In short: the MicroBank microloan «Negocios Convenio Entidades» is a loan, not a grant. It lends up to €30,000 to start a business as an autónomo (self-employed) or micro-business, with no collateral, and you repay it with interest over up to 6 years. To apply you need a business plan and a viability report from a MicroBank partner organisation; then the bank decides. The MicroBank page says nothing about nationality, NIE or residence permit.
In person or by representative? In person: the MicroBank product page says the application starts at a CaixaBank branch, with the plan already prepared with the partner organisation. The page does not say whether a representative can do it; plan to go yourself.
It is a loan: you pay it back
- You repay the capital and interest in equal instalments (French system, «sistema francés») over up to 6 years.
- If the business does not work out, the debt is still yours: the guarantee is personal, you answer for it.
- MicroBank says it lends «sin importar tu nivel de ingresos» (whatever your income), but the bank assesses each application and can say no. Having the viability report does not guarantee approval.
- Loan instalments come on top of the autónomo contribution to Social Security (flat rate).
Conditions (MicroBank page, checked on 16 October 2026)
- Amount: up to €30,000, and up to 100% of the project cost.
- Companies (with a CIF, the company tax number): up to €50,000 in one operation, if at least two co-owners («socios») act as guarantors and both will be self-employed in the project. With three or more co-owners, at least two of the co-owners who control the company act as guarantors and the project gives self-employment to that majority.
- Term: up to 6 years, including the grace period.
- Optional grace period («carencia»): up to 6 months in which you repay no capital and only pay interest.
- Interest: fixed; the rate and the term are set from the start. The page does not publish the interest figure: ask for it at the branch before signing.
- Collateral: none (no mortgage or pledge, the «garantía real»). For an individual the guarantee is personal and no guarantor («avalista») is required; for a company, the co-owners act as guarantors.
- Product type: personal loan («préstamo personal»).
Who can apply
- Entrepreneurs: autónomos or micro-businesses with up to 9 employees and annual turnover of at most €2,000,000.
- With a business plan («plan de empresa») and a viability report («informe de viabilidad») prepared with a MicroBank partner organisation. Both are mandatory.
What if you are a foreigner or have temporary protection? The MicroBank page says nothing about nationality, NIE or residence permit: it mentions no requirement or exclusion on these grounds, and it does not publish which identity and residence documents the bank asks for. On 16 October 2026 we asked two partner organisations in Valencia in writing, Cruz Roja Valencia and Labora-COE; they have not answered yet. If you have temporary protection, one point is open: the loan can last up to 6 years, while your TIE is valid until 4 March 2027 (Order INT/96/2026). Temporary protection has been extended until 4 March 2028 (EU Decision 2026/1912). We do not know how the bank handles that gap, for example whether it shortens the term or lowers the amount. First check that your permit lets you work for yourself: see becoming an autónomo as a foreigner.
Partner organisations in Valencia The partner finder on the MicroBank page lists in Valencia, among others, the Cámara de Comercio de Valencia (Valencia Chamber of Commerce) and Cruz Roja Valencia (Red Cross). It also lists Labora-COE (Labora is the employment service of the Generalitat Valenciana) and Acción contra el Hambre (Action Against Hunger). Across Spain there are more than 280. MicroBank recommends choosing one near you, but it is not required. Current addresses and phone numbers are in that finder.
What we asked and do not know yet (query of 16 October 2026, no answer)
- Which identity and residence documents the bank asks for (TIE, NIE, passport) and whether the renewal receipt («resguardo») is accepted when the card has expired.
- Whether the card's expiry date limits the term or the amount.
- Whether the viability report can be obtained before registering as an autónomo («alta»). This matters if you receive unemployment benefit: the lump sum («pago único») is requested before registering.
- Whether the partner organisation charges for its service, how long the report takes and whether you must be a CaixaBank customer.
Documents
- Business plan, prepared with the partner organisation.
- Viability report from the partner organisation.
- The page does not publish which personal documents the bank asks for, so this list may be incomplete. Confirm with the partner organisation or at the branch.
Steps
- Be clear about your business idea.
- Find a partner organisation in the finder on the MicroBank page. It helps you prepare the business plan and issues the viability report.
- With the plan and the report, go to a CaixaBank branch to start the application.
- The bank assesses the application and tells you whether it approves or refuses it. According to MicroBank, processing usually takes not much more than a week or ten days.
Source: MicroBank, Microcrédito Negocios Convenio Entidades.
Informational only; check the official source and a professional for your specific case.