The Spain Self-Employed Visa (Autónomo Visa), also called the Spain Freelance Visa, allows individuals to legally live and work in Spain by setting up their own businesses or offering professional services. It provides the right to work independently, access Spain’s social security system, and enjoy free movement within the Schengen Zone.
This visa is perfect for self-employed persons, freelancers, entrepreneurs, and business owners who want to explore new opportunities in Spain’s growing market while experiencing its rich culture and high quality of life.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about the Spain Self-Employed Visa, including how to apply, who’s eligible, and what documents you’ll need.
Spain Self Emplyed Visa Key Takeaways
- The Spain Self‑Employed Visa allows non‑EU/EEA citizens to live in Spain and work legally as freelancers, independent contractors, or business owners.
- Applicants must show a monthly income of at least €2,763 (about 200% of the Spanish national minimum wage) to qualify.
- The visa is issued initially for one year and may be renewed; after a total of five years of legal residence, the holder may become eligible for permanent residency.
- The application and approval process typically takes about three to six months from submission.
- Once approved, visa holders may register with Spanish social security under the self‑employment regime and enjoy the rights to live and work in Spain, including access to public services.
- After living in Spain legally for ten years, you can apply for Spanish citizenship, giving you access to an EU passport and the possibility of holding dual citizenship.
What is the Spain Self-Employed Visa?
Spain’s Self-Employed Visa, also known as the Autónomo Visa or Spain Freelance Visa, allows non-EU citizens to live and work in Spain as independent professionals. To apply, you need a strong business plan, proof of relevant qualifications or experience, sufficient funds (about €2,763 per month), and a clean criminal record. The process involves two stages through your local Spanish consulate: you must first obtain an initial residence and self-employed work permit. Successful applicants receive a 1-year residence permit, which can be renewed for up to five years.
Once your application is approved, you must register as self-employed under Spain’s Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA). You must also register with the Spanish Tax Authority and the Spanish Social Security System to meet all tax and contribution requirements.
Who can apply for the Spain Freelance Visa?
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
- Applicants must be from non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss countries.
- A criminal background check is mandatory.
- Applicants must be in good health and have a health certificate and health insurance.
- Applicants must be professionally qualified to conduct professional activity in Spain or have previous experience in the same sector and demonstrate sufficient financial means to support themselves.
- Applicants must also submit a business plan. This plan must be reviewed and approved through an evaluation report issued by one of the following official organizations:
- UPTA – Federation of National Associations of Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed Workers.
- CIAE – Intersectoral Confederation of Self-Employed Workers of Spain.
- OPA – Organization of Professionals and Self-Employed Workers.
- UATAE – Union of Associations of Self-Employed Workers and Entrepreneurs.
What are the Spain Freelance Visa financial requirements?
To be eligible for a Spain Freelance Visa, you must show that you earn at least 200% of the Spanish national minimum wage, which is approximately €2,763 per month. You can prove this through documents like work contracts, bank statements, invoices, and payslips, demonstrating that you have enough income to support yourself while living in Spain.
Benefits of the Spain Self Employed Visa
- Legal right to live and work – This visa gives you the legal right to work in Spain as self-employed.
- Flexibility and mobility – The Spain Freelance Visa allows for extended stays of up to five years, reducing the need for frequent renewals. It also offers the freedom to travel and explore other countries.
- Schengen access (for EU residents) – You can travel freely across the Schengen Area for 90 days within a 180-day period without needing additional visas.
- ETIAS exemption (for EU residents) – ETIAS is a new travel authorization that will soon be required for visa-free travelers to the EU. Self-employed visa holders with EU residency do not need to apply for ETIAS.
- EES exemption (for EU residents) — The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will require non-EU travelers to register passports, provide fingerprints, and answer security questions at entry points. Self-employed visa holders are exempt from these requirements.
- Affordable second residency – Unlike investment visas, the self-employment visa does not require a large financial commitment. However, you must show you have enough funds to support yourself and your business in Spain.
- Access to healthcare and education – Self-employed visa holders can benefit from Spain’s high-quality public healthcare system and educational opportunities for themselves and their families.
