Self-employment in Spain
Authorization to settle in Spain and carry out your own professional, commercial or business activity. Find out about the project requirements, investment, licences, EX-07, fees, visa and renewal.
You submit the application for the initial authorization yourself. Unlike employed work, you do not need a Spanish company to submit an EX-03 to hire you. You must demonstrate that your own activity meets the requirements and is viable.
What is a self-employment work permit?
This is a temporary residence and work authorization for a foreign national who does not reside in Spain and intends to pursue a self-employed, income-generating activity.
Your own activity
This may be a professional, commercial or business activity, provided it meets the applicable requirements.
Form EX-07
The foreign national must submit the initial application in person.
Application from abroad
The standard initial application is processed through the Spanish Consular Office responsible for the applicant’s place of residence.
Requirements for self-employment
Not be subject to the rules applicable to EU citizens.
Not be in Spain irregularly.
Have no criminal record in Spain or in the countries where you have lived during the previous five years.
Not be subject to an entry ban in territories where this condition applies.
Not be subject to a commitment to return where applicable.
Not pose a threat to public order, security or public health.
Meet the opening and operating requirements imposed by Spanish regulations for the planned activity.
Have the necessary qualifications or experience and, where applicable, obtain official recognition of qualifications or membership of a professional body.
Demonstrate that the investment is sufficient to set up the project.
Explain the project’s impact on job creation, including the applicant’s own self-employment.
Pay the fees applicable to the procedure.
Business plan and investment for self-employment
It is not enough to say that you want to become self-employed. You must show that the activity can be established and that the planned investment is sufficient for the project.
There is no single figure for everyone
The amount required depends on the activity. The regulations require you to show that the planned investment is sufficient to set up the specific project.
It must be possible to open and operate legally
You need to identify the permits, licences, notifications or professional requirements needed to carry out the activity.
Self-employment is also taken into account
The impact on job creation may include the job the applicant creates for themselves.
Specialist reports may be submitted
Document 14 allows, among other forms of evidence, assessment reports issued by recognised self-employed workers’ organisations.
Licences, permits and responsible declaration
The documents required vary depending on the business or profession you intend to pursue.
Premises of up to 750 m²
For certain activities covered by Law 12/2012 carried out in permanent establishments of up to 750 m², the relevant responsible declaration or prior notification may be submitted.
Required permits and licences
You must list the permits or licences required for the installation, opening, operation or professional practice, and state the status of each application.
Qualifications and professional registration
If required for the profession, you must provide evidence of the relevant training and of the homologation or recognition of your qualification and, where applicable, professional registration.
Documents for Form EX-07
Duly completed and signed Form EX-07 .
Full passport or valid travel document.
Criminal record certificate from the countries where you have lived during the five years preceding your entry into Spain.
Licences, permits, responsible declarations or prior notifications as required for the activity.
Documents proving professional training and qualifications where required.
Evidence of the planned investment and its adequacy to launch the project.
Documents about the project and its impact on employment.
Foreign documents: may require a sworn translation, legalisation or Hague Apostille, unless an international exemption applies.
How to apply for self-employment
Define your activity
Decide what activity you will carry out, where you will carry it out, and what administrative and professional requirements apply.
Prepare your project and investment
Provide evidence that you have sufficient resources to start operating the business.
Complete Form EX-07
Attach your passport, criminal record certificates, licences, qualifications and project documents.
Apply in person at the consulate
You must submit your initial application to the Spanish Consular Office responsible for your place of residence.
Pay the fees
The fee is incurred when the application is submitted and must be paid within the official time limit.
Wait for the decision
The maximum period for deciding on the initial authorization is three months.
Apply for and collect your visa
If the authorization is granted, you have one month to apply for the visa in person.
Enter Spain and register with Social Security
Within three months of entering Spain, you must be registered with Social Security, enrolled in the system and making contributions.
Apply for your TIE
You must apply for the card in person within one month of registering with Social Security.
Initial temporary residence and employed and/or self-employment authorization.
Self-employment authorization, where applicable based on its duration.
Time limit stated in Information Sheet 14.
This is the duration of the initial self-employment authorization.
The initial authorization is limited to one autonomous community.
The initial authorization is also limited to the approved sector of activity.
Renewal of self-employment authorization
Not every renewal case has to correspond exactly to the same situation. The Regulations provide for several alternatives.
You continue the activity
You can renew your authorization if you continue the activity on which it was based and have met your tax and Social Security obligations.
A family member’s financial means
Renewal may be possible if a family member eligible for family reunification has the financial means required to sponsor you.
Cessation of activity
You may also qualify if you receive benefits for cessation of activity.
Economically dependent self-employed worker
Interruption or termination of the contract for reasons beyond the self-employed worker’s control is covered.
Gender-based or sexual violence
The rules specifically cover certain situations affecting an economically dependent self-employed woman.
Public benefits
Certain contributory or means-tested benefits intended to support social or labour-market integration may also be relevant to renewal.
The renewed authorization is valid for 4 years and is no longer limited to self-employment
The renewed authorization allows you to work as a self-employed person or as an employee, anywhere in Spain and in any sector.
Integration efforts: if you cannot prove one of the required criteria, Instruction Sheet 15 provides for a positive report on your integration efforts issued by the autonomous community to be submitted for assessment.
Self-employment or employment
You carry out the activity
You must provide evidence of the relevant business plan, investment, licences and qualifications.
EX-07A company wants to hire you
The employer submits the initial application, and specific requirements apply to the employment contract and the national employment situation.
See employed work options →Another route may apply
The standard initial self-employment authorization is intended for a person who is not resident in Spain. If you are already in Spain, check whether a change of authorization, arraigo, or another applicable authorization may be available.
View residence options →Legislation and sources
The specific activity determines many of the licences, qualifications and investment you will need to demonstrate. Always check your situation against official sources.
Questions about self-employment
Which form is used for self-employment?
The initial residence and self-employment authorization uses form EX-07.
Who submits the application?
The foreign national must submit the initial application in person to the Spanish Consular Office corresponding to their place of residence.
Can I apply for this permit while already in Spain?
The standard initial self-employment authorization is intended for a foreign national who is not resident in Spain, and the application must be submitted at the consulate. If you are already in Spain, a change of authorization or a different type of authorization may apply.
How much money do I need to invest?
Information Sheet 14 does not set a single amount that applies to all businesses. It requires you to demonstrate that the planned investment is sufficient to launch the specific project.
Do I need to create jobs?
Where applicable, you must demonstrate the project's impact on job creation. The legislation itself states that self-employment also counts as job creation for these purposes.
Do I need to have all the licences before applying?
It depends on the activity. In certain cases, a responsible declaration or prior notification may be used. In other cases, you must identify the necessary licences and the status of the steps to obtain them.
How long does the Immigration Office take to decide?
The maximum processing time for the initial authorization is three months, and administrative silence is deemed to be a refusal.
How long is the initial permit valid?
The initial residence and self-employment authorization is valid for one year.
Does the initial permit allow me to work throughout Spain?
The initial authorization is limited to one autonomous-community region and one sector of activity.
How long is the renewed authorization valid for?
The renewed authorization is valid for four years, unless you are already eligible for long-term residence authorization.
After renewing, can I also work as an employee?
Yes. The renewed authorization allows you to work both as a self-employed person and as an employee, anywhere in Spain and in any sector.
What happens if I do not receive a response to my renewal application within three months?
For renewals, if three months pass without notification, the application may be deemed approved by administrative silence.
Make sure the business plan, investment and licences are consistent
The viability of your application depends on the specific activity you intend to carry out, not on a generic investment figure.