Spain Entrepreneur Visa

The path to Spain’s citizenship for Entrepreneur Visa holders is as follows:

Enter and legalize stay

• The Entrepreneur Visa is valid for 1 year and counts as residence.
• Before expiry, visa holders can switch  to an entrepreneur residence permit (typically up to 3 years, renewable while conditions are maintained).

Accrue continuous residence

• Long-term residence requires 5 years of continuous legal residence.
• Citizenship by residence generally requires 10 years immediately prior to application.
• Reduced periods: 2 years for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, or persons of Sephardic origin; 1 year for specific cases

Maintain habitual residence

• Residence time must be legal, continuous, and immediately prior to filing – for at least 6 months+ a year.. Prolonged absences can break continuity and jeopardize renewals. Registration (padrón), tax, and social security compliance are expected.

Apply for nationality

• Applications typically include proof of required residence, criminal record certificates (Spain and prior countries), DELE A2 Spanish exam, CCSE civics test, and civil status/identity documents (legalized/apostilled and translated where required). Processing is by the Ministry of Justice and can be lengthy.

Dual nationality

• Renunciation of previous nationality is generally required, with broad exceptions for nationals of Ibero-American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, Portugal, and persons of Sephardic origin, who may retain dual nationality under law or treaties.