Spain National (Type D) Entrepreneur Visa opens path for innovative business

Key Takeaways

• Non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals can apply for Spain’s Type D Entrepreneur Visa if their business is innovative and economically beneficial.
• Applicants must show a favorable ENISA report, sufficient funds, valid insurance, criminal record clearance, and pay fees up to €167.
• Initial visa is valid for one year, with residence permits up to three years and possible permanent residency after five years.

The Spain National (Type D) Entrepreneur Visa has become a pathway for many non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who want to start or grow an innovative business in Spain 🇪🇸. This visa allows people from outside the European Union, European Economic Area, or Switzerland to move to Spain 🇪🇸 and begin a new life as an entrepreneur. It supports the creation of new jobs, investment, and new ideas that help the Spanish economy. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about this important visa—from who can apply and what documents you need to every step you must take before, during, and after your application.

Checklist: What You’ll Need to Apply

Before diving into the details, here’s a simple checklist of all the basic requirements and steps for the Spain National (Type D) Entrepreneur Visa:

Eligibility:
– You must not be from the EU/EEA/Switzerland.
– Your business idea must be innovative and bring economic benefits.
– You need enough money to support yourself and your family.
– You must have a clean criminal record for the last five years.

Main Documents:
– Completed and signed National D visa form.
– Passport-size photo.
– Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least one more year).
– ENISA business project report.
– Proof of financial means (bank statements, income).
– Health insurance in Spain 🇪🇸.
– Criminal record certificate(s), translated and legalized.
– Relationship proof for family members (marriage/birth certificates, translated and legalized).

Fees:
– Usually €80–€90.
– U.S. citizens: €152–€167.
– Canadian citizens: €100.

Processing time: Around 3–4 weeks if all is in order.

Validity: One-year visa; up to three years’ residence permit after arrival.

Renewal: Renew every two years; apply for permanent residence after five years.

Now, let’s go through each part in detail to make every step clear and easy to follow.

Understanding Who Can Apply

The Spain National (Type D) Entrepreneur Visa is for people from outside the EU, EEA, or Switzerland. If your country doesn’t have a visa-free agreement with Spain 🇪🇸, you must apply for this visa. The most important rule is that your business idea needs to be new in some way—Spain 🇪🇸 gives this visa to those whose plans bring something different, such as technology, new services, jobs, or investment.

You must prove you can support yourself and your family while in Spain 🇪🇸. This means showing you have at least 100% of IPREM, which is about €7,200 each year, plus an extra 50% for each family member. You’ll also need a police clearance letter to show you have not committed crimes in any country you lived in for the last five years.

Required Documents: Getting Your Papers Ready

When you apply for the Spain National (Type D) Entrepreneur Visa, paperwork is key. If you forget something, your application can be delayed or rejected. Here are the main documents, with tips to avoid common mistakes:

1. Visa Application Form
   • Use the official National D visa form. It must be filled out, signed, and dated.
   • Make sure your details match your passport exactly.
2. Passport and Photo
   • Passport: Issued in the last 10 years, valid for at least one more year, and with two blank pages.
   • Photo: A recent, color passport-sized photo with a white or light background.
3. ENISA Report on Your Business Project
   • Prepare a detailed business plan in Spanish showing how your company is new, how it fits the market, and how it will help Spain 🇪🇸 (jobs, investment, technology).
   • Submit your plan online through the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas) portal. This can only be done with a digital certificate.
   • The review from ENISA (Empresa Nacional de Innovación) is crucial; you cannot move forward without their approval.
4. Proof of Funds
   • Provide current bank statements or proof of income.
   • Documents must be legalized or have an “apostille” stamp if issued outside Spain 🇪🇸.
   • All non-Spanish documents must be officially translated into Spanish.
5. Health Insurance
   • Your insurance must be from a company accepted in Spain 🇪🇸. It must provide full coverage.
6. Criminal Record Check
   • Get police clearance for every country where you have lived in the last five years.
   • Translation and legalization/apostille are needed for non-Spanish documents.
7. Documents for Family Members
   • Marriage or birth certificates to prove family ties.
   • Legalize/apostille and translate these documents.

Tip: Always double-check the documents required on the website of your local Spanish consulate or embassy as rules can change and extra documents may be needed.

Application Fees

Application fees depend mostly on your nationality:
– Most countries: €80–€90
– U.S. citizens: €152–€167
– Canadian citizens: €100

Important: Some consulates first charge a visa fee and later ask for an additional fee for your residence card. Always confirm with your consulate before taking any steps.

How Long Does It Take?

One of the benefits of the Spain National (Type D) Entrepreneur Visa is that it’s processed faster than many other visas.

1. ENISA’s review of your business plan: usually about 10 days.
2. Spanish consulate’s decision after ENISA’s approval: about 20 days.

