In short: the initial residence-and-work permit for self-employment (cuenta propia) lets you live and work as a self-employed person (autónomo) in Spain; it requires a viable business project with sufficient investment, professional qualifications and the activity's licences, and no criminal record. It lasts 1 year, limited to one autonomous community and one sector; the decision takes 3 months (RD 1155/2024, arts. 82-87).
In person or by representative? It is mixed. A non-resident first applies for a residence visa at the Spanish consulate in their country (arts. 38-39); the application can be filed online or through a representative (gestor) via Mercurio where allowed. But registering with Social Security and fingerprinting and TIE card collection are in person (art. 85.8). Check the exact steps with your Oficina de Extranjería and the consulate.
Difference from cuenta ajena: if you will work for a company under a contract, that is residence and work as an employee (cuenta ajena) (usually started by the employer). This permit is for running your own business / being self-employed: you provide the project, the investment and the activity's licences.
Requirements (art. 84):
- Meet what the law requires of nationals to open and run the planned activity (licences, registrations, sector permits).
- Professional qualification legally required or sufficient proven experience, and professional registration (colegiación) where required.
- Prove the sufficiency of the planned investment to set up the project and, where relevant, its impact on job creation (including self-employment).
- Not be within a commitment not to return to Spain assumed on voluntary return to the country of origin, if any.
- Not pose a threat to public order, public security or public health (checked via absence of criminal record and a police report).
- Have paid the processing fee.
Official form: EX-07 — "Authorisation of temporary residence and self-employment" (official PDF, inclusion.gob.es). Official information on this route: Self-employment / entrepreneur (inclusion.gob.es).
Deadline and silence: 3 months from the consulate's communication; if no reply, the application is deemed refused (art. 85.4). A police report showing a record is not, by itself, an automatic ground for refusal (art. 85.2).
Steps:
- Prepare your business project/plan and gather the documents proving the investment, qualification and activity permits (form EX-07).
- Apply for the self-employment residence visa at the Spanish consulate in your country (arts. 38-39); pay the fee.
- The immigration office resolves within 3 months (silence = refusal). If favourable, the visa is issued.
- After entering Spain legally, within 3 months register with Social Security (autónomos): this gives the authorisation effect (art. 85.7).
- Within 1 month of registration, apply in person for the TIE (foreigner ID card) and fingerprinting (art. 85.8).
Official source: Immigration Regulation (RD 1155/2024), arts. 82-87 and Self-employment / entrepreneur (inclusion.gob.es). Informational only; exact requirements and documents vary — check the official source, the consulate and a professional for your specific case.