🇪🇸 Spain Highly Qualified Worker Visa
Your complete guide to work permits for skilled professionals in Spain
2-3 Years
Permit Duration
€2K-3K
Monthly Salary
Job Offer
Required
Labor Test
Required
What is the Highly Qualified Worker Visa?
Spain's Highly Qualified Worker Visa is designed for skilled professionals who have secured employment with Spanish companies. This visa requires a job offer from a Spanish employer and allows qualified workers to live and work in Spain with their families. It's part of Spain's efforts to attract global talent and fill skill shortages in key industries.
Perfect For:
- • Skilled professionals with job offers
- • Those with specialized qualifications
- • Employees of multinational companies
- • Researchers and academics
Key Benefits:
- • 2-3 year work permit
- • Family reunification rights
- • Path to permanent residency
- • EU Blue Card option available
💼 Work Permit Categories
🎯
Multiple Pathways
Spain offers different types of work permits based on employment situation and qualifications.
General Employment Permit
Standard Work Permit
- • For most professional positions
- • Requires labor market test
- • Salary above €2,000-3,000/month
- • 2-3 year permit duration
Intra-company Transfer
- • Transfer within multinational companies
- • May not require labor market test
- • Same salary as local employees
- • Up to 3-year permit
Researcher Work Permit
Research Positions
- • Research contracts with universities
- • R&D positions in companies
- • Post-doctoral research positions
- • Scientific research projects
EU Blue Card Eligible
- • For highly qualified researchers
- • Faster processing times
- • EU-wide mobility rights
- • Family reunification benefits
EU Blue Card Spain
Highly Qualified Workers
- • University degree or equivalent
- • Minimum salary €2,000-3,000/month
- • Job offer from Spanish employer
- • Labor market test completed
EU Blue Card Benefits
- • Valid for 4 years (renewable)
- • EU-wide mobility after 18 months
- • Family reunification rights
- • Faster permanent residency path
Digital Nomad Visa
Remote Work Permit
- • Work remotely for foreign companies
- • Minimum salary €2,000-3,000/month
- • No labor market test required
- • 1-year initial permit (renewable)
Eligibility
- • University degree or equivalent
- • Professional experience in field
- • Proof of remote work capability
- • Health insurance coverage
📋 Eligibility Requirements
Worker Requirements
- ✓Job OfferValid job offer from Spanish employer
- ✓Qualification MatchQualifications match job requirements
- ✓Salary ThresholdSalary above €2,000-3,000/month
- ✓Labor Market TestEmployer completes labor market test (most cases)
Employer Requirements
- ℹ️Spanish CompanyLegally registered company in Spain
- ℹ️Labor Market TestDemonstrate no qualified Spanish workers available
- ℹ️Employment ContractValid employment contract with competitive salary
- ℹ️Social SecurityEmployer registered with Spanish social security
📝 Step-by-Step Application Process
1
Secure Job Offer
Obtain a qualifying job offer from a Spanish employer:
- Job must meet salary threshold (€2,000-3,000/month)
- Position requires appropriate qualifications
- Employer willing to sponsor work permit
- Employment contract prepared
2
Employer Completes Labor Market Test
Employer demonstrates no qualified Spanish workers available:
- Advertise position for 10 days in Spain
- Submit application to Public Employment Service
- Wait for labor market test approval
- Processing time: 2-4 weeks
3
Apply for Work Permit
Submit work permit application through Spanish consulate:
- Complete EX-07 work permit application
- Submit to Spanish consulate in your country
- Pay processing fee (€80-100)
- Include all required documents
- Processing time: 1-3 months
4
Enter Spain & Complete Registration
Travel to Spain and complete immigration procedures:
- Enter Spain with work permit visa
- Register with local immigration office within 30 days
- Apply for residence card (TIE)
- Complete medical examination
- Register with social security
5
Begin Employment & Maintain Status
Start working and maintain your legal status:
- Start employment as per contract
- Maintain health insurance coverage
- Renew residence permit as required
- Report any changes in employment
- Comply with tax obligations
💰 Salary Thresholds for Work Permits
Minimum Salary Requirements
- €General Employment: €2,000-3,000/month depending on region
- €EU Blue Card: €2,000-3,000/month (same as general)
- €Researchers: €2,000-3,000/month or funded positions
- €Digital Nomads: €2,000-3,000/month from foreign employer
Regional Variations
- 🏙️Madrid & Barcelona: Higher thresholds (€3,000+ for many positions)
- 🌊Other Regions: Lower thresholds (€2,000-2,500/month)
- 💼Special Cases: Researchers and trainees may have different requirements
- 📈Negotiation: Many employers offer above minimum to attract talent
🎁 Work Permit Benefits
⏰
2-3 Year Validity
Renewable work permit with stable status
👨👩👧👦
Family Reunification
Bring spouse and children to Spain
🏠
Permanent Residency Path
Clear path to long-term residency
🇪🇺
EU Mobility
EU Blue Card allows movement within EU
🏥
Healthcare Access
Access to Spanish public healthcare
💼
Full Work Rights
Work for any employer after initial period
🏠 Path to Permanent Residency
1-3
Years 1-3
Work permit holder
5
Year 5
Apply for long-term residency
10
Year 10
Apply for permanent residency
10+
Year 10+
Apply for citizenship
Key Requirements for Advancement:
- • Continuous residence in Spain
- • Stable employment and income
- • Integration into Spanish society
- • Language proficiency (for citizenship)
- • Clean criminal record
What's Your Next Step?
⚠️ Important Considerations
- • Labor Market Test: Most positions require demonstration that no qualified Spanish workers are available
- • Employer Sponsorship: Employer must be willing and able to sponsor your work permit
- • Salary Thresholds: Must meet minimum salary requirements (€2,000-3,000/month)
- • Processing Time: Work permit applications can take 1-3 months to process
- • Regional Variations: Salary thresholds and job opportunities vary by region
- • EU Blue Card: Consider EU Blue Card for faster permanent residency path
- • Digital Nomad Option: Remote work permits available for qualified professionals
- • Official Sources: Always check exteriores.gob.es and labor.gob.es for latest information