Startup and Innovative Project
A residence for a project that creates economic value for Spain and contains genuine innovation. A large budget does not replace strong logic in product, team and market.
Read in orderThe law has no universal minimum investment amount or number of jobs. The project is assessed as a whole: the founder's profile, the business plan, funding, innovativeness and the added value for the Spanish economy.
When the routemakes sense
- The project contains product, technology or business-model innovation.
- The founder can explain their own role and relevant experience.
- There is a realistic market, funding and a development plan in Spain.
- Spain gains clear added value: knowledge, investment or employment.
- The team is ready to back its assumptions with figures and documents.
What ENISA actually assesses
The review starts with the applicant's profile and their involvement in the project. Then it looks at the problem, the product or service, the market, the business model, funding and the implementation plan. The effect on the Spanish economy is assessed separately.
Innovation need not be a scientific invention, but it must be concrete. The phrase "a unique AI-based platform" without explaining the technology, the data and the advantage sounds weaker than an honestly described process with proven pilots.
Here the business plan works as evidence
The document must let an independent reader understand what will be done in Spain, who is responsible for it and where the money comes from. The financial model is linked to the roadmap, and the team's experience to the project's tasks.
If the project has several founders, the involvement of each is shown. Investment, letters of intent, a prototype, sales or pilots strengthen the case only when they are consistent with each other.
- the problem and the verifiable value of the product
- the market, competitors and the go-to-market approach
- the applicant's role and the team's competencies
- funding and realistic costs
- the contribution to the economy and activity in Spain
Immigration does not replace launching the company
A positive project assessment and a residence permit do not register a legal entity, open a bank account or fulfil tax obligations. These actions form a separate operational plan.
The family may accompany the applicant when the conditions are met. Their documents and funds are prepared in parallel, so that the project part does not overshadow the ordinary requirements for the applicant.
A working set ofdocuments
Not a universal list but a framework. The exact set depends on your nationality, the place of filing, your family and the facts of your case.
- 01
passport and general applicant documents
- 02
a criminal record certificate and medical coverage
- 03
CV, diplomas and evidence of the founder's experience
- 04
a business plan and a financial model
- 05
prototypes, pilots, contracts or letters of intent
- 06
proof of project funding and of housing
- 07
corporate documents of existing companies
- 08
family documents, translations and legalisation
The order of work
Each next step begins only after the previous one has been verified.
- 01
Project test
We check where exactly the innovation lies and what interest the project creates for Spain.
- 02
Gathering the facts
We confirm experience, product, market, pilots, money and the role of each founder.
- 03
Business dossier
We link the text, the financial model and the annexes into one verifiable document.
- 04
ENISA and UGE
We submit the project and immigration parts in the right sequence.
- 05
Launch
After the decision we set up registration, banking, taxes, social insurance and reporting.
Where a case breaks
Innovation only in adjectives
The words "revolutionary" and "unique" do not show how the product differs and do not replace facts.
The figures live on their own
The financial model must follow from the team, the sales plan and real costs.
The project is not linked to Spain
You must explain why the activity is developed specifically here and what value it leaves in the country.
Short answers
If the answer changes with a single fact, that is not a detail — it is a reason to review the situation separately.
01Do I need to invest a fixed amount?
The official UGE page states directly that there is no universal minimum for investment or job creation. But the sources of funding and the viability of the project are assessed.
02Can I submit a project at the idea stage?
An early stage is possible, but then the team's experience, market research, a prototype or other evidence of feasibility are especially important.
03Can there be several co-founders?
Yes. The involvement of each is assessed, including those who do not need their own immigration authorisation.
04Does the family get the right to work?
For accompanying family members under the Ley 14/2013 regime, the permit usually includes the right to work. The family composition and documents are checked individually.
Check before filing
The file was updated from official materials in July 2026. Specific amounts, forms and practice may change.