(+34) 913 497 100 | Home Doing Business Foreign residents Foreign residents Spain attracts many foreign investors, entrepreneurs and professionals that want to set up and promote their business in our country, thereby advancing economic growth and creating jobs. Spanish law facilitates the process of their and their families move to Spain through a Residence Program. The Mobility Section of the Entrepreneurs Law grants residence and work permits to foreign nationals from outside the EU, in order to attract investment and talent. Benefits of Entrepreneurs Law Residence Program These permits authorize the holders and their families to live and work throughout the Spanish territory without the National Employment Situation application, and allow them freedom of movement in the Schengen Area. The process is quick and easy: visas are processed in 10 business days and residence permits approved in 20 days. The permits can be processed through a representative and simultaneously prepared for all family members. Vanessa Guerrero HEAD OF GLOBAL MOBILITY Our advisers will inform you of everything you are interested in knowing CONTACT How to apply? Investors and entrepreneurs From outside of Spain, they can apply for a one-year visa at the Spanish diplomatic mission or consular office in their country of residence. Once in Spain, and during the year that the visa is valid or within 90 days after the expiry date, they can apply for residence approval, valid for two years, at the Unit for Large Companies and Strategic Economic Sectors (UGE-CE). If in Spain legally, that is, if they are authorized to stay or reside, or have an investor or entrepreneur visa, they must apply for a residence permit, valid for two years. Submitting this application will extend the foreign national's previous residence or stay status in Spain until the process is completed. Highly qualified professionals, intra-corporate transferees and researchers Applications for residence permits for highly qualified professionals, intra-corporate transferees and researchers must be submitted in Spain, at the Unit for Large Companies and Strategic and Economic Sectors (UGE-CE) by the legal entity that wants to contract the foreign national. Approvals can be renewed if the conditions under which they were instituted are maintained. The investor approval can be renewed for five years without having to reside in Spain. All other approvals are renewed for two years or up to the contract length for a maximum of two years for highly qualified professionals and researchers. Those renewals require legal residence in Spain. Different types of authorizations Investors Foreign nationals that make a significant investment in Spain: real estate assets (500,000 euros); company shares or holdings or bank deposits (1,000,000 euros), public debt (2,000,000 euros) and business projects considered of general interest in Spain. Select language Spanish English Portuguese Russian Chinese Entrepreneurs Foreign nationals who intend to develop an innovative business activity of economic interest for Spain. Select language Spanish English Portuguese Russian Chinese Highly qualified professionals Companies that need foreign professionals: directors, highly skilled personnel and graduates or postgraduates from renowned universities and business schools. Select language Spanish English Portuguese Russian Chinese Intra-Corporate Transferees Businesses or associations established in Spain or another country and that move one or more foreign nationals to Spain for work or training purposes. Select language Spanish English Portuguese Russian Chinese Researchers Private or public companies and other entities that want to employ researchers, scientific or technical personnel and university or business school teachers to conduct training, research, development or innovation activities. Select language Spanish English Portuguese Russian Chinese For more information on the Entrepreneur Law Residence Program, see: Entrepreneurs Law There are other options for foreign nationals from outside the EU that want to invest, start a business or undertake a professional activity, and for companies that want to hire foreign professionals who do not meet the requirements of the Entrepreneurs Law Residence Program. 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