In total, you can expect a decision in around 3–4 weeks if your paperwork is complete and clear. If the consulate needs more info or wants to interview you, there might be a delay.

How Long Can You Stay?

The first visa you get lets you enter Spain 🇪🇸 and stay for one year. After arrival:

• Apply for a residence permit that can be given for up to three years.
• You can then renew your permit for another two years if you still meet the requirements.
• If you live in Spain 🇪🇸 legally for five years, you can apply for permanent residency.

Step-By-Step Application Process

Now let’s walk through each step so you know what to expect and reduce any surprises.

Step 1: Write Your Business Plan

Take your time to write a strong business plan that shows:
– Your business idea is something new in Spain 🇪🇸 (innovative).
– There is a real need for your service or product (market fit).
– Your company will create jobs or bring in investment.
– Your plan is realistic and sustainable (financial projections).

Common mistake: Forgetting to highlight why your idea is new or different.

Step 2: Get ENISA Approval

• Use the UGE portal to send your plan and details online.
• You’ll need a digital certificate (an ID card for online government services).
• ENISA will grade your plan for newness and economic interest.
• If approved, get your report—this is the “green light” for your visa.

Tip: Check all parts of the form carefully for errors before submitting, as fixing mistakes later can be slow.

Step 3: Collect All Documents

• Organize passport, photos, proof of funds, insurance, police checks, and proof for family.
• Make certified translations and get apostilles/legalizations where needed.

Tip: Keep extra sets of copies—one for you, one for the consulate.

Step 4: Apply at the Spanish Consulate or Embassy

• Make an appointment at your nearest Spanish consulate or embassy.
• Bring all documents, including originals and copies.
• Pay the application fee (ask which payment methods are accepted; some require cash).
• Attend an interview if invited by visa staff.

Step 5: Wait for a Decision

• ENISA review: about 10 days.
• Consular processing: about 20 days after ENISA approval.
• The consulate may contact you for more papers or another interview.

Step 6: Get Your Visa and Travel to Spain 🇪🇸

• If approved, the visa is stamped in your passport.
• Make your travel plans before your visa expires.

Step 7: Register in Spain 🇪🇸 After You Arrive

• Get your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE or NIE) at the local police station or foreigner’s office.
• Register your Spanish address locally—this is needed for many services like healthcare and banking.

Tip: Start the registration process as soon as possible after arrival to avoid missing deadlines.

What’s Next After Getting Your Visa?

Once you enter Spain 🇪🇸 with your visa, focus on settling in and running your business. Make sure you keep your documents up to date (especially health insurance and proof of steady income). This will be important for renewing your residence permit and eventually applying for permanent residency.

If you have family, help them register and get their own identity cards right away.

When your initial residence permit is about to expire, apply to renew about 60 days before the end date.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not having all required documents, or forgetting translations/legalizations.
• Submitting a business plan that is not specific or clear about its benefits.
• Applying for the wrong type of health insurance.
• Missing deadlines (like appointments or registration after arrival).
• Not checking with the consulate about the latest requirements or fee changes.

Where to Get More Help

VisaVerge.com’s investigation reveals that working with a reliable immigration lawyer or consultant who knows the visa process in detail can make your application smoother. This is especially true for handling digital certificates, online uploads, and other steps that can be confusing to people new to the Spanish system.

For the most up-to-date information, you can also visit the official Spanish government website for entrepreneur visas.

Remember to check for changes in the rules every time you apply or renew.

Summary Table

Final Words and What to Expect

Applying for the Spain National (Type D) Entrepreneur Visa is a big step packed with opportunities for non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals. The process is straightforward if you stay organized, follow each step carefully, and keep updated with changes. By bringing your innovative business to Spain 🇪🇸, you’ll not only work for your future but also contribute new jobs and ideas to the Spanish economy.

Whether you do it yourself or get help from a professional, planning ahead is the best way to improve your success. Always start your preparations early and use official sources for your information.

With careful attention to each step and the right documents ready, you can soon turn your dream of running an innovative business in Spain 🇪🇸 into a reality.

Learn Today

ENISA report → A business project assessment from Spain’s National Innovation Company, required to show your business is innovative and economically valuable.
IPREM → Spanish income benchmark used to determine the minimum financial resources required for immigration and benefit eligibility.
Apostille → A special certification for foreign documents making them legally valid for use in Spain and other Hague Convention countries.
UGE portal → Unidad de Grandes Empresas online platform where applicants submit business plans and documentation for Spanish entrepreneur visas.
TIE/NIE → Foreigner Identity Card/Number required for legal residence and most official transactions in Spain.

This Article in a Nutshell

The Spain National (Type D) Entrepreneur Visa enables non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals to launch innovative businesses in Spain, supporting job creation and investment. Applicants need a strong business plan, ENISA approval, and proof of funds and insurance. Successful applicants receive a one-year visa and may later qualify for permanent residency.
— By VisaVerge.com

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