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“Startup Visa” for Entrepreneurs in Spain

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“Startup Visa” — a residence permit for innovative business in Spain

The Spanish Startup Visa is a specific immigration route designed for non-EU nationals who intend to establish or develop an innovative business project in Spain. This permit allows entrepreneurs to legally reside in Spain while implementing a business initiative that meets the criteria of innovation and economic interest for the country.
This type of residence is intended for startup founders, entrepreneurs, and business owners whose projects demonstrate scalability, technological or innovative value, and potential contribution to the Spanish economy, including job creation and investment attraction.

“Startup Visa”:
Essential Highlights

Who is “Startup Visa” suitable for?

The Spanish Startup Visa is designed for non-EU nationals who intend to develop an innovative business project in Spain and obtain legal residence on this basis. This option is suitable for applicants who meet the following criteria:

  • Plan to launch an innovative, technological, or scalable business project in Spain.
  • Propose a business model with potential for growth, expansion, or job creation. Have relevant entrepreneurial, managerial, or professional experience related to the project.
  • Are able to prepare and submit a detailed and well-structured business plan.
  • Are not citizens of the European Union.

Process for Obtaining “Startup Visa” in Spain

  • Initial consultation and project assessment – A legal and strategic review of the business project is conducted, evaluating its compliance with Spanish startup visa requirements and the applicant’s profile.
  • Preparation of the business plan and document package – The business plan is prepared and legally adapted to meet Spanish authorities’ criteria, and all supporting documents are collected for submission.
  • Submission of the project to the competent authority – The project is officially submitted for government review to assess its innovative and economic value, including potential for scalability and job creation.
  • Receipt of the favorable report – If approved, a formal positive assessment (favorable report) is issued, confirming that the project meets the requirements for a startup visa.
  • Submission of the visa D application at the Spanish consulate – Based on the favorable report, the applicant files a national visa D application at the Spanish consulate in their country of residence.
  • Entry into Spain and residence permit formalities – After entering Spain, the applicant completes the formalities to obtain a residence permit for entrepreneurs, allowing legal residence and business activity under the approved startup project.
  • Ongoing compliance and visa renewal – Once the visa is granted, the entrepreneur must comply with reporting requirements and maintain the project’s activity to enable future renewals or extensions of the residence permit.

Key Requirements for “Startup Visa” in Spain

For the approval of the Startup Visa, both the business project and the applicant are assessed based on the following criteria:
  1. Innovative nature of the project – The business must demonstrate innovation or a differentiated approach in its sector.
  1. Economic interest for Spain – The project should contribute to the Spanish economy through investment or market development.
  1. Job creation potential – The plan should show potential to create employment as the project grows.
  1. Financial viability of the project – The project must be economically sustainable with realistic financial projections.
  1. Professional profile of the applicant – The applicant’s education and experience should match the proposed business activity.
  1. Availability of sufficient financial means – The applicant must have adequate resources to support the business and personal residence.
  1. Absence of criminal records – The applicant must provide evidence of no criminal convictions.
  1. Medical insurance coverage – Valid medical insurance meeting Spanish requirements is mandatory.
Important: There is no officially established minimum investment. The project must be realistic and financially justified.

Key considerations and frequently asked questions

  1. Duration of the initial residence card – The first residence permit for a startup visa is typically issued for up to 1 year, with the possibility of renewal if the project continues to meet requirements.
  2. Time to approval of the business plan – The favorable report may be issued quickly, within around 20 working days, or take up to 2–3 months, depending on the complexity and sector of the project.
  3. Time for residence permit issuance – After entering Spain on a visa D, the residence permit is generally issued within approximately 21 days.
  4. Bringing family members – The main applicant may include a spouse or partner and dependent children, who will receive residence rights and may work in Spain.
  5. Company registration – It is not mandatory to register a company before submitting the startup visa application; the project must be viable and can be registered after obtaining the favorable report. LUSA Legal can assist with registration and related formalities.
  6. Working in another company – Primary focus must remain on the startup project. Work in a foreign or secondary company is generally restricted.
  7. Startup visa vs. self-employment visa (autónomo) – The choice depends on the type of project and intended activities. More detailed information is available in the dedicated section comparing these visa types.

