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Startup Visa — Ley de Startups

Startup Visa in Spain — Residency for Entrepreneurs

Spain's Startup Law (Ley 28/2022) created one of Europe's most attractive regimes for entrepreneurs. If you have an innovative project, you can obtain residency and significant tax benefits.

Startup Visa Consultation

Tell us about your project — we'll assess your chances of ENISA approval and propose an action plan.

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How Does the Startup Visa Work?

The process consists of two stages: first, ENISA (a government agency) evaluates the innovativeness of your project, then you apply for a visa or residence permit.

ENISA Approval

ENISA evaluates your business plan for innovation, scalability, and market potential. Decision within 20 working days.

Visa / Residency

After ENISA approval, apply for a visa (from abroad) or directly for residency (from within Spain). Duration: 1 year, renewable up to 5 years.

Tax Benefits

Corporate tax rate of 15% (first 4 years). Beckham Law — 24% flat personal income tax up to €600K for the founder.

Stock Options

Tax exemption on stock options up to €50K/year. Tax deferral on the moment of receiving options.

Digital Nomad Fallback

If your startup isn't approved but you work remotely, you can switch to the Digital Nomad Visa.

Co-Founder Inclusion

Up to 5 co-founders and key employees can apply for residency under the same project.

ENISA Approval Requirements

Your project must meet the criteria for an innovative enterprise:

Innovative business plan (technological, product, or business model innovation)
Company no older than 5 years (or 7 years for biotech/energy/industrial)
Annual revenue under €10 million
Headquarters or significant operations in Spain
No or limited dividend distribution
Project must not result from a merger/split of an existing business
Criminal background check for the founder
Sufficient financial means for living expenses

Application Process

From idea to residency — a step-by-step path through the Startup Visa.

Business Plan Preparation

We develop a document meeting ENISA standards: innovation, scalability, market potential, team, and financial model.

ENISA Submission

We submit the application online through the ENISA portal. Processing time: 20 working days.

Obtaining the Report

ENISA issues an Informe favorable — a positive assessment of your project's innovativeness.

Visa / Residency Application

With the ENISA report, we apply to the consulate (visa) or UGE (residency from within Spain).

Company Registration

We help register an SL (Spanish limited company), open a bank account, set up accounting, and apply tax benefits.

Costs

Expenses for the Startup Visa and company registration:

Free
ENISA application
Government innovation assessment
€80–190
Visa / residency
Government fee
€3,000–5,000
SL registration
Share capital from €1 + notary + registry
€500–2,000
Business plan
Professional preparation to ENISA standards
€150–300/mo
Accounting
Monthly SL bookkeeping
15%
Corporate tax
Reduced rate for startups (first 4 years)

Tips for a Successful Application

ENISA values scalability — show how the project can grow beyond the local market.
Include a clear section on technological innovation — what differentiates your product from existing solutions.
The financial model must be realistic — inflated projections raise doubts.
If you already have traction (revenue, users, funding), be sure to present it.
Submit applications for all co-founders simultaneously — this strengthens the case.

Startup Visa FAQ

ENISA interprets innovation broadly: technological innovation (AI, blockchain, biotech), product innovation (a new approach to an existing problem), or business model innovation (a novel monetization method). The key factors are scalability and growth potential.
No. You can apply to ENISA at the idea or MVP stage. The company (SL) is registered after receiving the positive report. However, having a registered company strengthens the application.
Minimum share capital is €1 (since 2023). Real costs: notary (€300–600), commercial registry (€200–400), accounting (€150–300/mo). The entire process takes 2–4 weeks.
Yes, the Startup Visa allows you to both run your own business and work as an employee in Spain. This is one of its advantages over the Non-Lucrative Visa.
You can resubmit with an improved business plan. You can also consider alternatives: Digital Nomad Visa (if you work remotely), Autónomo (self-employed in Spain), or a standard work permit.

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