Spain’s startups and entrepreneur visa law

Key takeaways

• Spain has ended its Golden Visa programme as of April 2025, shifting the focus from property-based investment to innovation-driven immigration routes. Foreign entrepreneurs now have access to new opportunities through the Spain Startup Visa and Law 28/2022 (the Start-up Law).
• The Start-up Law offers major tax and residency advantages for certified “emerging companies”, including a reduced 15% Corporate Income Tax rate, stock-option incentives, and an updated Beckham Law that extends tax benefits to founders and remote workers.
• Delaguía & Luzón provides comprehensive support to entrepreneurs and investors, from business incorporation and start-up certification to visa applications and tax planning, helping clients establish and expand their business presence in Spain under the new legal framework.

Spain has recently transformed its immigration and tax landscape for foreign entrepreneurs and investors. 

The once-popular “Golden Visa” scheme has been abolished. In its place, the strengthened Law 28/2022 (the “Start-up Law”), together with other residence routes, offers a more modern pathway to establishing a business presence. 

This article explains what these changes mean in 2025, how non-EU founders and investors can leverage them, and practical steps to proceed.

The end of the Golden Visa and what it means

For many years, Spain’s “Golden Visa” programme (residence through investment) allowed non-EU nationals to gain Spanish residency by making qualifying investments (for example, real estate worth €500,000+). 

However, from 3 April 2025, Spain has formally ceased granting new residence permits under that investment route.

This shift means that anyone considering Spain as a base for a business or investment cannot rely on the simple “buy property, get residency” route anymore. 

Instead, attention turns to entrepreneur/innovator routes and the start-up law.

 

How Spain’s Start-up law (Law 28/2022) creates a new framework for founders and investors

The start-up law (enacted 21 December 2022) establishes a specific regulatory framework in Spain designed “to boost the creation and growth of innovative start-ups”.

Certification and status of “emerging companies”

Under the start-up law, companies that meet criteria for being “start-ups” or “emerging companies” can obtain certification and benefit from preferential tax, labour and administrative regimes.

This element is highly relevant for companies offering content-writing, translation, localisation, and AI-editing services.

Tax incentives and benefits

Incentive	Description
Reduced Corporate Income Tax (CIT)	Qualifying start-ups benefit from a reduced Corporate Income Tax rate of 15% compared to the general 25% rate, applicable during their initial profitable years.
Advance Tax Payment Exemption	Start-ups may be exempt from mandatory advance Corporate Income Tax payments during their first two years with a positive tax base.
Employee Stock-Option Plans	Employees of emerging companies can benefit from enhanced stock-option taxation rules, including higher exemption thresholds, encouraging international recruitment and retention.
Modernised Beckham Law (Impatriate Regime)	The Start-up Law reduces the required non-residency period from 10 years to 5 and extends eligibility to entrepreneurs and remote workers, enhancing Spain’s international talent appeal.

Visa and talent attraction measures

The Start-up Law in Spain also seeks to attract foreign talent and remote workers:

• Entrepreneurs can apply for a Spain startup visa to obtain residence as founders of certified start-ups.
• Remote work / digital-nomad visas are increasingly aligned with this innovation-friendly environment.

Entrepreneur and startup-founder routes in a post-golden visa world

With the investment-based Golden Visa gone, here are the main pathways to establish a business presence in Spain in 2025:

Entrepreneur Residence (based on Law 14/2013)

This route allows non-EU nationals to obtain residence authorisation for launching innovative projects regarded as of “economic interest”.

Steps and considerations:

1. Incorporate a Spanish company (for example, an SL).
2. Submit a business plan demonstrating innovation, job creation and market potential
3. Apply via the Spanish consulate (visa).
4. Once approved, you can obtain a residence permit and then renew/reside.

Digital-nomad and remote worker route

For founders or employees working mostly online (with clients outside Spain), Spain offers visa routes for remote work. 

One key requirement in many consulates is that Spanish-client revenue should not exceed 20% of total revenue.

Alternative: Highly-qualified professional or self-employed routes

If the above routes aren’t a perfect fit, you may use self-employment (autónomo) or be sponsored by a Spanish company. 

However, these lack the tax benefit punch of the Start-up Law and are more administratively heavy.

How to apply for a Spain startup visa and use the startup law: Step-by-step guide

1. Evaluate your business idea

Ensure your project is truly innovative and has a potential economic impact in Spain. It could involve technology, sustainability, digital services, or other sectors contributing to growth and employment.

Delaguía & Luzón can help assess whether your project meets the innovation requirements and prepare a professional business plan for submission.

2. Incorporate your company in Spain

Set up a Spanish company (SL), open a business bank account, and obtain your tax ID (NIF) and foreign ID number (NIE) for all founders.

Our team assists with company formation, document preparation, and tax registration.

3. Apply for start-up certification

Register your company as a certified start-up under Law 28/2022 through the national “Oficina Nacional del Emprendimiento” (ONE) portal.

4. Plan your tax structure

Take advantage of the reduced 15% Corporate Income Tax rate for certified start-ups and explore tax-efficient compensation options, such as employee stock-option plans.

We can advise on corporate tax planning, help implement compliant share schemes, and optimise your structure for long-term growth.

5. Apply for your residence or Spain startup visa

Select the immigration route that fits your case, either the entrepreneur residence permit or the digital nomad visa, and prepare your supporting documentation, including your business plan, financial forecasts, and proof of funds meeting SMI/IPREM requirements.

6. Build your team and manage equity

Design a fair equity structure and attract talent through stock options under the start-up regime.

Founders and executives may also qualify for the Beckham Law, which offers a favourable personal tax rate.

Our lawyers and tax specialists handle employment contracts, incentive plans, and tax residency strategies for founders and key employees.

7. Maintain compliance and grow sustainably

Keep your start-up certification valid, submit regular tax returns, renew your residence permits on time, and expand across Spain and the EU with confidence.

Delaguía y Luzón provides ongoing legal, labour and tax support to ensure full compliance while helping your business scale efficiently.

How Delaguía y Luzón can help

The landscape for foreign entrepreneurs and investors in Spain has shifted. 

The era of the “Golden Visa” for property investment is over. 

Instead, a smart new route awaits via the Start-up Law and entrepreneur residence channels. 

With the right planning and the right partner, you can establish a strong foothold in Spain in 2025 and beyond.

At Delaguía y Luzón, we support foreign entrepreneurs, franchisers and investors to establish and grow their business presence in Spain. 

Partner with Delaguía & Luzón

Ready to establish your business in Spain? Whether you’re applying for a Spain Startup Visa, setting up a new company, or planning your tax and immigration strategy, our legal experts are here to guide you every step of the way.

Contact Delaguía y Luzón Today