The new headline is this: Digital Spain 2026. The headline was actually an event held in 2026 that was closed by the President of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, who made exciting promises about the future of digital autonomy and growth in Spain, stating he’s committed to a digital transformation that will reaffirm Europe’s wider autonomy strategy. The event also focused on Spain’s industrial capacities.
And it’s not like Spain is the only country. Globally, almost every country is rushing toward digitalisation to modernise their economies.
Does the Digital Spain 2026 Initiative mean it’s the perfect opportunity for startups wanting to operate in Spain and Europe? Read on to find out.
The Digital Spain 2026 Initiative
There are a lot of interesting points to the Digital Spain 2026 initiative announced by the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation and supported by Pedro Sánchez.
Stemming from the fact the public was pushing for a better economic strategy that supported the strategic autonomy of Europe and helped to support Spain’s industrial capacities, the initiative created a roadmap that looked at everything from education to energy. One example is the recent EU funding approval for the €700 million aid scheme to boost energy storage in Spain, specifically targeting solar energy. Perhaps one of the most notable announcements was the Strategic Project for Economy Recovery and Transformation for Semiconductors, with a public investment of €11 billion. That money will go toward automotive, telecommunications, and consumer electronics.
They also want to add 80,000 extra spaces to the next academic year for Education and Vocational Training, and that’s in addition to the 125,000 places already created.
Most notably, perhaps in this article, the transformation outlines the Digital Kit programme that targets SMEs. Applicants who apply will receive subsidies in digital vouchers for projects like the creation of websites, SEO marketing, and digital invoices.
There’s so much more to that talks about everything from 5G networks to the National Neurotechnology Centre. You can read about it here if you’d like to learn more.
Starting a Business in Spain
Starting a business in Spain as a foreign national isn’t exactly a walk in the park and systems like the Spanish tax system are one of the harshest in the world.
Still, there are also lucrative ways of making taxes in Spain a little less eyewater, including Spanish compliant bonds, a Spanish bond created for expats. They’re financial benefits that conform to the tax regulations of Spain. It’s specifically designed for expats to invest their assets.
There are only really two options to start a business in Spain, and both of them are visas. Your options are the Entrepreneur Visa and the Self-Employed Visa. The concept of your business or self-employed venture will determine which one is more suitable.
Here’s a brief overview of the two:
Entrepreneur Visa
The Entrepreneur Visa is designed for people with innovative business ideas that align with Spain’s interests. That means tech, green energy, AI, healthcare, digital services, and anything else that screams forward-thinking – like the Digital Spain 2026 initiative.
Thanks to that, the climate is improving for startups with bold ideas. The government is actively seeking ways to attract tech-driven innovation. If your idea is scalable and benefits the economy or employment rates, your application will get attention.
You will need to submit a solid business plan. Not just any plan either. It has to be approved by ENISA, the national innovation agency. You also need private health insurance and enough funds to support yourself. The process is smoother than it used to be, especially in major cities like Barcelona and Madrid.
Self-Employed Visa
If you’re a freelancer or planning a small local business, this visa type will suit you better. The Self-Employed Visa is suitable for digital nomads, creatives, and consultants. We will now argue the newer Digital Nomad visa is better for digital nomads.
You need a solid business plan and proof of financial stability. You’ll also need to register for Social Security and pay your tax obligations.
The competition isn’t as big as the Entrepreneur Visa, but bureaucracy is a nightmare. Still, if you can navigate it, the Spanish lifestyle makes it worth the effort.
With remote work on the rise and government efforts to support SMEs, it’s a great visa option.
Spanish Tax and Investment Systems
Spain’s tax system is complex and expensive.
Income tax rates go up to 47%+. Freelancers pay social security monthly, regardless of income. And you do feel the financial burn.
But there are ways to reduce it. The Spanish Compliant Investment Bond is one example we gave. An interesting subsection of that to explore is the Prudential Spanish Compliant Bond. There are also deductions available for things like digital innovation and R&D. A simple Spanish Isa is even good if you go with the right bank.
Spain wants digital transformation. They’re finally putting their money where their mouth is. Now is the perfect time to consider starting a business in Spain.
