By Expats, for Expats. 30+ Years Experience
De Expats, para Expats. +30 años de experiencia.
By Expats, for Expats. 30+ Years Experience
De Expats, para Expats. +30 años de experiencia.
The Self-Employed Visa is Spain's residency route for non-EU freelancers, consultants, and independent professionals who want to live and work in Spain on their own terms. Unlike the Digital Nomad Visa, there are no restrictions on working with Spanish clients. Making it the most flexible option for professionals building an independent practice in Spain.
The Self-Employed Visa is designed for non-EU professionals who want to live in Spain and offer their services independently, to Spanish clients, international clients, or both. It is the right choice if building a client base within Spain is central to what you do.
It suits a wide range of independent professionals: consultants, designers, developers, architects, lawyers, tradespeople, and anyone offering services on a freelance basis. If you already have foreign clients and want to continue working with them while also taking on Spanish work, this visa gives you that freedom without income source restrictions.
It is a great fit if you are:
It is not the right visa if most of your income comes from a foreign employer or international clients. In that case, the Digital Nomad Visa is faster to process and more tax-efficient for most applicants.
As a self-employed visa holder in Spain, you will need to register as autónomo with Spanish Social Security and file quarterly income tax (IRPF) and VAT (IVA) returns. Standard progressive Spanish tax rates apply, ranging from 19% to 47% depending on your income.
One common question we get: does the Beckham Law apply to self-employed visa holders? In most cases, no. The Beckham Law flat 24% rate is generally available to employed remote workers, not autónomos. If tax efficiency is a priority and most of your income is from abroad, it is worth comparing this visa against the Digital Nomad Visa before you apply.
Getting your tax structure right before you arrive makes a real difference. Speak with our advisors to understand your options →
Common questions about Spain's Self-Employed Visa, from business plan endorsement and client restrictions to family applications and what happens at renewal.
The key difference is your client base and tax position. The Self-Employed Visa lets you work freely with Spanish clients, with no restriction on where your income comes from. The Digital Nomad Visa requires at least 80% of your income to come from outside Spain but offers faster processing and potential access to Beckham Law, a flat 24% tax rate for up to six years.
Yes, and this is one of the most important steps in the Self-Employed Visa process. Your business plan must be endorsed by a recognised self-employed workers' association such as ATA, CEOE, or CEPYME before you submit your visa application. The endorsement process typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. We help our clients prepare plans that meet the specific requirements these associations look for.
Yes. Your spouse or partner and dependent children can be included in your initial application and do not need to apply separately. They receive the same residency rights as you for the duration of your visa, with the ability to study and in most cases work in Spain during that period.
Renewal requires demonstrating that you have been carrying out your stated professional activity and continue to meet the financial requirements. If your business has not performed as planned, we recommend speaking with an advisor before your renewal date to assess your options, including whether switching to a different visa type makes sense for your situation.
© 2026 Inevista. All Rights Reserved. Jaleo group
© 2026 Inevista. Todos los derechos reservados Jaleo group
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