Spain · Entrepreneur route · Open
Spain Entrepreneur Visa: Requirements and How to Apply
The Spain entrepreneur visa is for foreigners who want to move to Spain to start or run an innovative business of particular economic interest. It is not a freelancer visa. You first obtain an initial residence authorization from Spain's large-business and strategic groups unit, known as UGE-CE, then apply for the visa at a Spanish consulate. The visa is valid for a year, and the residence authorization can run for 3 years.
The Washington consulate sets financial means at 100% of the monthly IPREM for the applicant, which works out to about €600 a month if the IPREM stays at that level, plus 50% for each family member. Confirm everything on the official consulate page.
At a glance
Spain Entrepreneur Visa (Visado de emprendedores)
- Who it’s for
- Non-EU founders of innovative businesses of particular economic interest to Spain, approved through Spain's large-business and strategic groups unit (UGE-CE)
- Income requirement
- €600 a month
- How it’s calculated
- Proof of financial means of at least 100% of the monthly IPREM for the applicant (EUR 7,200 a year on 2025 figures) plus 50% of the IPREM per family member, per the Washington consulate; the 2026 amount is not stated on that page and the monthly figure assumes the IPREM stays at EUR 600
- Initial stay
- Visa valid 1 year; residence authorization up to 3 years
- Renewal
- Yes, through UGE-CE; terms not stated on the pages read
- Path to permanent residence
- 5 years of legal residence for long-term residence (general rule); citizenship takes 10 years
- Family can join
- Yes
- Can work for local employers
- Yes
- Health insurance required
- Yes
- Processing time
- Legal decision period is 10 days from when the consulate forwards the file, extendable; the UGE-CE authorization comes first
- Fees
- Visa fee for US citizens is USD 270 from 1 January 2026; UK citizens pay USD 1,594 and Canadians USD 789 per the Washington consulate. Fees are revised quarterly.
- Tax
- Entrepreneurs are among the groups listed by the Spanish tax agency for the Beckham Law (24% flat rate for qualifying activity), subject to conditions; confirm with a Spanish tax adviser.
Key requirements
- An initial residence authorization from UGE-CE before you apply for the visa
- A business plan covering the product, market, funding and added value to Spain's economy
- Your professional profile and role in the project
- Financial means: 100% of the IPREM plus 50% per family member, per the Washington page
- Private health insurance from a Spain-authorized insurer with no co-pay or limits
- FBI background check issued within six months, apostilled and translated (US applicants)
- Responsible declaration form and disclaimer form
- Valid passport with two free pages and proof of legal US residence in the consulate's district
Checked against the official page · Last checked Oct 7, 2026. Rules change: confirm with the consulate or a qualified advisor. Not legal advice.
Who qualifies
The visa fits non-EU founders whose projects are innovative and of particular economic interest to Spain. The PRIE page describes entrepreneurs as people who will carry out the procedures needed to start or run an economic activity in Spain. Spouses or partners, dependent children (including financially dependent adult children) and dependent parents aged 65 or older may also apply.
Remote workers should look at the digital nomad visa, and savers at the non-lucrative visa.
Financial and business requirements
Two tests apply. First, the business plan: it must cover the project, the product or service and its innovative aspects, market analysis, funding (investment needed, sources and a financial plan) and its value to the Spanish economy. A favourable report is required before the visa, and the PRIE page does not say which body issues it.
Second, personal funds: the Washington page lists 100% of the monthly IPREM, plus 50% per family member, and shows 2025 amounts of about €7,200 a year for the applicant. It does not give a 2026 figure, so ask the consulate. Your professional profile and role in the project must also be documented.
Documents you'll need
- The signed national visa form, photo and a passport valid for the stay with two free pages.
- The initial residence authorization issued by UGE-CE.
- Proof of legal US residence and residence in the consulate's district.
- Proof of financial means.
- Private health insurance from a Spain-authorized insurer with 100% coverage and no co-pays or limits.
- An FBI check issued within six months, apostilled and translated by a sworn translator.
- Proof of the fee payment, plus apostilled and translated civil documents for family members.
Step-by-step application
- Prepare your business plan and obtain the required favourable report.
- Apply for the initial residence authorization through UGE-CE.
- Gather insurance, background checks and financial proof.
- Book an appointment. From 1 September 2026, the Washington consulate requires in-person submission at a BLS Spain Visa Application Center in Washington, D.C.
- Submit the file. The legal decision period is 10 days after the consulate forwards it, extendable.
- Collect the visa within a month of approval and travel to Spain.
- Plan renewal through UGE-CE; the foreigner card is optional during the visa year.
