Last Updated on April 17, 2026 by Bruno Bianchi
Question
What advice can you provide for someone who wants to start the process of obtaining the 5-year Tarjeta Larga Duración in Spain after being self-employed for 5 years?
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These are the answers of some Facebook group members:
”Just submit all passports you’ve had in the last 5 years along with ex 11 and the tasa for the large duration. A digital certificate is best”
”I hired a lawyer to do mine! I got the approval in less than a month!”
”For a prompt Extranjería answer I would suggest uploading all documents via Mercurio. You could get a decision in two weeks”
”Looks like they are still working on applications submitted at the end of February according to this link. I’ve also heard Mercurio is faster and things definitely slow down over the summer, so that might be your best bet!”
In conclusion, according to Spainguru Facebook group members, to obtain the 5-year Tarjeta Larga Duración in Spain after 5 years of self-employment, here are some tips: Gather your passports from the last 5 years, complete Form EX-11, and pay the required tasa/fee. Consider using a digital certificate and hiring a lawyer for a quicker process. Uploading documents via Mercurio (online platform) may yield a decision within two weeks. Keep in mind that processing times may be longer in the summer and due to application backlogs. Stay informed through reliable sources
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