Spain

Investors

See Law 14/2013.

Non-resident foreign nationals intending to enter Spain for the purpose of making a significant capital investment may apply for a stay visa or, where applicable, a residence visa for investors.

Capital investments meeting any of the following criteria shall be considered significant:

a) An initial investment with a value equal to or greater than € 2 million in Spanish government debt securities, or a value equal to or greater than € 1 million in stocks or shares of Spanish companies, or of bank deposits in Spanish financial institutions.
b) The purchase of property in Spain with an investment value equal to or greater than € 500,000 per applicant.
c) A business project intended to be carried out in Spain that is deemed to be in the general interest and accredited as such, in which case it will be assessed for compliance with at least one of the following conditions:
1. Job creation.
2. The investment will have a relevant socio-economic impact in the geographical area in which the activity will be carried out.

Significant contribution to scientific and/or technological innovation.

Entrepreneurs

See Law 14/2013.

Entry and stay for starting a business: Foreign nationals may apply for a visa to enter and stay in Spain for a one-year period for the sole or primary purpose of making prior arrangements for operating a business.

The visa holders referred to in the preceding paragraph may obtain access to entrepreneurial residence section without the need to apply for a visa and with no minimum prior residence period when it can be demonstrated that the business activity for which the visa was requested was effectively begun previously.

Residence for entrepreneurs: Foreign nationals seeking to enter Spain or holding a residence or stay permit or visa and wish to start up, develop and manage a business activity as entrepreneurs may obtain a business residence permit that is valid across the country.

Applicants must meet the general requirements of Article 62 and the legal requirements for starting up the activity, which are set out in the relevant sectoral regulations.

Intra-corporate transferee residence

See Law 14/2013.

Foreign nationals moving to Spain as part of a professional or employment relationship, or for professional training purposes, with a company or group of companies established in Spain or in another country must have obtained the relevant visa for the duration of the transfer and a residence permit for intra-firm transfer, which will be valid throughout Spain.

Intra-firm transfers of groups of professionals: Companies or groups of companies that meet the requirements set out in point a) of Article 71 may apply for collective permit processing, which will entail the planned management of a time-based quota of permits submitted by the company or group of companies.

Investors

Foreign investors wishing to reside in Spain for more than one year may obtain a residence permit for investors, which is valid throughout national territory. To apply for a residence permit for investors, the applicant shall meet the following requirements, in addition to the general requirements listed in Article 62:

Be the holder of a valid residence visa for investors or one that expired not more than ninety calendar days previously.
Have travelled to Spain at least once during his or her authorised residence period.
The investors of financial investments must demonstrate that he or she has maintained the investment of a value not less than the required minimum:
1. In the case of unlisted shares or holdings, a notarised certificate must be furnished stating that the investor has maintained ownership. The certificate must be dated within the 30 days prior to the filing of the application.
2. In the case of investments in listed shares, a certificate from a financial institution must be submitted stating that the applicant has maintained an investment.
3. For investments in government debt securities, the investor must submit a certificate from a financial institution or the Bank of Spain confirming the maintenance.
4. For bank deposit investments, the investor must submit a certificate from the financial institution confirming the maintenance or increase in the deposit during the prior reference period.
The investors of properties, must provide evidence that the investor owns the property for the minimum amount required (€ 500,000). For this purpose, he or she must furnish the relevant certificate or certificates of ownership from the Land Register for the property or properties, which must be dated within 90 days prior to the filing of the application.
In the case of the business project, the applicant must furnish a favourable report from the Directorate General for Trade and Investment, from the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness, confirming that the project remains in the general interest as initially accredited.
Compliance with taxation and social security obligations.

Entrepreneurs

Entrepreneurial activity is taken to mean any innovative activity of special economic interest to Spain that, as such, has obtained a favourable report from the competent Central Government agency.

The assessment gives priority and special consideration to the creation of jobs in Spain. The following will also be taken into account:

The professional profile of the applicant;
The business plan, including the product, service or market analysis and financing;
The added value for the Spanish economy, innovation or investment opportunities.

Intra-corporate transferee residence

In addition to the general requirements of Article 60 of Law 14/2013, the following requirements must be met:

The existence of an actual business activity and, where applicable, activity of the business group;
Higher education qualification or equivalent, or, where applicable, a minimum of three years’ professional experience;
A prior and continuous professional or employment relationship over three months with one or more of the group companies;
Documentation of the company accrediting the transfer.

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