What do you need for Spain's entrepreneur (startup) residence permit?

Checked on 2026-10-25

You need a business project that is innovative and/or of special economic interest for Spain, backed by a favourable ENISA report on your profile, business plan and added value. You must also be over 18, have no criminal record, hold health insurance, have sufficient funds, pay the fee and meet the sector's rules for starting the activity.

Key facts

What	The law says	Source
What counts as an entrepreneurial activity	An activity that is innovative and/or of special economic interest for Spain, with a favourable report from ENISA	Ley 14/2013, art. 70.1
What ENISA looks at	Your professional profile and involvement in the project (each partner’s share if there are several); the business plan, with the product or service and its financing, including the investment needed and possible sources; what adds value for the Spanish economy, innovation or investment opportunities	Ley 14/2013, art. 70.2
General requirements	Not in Spain irregularly; over 18; no criminal record in Spain or in countries where you lived in the last two years, plus a sworn statement covering five years; not listed as refused entry; public or private health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain; enough money for you and your family; fee paid	Ley 14/2013, art. 62.3
Sector rules	You must meet the legal requirements to start the activity under the relevant sector rules	Ley 14/2013, art. 69.2
Labour market test	The national employment situation is not taken into account	Ley 14/2013, additional provision 5.1
Who it is not for	EU citizens and others with equivalent free-movement rights	Ley 14/2013, art. 61.2
Where to apply	Online, yourself or through a legal representative, to the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE)	Ley 14/2013, art. 69.1

What the law asks for

Ley 14/2013 lets non-EU nationals who want to start, develop or run an economic activity as an entrepreneur in Spain get a residence permit for business activity (art. 69.1). The core condition is the project itself: the law requires it to be innovative and/or of special economic interest for Spain, and to have a favourable report from ENISA (art. 70.1).

You don’t ask ENISA directly. The UGE-CE requests the ENISA report itself once you apply; the report is mandatory (art. 70.1).

The general conditions

On top of the project, the law sets the same baseline as for the other permits in this part of the law (art. 62.3): adult age, a clean criminal record, health insurance, sufficient funds for you and any family members, and payment of the fee. The fee amount is set by ministerial order (additional provision 19). The law also requires you to meet whatever rules your sector imposes for starting the activity (art. 69.2), and to keep meeting the conditions while the permit lasts (additional provision 7.1).

Arts. 69 and 70 name no minimum investment amount. ENISA looks at the investment the business plan says is required (art. 70.2.b).

Sources

Ley 14/2013, de 27 de septiembre, de apoyo a los emprendedores y su internacionalización, arts. 61, 62, 69 and 70, additional provisions 5 and 19 (consolidated text, BOE) checked 2026-10-25

Change history

2026-10-25: Page created

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