Service Price*

From € 2500 for the applicant
€ 800 for each family member

* Estimated service price, total amount will depend on the particular case and additional services required.

** VAT is not included in the price.

What is included in the service

  1. Legal assessment of your project and Startup Visa eligibility — review of your business plan and professional profile to ensure compliance with Spain’s innovation and economic contribution requirements.
  2. Submission of the project for business plan approval to the competent authority (ENISA) — preparation and filing of all documents to obtain the favorable report, the official confirmation that the project meets the Startup Visa criteria.
  3. Support with the visa D application — guidance in preparing and submitting the national visa application to the consulate, ensuring compliance with all requirements.
  4. Post-arrival support and residence permit formalities — assistance in completing residence permit procedures and guidance during initial integration in Spain.
  5. Advice on including family members — support and recommendations for including spouse/partner and minor children, enabling them to legally reside and work in Spain.
  6. Consultation in setting up a legal entity — guidance and support with establishing your business structure in Spain and fulfilling necessary legal and administrative requirements (company registration is optionally paid service).

What is paid separately

  1. Drafting or adaptation of the business plan — preparation or legal adaptation of a detailed business plan for ENISA is provided as a separate paid service.
  2. Official fees — government fees at the consulate, ENISA, and residence permit charges are not included; these must be paid directly to the authorities.
  3. Document translations and apostilles — certification, notarization, and translation of documents are not included and must be arranged separately.
  4. Medical insurance and bank account setup — mandatory for residence and business operations; insurance and bank account opening fees are paid separately.
  5. Accounting, taxes, and relocation services — ongoing accounting, tax filing, and relocation support are not included in the standard service and are offered as separate paid services.
  6. Company Registration — establishment of a legal entity in Spain, including drafting documents, registering with authorities, obtaining a NIF, and opening a corporate bank account.

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    What do people say about our services?

    We wanted to open a business in Europe in the fintech industry, which was already working in Russia. Spain was chosen because of the rather acceptable cost of starting a business (staff, office, taxes). We contacted Lusa Legal for help with opening a company and obtaining startup visas for the co-founders. The company employees offered prompt advice on all issues, and helped us submit a business plan and a description of the project in the required format for the regulators. We were able to get our visas in Moscow, and with the help of lawyer Hugo we were able to get our residency permits. We are in the process of opening a company with their corporate lawyers. Thank you for help with all the legal and organizational issues.
    - Alexei Kolesnikov, Moscow
    We arranged our startup visas through the attorneys at Lusa Legal. Everything was done promptly, and we received approval in less than a month after submission. In Barcelona itself, the process of obtaining a residence permit took longer. We could not have done without the help of the staff and accompanying us, as the process itself is quite confusing. We are satisfied with everything and can recommend this company for getting visas to start a business.
    - Dmitry Parshayev, Kazan
    I started registering a Spanish company during Covid 19 with Lusa Legal. The company was registered within 2.5 months instead of 1 month. Of course with a delay, as many public institutions were closed, but it was a surprise to me that I was able to start operating already in June 2020. Thank you to the company’s team of lawyers!
    - by Marina Alex, St. Petersburg
    We contacted Lusa Legal to extend the visa for the investor and family members. The whole process of renewing the residence permit in Spain took literally a month, and the documents were submitted through a lawyer, so there was no need to be personally present. We are very pleased with the work of the team of managers and lawyers.
    - by Vyacheslav Solomin, Moscow
    We needed to arrange an extension of the residence in Spain for the whole family. The company’s managers helped to collect and translate all the documents, and the filing itself was carried out online through the company’s lawyer. After confirming our residences, we were also accompanied by manager Julia directly to receive cards in the police office, which greatly facilitated this process. We are grateful to the staff of Lusa Legal for such a personal wok with our case, and in the future we plan to continue to contact them on legal and immigration issues.
    - by Mikhail & Elena Kudryavtsevy, Rostov-on-Don