Start a Business in Spain

You must meet both immigration and business requirements before operating in Spain. Immigration policy falls under the State Secretariat for Migration (Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones, SEM).

Spanish consulates issue visas abroad, and the National Police issue your foreigner identification documents in Spain.

Your first step is choosing the correct authorization based on your activity and nationality. Spain offers two main pathways for founders:

• Entrepreneur Visa
• Self-Employment Visa (Autónomo)

Each option comes with different eligibility standards and documentation needs.

Immigration Authorization

If you are not an EU, EEA, or Swiss national, you must secure the appropriate visa before starting operations. SEM oversees immigration policy, while Spanish consulates handle visa applications outside Spain.

You apply through:

1. Spanish consulate abroad if you are outside Spain. The competent authority in Spain, depending on your legal status.

The Entrepreneur Visa applies to qualifying business initiatives. The Self-Employment Visa (Autónomo) applies when you plan to work for yourself as a sole operator.

For eligibility criteria, document lists, and procedural updates, consult the State Secretariat for Migration.

Identification and Registration

After approval and entry into Spain, you must complete local registration steps. The National Police issue your foreigner identity documentation.

You can’t legally operate without proper identification and authorization. Complete this step promptly after arrival to avoid delays in launching your business.

Institutional Oversight

Several authorities play distinct roles:

Knowing who handles each stage helps prevent procedural errors.

Practical Compliance Points

Before launching your activity, confirm that:

• Your visa type matches your intended business activity.
• Your authorization remains valid for your planned operations.
• You complete all post-arrival identification steps with the National Police.

Approval under one category doesn’t permit unrelated business activities. Your authorization defines what you may legally do.

For procedural details, document requirements, and updates, review guidance published by the State Secretariat for Migration.

Start by preparing your documents before you submit anything. Incomplete files delay decisions.

The authority that oversees immigration policy is the State Secretariat for Migration (Secretaría de Estado de Migraciones – SEM). Spanish consulates issue visas abroad, and the National Police issue your NIE/TIE after arrival.

Step‑by‑Step Procedure

Confirm your visa category.

Choose the correct route, such as the Entrepreneur Visa or the Self‑Employment Visa (Autónomo). Your category determines where you apply and how your file is reviewed.

Gather required documents.

Collect every required form and supporting record before booking your appointment. Missing documents commonly slow processing.

Submit your application to the correct authority.

If you apply from abroad, file through the Spanish consulate responsible for your residence. The consulate forwards or coordinates with SEM as required.

Pay the applicable fee.

For the Entrepreneur Visa, the application fee is €80. Confirm accepted payment methods with the consulate handling your case.

5. Wait for a decision. processing times vary by visa type and location. Verify current timelines directly with the issuing authority before you apply.

Processing Times and Fees

Processing depends on the visa category and where you file. As of February 2026, short‑term business processing under a Schengen Visa averages about 15 days.

Long‑stay business visas don’t always follow the same timeline. Each consulate manages its own workflow.

After Approval

If you apply from abroad, the consulate places the visa in your passport. You then travel to Spain within the visa validity period.

After arrival, you complete local registration steps with the National Police to obtain your NIE/TIE if required for your stay length. This step formalizes your legal residence and lets you operate your business in line with your visa conditions.

Procedures can shift, so check with the specific consulate or SEM office handling your file. Policies and timelines change, and you need the issuing authority’s most recent guidance.

You remain responsible for certain Spanish taxes even if you are not a resident. The tax office assesses Wealth Tax on a self‑assessment basis, and this applies regardless of your residency status.

Living abroad doesn’t remove your filing obligations. If you hold assets in Spain, you may still fall within the scope of this tax.

Titles of nobility are also subject to assessment by the tax office. Many first‑time founders overlook this because they focus only on business income and corporate taxes.

Review your personal and business exposure early. Delays or incorrect filings can complicate your position while you are building your company.

Confusion About Immigration Authority

You must deal with the correct authority at each stage. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) oversees immigration policy.

Spanish consulates issue visas abroad. The National Police handle NIE and TIE issuance inside Spain.

If you apply for an Entrepreneur Visa or a Self‑Employment Visa (Autónomo), you need to follow the process set by the appropriate authority. Filing with the wrong office wastes time and may force you to restart the process.

Confirm which body has jurisdiction over your specific step before you submit documents.

Mixing Immigration Status and Tax Planning

Your visa category does not automatically define your tax obligations. Holding an Entrepreneur Visa or a Self‑Employment Visa (Autónomo) does not remove potential Wealth Tax exposure.

You must evaluate:

• Your residency status for tax purposes
• Your assets located in Spain
• Whether you must file on a self‑assessment basis

Many founders focus only on company formation and ignore personal tax structure. That mistake can create compliance issues later.

Incomplete Compliance Checks

Before you launch operations, verify that you have addressed both immigration and tax obligations. Use a simple internal checklist:

You reduce risk when you treat immigration and taxation as parallel processes. Handle both correctly from the start to avoid delays, penalties, or administrative complications while running your business.