Startup Visa Spain: A Complete Guide for Entrepreneurs

8 April

What is a startup visa?

A startup visa is a specialized immigration program designed to attract talented entrepreneurs with innovative ideas. It allows them to open a business, develop technologies, and integrate into the startup ecosystem of the host country.

Unlike standard work or investor visas, a startup visa focuses not on existing capital, but on the potential of the project. It is the idea, its innovativeness, and development prospects that determine the chances of obtaining a visa.

👉 FREE CONSULTATION

Who is eligible for a startup visa?

A startup visa is a great choice for:

Founders of technology companies
IT professionals with business ideas
Researchers and scientists looking to commercialize their developments
Investors interested in expanding to international markets
Small startup teams

Important: Most countries have requirements for the length of the business (usually up to 3-5 years) and the founder's share in the company's capital.

What are the requirements?

While conditions vary from country to country, in most cases you will need:

Innovative business idea: the project must be new, technologically advanced, and have the potential to scale.
Business plan: a detailed document describing the concept, target market, development strategy, and financial projections.
Financial solvency: availability of funds to live in the country until the startup becomes self-sufficient.
Support from an accredited organization: a letter of support from an incubator, accelerator, or investor is required.
No criminal record: certificates of no criminal record from the countries of residence.
Health insurance: in some countries, this is a mandatory requirement for the application.

How does the startup visa process work?

1. Research opportunities

Before starting the process, choose a country whose startup visa matches your profile. For example:

Canada actively supports projects in the field of AI and biotechnology.
France is betting on fintech and green technologies.
Spain attracts digital startups by providing tax incentives.

2. Preparing documents

The required package includes:

Passport
Founder's resume
Detailed business plan
Documents confirming financial solvency
Police clearance certificates
Health insurance
Letter of support from an accredited organization (if available)

3. Obtaining a letter of support

This is a critical step. Without it, most countries will not even accept the application. The application process takes place in two stages:

Providing a brief description of the project (pitch deck)
Invitation to an interview or pitching session

If the incubator or accelerator is interested in your idea, they will issue an official letter of support.

4. Submitting a visa application

Usually, the application is submitted through the website of the immigration service of the selected country or at the consulate. It is important to fill out the forms correctly and attach all the documents.

Some countries offer fast-track procedures (e.g. "Fast Track" in the Netherlands).

5. Waiting for a decision

The review process can take from 2 to 6 months. During this time, additional documents or an interview are sometimes required.

6. Obtaining a visa and relocation

Once approved, you are issued a visa for a period of one to five years, with the possibility of extension or obtaining a permanent residence permit.

Top 5 Startup Visa Countries

Canada — Startup Visa Program

Requires a letter of support from a Canadian incubator or investor
No minimum equity requirement
Possibility of obtaining permanent residence

Estonia — Startup Visa

Fast online application
Focus on IT and fintech projects
Access to the European market

France — French Tech Visa

Open to entrepreneurs, investors and tech professionals
Support from recognized French startup organizations
Simplified path to residency for the whole family

Netherlands — Startup Residence Permit

Requires a "facilitator" — an experienced business partner
Possibility of obtaining a visa for a "mature business" later

Spain — Ley de Startups

New law 2023
Tax incentives for startups
Simplified visa procedure for non-Europeans

Common mistakes when applying for a startup visa

Insufficient development of the business plan
Lack of a clear justification for the innovativeness of the project
Poor financial preparation
Errors in documents or late submission
Ignoring the requirements for a letter of support

Useful tips

Prepare for pitching: be ready to clearly and inspiringly talk about the project.
Use the help of consultants: they know the nuances of immigration programs.
Develop your network: Participating in startup events and pitch sessions can speed up the process of getting support.
Meet deadlines: Many startup programs have fixed deadlines.

STARTUP VISA SPAIN

A startup visa is not only an opportunity to live and work in another country, but also a chance to enter the global market, find investors and build an international company. Despite the complexity of the process, proper preparation and persistence significantly increase the chances of success.

If your idea is truly innovative and your business plan is well-developed, a startup visa can be your ticket to a world of great opportunities.

BONUS! Checklist: Documents for a startup visa to Spain

Basic documents:

Valid passport (valid for at least 1 year)
Passport-size photograph (color, on a white background)

Startup documents:

Business plan (in Spanish or English) ➔ A clear description of the idea, market, development strategy, financial model
Startup registration documents (if already registered)
Letter on the innovativeness of the project ➔ Issued through ENISA (National Innovation Agency) ➔ You must submit an application to ENISA to receive a conclusion on the recognition of the startup

Financial documents:

Proof of funds for living ➔ Bank statements / investment agreements
Startup solvency (if the company is already activity)

Personal documents:

Medical insurance (coverage for the entire stay)
Certificate of no criminal record ➔ From countries where you have lived for the last 5 years ➔ With an apostille + official translation into Spanish

Other:

Completed visa application form (the form can be downloaded from the website of the migration service)
Payment of the visa fee (approximately 70-100 €)
Confirmation of residence in Spain ➔ Lease agreement or letter from the host
Consent to the processing of personal data (formulario de consentimiento)

⚡ Special points:

Application for a startup visa is possible both from Spain and from your country.
Processing period: 20 working days after submission of the full package of documents.
The visa is issued immediately for 3 years with the possibility of extension.
It is allowed to work in your own company and hire employees.

👉 FREE CONSULTATION

Ad Benidorm

Subscribe