A residence permit for individual entrepreneurs

If you previously held a residence permit with work authorization (e.g., startup visa or digital nomad permit as a self-employed person), your converted permit will be valid for 4 years.

If you were employed under the digital nomad permit or had a non-lucrative visa, your converted permit will initially be granted for 1 year, and for 4 years upon renewal.

The entire process (including document preparation, application submission, and waiting for a decision) can take between 3 to 6 months. Timelines depend on the workload of the immigration office and how correctly the documents are prepared.

Yes, time under the self-employed residence permit is counted. After 5 years of legal residence in Spain, you can apply for permanent residency, and after 10 years for citizenship. To renew the permit, you must reside in Spain for at least 183 days per year.

A spouse may join:

• Simultaneously with the main applicant, if they also open a self-employed activity in Spain.
• Through a separate business plan, if the spouse intends to start their own entrepreneurial activity.

Children can obtain a residence permit:

• By enrolling in a school.
• If the child has lived in Spain for at least 2 years and hasn’t been outside the country for more than 90 days during that time.
• Through a Spanish consulate in another country with an official representative (this process takes about 2–5 months).

Key expenses include:

• Social security contributions of around €250–300 per month.
• Income tax, depending on your earnings.
• Costs for document processing, translation, and legal services (typically €500–€2,000 depending on the complexity of the case).

No, the self-employed residence permit allows only freelance or entrepreneurial work. To work as an employee, you must change your type of residence permit.

Yes, but your main income and activity must be based in Spain to meet the requirements of the permit. This is important for renewal purposes.

To renew, you must submit:

• Proof of social security payments (as an autónomo).
• A bank statement showing financial stability.
• Income and expense reports for the last two quarters.

If rejected, you can file an appeal within one month from the date of notification. It is advisable to consult with a lawyer to prepare a strong appeal. Another option is to revise your documents and submit a new application.

Yes, provided you meet the requirements of the new residence type. You’ll need to file the appropriate application and submit supporting documents.