
Spain continues to be one of the most attractive destinations to live in, thanks to its favourable climate, cultural richness and quality of life. However, the ultimate elimination of the Golden Visa program in April 2025 has reduced the available ways to obtain legal residency in the country.
The following chart provides a comparative overview detailing the requirements, advantages and key considerations of two currently most requested types.
Full Comparison: Residence for Entrepreneurs (Start-up Visa) and Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo)
Visa type / Comparison criteria | |
---|---|
Main target | |
Start-up Visa See more |
Creating an innovative business with economic potential for Spain |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
To develop an economic activity on one's own account |
Business requirements | |
Start-up Visa See more |
Innovative and technological project that meets ENISA criteria; scalability; job creation |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
Provide a business plan that does not require innovation; experience and professional qualifications; registration with fiscal and social authorities |
Justification of economic funds | |
Start-up Visa See more |
Prove at least €31,752 for the applicant, €11,907 for a second family member, €3,969 for each additional member |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
Justification of sufficient funds to implement the business plan and to pay for living in Spain; the amount depends on the activity to develop |
Validity period of the permit | |
Start-up Visa See more |
Initially 3 years with possibility of extension for another 2 years; after 5 years - right of permanent residence |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
Issued for 1 year with further extensions; |
Fiscal regime and taxes | |
Start-up Visa See more |
Possibility of applying the ‘Beckham Law’: a fixed rate of 24% on income up to €600,000 for the first 5 years |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
after 5 years - right of permanent residency |
Employment possibilities | |
Start-up Visa See more |
Yes, it is allowed to work as an employee in Spanish companies |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
Standard progressive income tax scale from 19% to 47%; corporate tax 25% except for the first two years - 15% |
Possibility to apply in Spain | |
Start-up Visa See more |
Yes, you can apply from Spain if your status is legal (e.g. with a tourist visa) |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
No, only own business activities are allowed |
Processing time | |
Start-up Visa See more |
Approximately 20 working days after submission of the complete package of documents |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
The application must be submitted from the country of origin through the Spanish Consulate |
Family members can apply for a visa together with the applicant | |
Start-up Visa See more |
Yes, a spouse and children can obtain a residence permit with the right to work and study |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
Approximately 3 months from submission, although this will depend on the country and the consulate's workload |
Professional experience requirements | |
Start-up Visa See more |
Demonstrable experience and qualifications in the indicated field of activity are required |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
Yes, it is possible, but requires proof of financial solvency to support family members |
Visa type / Comparison criteria | Start-up Visa See more |
Residence for Self-Employed (Autónomo) See more |
---|---|---|
Main target | Creating an innovative business with economic potential for Spain | To develop an economic activity on one's own account |
Business requirements | Innovative and technological project that meets ENISA criteria; scalability; job creation | Provide a business plan that does not require innovation; experience and professional qualifications; registration with fiscal and social authorities |
Justification of economic funds | Prove at least €31,752 for the applicant, €11,907 for a second family member, €3,969 for each additional member | Justification of sufficient funds to implement the business plan and to pay for living in Spain; the amount depends on the activity to develop |
Validity period of the permit | Initially 3 years with possibility of extension for another 2 years; after 5 years - right of permanent residence | Issued for 1 year with further extensions; |
Fiscal regime and taxes | Possibility of applying the ‘Beckham Law’: a fixed rate of 24% on income up to €600,000 for the first 5 years | after 5 years - right of permanent residency |
Employment possibilities | Yes, it is allowed to work as an employee in Spanish companies | Standard progressive income tax scale from 19% to 47%; corporate tax 25% except for the first two years - 15% |
Possibility to apply in Spain | Yes, you can apply from Spain if your status is legal (e.g. with a tourist visa) | No, only own business activities are allowed |
Processing time | Approximately 20 working days after submission of the complete package of documents | The application must be submitted from the country of origin through the Spanish Consulate |
Family members can apply for a visa together with the applicant | Yes, a spouse and children can obtain a residence permit with the right to work and study | Approximately 3 months from submission, although this will depend on the country and the consulate's workload |
Professional experience requirements | Demonstrable experience and qualifications in the indicated field of activity are required | Yes, it is possible, but requires proof of financial solvency to support family members |
Other ways for obtaining residence in Spain
Immigration
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Find more details on each visa type by clicking here:
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Over the years, our team of lawyers has made more than 1200 residence permits for foreigners in Spain.
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We will conduct a detailed consultation with you upon request, and find you the best option for obtaining visas.
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When you move to Spain, you may have other questions, with the resolution of which we are happy to help you.
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Foreigners’ Identity
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What People Say
I would like to thank Yulia for her help in obtaining resident cards. Unlike many, you did everything competently, and it was very pleasant that you helped and supported at every stage. How much you worried about us and were happy with us. And even two years later, upon request, you sent our documents.
Thank you for the work done, and we will obtain the next cards with you. I would like to just say thank you very much!
We contacted Navarra Associate to extend the visa for the investor and family members. The whole process of renewing the residence permit in Spain took literally a month, and the documents were submitted through a lawyer, so there was no need to be personally present. We are very pleased with the work of the team of managers and lawyers.
We needed to arrange an extension of the residence in Spain for the whole family. The company’s managers helped to collect and translate all the documents, and the filing itself was carried out online through the company’s lawyer. After confirming our residences, we were also accompanied by manager Julia directly to receive cards in the police office, which greatly facilitated this process. We are grateful to the staff of Navarra Associate for such a personal wok with our case, and in the future we plan to continue to contact them on legal and immigration issues.
We wanted to open a business in Europe in the fintech industry, which was already working in Russia. Spain was chosen because of the rather acceptable cost of starting a business (staff, office, taxes). We contacted Navarra Associate for help with opening a company and obtaining startup visas for the co-founders. The company employees offered prompt advice on all issues, and helped us submit a business plan and a description of the project in the required format for the regulators. We were able to get our visas in Moscow, and with the help of lawyer Hugo we were able to get our residency permits. We are in the process of opening a company with their corporate lawyers. Thank you for help with all the legal and organizational issues.
We arranged our startup visas through the attorneys at Navarra Associate. Everything was done promptly, and we received approval in less than a month after submission. In Barcelona itself, the process of obtaining a residence permit took longer. We could not have done without the help of the staff and accompanying us, as the process itself is quite confusing. We are satisfied with everything and can recommend this company for getting visas to start a business.