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Spain Startup Visa: Entrepreneur Residence Permit
A residence permit for founders of an innovative, scalable project. The project is evaluated by the state agency ENISA, the residence decision is made by the UGE, and the whole family gets status.
The Spain startup visa, officially the entrepreneur residence permit, is built for founders of projects that can scale: technology-driven, innovative, with a clear market. First you prepare a business plan with a financial plan, which is evaluated by the ENISA agency. With a positive evaluation, you apply to the UGE, the unit that handles these cases. Review usually takes 45–60 days, plus another 30–40 days for the TIE card. The permit is issued for 3 years and renewed for 2, and after 5 years you can apply for long-term residence.
You apply from Spain. One project can have up to 5 founders, each with their family, including adult children and dependent parents, and family members can also work. We work in three formats: you already have a project, you join an existing team, or the project is built from scratch. Preparation takes approximately 3 to 16 weeks, depending on the format.
You apply from Spain, so you need to be in the country legally at the time of filing.
Who it is for
- Founders of technology and innovation projects
- Teams of up to 5 founders moving together with their families
- Entrepreneurs with an idea who need help with the business plan
- Professionals ready to join a project team as co-founders
Requirements
- An innovative, scalable project and a business plan with a financial plan
- A positive ENISA evaluation and a UGE decision
- Funds in a bank account: 200% of the Spanish minimum wage for the applicant, 75% for the first family member and 25% for each additional one
- For 2026 that is approximately €34,190, €12,820 and €4,270 a year
- Spanish health insurance with no waiting periods and no co-payments
- A criminal record certificate and legal stay in Spain at the time of filing
What we do
- Assess the idea and the team: does the project fit ENISA's requirements
- Help with the business plan and financial model, or build the project from scratch
- Upload the project to the ENISA platform and support you through the evaluation
- Collect documents and arrange apostilles, sworn translations and insurance
- File the application with the UGE, track the case and answer requests
- Help after approval: fingerprints, TIE card, company or autónomo registration, bank account, school
Key documents
- Passport
- Business plan with a financial plan, and the ENISA evaluation
- Founders' CVs and proof of qualifications
- Criminal record certificate with an apostille and sworn translation
- Proof of funds in a bank account for the whole family
- Spanish health insurance for one year
- Marriage and birth certificates if your family is moving with you
How it works
- Idea assessmentthe project, the team, family members and the work format
- Business plandrafting and refining it, approximately 3–16 weeks depending on the format
- ENISAuploading the project to the platform and receiving the evaluation
- UGEfiling the application from Spain; review usually takes 45–60 days
- TIE cardfingerprints and collecting the card, another 30–40 days
Timeline
Preparation approximately 3–16 weeks depending on the format; UGE review usually 45–60 days; the TIE card another 30–40 days.
Timelines are approximate: government agencies, consulates and banks set them.
What to watch out for
- A weak innovation component or an unconvincing financial plan is the main reason for a negative ENISA evaluation
- ENISA looks at each founder's real role and qualifications: a purely formal role in the project does not pass
- The full amount of funds for the whole family must be in the account
- Travel insurance or a policy with co-payments is not accepted
FAQ
How much does it cost?
Our service fee is from $4,400. Government fees, translations, insurance and other mandatory costs are paid separately; we send the full estimate before you sign.
Who is the Spain startup visa for?
Founders of an innovative project that can scale. You need a business plan with a financial plan, a positive ENISA evaluation and funds in your account for the whole family. You can bring your own project, join a team or build one from scratch.
How much money do I need in my account?
200% of the Spanish minimum wage for the main applicant, 75% for the first family member and 25% for each additional one. For 2026 that is approximately €34,190, €12,820 and €4,270 a year. We will calculate the amount for your family before filing.
How long does the process take?
Preparation takes approximately 3 to 16 weeks, depending on the format. The UGE review usually takes 45–60 days, followed by another 30–40 days for the TIE card. These timelines are approximate and depend on the authorities.
Can my family work in Spain?
Yes. Your spouse, children and dependent parents get residence together with the founder, and family members can work in Spain. One project can include up to 5 founders with their families.
What happens to my residence if the project changes?
The permit is issued for the project, and at renewal the authorities look at how it has developed. If the business changes direction, it is better to update the plan in advance. We go over the options in case the project does not take off before you even file.
Can I apply from my home country?
We handle filing from Spain: you need to enter legally, for example on a visa, and file the documents before your permitted stay ends. Once you have filed, your stay remains legal while the application is reviewed.
Do you guarantee the result?
No. Decisions are made by government agencies, consulates and banks. We are responsible for preparing and checking documents, filing and support, and we tell you about the risks upfront.
Related programs
Let’s discuss your case
We will check whether the program fits your citizenship, income and family, and send an estimate with the full list of costs.
