Spain’s Large Companies Unit (UGE): role and requirements
Before starting the procedure: requirements and procedures may change. Check the information applicable to your case and consult the relevant official sources.
The Golden Visa (investor visa) was abolished on 3 April 2025 by Organic Law 1/2025. Since that date, no new residence applications based on real estate or financial investment have been accepted. Holders of Golden Visas already granted and applications submitted before that date may still renew under the previous regulations.
What is the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit?
The UGE-CE is a body established in 2007, under the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, specializing in the management of residence and work authorizations provided for under Law 14/2013 on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization.
Unlike provincial Immigration Offices, which handle most standard residence permits, the UGE-CE is specifically designed for profiles with high economic value: highly qualified professionals, entrepreneurs, researchers, workers posted within multinational companies and artists. The process is centralized, entirely online and has much shorter processing times.
Its legal basis is Law 14/2013, of 27 September (as amended by Organic Law 1/2025), supplemented by the Immigration Regulations (Royal Decree 557/2011) and various ministerial orders for specific groups.
What authorizations does the UGE-CE process?
The UGE-CE manages the following types of authorization (as of April 2025, excluding the real estate investor visa):
Foreign nationals who wish to develop an innovative business project of particular economic interest to Spain. A favourable report from ENISA or an equivalent body confirming the project’s innovative nature is required.
Workers with an advanced university degree or at least 3 years of experience in the role, duly documented. The Spanish company hiring them must meet certain size or sector criteria.
Scientists and academics who will carry out training, research, development and innovation activities at Spanish public or private entities.
Executives, specialists and technical staff at multinational companies who are transferred to the Spanish subsidiary. They must have been with the corporate group for at least 3 months.
Professionals who work remotely for companies or clients outside Spain (digital nomads). They must provide evidence of an employment contract or professional relationship with a foreign company and sufficient financial means.
Foreign artists, technicians and professionals who will work in the audiovisual sector or perform artistic activities before an audience in Spain for a period of more than 180 days.
All UGE-CE authorizations also allow applicants to bring their family members with them at the same time: a spouse or registered partner, minor children or dependent adult children, and dependent ascendants.
Advantages over the standard immigration process
| UGE-CE | Standard immigration process | |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time | 20 days | 3 months or more |
| National employment situation | Not required | Must be demonstrated |
| Applying from Spain | Yes (no prior visa required) | Generally, from the country of origin |
| Initial duration | 3 years | 1–2 years |
| Family included | Yes, in the same application | Subsequent family reunification |
| Processing | 100% online | In person or online, depending on the case |
General requirements for applying for a UGE-CE authorization
Although each type of authorization has its own specific requirements, all applicants must meet the following common requirements:
Citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland do not need a residence authorization.
It must cover the entire period of the requested authorization.
From your country of origin and any countries where you have lived during the past 5 years. It must bear a Hague Apostille and, if it is not in Spanish, be translated by a sworn translator.
Generally, 400% of the IPREM for the main applicant (~2.000 €/month) and 100% of the IPREM for each family member included in the application.
It must provide coverage equivalent to Spain’s Social Security system: full hospitalisation and no co-payments. This requirement is particularly relevant for entrepreneurs and remote workers.
Employment contract, university degree, business plan with an ENISA report, intra-corporate transfer letter, etc., depending on the type of authorization.
How to submit an application to the UGE-CE
The entire process is completed entirely online through the Ministry of Inclusion’s online portal. You need a digital certificate or must apply through an authorised representative.
Go to inclusion.gob.es/web/unidadgrandesempresas using your digital certificate. From there, you can submit your initial application, attach documents, provide missing or corrected documents, apply for renewals and check your application status.
Each type of authorization has its own form, available in the UGE applications section. Complete it with all the details of the applicant and the position or activity.
Documents must be in PDF format and must not exceed 5 MB each. Foreign documents must bear a Hague Apostille and be translated by a sworn translator if they are not in Spanish.
UGE-CE authorizations have their own fees, separate from the 790-026 citizenship fee. The amount varies depending on the type of authorization. The form is available on the UGE website.
The maximum statutory decision period is 20 working days. If you are asked to provide missing or corrected documents, you will receive a notification through the online portal and have 10 working days to submit them.
Positive administrative silence: if 20 working days pass without an express decision, the application is deemed to have been approved. This is a genuine advantage over standard immigration procedures, where administrative silence may result in a refusal.
Golden Visa: What changed in 2025
This is the most significant change at the UGE-CE in recent years. Organic Law 1/2025, published on 3 January 2025 and in force since 3 April 2025, repealed Articles 63 to 67 of Law 14/2013, which regulated the residence visa for investors (the well-known Golden Visa).
| Situation | What happens? |
|---|---|
| New applications (from 3 April 2025) | They are not accepted. The investor scheme has been abolished. |
| Applications submitted before 3 April 2025 | They continue to be processed under the regulations in force on the date of submission. |
| Golden Visas already granted | They remain valid until their expiry date. |
| Golden Visa renewals | They are processed under the regulations in force when the initial permit was granted. The UGE-CE accepts all renewal applications. |
The end of the Golden Visa does not close the door to international talent or capital. Authorizations for entrepreneurs, highly qualified professionals and international remote workers remain fully in force and continue to be processed by the UGE-CE with the same benefits.
If you have an active Golden Visa and are going to renew it, the timing of your renewal is critical. You must prove that the conditions of the original investment remain in place (ownership of the property, financial investments, etc.). We recommend seeking specialist advice before submitting your renewal application to the UGE-CE.
Contact and UGE-CE online portal
Since 2020, the UGE-CE has not handled enquiries in person or by phone. All communication takes place online.
inclusion.gob.es/web/unidadgrandesempresas
All applications are submitted here, and you can check your application status.
Enquiries must be sent by email using the contact form on the online portal. Enquiries are not handled by phone.
Plaza de la Remonta, 8
28039 Madrid
No in-person service is available.
Do you have questions about your UGE-CE authorization?
Our lawyers specializing in immigration can advise you on the most suitable route for your situation and handle your application.
Frequently asked questions about the UGE-CE
Official sources
This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional legal advice or information provided by the competent authorities.
