Spain Work Visa

Overview

Spain’s Work Visa, officially the Self-Employment Work Visa (Visado de trabajo por cuenta propia), allows non-EU nationals to obtain a residence and work permit by submitting a viable business plan and demonstrating sufficient financial means to support the proposed activity and living costs. It is designed for those who want to work independently — freelancers, entrepreneurs, or business owners.

The application follows a two-stage process. The first stage involves professional and business approval in Spain, including ATA approval based on the business plan. ATA (Asociación de Trabajadores Autónomos) is a Spanish association of self-employed workers that supports and assesses business and self-employment applications, including business plan validation for residency purposes.

The second stage consists of submitting the residence visa application through the Spanish diplomatic mission and BLS International, which acts as the administrative intermediary between visa applicants and Spanish embassies or consulates. The application process typically takes 6–9 months, depending on BLS and embassy appointment availability. Applicants must demonstrate:

Family Inclusion

Children under 18 years of age may be included in the main application. The spouse/partner and other eligible family members may apply for residency after one year of the main applicant’s residence.

This route provides a long-term pathway toward permanent residency and Spanish citizenship, subject to statutory requirements.

Eligibility

Spain’s Self-Employment Work Visa applicants must be non-EU nationals, have a valid passport and demonstrate:

A viable business or franchise plan
Relevant education or professional experience
Sufficient financial means, including a minimum of €30,000 for the main applicant and €10,000 for each family member, covering investment capital and one year of living expenses
Proof of funds, criminal record certificate, and other relevant documentation.

Residence Permit Validity

Successful applicants receive an initial residence permit valid for one year, which is renewable for up to four additional years, provided they comply with Spanish immigration requirements.

Benefits

Legal Residency & Work Rights

Live and work in Spain legally while running your own business or franchise.

Access to European Markets

A business established in Spain provides access to the European Union market and opportunities for regional expansion.

Visa-free Travel

A Spanish residence permit allows visa-free travel to other Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

High Quality of Life

Spain offers a high standard of living, a favorable climate, excellent private healthcare, strong education options, and a diverse cultural lifestyle. Automatic enrolment in the Spanish Social Security system, subject to statutory contributions.

Pathway to Long-Term Residency

Permanent residency in Spain is obtainable after 5 years of continuous legal residence, with eligibility for Spanish citizenship after five additional years, subject to statutory requirements.

Flexible Investment Options

Applicants may start a new business or invest in an approved franchise, offering flexibility for different entrepreneurial profiles.

Investment Options and Applicable Fees

Spain Work Visa applicants may establish their presence in Spain either by developing an independent business concept or by investing in an approved franchise model, subject to eligibility and regulatory requirements. The selected business structure determines the overall investment framework and applicable professional service fees.

For franchise-based businesses such as VTC, BFT, Lawash, and Emapanda, the following pricing structure applies. Reservation fee is non-refundable.

Main Applicant	€13,500
Spouse	€2,500
Child/ren	€2,500
Reservation Fee	€4,500 (€5,780 for Lawash)

Visa fees

Per Person	€90
Service Fee	€15

Additional Fees

Translation of the Bank Statement (Approximately)	€60
Manipulador	€20
ATA Tax (Approximately)	€100
F790 052 Form Filing	€10
F790 062 Form Filing	€205

Application Process

Step 1: Internal Due Diligence & Eligibility Assessment

Bayat Group’s compliance team conducts an internal due diligence review, including background screening, KYC documentation preparation, source of funds assessment, and an initial eligibility and qualification review for the Spain Work Visa route.

Step 2: Business Structuring & Legal Preparation

The applicant signs a retainer agreement with Bayat Group and works with its legal team to structure the business or franchise model. This stage includes preparation of the business plan, legal consultations, review of professional qualifications, and collection of required documentation for ATA approval.

Step 3: ATA Approval in Spain

An application is submitted to the Asociación de Trabajadores Autónomos (ATA) for business and self-employment approval. This stage includes submission of the business plan, franchise contract (if applicable), proof of financial means, and sector-specific requirements. Estimated timeframe: 1–2 months.

Step 4: Visa & Residence Application Submission

Following ATA approval, the residence visa application is submitted through the Spanish diplomatic mission via BLS International. This stage includes biometric submission, legalized and translated personal documents, medical and criminal records, and payment of applicable government fees.

Step 5: Visa Decision & Residence Permit Issuance

Once approved, the applicant receives the Spanish residence visa and proceeds with entry into Spain. The residence permit is issued in accordance with Spanish immigration regulations. In the event of a refusal, applicants are entitled to file an administrative appeal or pursue judicial review within the prescribed legal timeframes.