Your Coordinated Team
Mehdi Yavari
Viamora
Arbab Malik
Partner Representative · arbabmalik.com
Spain
Entrepreneur Residence Authorization under Entrepreneurs Law
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The Spain Startup Visa, formally the Autorización de Residencia para Emprendedores (REM) under Spain's Entrepreneurs Law, is a residence route for non-EU founders who intend to start, develop or direct an innovative business with special economic interest for Spain. The commercial assessment is carried out by ENISA and the immigration decision by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit, known as UGE-CE.
At a Glance
Key requirements summary
- Minimum investment or capitalization
- No fixed statutory minimum. The required business capital depends on the project, but funding must be credible, lawful and sufficient for the launch and development described in the business plan.
- Net worth or available funds
- No fixed net-worth requirement. Separate personal maintenance funds are required based on the applicable Salario Mínimo Interprofesional (SMI): 200% of the annual SMI for the principal applicant, plus 75% of the annual SMI for a second family unit member, plus 25% per additional member. The applicable SMI rate and coverage period should be verified from official sources before filing.
- Ownership requirements
- Applicant launches and actively manages the approved project.
- Third-party involvement
- Mandatory favourable report from ENISA, obtained by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE) as part of the immigration decision.
- Operating obligations
- Launch and actively manage the approved project, and maintain the underlying residence conditions.
- Key restrictions
- Ordinary businesses are generally unsuitable for this route. Innovation and special economic interest are substantive tests, not formalities, and a passive investment is unlikely to qualify.
Commercial Eligibility
Suitable business profiles
The business project must be innovative and of special economic interest to Spain. The applicant needs a suitable professional profile and credible financing, with economic value, innovation and the project's benefit to Spain all assessed by ENISA before UGE-CE decides the residence application. No statutory minimum investment or job-creation threshold applies.
Planning Document
Mandatory business plan explaining the business model, customers, competitors, launch strategy, operations, ownership, staffing, investment allocation, funding sources, financial projections and implementation milestones.
The business plan is mandatory and central to the ENISA review, which also assesses the founder's professional profile, financing, innovation and market opportunity.
What the document must demonstrate
- Project and product or service
- Financing and required investment
- Funding sources
- Founder profile
- Innovation and economic interest
Viamora Services
What Viamora prepares for Spain
Market & Industry Research|Competitor analysis and market positioning
Business Model Development|Target-market assessment and business-model development
Commercial Strategy|Revenue, pricing, marketing and sales planning
Operations Planning|Operations, staffing and startup-cost planning
Financial Planning|Investment allocation, cash-flow forecasts and financial projections
Implementation Planning|Implementation schedules and commercial supporting documents
Recommended package
Business Consulting Partnership
A dedicated business establishment partner for the launch phase, combining project management, representation and ongoing mentorship.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this pathway*
What is ENISA and why does it matter here?
Is there a minimum investment or job-creation requirement?
How are personal maintenance funds calculated?
Would a conventional retail or services business qualify?
How long does the decision take?
Discuss This Pathway*
Speak with Viamora about business planning and preparation for this pathway.
* Viamora is a business advisory firm. References to pathways on this site refer to business establishment routes. We do not provide immigration advice or legal counsel.
Professional Services & Representation Disclaimer
For Spain, Viamora provides the applicable business consulting services. arbabmalik.com participates in marketing, referral, coordination, or administrative support for this destination and is not presented as the regulated immigration or legal representative for Spain. Where regulated representation is required, it must be separately provided by an appropriately authorized professional.