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Spain continues to be one of Europe’s leading destinations for international entrepreneurs. The Spain Start-up Visa, created under the Entrepreneur Law, is aimed at attracting innovative businesses that contribute to the national economy. This visa enables non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to establish and operate high-potential start-ups in Spain, with opportunities for family reunification and a clear path toward permanent residency.
LawSentis specializes in guiding entrepreneurs through every stage of the application process, ensuring compliance with 2025 requirements and increasing approval chances.
The Start-up Visa is a residence permit designed for innovative entrepreneurs. Unlike standard work or investor visas, it focuses on projects with high growth potential, technological advancement, and economic impact. Applicants granted this visa are initially issued a one-year residence permit, renewable upon successful development of the start-up.
Approved applicants can bring eligible dependents, such as spouses and minor children, allowing the family to reside legally in Spain while the start-up is operational. The visa is designed to attract talent aligned with Spain’s broader economic strategy, supporting innovation, employment, and competitiveness in the EU market.
Applicants must satisfy multiple criteria to qualify:
The core requirement is that the project must be innovative, scalable, and economically viable. While agencies such as ENISA and ICEX are commonly recognized for evaluating projects, some start-ups may require approval from other authorized regional innovation offices or sector-specific authorities. The evaluation examines the project’s novelty, technological advancement, market potential, and potential job creation.
Applicants must provide a detailed business plan demonstrating market analysis, revenue projections, and operational strategies. Spanish authorities assess whether the project has realistic growth potential in Spain. The stronger the project’s innovation and scalability, the more likely the visa is approved, especially if the applicant has limited professional experience.
While not mandatory, relevant entrepreneurial or sector-specific experience is often considered crucial, particularly for tech-driven or highly innovative projects. Applicants with limited experience may need to provide stronger evidence of financial backing, a detailed business plan, and a credible operational strategy to compensate.
Applicants must demonstrate sufficient funds to cover at least 12 months of living expenses for themselves and any dependents, as well as the operational costs of the start-up. Seed funding or investments from recognized venture capital firms are strongly scrutinized; informal or unverified commitments are usually insufficient. Financial stability is critical not only for approval but also for visa renewal.
Applicants must have a clean criminal record for the past five years and must submit certificates from all countries of residence for six months or more. Comprehensive private health insurance covering medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation is mandatory, with standard policies generally covering COVID-19 treatment as of 2025.
Documentation must support both the applicant’s personal credentials and the start-up’s credibility:
Family members applying under reunification require passports, legalized and translated birth/marriage certificates, proof of financial support, and insurance coverage.
Pre-evaluation: Applicants must first secure a favorable report from a recognized Spanish authority confirming the project qualifies as an innovative start-up. This step can take 2–3 months, depending on the sector and complexity.
Consular submission: With a favorable report, applicants submit documents at the Spanish consulate in their country of residence. Some consulates may require online pre-registration.
Appointment and interview: Applicants provide biometric data, submit documents, and may be interviewed about the project’s feasibility and innovation.
Visa fee: Fees generally range from €60–€100, varying by nationality or consulate. Additional service fees may apply through external providers
Processing time: Standard processing is up to 20 business days, but for complex projects including pre-evaluation, the total duration may extend to 3–6 months.
LawSentis assists applicants throughout, including preparing documentation, ensuring translations and legalizations are correct, and advising on interview preparation.
The initial visa is granted for one year, allowing the entrepreneur to develop the start-up in Spain. Renewal is contingent upon measurable progress in business operations, such as revenue generation, market validation, or job creation. Renewal permits are typically granted for two additional years.
After five years of continuous residence on start-up or qualifying residence permits, applicants and their eligible dependents can apply for permanent residency, ensuring a long-term path in Spain.
Dependents of start-up visa holders may accompany the primary applicant. Eligible family members include spouses or registered partners and minor children. Dependent adult children are considered only if financially dependent, often with age limits (commonly up to 25 years).
Consulates often examine schooling arrangements for minor children, and applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources to support the entire family. Documents must include legalized and translated certificates, proof of financial support, and health insurance for each dependent.
Applicants must provide clear evidence of financial capacity. This includes personal funds covering living and start-up expenses for at least 12 months and verified seed investment or venture capital funding. Unverified or informal financial commitments may jeopardize approval.
The start-up itself must demonstrate potential economic impact, innovation, and market viability. Examples include R&D initiatives, technology development, intellectual property creation, and job generation. Authorities may request periodic updates after visa issuance to monitor progress and assess renewal eligibility.
Once in Spain, start-up visa holders must:
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in visa revocation or refusal of renewal.
LawSentis helps mitigate these risks by providing comprehensive guidance, document review, and business plan optimization.
Entrepreneurs are advised to:
LawSentis offers end-to-end assistance for Spain Start-up Visa applicants. Services include:
Our expertise ensures that applicants maximize their chances of approval while fully complying with Spain’s 2025 Start-up Visa requirements.
Have questions or need more information? Our team is here to help.
Expert guidance on visas, settlement, citizenship, and asylum — just a message away.