# Apply from abroad as a non-EU citizen

> Compare the three permits that let a non-EU citizen living abroad move to Spain and work as an autónomo, and see where to apply.

- Page: https://autonomo.eus/steps/apply-from-abroad
- Part: Part A: Right to work
- For: Non-EU citizens living outside Spain
- Last checked: 14 October 2026

> This page explains the routes. It is not legal advice. Before you apply, check your case with a lawyer. [Free legal help in Euskadi](https://autonomo.eus/steps/legal-help)

Three permits let a non-EU citizen move to Spain and work as an autónomo. You apply before you travel, at the Spanish consulate in your country. For remote work and entrepreneur residence, you can also apply online from Spain.

## Find your Spanish consulate

- Open the [Foreign Ministry's list of embassies and consulates](https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/EmbajadasConsulados/Paginas/index.aspx) (*Embajadas y Consulados*).
- Choose the first letter of your country, then open the office under "Consulados" (consulates). If your country has none, use the embassy's "Sección Consular" (consular section). If Spain has no embassy in your country, the list names the embassy that covers it ("Embajada Competente").
- Use the consulate that covers the place where you live. Open its page for its contact details, then contact it to book your appointment.

## Self-employment permit

- **What it is:** the initial residence and self-employment permit (*autorización inicial de residencia temporal y trabajo por cuenta propia*).
- **Who it is for:** people who want to start their own activity in Spain.
- **What you show:** the licences your activity needs, the qualification or experience it needs, enough investment and its effect on jobs, and no criminal record. The [official page](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/autorizacion-inicial-de-residencia-temporal-y-trabajo-por-cuenta-propia) lists every requirement. A report from an autónomo association (ATA, UPTA, CIAE, OPA or UATAE) can support the plan.
- **Can you work as an autónomo?** Yes. The first permit lasts 1 year and is limited to one region and one sector.
- **Where you apply:** the Spanish consulate for where you live.
- **How you apply:**
  1. Fill in and sign form EX-07 (*autorización de residencia temporal y trabajo por cuenta propia*). Download it from the [Ministry of Inclusion's forms page](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/modelos-generales).
  2. Hand it in yourself, in person, at the consulate, with the documents on the official page.
  3. Pay the fee within 10 working days with form 790 código 052 (section 2.1.3). If the work permit lasts 6 months or more, you also pay form 790 código 062. Get both forms on the [Government's fee page](https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/procedimientos/index/categoria/33).
  4. The consulate sends you the decision. If it is yes, apply in person for the visa within 1 month, and collect it in person within 1 month.
  5. Enter Spain while the visa is valid (3 months). Register with Social Security within 3 months of arriving, then apply for your foreigner ID card (*TIE*) within 1 month of that registration. See [Register with Social Security](https://autonomo.eus/steps/register-social-security) and [Get your TIE card](https://autonomo.eus/steps/tie-card).

## International remote work (digital nomad)

- **What it is:** the visa or residence permit for international teleworkers (*teletrabajo de carácter internacional*).
- **Who it is for:** people who work remotely for companies outside Spain.
- **What you show:** a degree or 3 years of professional experience, at least 3 months of working with the company, proof that the work can be done remotely, a monthly income of at least 200% of the Spanish minimum wage, and health cover. The [UGE's document list for teleworkers](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/documents/d/unidadgrandesempresas/informacion-documentacion-pagina-web-titular-v2) lists every requirement.
- **Can you work as an autónomo?** Yes, with two conditions. You must register with Social Security as an autónomo (RETA). Work for Spanish clients can be at most 20% of your total work.
- **Where you apply:** a visa at the consulate (up to 1 year), or a residence permit online from Spain through the Large Companies Unit (*UGE*), for up to 3 years. The online route needs a digital certificate.
- **How you apply for the visa:** at the Spanish consulate for where you live. See [Find your Spanish consulate](https://autonomo.eus/steps/apply-from-abroad#find-your-spanish-consulate) above.
- **How you apply online from Spain:**
  1. Pay the fee first with form 790 código 038 on the [Ministry of Inclusion's fee page](https://expinterweb.inclusion.gob.es/Tasa038/login.htm). Choose point 7, "Solicitud de autorizaciones de movilidad internacional (Ley 14/2013)" (international mobility permits). Pay by card, Bizum or direct debit, or print the form and pay at a bank. You get a reference number (*NRC*) to enter in your application.
  2. Fill in and sign form MI-T (main applicant). Family members use form MI-F. Both are on the [UGE application page](https://sede.inclusion.gob.es/-/presentacion-solicitudes-autorizacion-residencia?redirect=%2Fprocedimientos-y-servicios) ("Presentación de solicitudes de autorización de residencia de movilidad internacional").
  3. On the same page, click "Accede al Procedimiento" (go to the procedure). Choose "Alta de solicitud" (new application), log in with your digital certificate, and choose an initial application ("Inicial").
  4. Upload your documents and the signed form, then click "Guardar y firmar" (save and sign). The system gives you a receipt.
  5. Questions about the online route: email movilidad.internacional@inclusion.gob.es.

