Launch your innovative venture in the Mediterranean hub of Europe.
(Visado para Emprendedores) bypasses conventional immigration bottlenecks — with a 20-working-day approval rule, 3-year initial residency, and full family inclusion from day one.
The Program Benefits
3-Year Initial Runway
Immediate residency issued for up to 3 years when applied from inside Spain — or 1 year if processed via an overseas consulate.
20-Day Fast-Track
By law, a strict silence-is-consent rule applies. If the UGE does not reply within 20 working days, the application is legally deemed approved.
Unified Family Inclusion
Spouses, civil partners, minor children, and financially dependent adult children included simultaneously with full work and business rights.
Schengen Mobility
Travel freely throughout all 29 Schengen countries for up to 90 days within any 180-day window.
Core Eligibility & Business Evaluation
Your project must be vetted as innovative and of special economic interest to Spain. The official evaluation is conducted by ENISA (Empresa Nacional de Innovación S.A.) against three strict parameters.
Innovation & Scalability
The project must possess a unique value proposition, specialized technology, or an original organizational method — with a clear trajectory for generating corporate volume, scalable profits, and local market expansion.
Job Creation Metrics
Your business plan must illustrate a realistic capacity to hire local employees, contract regional suppliers, and actively contribute to the employment landscape of Spain over a 3-year horizon.
Founder Professional Profile
ENISA analyzes your professional CV, academic credentials, and entrepreneurship history to verify that you possess the technical capabilities and leadership experience required to execute the business plan.
What the permit grants you
- 3-year TIE residence card (applied from Spain)
- Apply from inside Spain on tourist entry
- Secondary employment & consulting permitted
- Full family included with unrestricted work rights
- 29-country Schengen travel freedom
- 2-year fast-track citizenship for Ibero-Americans
ENISA evaluation takes 30–60 days. The UGE decision runs 20 working days, but the preliminary ENISA business review takes an average of 30 to 60 days. Nexa structures your full timeline to account for this window.
Financial Requirements
Minimum personal liquid funds for a solo founder — equivalent to 1,200% of Spain's IPREM annual index.
Solo Founder
100% IPREM monthly / 1,200% annually
Founder + Spouse
+50% IPREM for the first dependent
Each Additional Dependent
+25% IPREM per additional child
Step-by-Step Application Timeline
"Nexa coordinates your application flow into a clear, linear progression to eliminate processing friction."
From your first business plan draft to collecting your physical TIE card, the full process takes approximately 4 months. The unique advantage of this program: you can file from inside Spain on a tourist entry — receiving a 3-year card directly.
Business Plan Architecture & Digital Certificate Setup
Draft an ENISA-compliant business plan with market research, financial projections, and job creation estimates. Concurrently, secure a Spanish NIE number and a digital signature certificate (Clave/Certificado Digital).
ENISA Platform Submission
Upload your comprehensive business plan and professional profiles to the official Ministry industry portal. ENISA analyzes the project's innovation metrics and issues a formal economic report (30–60 days).
UGE Residency Application Filing
Submit your residency file to the UGE. Include apostilled criminal background checks (translated into Spanish), €9,000+ bank proof, private insurance contract (no copayments, no deductibles), and the positive ENISA report. UGE rules within 20 working days.
Biometric Fingerprinting & TIE Collection
Upon receiving the Resolución Favorable, schedule a biometrics appointment at your local National Police station in Spain. Pay the minor stamp duty and collect your physical TIE residence card within 30 days.
Long-Term Horizons
Entrepreneur Visa (3 Years)
Build and scale your venture with full TIE residency. Secondary employment and consulting permitted. Family included with unrestricted work rights.
2-Year Renewal via UGE
Apply online before expiry. Must prove active operation, corporate taxes paid, employment forecasts met, continued IPREM funds, valid health insurance, and clean criminal record in Spain.
Permanent Residency (Larga Duración)
After 5 continuous legal years, obtain a Long-Term Residence Card. Legal status fully uncouples from your startup — complete professional freedom with no further business evaluations.
Spanish Citizenship
Standard: 10 years. Ibero-Americans fast-track: 2 years. Requires passing the DELE (Spanish A2) and CCSE (civic knowledge) exams. Dual citizenship permitted for qualifying nationals.
Apply from inside Spain.
Get 3 years. Not 1.
Enter on a tourist visa, file directly with the UGE — and receive a 3-year residence card without ever visiting a consulate. No other major EU entrepreneur program works this way.
to Decision
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply while visiting Spain as a tourist?
What happens if my application faces "administrative silence"?
Do I need to speak Spanish to get the Entrepreneur Visa?
Can multiple co-founders apply under the same business plan?
What happens to my visa status if my startup fails?
Can I take a side job or work for another Spanish company?
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply while visiting Spain as a tourist?
What happens if my application faces "administrative silence"?
Do I need to speak Spanish to get the Entrepreneur Visa?
Can multiple co-founders apply under the same business plan?
What happens to my visa status if my startup fails?
Can I take a side job or work for another Spanish company?
What are the exact requirements for the private health insurance?
Does Spain allow dual citizenship when I naturalize?
What is a Spanish NIE and how do I get it?
How long does ENISA take to issue its business evaluation report?