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Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

Pick up to 4 countries and see residency, company, banking, family, and risk notes line up. No prices, no marketing packages - just the working notes.

 ES flagSpain

Europe

AR flagArgentina

Latin America

DE flagGermany

Europe

OverviewSpain offers structured EU residency routes for individuals, families, and entrepreneurs, including the digital nomad visa introduced under the Startups Law. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Spanish partners for filings.Argentina is a major South American economy with structured residency routes and a competitive cost of living for international founders and families. Bordercase coordinates with licensed Argentine partners for filings.Germany is the largest EU economy and a strong destination for skilled professionals, founders, and remote workers (under specific routes). Bordercase coordinates with licensed German partners for filings.
Best for
  • Families
  • Remote workers
  • EU access
  • Cost of living
  • Latin America hub
  • Cost of living
  • Founders
  • Families
  • Founders
  • Skilled workers
  • EU access
  • Families
CurrencyEURARSEUR
LanguageSpanishSpanishGerman
Time zoneUTC+1UTC-3UTC+1
EU memberYesNoYes
SchengenYesNoYes
Residency

Spanish residency routes:

  • Non-Lucrative Visa - passive income, no employment in Spain
  • Digital Nomad Visa - remote workers and self-employed (Startups Law)
  • Self-Employed Visa
  • Entrepreneur Visa
  • EU citizen-derivative routes

The Golden Visa has been phased out for real estate purchases.

Argentine residency routes:

  • Rentista visa - passive income / pension
  • Investor visa - qualifying investment in an Argentine business
  • Worker visa - employer-sponsored
  • Family routes - spouse, children, parents
  • MERCOSUR fast-track for nationals of member states

German residency routes:

  • Blue Card - high-skilled employees
  • Freiberufler / Selbständig - freelancer / self-employed
  • Employer-sponsored work permits
  • Entrepreneur visa
  • Family reunification

Permanent residence typically after 5 years (faster on Blue Card).

Company setup

SL (Sociedad Limitada) is the standard private company. Registration involves NIE / NIF, notary, mercantile registry, and tax registration. Spanish tax residency triggers worldwide income reporting; the Beckham Law (special tax regime) may apply to eligible relocated workers.

SA (Sociedad Anónima) and SRL (Sociedad de Responsabilidad Limitada) are the standard structures. CUIT, IGJ registration, and AFIP tax registration follow.

GmbH and UG (haftungsbeschränkt) are common structures. Notary involvement is required for formation. Tax registration, trade registration (Gewerbeanmeldung), and German GAAP / tax accounting standards apply.

Banking

Personal banking for residents is straightforward; corporate banking depends on activity and structure. Bordercase coordinates introductions for non-standard cases.

Residency unlocks personal banking. Forex controls and currency volatility are part of the landscape; multi-jurisdiction structuring is common.

Personal banking for residents is well established; certain non-resident structures take longer. SCHUFA history is relevant for residents. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

Family

Family reunification is supported on most residency routes after a qualifying period. Schools (public, private, international) are widely available; the public system is generally accessible to legal residents.

Family reunification is supported on most routes. Schools (public, private, English, German, French) are widely available in Buenos Aires.

Family reunification is well supported. Schools (public, private, bilingual, and international) are widely available; international schools are concentrated in major cities.

Risks

Risks Bordercase watches for in Spain:

  • Tax residency triggers - 183 days + centre of interests
  • Beckham Law (special regime) eligibility
  • Autonomous-community tax variation
  • Hacienda audits when planning is unclear
  • Past Schengen overstays must be disclosed

Risks Bordercase watches for in Argentina:

  • Currency / forex controls
  • Tax residency triggers
  • Document apostille + Spanish translation requirements

Risks Bordercase watches for in Germany:

  • Tax residency triggers (183 days + centre of interests)
  • Late VAT registration on cross-border services
  • Language and bureaucratic friction in some Länder
  • Freiberufler vs Gewerbe classification disputes
Documents

Typical Spanish residency documents:

  • Passport
  • NIE (foreigner identification number)
  • Criminal record certificate with apostille
  • Proof of income / assets
  • Health insurance with full cover in Spain
  • Accommodation evidence
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family routes

Typical Argentine documents:

  • Passport
  • Criminal record certificate (apostilled)
  • Marriage / birth certificates for family
  • Proof of income or investment
  • Health insurance

Typical German residency documents:

  • Passport
  • Recognised qualifications (where required)
  • Contract or business plan
  • Accommodation evidence (Anmeldung)
  • Health insurance
  • Family certificates

Apostilled and translated to German.

Country pages stay the authoritative source. This view is a side-by-side; nothing here promises a particular outcome.