- Path to EU citizenship — After ten years of legal residency, you can apply for Spanish citizenship, which gives you the benefits of an EU passport and dual citizenship.
Required documents for the Spain Self Employed Work Visa
All documents that are not in Spanish must be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. For all applicants 18 years or older, apostilled police clearances must be submitted.
These are the documents needed for the Freelance Visa Spain:
- Application form: Completed visa application form for the initial temporary residence permit.
- Valid passport: A copy of your passport and any previous visas.
- Criminal record check certificate: Certificate proving you have no criminal record in your home country or any country you’ve lived in for over 6 months in the last 5 years.
- Proof of health: Documentation proving you have no serious illness that poses a risk to public health.
- Business plan: Detailed plan for your business, supported by evidence, including:
- Project execution schedule.
- List of required licenses and authorizations.
- Proof of resources for starting the business.
- If necessary, academic qualifications or professional experience.
- If joining a company, proof that the company complies with tax and Social Security obligations.
- Qualifications:
- Academic qualifications recognized in Spain, if required.
- If applicable, professional registration with the relevant association (if the profession is regulated in Spain).
- If your activity doesn’t require qualifications, proof of adequate training or professional experience.
- Proof of company compliance (if joining a company): Updated certificates of tax and Social Security compliance from the State Tax Agency, Autonomous Community’s Tax Agency, and Social Security.
- Retail or service business (if applicable): A declaration or notification about your retail or service business, and proof of tax payment if applicable.
- Required authorizations and licenses: A list of necessary authorizations or licenses for your business and proof of application or status of these licenses.
- Financial stability: Proof of sufficient financial resources to support yourself and your business in Spain.
- Photographs: Recent passport-sized photos of yourself and any dependents.
- Legal Documents (if applicable):
- If collaborating as a family member: Proof of the family relationship, activity details, and compliance with tax obligations.
- If joining a cooperative or partnership: Relevant registration documents, tax filings, and proof of participation in the cooperative or company.
Documents related to the company’s legal form
| Applicant Type | Required Documents |
|---|---|
| Worker Cooperative Member | – Deed & Bylaws of the cooperative (registered) – Cooperative registration with Social Security – Certificate of incorporation as a worker-member (if joining an existing cooperative) |
| Company Partner | – Deed & Bylaws (registered with Commercial Registry) – Social Security registration proof – Previous year’s Corporate Tax Return (if active) – Census Registration (Alta Censal) with Tax Agency |
| Self-Employed Professional | – Signed commercial contract with the company (if activity is tied to an existing business) |
| Partner in Partnership or Civil Society | – Incorporation deed (public or private) – Social Security registration – Economic proof (Model 130 or 131 tax forms + IRPF declaration of all partners for last year) |
| Collaborating Family Member | – ID of family member owner – Municipal registration certificate (volante de convivencia) – Legalized proof of family relationship – Activity declaration by family member owner – Alta Censal + IRPF forms from last year |
| Applicant Type | Required Documents |
| Worker Cooperative Member | – Deed & Bylaws of the cooperative (registered) – Cooperative registration with Social Security – Certificate of incorporation as a worker-member (if joining an existing cooperative) |
| Company Partner | – Deed & Bylaws (registered with Commercial Registry) – Social Security registration proof – Previous year’s Corporate Tax Return (if active) – Census Registration (Alta Censal) with Tax Agency |
How to Apply for the Spain Self Employed Work Permit
This is a step-by-step overview of the process for applying for the Spain Freelance Visa.
- Submit the application: As a self-employed person, you must apply in person at the consular office (Spanish Consulate) in your country of residence. The consular office will forward your application to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which will send it to the Spanish immigration authorities for processing.
- File review and resolution: The Spanish immigration authorities will review your application and supporting documents. This process can take up to three months, but the authorities may request additional documents during this period.
- Pay the visa fee: The visa fee is an amount equivalent to 80 euros. For nationals of Australia, Bangladesh, Canada, the United States of America, and the United Kingdom, different rates are applied for reciprocity reasons. In these cases, the fee amount must be consulted with the Consular Office.
