Certified startup status under Spain's Startup Law
Certificación de empresa emergente (Ley 28/2022)
No cash: free certification that unlocks 15% corporate tax (instead of 25%) for the first 4 profitable years, tax deferral without guarantees, a EUR 50k/year stock-option exemption and a 50% income-tax deduction for your investors (up to EUR 100k). Provided by ENISA (certification) under Ley 28/2022.
Check if you qualify for Certified startup status under Spain's Startup Law
Answer a few questions about you and your project. The co-pilot opens Certified startup status under Spain's Startup Law for you and shows what already fits, what blocks you and what to do next.
- Concrete reasons, not a score
- Deadline and first steps
- Other programs that fit you
Key facts
- Amount
- No cash: free certification that unlocks 15% corporate tax (instead of 25%) for the first 4 profitable years, tax deferral without guarantees, a EUR 50k/year stock-option exemption and a 50% income-tax deduction for your investors (up to EUR 100k)
- Duration
- Up to 5 years from incorporation (7 for biotech, energy or industry)
- Type
- Tax credit
- Who receives it
- Company
- Equity
- Equity-free
- Repayable
- No
- Stages
- Prototype, Pre-revenue, Revenue, Incorporated
- Solo founders
- Yes
- Full-time required
- No
- Company required
- Yes
- University link required
- No
- Application languages
- ES
- Location
- Registered office or permanent establishment in Spain; at least 60% of staff on Spanish contracts
Who can apply
- Company (or cooperative) up to 5 years old, 7 for biotech, energy or industry
- Innovative project with a scalable business model; turnover up to EUR 10m
- No dividends paid, not listed, not created by merger or spin-off (except from another startup)
- Founders and directors up to date with tax and Social Security
What usually blocks applicants
- Working as autónomo: only companies can be certified
- Weak evidence of innovation or scalability in the business plan
- The tax rate only helps once there is a taxable profit
Why founders miss it
Free to apply and makes the company more attractive to Spanish angels, who can then deduct half of their investment from income tax.
Deadline and timing
Any time; ENISA decides within about 3 months
Frequently asked
How much does Certified startup status under Spain's Startup Law pay?
No cash: free certification that unlocks 15% corporate tax (instead of 25%) for the first 4 profitable years, tax deferral without guarantees, a EUR 50k/year stock-option exemption and a 50% income-tax deduction for your investors (up to EUR 100k)
Who can apply for Certified startup status under Spain's Startup Law?
Stages: prototype, pre-revenue, revenue, incorporated. Solo founders can apply. You need a registered company. Location: Registered office or permanent establishment in Spain; at least 60% of staff on Spanish contracts. The full list of conditions is under Who can apply above.
When is the Certified startup status under Spain's Startup Law deadline?
Any time; ENISA decides within about 3 months
Where do I apply for Certified startup status under Spain's Startup Law?
On the official page: https://www.enisa.es/servicios/certificacion/. Applications are accepted in ES.
Do I have to pay back Certified startup status under Spain's Startup Law or give up equity?
No, it does not have to be paid back. It takes no equity.
Can solo founders apply for Certified startup status under Spain's Startup Law?
Yes, solo founders can apply.
Sources and verification
Checked on 14 October 2026. Facts read directly from the official source. This page is orientation, not an eligibility decision.
More funding in Spain
- Reduced Social Security fee for new self-employed (tarifa plana)Social Security of EUR 80/month for the first 12 months as autónomo instead of the normal income-based fee (official for registrations 2023–2025; 2026 amount set by the state budget), plus 12 more months if net income stays below the minimum wage (SMI)
- Unemployment benefit paid out as a lump sum (pago único)Up to 100% of your remaining contributory unemployment benefit (paro), as a lump sum to invest, as monthly payments toward your Social Security fee, or both; up to 15% may go to advice and training
- ENISA participative loan for startupsUnsecured participative loan of EUR 25,000–1,500,000, up to your company's own funds; up to 7 years with up to 2 years' grace; interest in two variable tranches, 0.5% opening fee
- NEOTEC grant for new tech companiesUp to 70% of a EUR 175k–750k tech project, max EUR 250,000; up to 85% and EUR 325,000 if you hire a PhD; up to 60% paid in advance without guarantees