Autorización de residencia para profesionales altamente cualificados (Ley 14/2013) - national modality and EU Blue Card
Under Spain's Law 14/2013, companies can hire highly qualified professionals through a fast-track residence and work authorisation processed by the UGE-CE. There are two modalities: an EU Blue Card and a national permit. Decisions are due within 20 days and silence counts as approval.
Life in Spain
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
69
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
9.5–24.5%
Income tax (national)
VAT 21%
State scale 9.5% to 24.5% (above EUR 300,000) plus a regional scale set by each autonomous community, giving combined rates of roughly 19% to 47% or more.
Living
1
Happiness
#39 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
Your edge here Members
What gives you an edge here: passports, visas and permits you hold, work, study, language and family ties
Working in your field Members
Whether you need a licence or registration to work in your field here
Who it’s for
Non-EU managers and highly qualified workers hired by a company in Spain, either under the EU Blue Card rules or the national highly qualified modality.
Eligibility
Age and status
You must be over 18, not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, and not in Spain irregularly.
- Minimum age: over 18
Official wording
You must be over 18, not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen, and not in Spain irregularly.
Degree or experience (Blue Card)EU Blue Card
For the EU Blue Card, show a higher education qualification of at least 3 years, or 5 years of relevant experience.
Qualification or experience (Blue Card)
- QualificationMECES level 2
- At least 3 years
- Experience
- 5 years
- ICT professionals and managerswithin the last 7 years
- 3 years
Official wording
A higher education qualification of at least 3 years (MECES level 2), or 5 years of relevant experience; 3 years within the last 7 for ICT professionals and managers.
Contract of 6 months or more (Blue Card)EU Blue Card
For the EU Blue Card, you need a valid contract or firm job offer of at least 6 months.
- Contract must follow the applicable collective agreement
Official wording
A valid contract or firm job offer of at least 6 months that follows the applicable collective agreement.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementSalary threshold (Blue Card)
- Document checklistMI-T application form
- FeesInitial residence authorisation (tasa 790 código 038, point 7.1)
The full requirements are for members
Create an account and subscribe to see every requirement, the full document checklist, fees, steps, processing times and conditions, and how your profile compares.
- 5 more requirements
- 9 documents
- 1 fee
- 9 steps
- Processing times and conditions
Places to visit in Spain
Attractions picked for you, based on your profile and interests.
Finding places for you…
Official sources
Other routes to Spain
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyStudent visa and stay permit for studies
- FamilyTemporary residence authorisation for family reunification
- Investors & entrepreneursVisado y autorización de residencia para teletrabajo de carácter internacional
- CitizenshipNacionalidad española por residencia
Work permits in other countries
- EthiopiaExpatriate Work Permit (Ministry of Labour and Skills) and Foreign Business Firm Employment Visa
- FinlandResidence permit for a specialist (erityisasiantuntija), including the fast-track service
- FijiLong Term Work Permit
- Falkland IslandsFalkland Islands Work Permit
- MicronesiaFSM entry permit for employment or short-term contractual services
- Faroe IslandsFaroe Islands work and residence permit
