Independent professionals, merchants, or small business owners can settle in Spain with a self-employment visa. This option allows them to immigrate to Spain by bringing their own work or creating one. It's a accesible option, since it does not require large investments, but rather a viable project and adequate training.
In this guide, we explain what this visa is, who it's for, the key requirements, necessary documentation, steps to apply for it, and its benefits.
What you need to obtain a visa
This visa is also known as a residence and self-employment permit. It can be obtained by independent professionals who want to live and work in Spain. They do so by opening their own office, consulting firm, or consulting services.
This visa grants you a residence permit as a self-employed person in Spain, allowing you to develop your professional activity legally and stably.
When applying for the visa, a project of the establishment or activity to be carried out must be submitted, detailing:
- type of work or activity you do.
- investment.
- expected profitability.
- who your customers will be.
- your income and saved capital.
- work equipment.
- costs of developing your activity in Spain (e.g. renting a coworking space).
It is also necessary to prove that you have funds to carry out the investment or financing already granted by banks.
In order to obtain the visa, the project must have a favorable report from the Economic and Commercial Office of the region of Spain where you are going to reside. In our experience, the level of requirement for relocation projects is higher in regions with a stronger economy. In areas of Spain with fewer immigrants and more need for resources, projects tend to obtain favorable reports more easily.
The opening of one's own professional office should not be confused with the establishment in Spain for investment or innovative entrepreneurship. In this case, you must apply for a residence visa for investors or entrepreneurs, with other requirements and conditions. For example, investing a minimum of €500,000 or creating sources of employment or technological innovation. You can read more about this in our post "From Argentina to Spain, with investor or rentier visa".
What types of professionals can apply for it?
This visa is ideal for professionals such as programmers, designers, consultants, writers, coaches, developers, among others. The range of professions is very wide.
It is also valid for those who wish to open or purchase physical businesses such as cafes, shops, or studios. In these cases, you must demonstrate that the business will generate sufficient income for your support and that you have experience in the field. Unlike the investor visa, there is no minimum investment amount required to obtain residency in Spain for the purchase of a business.
The purchase of a franchise also serves to apply for a self-employment visa. If you are looking for businesses for sale on the Internet, keep in mind that in Spain the sale of goodwill is called "franchising". "business transfer".. You will see that there is a wide variety of prices and businesses for sale.
More information on the subject in this post of our blog: Buying a business and moving to Spain: here's how to do it
The duration of this residence permit is one year initially. It can then be renewed, as long as the requirements continue to be met. The first renewal lasts for four yearsAfter five years of living in Spain, you can apply for permanent residency. And citizens of Latin American countries can apply for Spanish citizenship after two years of living in Spain.
The self-employment visais requested from the country of origin or, in some cases, from Spain if the person is in a regular situation.
The Spanish government has up to three months to respond to the request.
Other requirements
Whether you are applying for a self-employed visa as a self-employed professional or a trader you will also have to meet these requirements:
- Demonstrate that they possess the training required for the practice of the profession by means of a diploma or accreditation.
- No criminal record in Spain and in their previous countries of residence.
- Not to be irregularly in Spanish territory.
- Take out private health insurance with an insurance company operating in Spain.
- Comply with the requirements that the legislation demands for the opening and operation of the projected activity.
Our services
At MBT Abogados we help you prepare and submit all the necessary documentation for your self-employed visa in Spain.
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We evaluate your profile and project
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We write your business plan in a technical and legal way
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We prepare the presentation at the consulate or in Spain
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Assistance throughout the process until resolution
Apply for your self-employed visa in Spain today With our expert team. We help professionals and entrepreneurs from all over the world establish themselves legally. We offer a free initial evaluation of your case via WhatsApp or email. We work with clients from all over the world from our office in Barcelona.
