Entrepreneur visa routes in Kingdom of Spain
Thinking about Kingdom of Spain as a place to work? Below are the 3 Kingdom of Spain visa routes that most commonly fit entrepreneurs, with what each one needs and a link to the official government source. Always confirm the current rules on the primary source before acting.
Also searched as: startup founder, business owner, company director.
What this means for entrepreneurs
Of the 3 Kingdom of Spain routes that commonly fit entrepreneurs, 0 need a sponsoring employer and 3 do not, and 3 can lead to permanent residence. Entrepreneurs are not usually a licensed profession, so your main gates are securing a qualifying job offer where a route needs a sponsor, and meeting any salary or points threshold, rather than re-credentialing.
The most-used skilled route into Kingdom of Spain overall is the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit; it is not specific to entrepreneurs but is worth understanding as the benchmark route.
Typical figures — Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
4 weeks – 3 months
1–3 months consular. Consulate-specific variance is large (Madrid 1–2 months; some Latin American posts 2–4 months).
Verified 1 June 2026 · Portal de Inmigración — Non-lucrative residence →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival → permanent residence (5 years) → citizenship (10 years for most nationalities; 2 for Latin American).
Leads to Residencia de Larga Duración, then Spanish citizenship.
Routes that fit entrepreneurs
Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
Residence visa for financially self-sufficient non-EEA nationals not planning to work in Spain.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Initial 1 year; renewable for 2-year periods; leads to permanent residence after 5 years.
Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013)
Residence permit for founders establishing an innovative business in Spain under the Entrepreneurs' Law.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Initial 3 years; renewable.
Spain Golden Visa (ending April 2025)
Residence-by-investment route announced to end on 3 April 2025; residual queries reference historical rules.
No sponsor needed · Leads to settlement · Closed to new property-based applications from 3 April 2025.
Figures by route
Verified salary floor and processing window per matched route, each primary-sourced. Indicative, not legal advice.
| Route | Salary floor | Processing | Settlement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) | — | 4 weeks – 3 months | Yes |
| Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013) | — | 3 weeks – 2 months | Yes |
| Spain Golden Visa (ending April 2025) | — | — | Yes |
Frequently asked questions
Which visa routes suit entrepreneurs moving to Kingdom of Spain?+
Kingdom of Spain has 3 routes that commonly fit entrepreneurs: Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV), Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013), Spain Golden Visa (ending April 2025). The best fit depends on whether you already have an employer sponsor, your salary, and your qualifications — open any route below for its full eligibility criteria and primary government source.
Do entrepreneurs need a job offer to move to Kingdom of Spain?+
Not always. 3 of the 3 matched Kingdom of Spain routes can be pursued without an employer sponsoring you (such as the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)), while 0 need a sponsoring employer or a confirmed job offer. If you do not yet have an offer, start with the no-sponsor routes.
Can entrepreneurs settle permanently in Kingdom of Spain?+
Yes. 3 of the 3 matched routes lead toward settlement or permanent residence. Permanent-residence timelines vary by route, so check the settlement detail on each visa page.
How long does the Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV) take to process?+
The typical published decision window is 4 weeks – 3 months (Portal de Inmigración — Non-lucrative residence, verified 1 June 2026).