Date Published: 10/04/2025

Self-employment in Spain: How to get the right visa with Heniam & Associates

A practical guide to working legally as a freelancer or business owner in Spain

Spain is an attractive destination for those looking to enjoy a high quality of life while working for themselves. But if you’re a non-EU citizen, you’ll need the right visa to do so legally. Many expats start out with a non-lucrative residence permit, which is valid for one year from the moment you arrive in Spain. After 12 months, you’ll need to renew it or switch to a different type of residence permit. If you want to set up a business or work as a freelancer, you’ll need to apply for a self-employed visa.

This process involves quite a bit of paperwork, and dealing with Spanish bureaucracy can be overwhelming. But with the right guidance, it’s absolutely achievable. That’s where Heniam & Associates comes in. Based in Cartagena, Murcia, their legal experts help expats like you navigate Spain’s visa and immigration systems, making the process as smooth as possible.

What is a self-employed visa?

The self-employed visa (or autónomo visa) allows non-EU citizens to work for themselves in Spain. Whether you are a freelancer, consultant, or planning to start a small business, this visa ensures that you are working legally. However, you’ll need to meet several requirements before your application can be approved.

Key requirements for a self-employed visa

To successfully apply for a self-employed visa in Spain, you will need:

A detailed business plan: A clear outline of your business activities, financial forecasts, and proof that your venture is viable.
Proof of qualifications: If your profession requires specific training or credentials, you’ll need to show that you’re qualified. Some professions, such as law or medicine, may also require registration with a professional body.
Financial stability: Evidence that you have sufficient funds to cover both your living expenses and business costs.
Business premises (if applicable): If your business requires a physical location, you will need to provide documentation proving you have secured suitable premises.
Health insurance: A valid private health insurance policy covering your stay in Spain.
A clean criminal record: A police clearance certificate, from your home country, confirming you have no criminal convictions.

Switching from a non-lucrative visa to a self-employed visa

Many expats initially move to Spain on a non-lucrative residence permit, which does not allow them to work. If you decide to start your own business, you will need to convert this permit into a self-employed visa. The process is similar to a standard application but is often more straightforward since you are already a resident of Spain.

You can apply to convert your permit in the following situations:

If this is your first non-lucrative residence permit, you must apply within 60 days of its expiry date
If you have already renewed your non-lucrative permit, you may apply at any time

The good news is that you do not need to leave Spain to change your visa – the application is submitted to the relevant immigration authorities within your province.

How long does the process take?

Once you submit your application, the Spanish authorities have three months to process it. If approved, you will need to:

Register with Spanish Social Security (Seguridad Social)
Apply for a residence card (Tarjeta de Identidad de Extranjero – TIE)
Start your business activity in accordance with Spanish regulations

How Heniam & Associates can help

Navigating Spanish bureaucracy isn’t always straightforward, especially if you don’t speak the language or aren’t familiar with the legal system. That’s where Heniam & Associates can make a huge difference. Their legal team provides expert guidance throughout the entire visa application process, ensuring you meet all the necessary requirements and avoid common pitfalls. Their services include:

Immigration and visa assistance, helping you gather and submit the correct documentation
Business registration and company formation, making sure you meet all Spanish legal requirements
Legal advice for contracts and employment, protecting your interests when dealing with suppliers, clients, and employees
Conveyancing and property law, assisting with purchasing or renting business premises
Translation and document handling, ensuring everything is correctly filled out and understood

Get professional support for your visa application

Setting up a business in Spain requires careful planning and legal compliance, and can certainly feel like a challenge, but with the right help, it doesn’t have to be. With the expertise of Heniam & Associates, you can navigate the process with confidence and focus on building your business instead of getting lost in paperwork.

For expert legal support, get in touch with Heniam & Associates today:

Calle Misisipi 3

Polígono Industrial

Los Belones

Murcia, 30385

Spain

Phone: +34 868 707 917

Email: info@heniam.es

Take the stress out of the visa process – contact Heniam & Associates and get started the right way.

Image: Mikhail Nilov/Pexels

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Office 1: Monteclaro 1, 30389 La Manga Club / Office 2: Calle Delta del Danubio, 30385 Los Belones

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Heniam & Associates for Conveyancing, paperwork, legal advice and immigration throughout the Region of Murcia

Catering for the needs of expats living all over Spain, and particularly in the Costa Cálida and the Costa Blanca, Heniam & Associates offer a wide range of services including conveyancing, legal and administrative advice.

At the same time, their team of dedicated professionals appreciate the need to assist you in an easy and reliable manner, allowing you as much time as possible to enjoy your freedom, relax and make the most out of life in Spain. Without sacrificing efficiency, they offer personalised services to each and every client, listening to their needs in order to provide exactly the right service and desired outcome.

In the all-important field of Legal and Administrative Services, Heniam & Associates provide help in a wide range of matters including (but not limited to):

Conveyancing
Legal and professional communication assistance
NIE and TIE Applications
Commercial and company set-up and licensing
Spanish health and administrative services
Support and assistance with regulatory bodies
Professional will writing services and advice on intestate inheritance laws (both in the UK and in Spain)
Contract drafting (for businesses and individuals)
Dispute resolution
Digital signatures and certificates

Whether taking advantage of our conveyancing services or any other legal matter Heniam & Associates’ business partner HeniamLegal will represent you in the best possible way, excelling especially in their conveyancing service.

When buying a property in a foreign country it can be challenging to understand all of the
steps that have to be taken. Heniam knows that buying a home can be stressful and
they want to ensure that you have the resources that you need to make sure that the
transaction is as smooth as possible so that you can start to enjoy your new home without worrying about the details and any purchase pitfalls.

HeniamLegal will be on hand to assist you with every part of the process. They have
dedicated professionals on hand to assist you every step of the way ensuring that all
of the relevant checks and investigations are carried out and, of course, negotiating on your behalf and protecting your interests. You will always have the support you need with HeniamLegal and Heniam & Associates.

Heniam & Associates In addition, translation services are provided either for written documents or for occasions such as visits to the doctor or to administrative offices, and assistance is provided in finding the best deal on foreign currency transfers.