NEXO Spain

Autorización inicial de residencia temporal y trabajo por cuenta propia

Get an initial self-employed work residence authorization

Get permission to live in Spain and carry out a viable self-employed activity under the general immigration regime.

Who it is for
Non-EU citizens
Legal deadline
consular and post-approval timelines apply
How long it takes
case-dependent; viability and later visa/registration steps affect timing
Cost
current government and visa fees
Where
Online or in person · Spanish consulate / immigration authority

Steps

  1. Confirm the proposed activity is lawful, viable and that the applicant has any professional qualification/licence required for it.inclusion.gob.es
  2. Prepare the project/activity plan, investment/resources and evidence showing the activity can be established and sustained.inclusion.gob.es
  3. File through the competent consular/immigration route, then complete tax and Social Security registrations after authorization when required.inclusion.gob.es

That is the whole procedure

If you would rather go through yours with someone, describe it to NEXO first. You will find out what applies to you, and whether you need a person.

What to bring

  • EX-07 and identity/travel documents.inclusion.gob.es
  • Activity/business plan and evidence of sufficient investment/resources appropriate to the project.inclusion.gob.es
  • Professional qualification, licence or authorization where the activity requires it.inclusion.gob.es

What the official sources say

The current form for the initial general-regime self-employed authorization is EX-07, not EX-05.inclusion.gob.es

The official procedure evaluates whether the investment/resources and project are sufficient for the planned activity; it does not publish a universal €10,000–€50,000 minimum.inclusion.gob.es

Immigration authorization and later AEAT/TGSS business registration are separate legal steps.inclusion.gob.es

What we see in practice

NEXO's own observations. They are not official information and carry no source.

  • “Strong business plan” should mean evidence answering the official viability/investment test, not an arbitrary page count.Observed 2026-09-22
  • Do not tell applicants to pre-register with AEAT/TGSS as a universal immigration prerequisite.Observed 2026-09-22

Questions people ask

How much capital do I need?

There is no universal published minimum for this route; the resources must be sufficient for the actual activity.inclusion.gob.es

Do I need a business plan?

You need evidence that establishes the project's viability and required investment/resources; the official procedure determines the content needed.inclusion.gob.es

Do I register as autónomo first?

Do not assume so. Immigration approval and tax/Social Security registration have their own sequencing.inclusion.gob.es

What gets it refused or delayed

  • The activity is not viable, required licences/qualifications are missing, or available resources are insufficient for the project.inclusion.gob.es

Does any of this sound like you?

  • The profession is regulated, the project financing/source is complex, or viability/eligibility is not clear from the official criteria.

Cases like these need an immigration lawyer. Describe yours to NEXO first, so you know what to ask and what to bring.

Checked by Ivan Pereira on 2026-09-22. Information, not legal advice.

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