## Entrepreneur residence

- **What it is:** residence for entrepreneurs (*residencia para emprendedores*).
- **Who it is for:** people starting an innovative business of special economic interest to Spain.
- **What you show:** a favourable report from ENISA on your business. No minimum investment is set.
- **Can you work as an autónomo?** Yes. It allows both self-employed and employee work.
- **Where you apply:** a visa at the consulate, or a residence permit online from Spain through the UGE.
- **How you apply for the visa:** at the Spanish consulate for where you live. See [Find your Spanish consulate](https://autonomo.eus/steps/apply-from-abroad#find-your-spanish-consulate) above.
- **How you apply online from Spain:**
  1. Ask ENISA for its report. On [ENISA's website](https://www.enisa.es/), register or log in, choose "Autorización de Residencia para Emprendedores" (entrepreneur residence) and click "Rellenar formulario" (fill in the form). Answer the questions about your project. ENISA sends its report to the UGE.
  2. Pay the fee with form 790 código 038 and fill in form MI-T, as for remote workers above.
  3. File the application on the [UGE application page](https://sede.inclusion.gob.es/-/presentacion-solicitudes-autorizacion-residencia?redirect=%2Fprocedimientos-y-servicios), as for remote workers above. The [UGE's instructions for entrepreneurs](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/documents/1823432/1826098/Instrucciones+solicitud+emprendedores.pdf/3a4d0b60-71bf-1c53-9f9d-fff7f94cbf5d?t=1682675484705) list the documents to upload.

## Official sources

- [Ministry of Inclusion: self-employment permit](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/w/autorizacion-inicial-de-residencia-temporal-y-trabajo-por-cuenta-propia)
- [Ministry of Inclusion: application forms, including EX-07](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/migraciones/modelos-generales)
- [Government online office: immigration fees (790 código 052 and 062)](https://sede.administracionespublicas.gob.es/procedimientos/index/categoria/33)
- [Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Spanish embassies and consulates](https://www.exteriores.gob.es/es/EmbajadasConsulados/Paginas/index.aspx)
- [UGE: international teleworkers](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/unidadgrandesempresas/teletrabajadores), [its document list](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/documents/d/unidadgrandesempresas/informacion-documentacion-pagina-web-titular-v2) and [its FAQ](https://bibliovirtual.inclusion.gob.es/documents/d/unidadgrandesempresas/nomadas-digitales-faqs-espanol)
- [UGE: entrepreneurs](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/unidadgrandesempresas/emprendedores)
- [UGE: how to submit applications](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/unidadgrandesempresas/solicitudes)
- [Ministry of Inclusion online office: UGE application page](https://sede.inclusion.gob.es/-/presentacion-solicitudes-autorizacion-residencia?redirect=%2Fprocedimientos-y-servicios)
- [Ministry of Inclusion: fee form 790 código 038](https://expinterweb.inclusion.gob.es/Tasa038/login.htm)
- [UGE: instructions for entrepreneur applications](https://www.inclusion.gob.es/documents/1823432/1826098/Instrucciones+solicitud+emprendedores.pdf/3a4d0b60-71bf-1c53-9f9d-fff7f94cbf5d?t=1682675484705)

Next step: [Get your TIE card](https://autonomo.eus/steps/tie-card.md)

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Free, independent information. Not an official government website or a gestoría. General information, not legal, immigration or tax advice. Confirm current requirements with the authority before you act. Report a mistake: a@halawa.io. Source: Autónomo.eus (https://autonomo.eus).