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.

Uruguayan residency routes:

• Standard residency - proof of income / qualifying activity
• Investor route
• Retirement / pensioner route
• MERCOSUR fast-track for member-state nationals
• Family reunification

Chilean residency routes:

• Temporary residence - employment, retirement, or qualifying activity
• Investor / entrepreneur routes
• Family reunification
• Permanent residence typically after a qualifying temporary period

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.

SAS and SA are common structures. DGI tax registration and BPS social-security registration follow.

SpA (Sociedad por Acciones), Ltda, and SA are standard structures. SII tax registration, RUT, and patent municipal 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.

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

Residency unlocks personal banking. Uruguay has historically been a HNW banking destination in the region; standards have tightened materially.

Residency unlocks personal banking. Corporate banking depends on activity. Bordercase coordinates introductions for cross-border cases.

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. Schools (public, private, bilingual, international) are concentrated in Montevideo and Punta del Este.

Family reunification is supported. Schools (public, private, English, German, French) are concentrated in Santiago.

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 Uruguay:

• Tax residency triggers (the new-resident tax holiday has conditions)
• Banking documentation and source-of-funds rigor
• Apostille + Spanish translation requirements

Risks Bordercase watches for in Chile:

• Tax residency triggers and worldwide-income reporting
• Processing variations between regions
• RUT timing for non-residents

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 Uruguayan documents:

• Passport
• Apostilled foreign documents
• Proof of income or investment
• Health insurance
• Spanish translations where required

Typical Chilean documents:

• Passport
• Apostilled foreign documents (birth, marriage, criminal record)
• Proof of income or investment
• Health insurance
• Spanish translations where required

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.