirements explains key issues to consider alongside your entrepreneur residence application. Where several countries are involved, we also assess your tax residence and the relevant double taxation treaty.

Why choose Pérez Parras for your business project in Spain?

An entrepreneur residence application needs to connect the legal documents with the economic reality of the business. Our firm brings together lawyers and economists to assess both within a coordinated strategy.

We provide a professional point of contact to organise your application, explain the requirements and help you make informed relocation decisions. Our work focuses on presenting and evidencing your project, anticipating documentation needs and coordinating the application with the establishment of your business.

Meet our team of lawyers and economists and contact us from Spain or your current country of residence. Our Málaga and Nerja offices support clients across Spain and internationally.

Spain entrepreneur visa and residence permit: frequently asked questions

Can I apply for an entrepreneur residence permit from within Spain?

An application from Spain may be possible if you are lawfully present and meet the requirements. We review your current visa, permission to stay or residence authorisation, its validity and the timing of the application. The ability to apply from Spain must be considered separately from the timing requirements for a possible Beckham Law election.

How long does an entrepreneur residence application take?

The legislation provides ten working days for the ENISA report and a maximum of twenty working days from electronic submission for a decision on the residence authorisation, with approval by administrative silence under the statutory conditions. These periods are not the total time needed: preparation, requests for additional information, applicable suspensions and any consular procedure must also be considered. We explain the timetable relevant to your application.

Do I need to incorporate the company before starting?

This depends on the project’s stage and intended business structure. Setting up a company does not itself grant residence. Coordinate incorporation, the founders’ roles and the immigration and tax timetable before making commitments.

Does an ENISA report make my business a certified startup?

The residence assessment report, innovative startup certification, ENISA financing and reports for specific tax purposes are separate instruments. Each has its own purpose and requirements.

Can several co-founders apply through the same project?

Applications by several co-founders can be considered. Each applicant’s duties, participation and involvement must be demonstrated. Sharing a company or business plan does not mean that every shareholder automatically qualifies for a residence permit.

Can you help with a request for further information or a refusal?

Yes. We review the decision or request, the application and its supporting evidence to assess the appropriate response, the merits of an appeal or a fresh application. Deadlines depend on the document notified, so send it to us promptly for professional assessment.

How much does an entrepreneur residence application cost?

Our fees depend on the project’s stage, the work needed on the business plan, the number of applicants and the tax or company-law services included. Following the initial assessment, we provide a proposal that distinguishes our professional fees from administrative fees and other external costs.

Get advice on your Spain entrepreneur visa and residence permit

If you are considering this route, the first step is to establish whether your project qualifies, which documents you need and the right order in which to proceed.

Tell us where you currently live, your nationality, a brief description of the business, your role and your approximate relocation date. If family members will accompany you, include this in your enquiry.

At Pérez Parras Economistas y Abogados, we will assess how to coordinate your residence, business project and tax position.

You can also email info@perezparras.com or call +34 680 348 768.

Legal sources: Law 14/2013 of 27 September, particularly Articles 62, 69, 70 and 76; official UGE guidance for entrepreneurs; and Article 113 of the Personal Income Tax Regulations, approved by Royal Decree 439/2007 of 30 March.

Content reviewed on 8 September 2026. Each application must be assessed against its circumstances and the applicable requirements.