Moving from a student permit to self-employed residence

Key rules

• Where to apply: You apply inside Spain and do not have to leave the country.
• Business plan: Your plan must show the investment, the jobs created and income enough to support you and your family.
• Registration: The permit takes effect only when you register, within the deadline set in your grant.
• New TIE: Apply for your new TIE at the police within 1 month of the grant.

Do you have to leave Spain?

No. You apply from inside Spain, at the Oficina de Extranjería, while your student permit is still valid. You do not need to go home first.

What you must meet

You need to meet two sets of conditions:

• Student-switching conditions. These are a minimum time already spent on a student permit, or completed studies, and a valid permit. Ask the Oficina de Extranjería what the minimum is in your case.
• Self-employment conditions. You need a business plan, funds, and any licences your activity requires.

You must also be up to date with taxes and Social Security.

Show that your business is viable

Your business plan is the core of the application. It should cover:

• the investment you expect to make
• the jobs it will create
• expected income high enough to support you and your family

Add proof of your funds or investment. If your activity is regulated, add the licences, registrations or professional qualifications it needs, and your membership of the professional body. In some cases the office asks for a viability report from the relevant regional or sector body. Wait for the office to ask before arranging one.

The exact document list varies by activity and region, so confirm it with the Oficina de Extranjería before you submit. The documents list below shows the usual set.

After approval

Approval is not the end. The permit takes effect only when you register, and you must do it within the deadline set in your grant. Do these steps:

1. Register with Social Security in RETA.
2. Register the activity with the tax agency, using form 036 or 037.
3. Get any local licences the activity needs.
4. Apply for your new TIE at the police within 1 month of the grant.

Read the deadlines in your grant letter carefully. Missing them can put the permit at risk.

The timeline, checklist and questions below walk through the same steps in order.

Timeline and deadlines

• Obtain any local licences the activity needs: after approval, as part of setting up the activity

Documents you need

• Your passport and current TIE (residence card), both valid.

• A business plan showing the expected investment, the jobs it will create and income enough to support you and your family.

• Proof of your funds or investment.

• Any licences, registrations or authorisations the activity needs, plus professional qualifications and membership of the professional body if the profession is regulated.

• A clean criminal record certificate, where it is required for your case.

• Proof that you are up to date with Social Security and taxes.

• A viability report from the relevant regional or sector body, if the office asks for one.

Checklist

• Confirm with the Oficina de Extranjería that you meet the student-switching conditions: the minimum time on a student permit or completed studies, and a valid permit.

• Write a business plan covering the investment, the jobs it will create and income enough to support you and your family.

• Gather proof of your funds or investment.

• Make sure you are up to date with tax and Social Security.

• Submit the application in Spain at the Oficina de Extranjería without leaving the country.

• After approval, register with Social Security (RETA) and register the activity with the tax agency using form 036 or 037.

Frequently asked questions

Do I have to leave Spain to switch from a student permit to self-employed residence?

No, you do not have to leave Spain, because you apply while in Spain at the Oficina de Extranjería, the immigration office.

What do I need to show to prove my business is viable?

You need a business plan showing the expected investment, the jobs it will create and income high enough to support you and your family. You also need proof of your funds and any licences or professional qualifications the activity requires.

What must I do after my self-employed permit is approved?

After approval, you register with Social Security (RETA, the self-employed scheme) and register the activity with the tax agency using form 036 or 037. Do both within the deadline in your grant, because the permit takes effect on registration.