EU Member / Mediterranean & Atlantic · Entrepreneur / Startup Visa
Investment
~$2,000
Presence Required
None required
Residency Timeline
1–2 months
Citizenship Timeline
10 years (2 for Latin Americans)
Overview
Spain offers an Entrepreneur Visa and Startup Visa under the Startups Law (Ley de Startups) for innovative entrepreneurs. Spain is a full EU member with a Mediterranean and Atlantic coastline, including the Canary Islands, Balearic Islands, and Costa del Sol. Latin Americans can obtain Spanish citizenship after just 2 years of legal residency — the fastest EU citizenship pathway for that demographic.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Full EU member — 2 years to citizenship for Latin Americans
Canary Islands, Balearics, Costa del Sol — world-class locations
Largest startup visa ecosystem in the EU
Beckham Law: 24% flat tax on Spanish income for new residents
Spanish passport: visa-free to 185+ countries
Large expat community — especially in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia
Cons
10-year citizenship timeline for non-Latin Americans
Startup must be genuinely innovative
Spanish language required for citizenship naturalization
Higher cost of living in Madrid and Barcelona
Bureaucracy can be challenging
How to Complete the Process
Apply for Entrepreneur or Startup Visa: Submit your application to the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) online. Required: business plan, proof of innovation, sufficient funds (€27,115). Processing time: 20 business days. Fee: ~$200.
Register your company in Spain: Register your company (S.L. — Sociedad Limitada) with the Mercantile Registry. Cost: ~$500–$1,000 including notary fees. Process takes 1–2 weeks.
Apply for residence permit: Apply for a temporary residence permit at the local immigration office (Extranjería) with your Entrepreneur Visa approval, company documents, and proof of funds.
Apply for Beckham Law (optional): Apply for Spain's Beckham Law (Special Tax Regime for Impatriates) within 6 months of becoming a Spanish tax resident. Provides a 24% flat tax on Spanish-sourced income for 6 years.
Apply for citizenship: Latin Americans: after 2 years. All others: after 10 years. Apply at the Civil Registry (Registro Civil) with proof of continuous legal residency, language test (A2 level), and civic knowledge test.
Requirements Checklist
Apply for Entrepreneur Visa or Startup Visa through the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE)
Startup must be innovative with growth potential
Demonstrate sufficient funds: €27,115 for the main applicant
Obtain a temporary residence permit based on startup ownership
After 10 years (2 years for Latin Americans), apply for citizenship
Tax System
Tax System
Spain has a 25% corporate income tax. Personal income tax is 19–47% progressive. Spain's Beckham Law provides a 24% flat tax on Spanish income for new residents for 6 years. The Canary Islands ZEC offers a 4% corporate tax rate for qualifying companies. Spain has an extensive double taxation treaty network as an EU member.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Latin Americans get citizenship after 2 years?
Spain has historical and cultural ties with Latin America. Spanish law provides a reduced naturalization period of 2 years for nationals of Iberoamerican countries (all Spanish-speaking Latin American countries plus Brazil, Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, and Andorra).
What is Spain's Beckham Law?
Spain's Beckham Law (Special Tax Regime for Impatriates) allows new residents to pay a flat 24% tax on Spanish-sourced income for 6 years, instead of the standard 19–47% progressive rate. It applies to people who become Spanish tax residents for the first time.
What are the Canary Islands' tax advantages?
The Canary Islands have a special economic zone (ZEC) with a 4% corporate tax rate for qualifying companies. The islands also have a reduced VAT rate (IGIC) of 7% instead of Spain's standard 21%. This makes the Canary Islands particularly attractive for businesses.