When we talk about residency for highly qualified professional, we are referring to the special permit commonly known as the residency highly qualified professional. This residency program is designed to attract global talent to Spain, allowing foreign nationals with high professional qualifications to obtain residency and work under favorable conditions.
This permit is established under Law 14/2013 on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization, which creates a distinct regime for these professionals, separate from the general immigration regime. The regulations recognize that simply meeting the requirements for a standard work permit is not sufficient: applicants must demonstrate a highly qualified profile, a contract reflecting advanced responsibilities, and a commensurate salary.
A key difference is that for the highly qualified professional residence permit, you can apply from abroad or from within Spain, obtaining a 3-year residence authorization and the possibility of applying for residence for your family members. You can obtain the residence authorization in less than 30 days. Additionally, this authorization is processed by the Large Companies Unit (UGE).
If you’re thinking of coming to work in Spain in a highly skilled position, our team of expert immigration attorneys can help you process your highly skilled professional residence permit quickly, securely, and without complications.
Essential Requirements for the highly qualified professionalResidence Permit
To apply for the Highly Skilled Professional Residence Permit, you must meet a series of essential requirements. If you fail to meet even one of them, your application may be automatically rejected.
Formal Job Offer and Minimum Wage Requirement
Another key requirement is a formal job offer issued by a company in Spain, detailing the position, duties, duration, and salary terms. This contract must pertain to a highly skilled position. Regarding salary, the law sets minimum thresholds to ensure that the position is truly high-level. For example, certain criteria indicate that management positions may require higher salaries compared to other technical positions.
The minimum salary must be €2,500 per month or €40,500 per year, and the position must also fall under profiles 1 and 2 listed in the National Classification of Occupations CNO2011.
Education or professional experience
Applicants are required to have a college degree or other higher education credentials demonstrating the experience necessary for the position. In some cases, if a formal degree is not available, applicants may demonstrate sufficient professional experience that can be considered equivalent to such training. In regulated professions (medicine, law, engineering, etc.), additional training, or the homologation or recognition of the degree in Spain, may be required prior to the residency application process.
Criminal record
In addition, you must provide a criminal record certificate from the country or countries where you have resided over the past 5 years, duly apostilled and, where applicable, accompanied by an official translation.
If you meet these essential requirements, you may apply for the highly qualified professional residence permit.
Documents required to apply for a highly skilled professional residence permit
Submitting the correct documentation is essential to avoid delays or rejections. Below is a list of the documents typically required.
Valid passport
Complete and valid passport (copy of all pages)
Translations, legalizations, and apostilles
If any of your documents (certificates, diplomas, transcripts, etc.) are not in Spanish, you must obtain an official certified translation. Additionally, many authorities require legalization, an apostille, or diplomatic validation of the document before it can be used in Spain.
Employment contract, company authorization, and academic certificates
The employment contract or formal job offer must include details such as position, duties, salary, duration, work schedule, etc.
The hiring company will be responsible for signing the MI-T application form for a residence permit for highly qualified professionals with the Large Companies Unit (UGE).
If the foreign national was outside Spain at the time of submitting the application, once a favorable decision granting residency has been obtained, they must apply for the corresponding visa at the Spanish consulate.
Conversely, if the application was submitted while the foreign national was in Spain, this visa application process will not be necessary.
You must provide your academic credentials (university degree, diplomas, transcripts), as well as any professional certificates that support your qualifications. Include your resume.
Once you have gathered all this documentation, you will be ready to begin the formal application process.
Processing Times, Costs, and Fees for the Highly Skilled Professional Residence Permit
It is essential to understand the processing times, costs, and fees involved in applying for this residence permit.
Estimated processing times
Once the documentation is complete, the processing time is typically around 20 days. This is considered a tacit approval; therefore, if you do not receive a response within this timeframe, the application is deemed approved.
This timeframe may only be extended if the UGE office requests additional information.
Consular fees, residency fees, and additional costs
- Fee 790-038 costs €73.26.
- In addition, you should factor in costs for certified translations, legalizations, apostilles, postage, and travel to the consulate or administrative offices.
- Fees are non-refundable if the application is rejected
Validity, Renewal, and Changing Employers
The highly qualified professional residence permit grants you permission to reside in Spain for 3 years. Please note that this residence permit is tied to the job for which it was requested, which means that if your contract ends or if you wish to change employers, you must update your residence status and/or notify the UGE office.
Initial Duration and Possibility of Extension
The initial residence permit is valid for up to 3 years; after that, you can renew your residence. Please note that renewal is possible if you meet the initial requirements.
- If you have accumulated 5 years of continuous legal residence, you may be eligible for long-term residence.
- In the case of nationals from Latin American countries, after 2 years of legal and uninterrupted residence, they may apply for Spanish citizenship.
