Compare jurisdictions, side by side.

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.

Polish residency routes:

• Blue Card - high-skilled employees
• Temporary residence via employment
• Self-employment / entrepreneur routes
• Family reunification
• EU citizen-derivative routes

Permanent residence typically after 5 years.

Barbadian residency routes:

• Welcome Stamp - 12-month remote-worker route, renewable
• Special Entry Permit - qualifying HNW relocators
• Standard work permits - employer-sponsored
• Family routes

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).

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.

Sp. z o.o. (limited liability) is the standard private entity. Online formation via S24 is possible; otherwise notary registration. Tax registration, VAT, and ZUS (social contributions) follow. CIT and the new estonian-style lump-sum CIT regime may apply.

Corporate entities for international business (formerly IBC) are well established. Substance and reporting requirements apply.

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.

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

Personal and corporate banking for residents is widely accessible. Non-resident structures take longer; documentation must be tight. Bordercase coordinates introductions where useful.

Banking is mature but selective. Source-of-funds documentation is central. Bordercase coordinates introductions through current partners.

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 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 residency routes. International schools (English, German, French) are concentrated in Warsaw, Kraków, and Wrocław.

Family inclusion is supported. International schools are limited but present.

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

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 Poland:

• Long visa processing in some voivodeships
• CIT and ZUS planning often gets done late
• Centre-of-interests analysis for tax residency
• Estonian-style lump-sum CIT regime eligibility

Risks Bordercase watches for in Barbados:

• Tax residency triggers
• Substance and reporting under the post-BEPS framework
• Welcome Stamp renewal conditions

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

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 Polish residency documents:

• Passport
• Criminal record certificate
• Proof of address
• Employment contract or business plan
• Health insurance
• Marriage / birth certificates for family

Apostilled and translated to Polish.

Typical Barbadian documents:

• Passport
• Proof of income or employment
• Health insurance valid in Barbados
• Police clearance for longer-stay routes
• Apostilled foreign documents for family

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.