- Visa processing and entry into Spain: Once your application is approved, the consular office will notify you. You can then apply for your visa, which is processed within 1 month and is valid for 3 months. Upon receiving your visa, you can travel to Spain. Present your visa at border control to get your entry stamp.
- Get a National Insurance Number (NIE): Visit the local immigration office to obtain your Spanish NIE. Submit the EX-07 form along with your passport to receive your NIE immediately.
- Register with the Tax Authorities (IAE): Go to the local Tax Agency office. Complete the model 036 or 037 forms and bring your NIE, passport (with a copy), and bank account details.
- Register for Social Security (RETA): Within 30 days of tax registration, visit any Social Security office. Register under the RETA (Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers) to start self-employment in Spain.
- Open a bank account: Opening a Spanish bank account is essential for Social Security registration and contributions. Provide proof of identification, address, NIE number, and proof of self-employment to open the account.
- Apply for a residence permit: Apply for a residence permit within 30 days after registering for Social Security. For stays of 3-6 months, apply for a residence card; for longer stays, apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE).
- Obtain a business license (Licencia de Apertura): If your business operates on public property, get a Licencia de Apertura from the local town hall. The town hall will verify all details. Be prepared to pay fees and submit required documents.
- Social security registration: Ensure your registration with the social security system is completed within 3 months of entering Spain to officially start your self-employed work.
- Register your address (Empadronamiento): Register your official address (Empadronamiento) at the local city council.
- Get your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE): Once in Spain, apply for your TIE at the local police station to complete the process.
Spain Freelance Visa Application Timeline
The Spain freelance visa process usually takes about 3 to 6 months. This includes the time needed to gather your documents, apply for the visa, and get a work or residency permit if required.
How much does the Self Employed Visa Spain cost?
A Spain Freelance Visa in Spain usually costs about 80 euros. The exact fee might be a bit different depending on your nationality, so it’s a good idea to check with an immigration expert for the right information.
How long is the Spain Self Employed Visa valid for?
The Spain Self-Employed Visa is initially valid for 1 year. After that, you can apply for renewals.
- First Renewal: After the first year, the visa can be renewed for two more years.
- Subsequent Renewals: After 20th May 2025, another renewable will be for four years. Once you’ve held the visa for five years, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Spain, provided you meet the conditions.
Spain Self Employed Visa Renewal
To renew the Spain Self-Employed Visa, you must apply for renewal 60 days before or 90 days after your current self-employed visa expires. The renewal application is submitted to the Oficina de Extranjería (Immigration Office) in your province.
- Requirements: To renew your Spain Self-Employed Visa, you must prove that you have continued to work and operate your business legally, paid social security contributions as an autónomo, paid taxes in Spain, and have sufficient income to support yourself and your family if included.
- Duration of Renewal: The first renewal grants 2 years of residency. Further renewals will be granted for 2 years until you reach 5 years in total. After 5 years, you may apply for permanent residency in Spain.
- Decision time: The Immigration Office takes 3 months to process a renewal.
Paying Taxes on the Spanish Self-Employed Work Permit
If you have a Spain Self employed Visa, you become a tax resident if you stay in Spain for more than 183 days a year, run a business or work there, or if your spouse and children live in Spain.
This means you must pay personal income tax on all the money you earn worldwide, as required by the Spanish Tax Authority. However, Spain may have agreements with your country to avoid being taxed twice on the same income.
If you invest in things like company shares and make a profit, you will need to pay capital gains tax. Also, if you buy a home, there may be extra taxes related to the purchase.
Living in Spain Overview
Spain ranks first on the Global Digital Nomad Index, making it a top destination for freelancers and remote workers. The ranking is based on factors like remote work laws, cost of living, quality of life, taxes, and visa conditions. With reliable internet, affordable cities, and a welcoming lifestyle, Spain remains a leading choice for digital nomads.
- Capital: Madrid
- Form of government: Unitary parliamentary monarchy
- Population: 47.08 million
- Climate: Generally Mediterranean
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Euro (€)
Living in Spain as a remote worker
- Quality of Life Index ranking: 9th
- Average cost of living: €712/month for a single person (excluding rent); city center rent €800–€1,200
- Internet speed: Average 133.66 Mbps
- Visa benefits ranking: 1st
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