Workers' residence in Spain: cuenta ajena and cuenta propia by step

Roadway to the residence: 10 steps

1. Select a path

   The hiring, the own business and the highly qualified professional are subject to different procedures. The choice depends on who applies and to which authority.

   • There's an employer in Spain: the way to hire
   • There's a project: the path of cuenta propia
   • There's a six-month contract and a diploma or experience: checked UGE route in step 8.

   Where: Real Decreto 1155/2024 and Ley 14/2013 on BOEDuration: pending negotiations with the employerCost: free of charge

   When you need help, if you doubt the hiring and the cuenta propia. employment contract or autónomo.

2. Employment: Check the labour market situation

   The employer either takes a job from a catalogue of hard to fill, or proves through the employment service that the local worker has not been found, and the catalogue is updated once a quarter.

   • The employer checked the profession in his region catalogue
   • If the profession is not in the catalogue, he has applied for employment and received a certificate
   • Checked whether your case was subject to the exclusion of article 40 of Law LO 4/2000

   Where: Regional Employment Service, SEPEDuration: 8 days of office, certificate issued within 3 daysCost: free of charge

   When assistance is needed, the employer takes this step and without his lawyer or tax and administrative specialist (gradoada social), it often delays. as an employer to employ an alien.

3. Hire: Agree on a contract

   The contract is signed by both parties, and is for the duration of the authorization, and the date of the contract is tied to the moment the authorization comes into force.

   • Conditions are in accordance with the law and the collective agreement for your profession and city
   • Start date depends on entry into force of the permit
   • With a partial rate, annual pay is not less than the minimum wage per full-time

   Where: employer, article 74 ReglamentoDuration: pending applicationCost: free of charge

   When assistance is needed: before signing any employment contract. Employment contract: what to look at.

4. Employment: The employer applies

   The employer or representative of the office of the workplace is applying for the office of the employer or representative of the office of the office of the office of the worker, and the regional authority is responsible for the application.

   • The employer collected NIF, the official contract and the confirmation of funds
   • He has no tax and contribution debts.
   • He paid the work permit fee, you paid your share.

   Where: Ofcina de Extranjería or regional body for articles 77 and 194Duration: to correct deficiencies 10 days, to decide up to 3 months, silence means to refuseCost: work permit 203.84 I paid below two minimum wages and 407.71 I at two and above, your part 10.94 I

   When you need help, any delay in answering the request, questions to the employer and refusal. tasas 790.

5. Hire: you get a visa and you take the decision.

   The visa is required after the positive decision, and the application is filed within a month with the employer, and the consulate issues the visa within a month.

   • Passport is valid for at least a year, five years' indictability with apostille and translation
   • 2005 International Health Regulations Medical Certificate
   • He signed up for the consulate and paid for the consular fee.

   Where: Spanish Consulate at the residenceDuration: application within 1 month, extradition within 1 monthCost: Consular fee on consulate tariff

   When assistance is needed, if documents from several countries or the month's deadline for filing is almost up.

6. Cuenta propia: project, licences, investment

   The conditions for opening a case as Spanish citizens, qualification and sufficient investment are needed, and self-employment is also considered employment.

   • Collected licences and registrations that require activity
   • Prepared the investment and employment impact calculations
   • Confirmed qualifications or experience, for regulated occupations

   Where: relevant departments and professional associations, article 84 of the RegulationDuration: pending visa applicationValue: licences, duties and services separately

   When you need help, you'll have to calculate the investment, the business plan and the licences. Cuenta propia in Spain.

7. Cuenta propia: apply for a visa at the consulate

   The non-resident applies for a visa, it includes an application for a permit.

   • I filed a visa and I kept the confirmation.
   • Payed the living and work fees of the cuenta propia
   • After the decision, he got a visa within a month.

   Where: Spanish Consulate at the residenceDuration: up to 3 months, silence means refusalCost: 203.84 I'm for work plus 10.94 I'm for living, consular fee

   When assistance is needed: any doubt in the draft, because refusal evaluates the substance of the case. enterprise or civila propia.

8. Highly qualified and EU blue map

   The application is submitted electronically to the UGE: company or specialist, and requires a diploma or experience, a contract or a firm offer of six months and a salary not below the threshold.

   • Pay above the threshold: total 41 356.36 I, reduced 33 085.09 I, UGE data June 2026
   • The degree is confirmed for regulated occupations
   • Applyed to UGE and maintained confirmation

   Where: Sede of the Ministry of Inclusion, UGEDuration: 20 days, silence means approval, 3 years ’ authorizationValue: On order PJC/617/2025, check in form

   When assistance is needed: reduced threshold, homologation and choice between the blue map and the national version. EU Blue Card.

9. Entry, Alta and TIE

   After you've been in the Seguridad Social for three months, the first employment permit is not valid, and if you leave Spain, you have to leave Spain.

   • Formed an alta within three months of entry
   • He signed up for Huellas and paid for TIE in form 790 code 012.
   • I filed it on TIE within a month after the alta.

   Where: Seguridad Social, Oficina de Extranjería or comisariaDuration: alta up to 3 months, TIE within a month afterValue: TIE 16.08 I for the first issue

   When assistance is needed: registration with RETA, autono taxes and alta deadlines. NUSS number.

10. First year and extension

    The first permit is linked to the region and the profession, and the extension gives four years and removes these restrictions.

    • I'm not making a change of employer in my first year until three months and in the same profession.
    • I'll be filing an extension two months before the end, late delivery is possible within three months, and a fine is possible.
    • School certificate for school-age children

    Where: Ofcina de Extranjería, sedeDuration: 3 months ’ decision, silence means approvalValue: 16.40 I plus 81.54 I for work on PJC/617/2025

    When you need help, you lose your job, you take a break, you change your base. Residence permit on a work contract.