- Depending on the case, you may also be able to switch to another type of residence.
Changing employers and notifying the authorities
Since the highly qualified professional residence permit is tied to the employer who applied for the authorization, any change of employer requires notifying the UGE within 30 days. If you find a new job offer, you may submit a new application through that employer, provided you continue to meet the qualification requirements.
In some cases, you may choose to change the type of residence permit.
Access to permanent residency and citizenship
As mentioned, after 5 years of continuous legal residency, you can apply for long-term (permanent) residency. This provides greater stability since you would no longer be tied to your employment. Additionally, those years count toward Spanish citizenship (subject to the applicable legal timeframes based on your situation).
Thus, residency not only opens immediate doors to employment but can also serve as the foundation for your long-term immigration plan in Spain.
Application for a Highly Skilled Professional Family Residence Permit:
One of the most valued benefits of this visa is the ability to bring your family with you under certain conditions.
Who is eligible (spouse, children, parents)
The following may be included in your application or join you later as family members:
- Your spouse or partner in a similar relationship
- Minor children, or older children who are financially dependent on you and do not constitute a family unit on their own.
- Dependent ascendants, if they are financially dependent on your.
Procedure for family members and requirements
The holder of the highly qualified professional residence permit must submit a separate application for each family member, providing proof of the family relationship. The required documentation is similar: passport, MI-F application form, proof of no criminal record (apostilled), and proof of family relationship (marriage certificates, birth
Including the family from the start can facilitate integration and provide greater stability for everyone.
Advantages and Limitations of Residency for highly qualified professional
Although this residency offers many benefits, it also has certain limitations that you should be aware of.
Advantages: Schengen mobility, job stability, integration
- It allows for free movement within the Schengen Area, which facilitates travel within the zone without an additional visa.
- It offers job stability and residency for several years (initial 3 years, with the option to renew residency).
- It facilitates family reunification from the start, allowing your spouse and children to accompany you and obtain residency.
- The years spent under this permit count toward permanent residency and citizenship.
- You are not required to comply with national employment quotas (there is no obligation to prove that the position cannot be filled by a Spanish national).
- There is no requirement for health insurance, since as a worker you are already contributing to Social Security and are part of the system.
- Financial means are demonstrated through the worker’s salary.
Limitations: tied to a specific employer, strict conditions.
- The permit is tied to the specific company that applied for the residence permit. If your contract ends, you could lose your authorization unless you find a new company to continue the process.
- If you change employers, you must submit a new application or request an amendment, which involves administrative procedures.
- The salary and qualification requirements are strict; not just any job offer will suffice.
Do you want to obtain your highly qualified professional Residence Permit in Spain without errors or delays?
Our team of expert immigration and migration lawyers can guide you through the entire process: from preparing documents to obtaining your residence permit.
Book an appointment and leave your application in the hands of professionals
Frequently Asked Questions About Residency for highly qualified professionals
What is the difference between the highly qualified professional Residency and the EU Blue Card?
The highly qualified professional Residency is intended for living and working in Spain with ties to a Spanish company, while the EU Blue Card allows you to work and move between the headquarters and/or subsidiaries of the sponsoring company located in other European Union countries. Under conditions of highly qualified employment as defined by the European directive.
How long does the entire process take, from the company’s application to the granting of residency?
The process of obtaining residency takes 20 days, unless there are additional requirements in the process.
Can I change employers once I have a highly qualified professional residence permit?
Yes, but you must notify the relevant authority (UGE) and may need to submit a new application for that employer, because the permit is tied to the original employer.
Are family members allowed to work in Spain with a highly qualified professional family residence permit?
Yes, family members of working age can work in Spain in any occupation and anywhere in the country. Additionally, their time of residence also counts toward future applications for long-term residency and/or citizenship.
What happens if my contract ends before my highly qualified professional residency expires?
You must notify the relevant authority—UGE—of the contract’s termination within the stipulated 30-day period. If you do not find new employment or do not meet the requirements, you could lose your authorization; in this case, contact us to discuss what other types of residency you may apply for.
If I apply while outside Spain, do I get the same length of residence?
Exactly, you will receive a 3-year residence permit. The only additional step you need to take is to apply for a visa at the consular office in the country where you reside; they will issue you a visa that will allow you to enter Spain as a resident.
If the foreign national is in Spain, can they apply for the authorization?
Yes, provided they are in a legal status. If the foreign national is outside of Spain at the time of application, once the residence authorization is granted, they must apply for a visa.
Do I need to prove financial means?
Since you have a job offer stating a salary of over €2,500, it is understood that you have sufficient resources to support yourself and, if applicable, your family members; therefore, you do not need to provide proof of other income.
Is private health insurance required?
It is not mandatory to provide proof of private health insurance, since having an employment contract means you will be enrolled in the Spanish social security system and become part of it.
