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Can a foreign graduate stay in Spain after studies to start a business?

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Yes. After finishing at least a degree-level (EQF level 6) course at a higher education institution, you can get a residence permit for up to 24 months, not extendable, to look for work or start a business. Apply online from 60 days before to 90 days after your student stay expires; Spain decides in 20 days.

Key facts

What The law says Source
Who Foreigners who have finished studies at a higher education institution at level 6 or above of the European Qualifications Framework (degree level) Ley 14/2013, additional provision 17.1
Purpose To look for a job suited to the level of studies, or to start a business project Ley 14/2013, additional provision 17.1
How long Up to 24 months; cannot be extended Ley 14/2013, additional provision 17.1
When to apply From 60 calendar days before to 90 calendar days after the study stay authorisation expires Ley 14/2013, additional provision 17.2
Where Online, to the Government Delegation or Subdelegation of the province where you will live Ley 14/2013, additional provision 17.2
What is checked Only the degree or other official proof of qualification, health insurance, and sufficient resources (shown with a sworn statement) Ley 14/2013, additional provision 17.2
Decision Within 20 days (working days); no answer means granted Ley 14/2013, additional provision 17.4; Ley 39/2015, art. 30.2
Family Family members who were with you during your studies can stay, tied to your permit Ley 14/2013, additional provision 17.5
Next step Once you start the business or find a suitable job, you must apply for the matching permit Ley 14/2013, additional provision 17.6

Who can use it

Ley 14/2013 lets foreign graduates of a higher education institution stay in Spain after their studies to look for work matching their level or to start a business project. The qualification must be at least level 6 of the European Qualifications Framework, which the law equates to a degree (grado) (additional provision 17.1).

Applying

You apply online to the Government Delegation or Subdelegation in the province where you’ll live, during a window that opens 60 calendar days before your student stay expires and closes 90 calendar days after it expired. The authority only checks your qualification, health insurance and sufficient resources; for resources you give a sworn statement describing them (17.2). Applying within the window keeps your previous authorisation valid until the decision, though a sanction procedure may still be opened if it had already expired (17.3). The law sets a 20-day deadline, after which the permit counts as granted by silence (17.4); under Ley 39/2015 days are working days unless a law says otherwise (art. 30.2).

After you start the business

The permit is a bridge, not the final status. When you have started a business project, the law requires you to apply for the matching permit under the foreigners’ law (Ley Orgánica 4/2000) or Ley 14/2013 (17.6), for example the entrepreneur residence permit.

Sources

  1. Ley 14/2013, de 27 de septiembre, de apoyo a los emprendedores y su internacionalización, additional provision 17 (consolidated text, BOE) checked 2026-10-25
  2. Ley 39/2015, de 1 de octubre, del Procedimiento Administrativo Común, art. 30 (consolidated text, BOE) checked 2026-10-25

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