Spain entrepreneur residence at UGE: official requirements and filing without a certificate

Official procedure information: Residence Application for Entrepreneurs

What it is

Through this procedure, you can obtain authorization for residence when you are in a regular situation in Spain. This authorization grants you a 3-year permit to reside and, if you wish, work throughout the national territory.

Residence permits regulated by Law 14/2013, on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization, facilitate entry and stay in Spain for reasons of economic interest, among others, for entrepreneurs.

Managing authority

Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit

Approximate processing time

About 30 days. Both the initial authorization and its renewal are valid for 3 years.

Who it is for

Foreign nationals who are not residents of the EU and who wish to enter Spain, or who, being holders of a stay or residence permit or visa, intend to start, develop, or manage an entrepreneurial economic activity in Spain.

Documents

• If you are an entrepreneur and hold a visa to carry out the procedures prior to starting an entrepreneurial activity:
  • Proof that you hold a residence visa for the start of an entrepreneurial activity (or that you are within a maximum period of ninety calendar days after its expiry).
  • Documentation proving your registration in the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers and payment of the Economic Activities Tax.
• If you are an entrepreneur without a visa to carry out the procedures prior to starting an entrepreneurial activity:
  • Proof of the legal requirements necessary to start the activity or, where applicable, copies of the applications submitted (licences, professional qualification or professional association membership where applicable, etc.).
  • If you hold a stay permit or a study stay permit in Spain of less than six months, you must submit a criminal record certificate from the country or countries where you have resided during the last five years.
• Business plan including a description of the project, the product or service, market analysis, financing, added value for the Spanish economy, and your professional profile (CV).
• If you have already started the activity, you must submit a document proving your registration in the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers and payment of the Economic Activities Tax.

General requirements

• The completed application form.
• A copy of the full valid passport or travel document and, where applicable, that of your family members.
• Proof of sufficient financial means for yourself and your family members during your period of residence in Spain.
• Public or private health insurance taken out with an insurer authorised to operate in Spain, unless you will carry out an activity through which you will be covered by the National Health System.
• Proof of payment of the corresponding fee.
• If the applicant is already in Spain when the application is submitted and holds a stay permit or a study stay permit of less than six months, they must submit the original criminal record certificate from the country or countries where they have resided during the last five years.

Official answers

Who can submit the application?

Applications can be submitted by the interested person or through a representative.

Is it necessary to submit foreign documents translated and legalized?

All documents must be translated into Spanish. In the case of foreign public documents, they must also bear the Hague Apostille or, failing that, have been legalized through diplomatic channels.

Can the application be admitted for processing?

The Law establishes as a requirement not to be in an irregular situation in Spain, so this requirement must be met at the time of application.

Submitting the residence authorization application will extend the validity of the residence or stay situation held until the procedure is resolved.

Source: Plataforma ONE, Red.es (one.gob.es/en/procedures/residence-application-entrepreneurs). Reproduced under the Plataforma ONE legal notice. Compared with the source on November 2, 2026. Aviso legal