Costs and timeline
From 1 January 2026, the visa fee for US citizens is USD 270. UK citizens pay USD 1,594 and Canadians USD 789, according to the Washington consulate, and fees are revised quarterly. Budget for legal help, translations and apostilles. The UGE-CE step comes first; its timing is not stated.
Taxes once you're resident
After more than 183 days in Spain you are generally a Spanish tax resident. The Spanish tax agency lists entrepreneurs carrying out an activity under Article 70 of Law 14/2013 among groups that can use the impatriate (Beckham) regime, a 24% flat rate for six years, if conditions are met. It is not automatic. Ask a Spanish tax adviser about company tax, social security (autonomo contributions) and personal tax. See our Spain guide. This is not tax advice.
Family members
Spouses or partners, children and dependent parents can apply, each with their own insurance, records and relationship proof.
Path to permanent residence and citizenship
The residence authorization is up to 3 years. Long-term residence generally comes after 5 years of legal residence, and Spanish citizenship usually takes 10 years and generally means giving up your previous nationality. These are general rules that the entrepreneur pages do not spell out, so confirm them.
Alternatives
- Remote employee or freelancer: digital nomad visa, about €2,442 a month.
- Passive income: non-lucrative visa.
- Investors: Spain's golden visa has closed.
- Portugal's route for founders and freelancers: D2 visa.
Other entrepreneur & startup routes in Europe
| Route | Country | Type | Status | Headline requirement | Initial stay | Path to PR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Start-up Denmark (Entrepreneur Residence Permit) | Denmark | Entrepreneur route | Open | €1,708/mo income | Up to 2 years | 8 years of legal residence, or 4 years … |
| Estonia e-Residency (digital ID - not a visa or residence permit) | Estonia | Entrepreneur route | Open | - | Digital ID card (not a travel document). It confers no righ… | None. e-Residency does not grant reside… |
| Netherlands DAFT Visa (Dutch American Friendship Treaty) | Netherlands | Entrepreneur route | Open | €4,500 investment | Maximum 2 years | Permanent residence after 5 years of re… |
| Spain Entrepreneur Visa | Spain | Entrepreneur route | Open | €600/mo income | Visa valid 1 year; residence authorization up to 3 years | 5 years of legal residence for long-ter… |
Thresholds and rules change often. Each route links to its official government page: confirm there before you apply. Not legal advice.
Other ways to live in Spain
- Spain Digital Nomad Visa (Telework Visa) Open
- Spain Golden Visa (Closed 2025) Closed
- Spain Non-Lucrative Visa (Residence Without Work) Open
Moving to Spain: the complete guide →
Frequently asked questions
What is the Spain entrepreneur visa?
It is a visa for foreigners moving to Spain to carry out an innovative entrepreneurial activity of particular economic interest. You first get an initial residence authorization from UGE-CE, then apply at a consulate with a business plan, financial proof and insurance. It lasts a year, with residence authorizations up to 3 years.
How much money do you need for the Spain entrepreneur visa?
The Washington consulate sets personal financial means at 100% of the monthly IPREM plus 50% per family member, and lists about €7,200 a year for the applicant on 2025 figures, or about €600 a month. The business plan must also show funding. Ask the consulate for the 2026 amount.
How long does the entrepreneur visa take?
The legal decision period is 10 days after the consulate forwards the file, but it can be extended, and the UGE-CE authorization comes first. The pages we read do not state UGE-CE timing. Plan for several months and avoid fixed commitments until you have approval in writing.
Does the entrepreneur visa require a business plan?
Yes. The plan must cover the project, its innovative aspects, market analysis, funding and its value to the Spanish economy, and a favourable report is required before the visa. The pages we read do not say which body issues the report, so ask UGE-CE or your consulate.
Sources and last checked · Oct 7, 2026
Notes: The Washington consulate page and the PRIE entrepreneur page were read today. The EUR 600 monthly figure is EUR 7,200 a year divided by 12, using the page's 2025 amount, so the 2026 figure should be confirmed. The page says visa applications from 1 September 2026 are submitted in person at a BLS Spain Visa Application Center in Washington. The visa is useful if you do not qualify for the nomad visa and have a genuine, innovative business; it is not a route for a freelancer with foreign clients, who should look at the telework visa. Local work is allowed within the entrepreneurial activity (implied by the authorization), not a general permit to work for others.
- exteriores.gob.es/Consulados/washington/en/ServiciosConsulares/Paginas/Consul…
- prie.comercio.gob.es/en-us/Paginas/Emprendedores.aspx
- sede.agenciatributaria.gob.es/Sede/en_gb/ayuda/manuales-videos-folletos/manuales-…
Figures are our research estimates from the sources above; rules and prices change. Not legal, tax or immigration advice. Spot something out of date? Tell us.