Planning to get a startup visa in Spain under Law 14/2013? Then you need to understand the legalization of documents, and in particular, the apostille. Let's break down all the nuances!
What is an Apostille? |
An apostille is a specialized certificate that authenticates the origin of public documents for use in countries that are members of the Hague Convention. It simplifies the legalization process by eliminating the need for consular legalization.
Term of validity of apostille |
Good news! An apostille has no expiration date. It remains valid as long as the document itself is valid.
Important:
Some Spanish institutions may require updated documents if they were issued a long time ago (e.g., more than 6 months old).
Only original documents or their official copies, certified by the issuing authority, are accepted. Photocopies, even with an apostille, will not be accepted!
Always confirm the document requirements with the receiving authority (Consulate, UGE).
🔴 EXCEPTIONS: when an apostille is NOT required
Spain has established bilateral agreements with several countries for the mutual recognition of documents. If your country is on this list, you don't need an apostille for civil registry documents (birth certificates, marriage certificates, death certificates). A notarized translation will suffice.
Countries list:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, United Kingdom.
⚠️ ATTENTION⚠️
Apostille is required for the Certificate of Good Conduct (police clearance certificate) for ALL countries, even if your country is listed above.
Additional tips |
Check the document requirements carefully: The website of the Spanish Consulate or UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos) should have up-to-date information.
Apply for an apostille in advance: The procedure may take several days.
If in doubt, it's best to get an apostille: This will save you from potential problems and delays in the visa application process.
Still have questions about startup visa and residency in Spain?
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