Self-employment — cuenta propia
The right to work for yourself is arranged as a modification of your current status: a year of lawful residence, a business plan with a positive assessment and registration as autónomo after approval.
Who it suits
- You have lived in Spain on a valid permit for at least a year.
- You want to start your own business or work as an autónomo.
- You already work with clients and want to make it lawful.
- You are ready to prove the project is viable, not merely intended.
What you will have to prove
- A year of lawful residence in Spain by the time of filing.
- A business plan with figures and a positive assessment from an authorised body.
- Start-up funds and evidence of where they come from.
- Professional qualifications or a licence where the activity requires them.
- Paid government fees and no tax or social security debts.
- After approval — registration as autónomo.
How the work goes
Status assessment 45 minutes
We check whether your current status qualifies for a modification and when the right to file arises.
Business plan from 3 weeks
We prepare the plan with figures and obtain the assessment.
Filing 1 day
We file online with our digital signature.
Review up to 3 months
We handle correspondence and answer additional requests.
Autónomo and TIE 15–25 days
Tax and social security registration, fingerprints, card.
Length, renewal and the path to permanent residence
- First permit
- Up to two years.
- Renewal
- Renewed while the activity runs and the contributions are paid.
- Permanent residence
- Five years of continuous residence open permanent residence; years on the previous status count.
How it differs from the other programmes
This is not an entry programme: you cannot move to Spain on it. You first need a status that gives a year of lawful residence — Digital Nomad or a student visa, for example — and the modification is filed from there.
Compare all the programmesWhat we do
Request a call- We check whether your year of residence counts and whether the right to file is at risk.
- We run the business plan through to a positive assessment.
- We file and answer requests; if refused, we prepare the appeal.
- We help with the autónomo registration right after approval.
Frequently asked questions
Does a student status qualify as a basis?
How much money is needed?
Who issues the assessment of the business plan?
Can I combine it with employment?
Current as of 13 August 2026
Other programmes
Digital Nomad permit
Remote employees and freelancers working for companies outside Spain.
Learn moreNo lucrativa permit
Those living on savings or passive income who do not plan to work.
Learn moreHighly qualified & EU Blue Card
Qualified professionals with a contract from a Spanish company.
Learn moreStudent visa
Those coming to study — language courses, for example.
Learn moreFamily members
Those joining a Spanish resident or a citizen of Spain or an EU country.
Learn moreTell us about your situation
We reply within one business day and suggest a time for the review. A case review costs €100 and counts towards the service.