FAQ on Self-employed Residence in Spain: applying from Russia without mistakes

In Russia, applications for national visas and por cuenta propia residence permits are accepted by only two consulates:

• Consulate General of Spain in Moscow

• Consulate General of Spain in Saint Petersburg

The choice of consulate depends strictly on your registration (propiska):

No.

Honorary consuls of Spain operate in several cities in Russia: Kazan, Yekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, Novosibirsk, and Vladivostok. However, they provide limited consular services and do not participate in migration procedures.

All applications for national visas and residence permits are submitted exclusively through:

• Consulate General of Spain in Moscow

• Consulate General of Spain in Saint Petersburg

Formally, these are two different stages:

1. Residence and work permit (documents are sent for review to the corresponding regional Oficina de Extranjería)

2. Issuance of national visa D

However, in practice, the document package is prepared at once for both the residence permit and the visa and is submitted in one visit. After a positive decision on the residence permit, the consulate will call you to have the visa stamped in your passport.

• Document preparation — 1–2 months (including sworn translations of all official documents, apostille certification, and obtaining a medical certificate)

• Review of residence permit application — up to 3 months

• Visa issuance after approval — up to 1 month

Therefore, we recommend allocating about 3–5 months for the entire process.

In Moscow — at least 1.5 months before the desired submission date. Appointments are only possible for the consular district of your registration.

How to schedule an appointment

1. Send an email to  cog.moscu.citas@maec.es .Attach to the email:

• face photo (front view)

• passport photo (data page, clear image)

2. Indicate in the email body (in Latin script):

• passport number

• contact email

• contact phone number

• applicant's first and last name (in capital letters)

• type of visa requested: VISADO DE TRABAJO

3. After reviewing your email, the consulate will send you a login, password, and link to the appointment system, where you can select the date and time of your visit.

The consulate recommends obtaining NIE before submitting the visa application. This procedure requires a separate submission and prior appointment (can be at the same consulate). When requesting, specify the purpose: "for cuenta propia residence permit"

The consular fee for NIE tax number is about 10 €. Payment must be made in rubles at the current exchange rate; current prices can be found here.

What NIE is needed for in Spain:

• for tax identification

• opening a bank account

• signing contracts

• registration at place of residence

• obtaining a digital signature (certificado digital), which is needed for further online document submission within Spain

Sometimes the consulate makes additional requests. In most cases, submission of additional documents is done in person. Therefore, we recommend applicants from the regions plan a trip to Moscow/Saint Petersburg for a week.

When applying at the consulate in Russia, 3 fees are paid at once:

1. Residence permit (790-052)

2. Work permit (790-062)

3. National visa type D

The total cost of all visas is about 300 euros. Payment must be made in rubles at the exchange rate; current prices can be found here.

We recommend preparing a completed form for each fee in advance.

Formally — yes. But in practice, consulates often refuse, as the standard scheme is reunification after one year of the main applicant's residence in Spain.

• Insufficient financial means

• Weak or formal business plan

• Lack of logic in region selection

• Incomplete document package

• Absence of apostille

• Incorrect consular district

There is no officially established amount. Based on our experience, a safe guideline is from 10,000 € for the main applicant. What matters is not just the balance, but the overall picture of financial stability.

Formally, it is not on the official list of required documents. However, in practice, this letter plays a crucial role in how the consulate reviews your case. It is a separate document that:

• Clearly explains your motivation for moving.

• Justifies your choice of region.

• Provides a list of relevant vacancies in that region.

• States that while the profession is in demand, employment is impossible without being physically present in Spain.

This strengthens the applicant's position and demonstrates the economic viability of the project.

No. If your business is online and does not require specific licenses:

• A lease agreement for an office is not mandatory.

• You can use temporary accommodation (Airbnb/Booking) as an initial address.

• Choosing an online-based activity significantly simplifies the approval process.

It is recommended. It is best to draft contracts or letters of intent (LOIs) in two languages from the start (Spanish + Russian/English).

It is recommended to list only realistic, significant, and justified investments. The consulate assesses the feasibility of the plan, so you should avoid:

• Artificially inflating amounts.

• Including minor or trivial expenses.

At a minimum, an Apostille is required for:

• Criminal Record Certificate (issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs/MVD).

• Diplomas/Degrees (issued by the Ministry of Education).

You need a certificate from every country where you have resided in the last 5 years. In practice:

• 6 months or more: A certificate is mandatory.

• 2–3 months: This is a "grey area." if it's easy to obtain, provide it; if not, applicants usually only list their primary countries of residence.

• Short tourist trips (a few weeks) do not count as residency.

Consulates generally rely on the information provided by the applicant, and additional requests for short-term stays are rare.

Yes. All official documents must have a sworn translation, including:

• Bank certificates and tax statements.

• Diplomas and additional education certificates/courses.

• Medical certificates.

❌ Physical businesses (beauty salons, cafes, workshops, etc.) are usually more difficult to get approved due to requirements for premises, licenses, and sanitary standards.

✅ Online businesses or remote services are more predictable and easier for the authorities to approve.

Usually, the address of a booked accommodation (Airbnb/Booking) is sufficient. Consulates rarely ask for a formal lease agreement at this stage; a reservation confirmation is enough.

A National Visa (Type D) is valid for 365 days. However, your status as a resident officially begins once you register as an autónomo (self-employed) and process your TIE.

Once you enter Spain, it is important to follow these immigration procedures in order:

1. Get a Digital Certificate (Certificado Digital): This requires your NIE.

2. Register with Social Security (Seguridad Social): This must be done within 3 months of entry. Obtaining a Social Security number can take up to a month; we recommend booking an appointment in advance.

3. Find Housing and Register (Empadronamiento): Municipal registration is mandatory for your fingerprinting appointment (TIE).

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4. Request your Foreigner Identity Card (TIE): Apply at the regional Oficina de Extranjería or police station within 1 month of registering with Social Security.

5. Open a bank account and complete your autónomo registration.