Application for Residence for Highly Qualified Professionals
Foreign nationals with a job offer in Spain for the development of an employment or professional relationship in a managerial position or an activity that requires a higher education qualification or, exceptionally, proof of a minimum of three years of professional experience that can be considered equivalent to such qualification, related to the activity for which the authorization is granted.
Spanish regulations offer two alternatives for authorization as a highly qualified professional:
- Residence authorization for highly qualified professionals holding an EU Blue Card
(Activity requiring a qualification obtained through higher education studies of at least three years, equivalent to at least Level 2 of the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, corresponding to Level 6 of the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning and the same level of the European Qualifications Framework (EQF)). - National residence authorization for highly qualified professionals
(Employment or professional activity requiring a qualification equivalent to at least Level 1 of the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, corresponding to Level 5A of the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning).
- Copy of the company’s Tax Identification Number (NIF) and a public document granting the company’s legal representative the authority to sign applications, as well as a copy of their identification document (DNI, NIE, etc.). If acting through a third party, proof of authorization must be provided.
- Copy of the employment contract or proof of the professional relationship dated prior to the submission of the application, signed by both parties.
- Job profile indicating the functions and tasks the professional will perform, along with their curriculum vitae and, where applicable, higher education degree or equivalent.
- According to the applicable section of Article 71 of Law 14/2013:
- Section a): Documentation proving the characteristics of the company (number of employees, turnover, etc.). To prove that an SME belongs to a strategic sector, a report from the Directorate General for International Trade and Investments of the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness must be provided.
- Section b): Report from the Directorate General for Trade and Investments (Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness) certifying that the project is of general interest (more information about this report can be obtained by emailing informacion@icex.es).
- Section c): Documentation proving that the professional holds a graduate or postgraduate degree from a recognized university or business school.
- If they hold a short-term stay or a study stay of less than six months, they must present a criminal record certificate from the country or countries where they have resided during the last five years.
- Completed application form.
- Copy of the full passport or valid travel document and, where applicable, copies for family members.
- Proof of sufficient financial resources for yourself and your family members during your stay in Spain.
- Public or private health insurance contracted with an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain, unless you will carry out an activity that grants you insured status under the National Health System.
- Proof of payment of the corresponding fee.
- If the applicant is already in Spain when submitting the application and holds a short-term stay or a study stay of less than six months, they must present the original criminal record certificate from the country or countries where they have resided during the last five years.
What steps should you follow?
Step 1. Authorization by the company or entity
The company or entity must request the residence authorization for highly qualified professionals. This application is processed by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit in Spain.
Step 2. Preparation of documentation and payment of the fee
Download, complete, and sign the visa application form specifying the reason for your relocation.
Additionally, you must pay the corresponding fee (Form 790) at banks, savings banks, or credit cooperatives.
Paso 3. Notification.
Within the established maximum timeframe, the residence authorization for highly qualified professionals will be resolved. The company will receive a notification of the application status via the email address provided when the application was submitted.
The application must be submitted by the company or entity wishing to hire the foreign national, or by the duly accredited representative of that company.
Do you need additional information?
Modelo_Solicitud_Profesionales Altamente Cualificados
Format: .pdf. 492.99 KB
The assessment of a position as suitable for a highly qualified professional is carried out individually, taking into account, among other factors, the academic degree, professional competence, work experience, job profile, duties to be performed, and remuneration appropriate to the position, paying special attention to the uniqueness of recently graduated or postgraduate individuals under Article 71(c) of Law 14/2013.
To certify that a company belongs to a strategic sector, it may request a report from the Directorate General for Trade and Investments (under the Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness) to confirm this status for the purposes of Law 14/2013 and submit it along with the application.
More information about this report can be obtained by calling 900 349 000, emailing informacion@icex.es, or visiting http://prie.comercio.es).
Yes, other forms of proof of having obtained the degree are accepted, such as:
- For a Spanish degree: a certificate from the educational institution confirming that studies have been completed, fees paid, and the degree is pending issuance.
- For a foreign degree: a certificate from the relevant university authority, duly translated and apostilled/legalized (as a public document).
ou must provide both the general requirements and the specific requirements established for each type of authorization, in accordance with Law 14/2013.
An indicative list of documentation can be found on the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit website.
To obtain long-term residence, you must meet the general requirements set out in the Regulation of Organic Law 4/2000.
The most common case is having legally and continuously resided in Spain for five years.
Absences of up to six consecutive months are allowed, provided the total does not exceed ten months (or one year for work-related absences) within the five-year period, unless the departures were irregular.
There is no difference between authorizations under Law 14/2013 and other residence permits regarding Schengen travel.
Foreign residents in Spain may travel freely within Schengen countries for up to three months per six-month period.
Current Schengen countries include: Germany, Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Slovenia, Spain, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Required documents: valid travel document (passport or equivalent) and residence permit. A declaration of entry may be required in the destination country.
More information: Ministry of the Interior website.
At the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit, Subdirectorate General of Immigration, Directorate General of Migration, under the Secretariat General for Immigration and Emigration of the Ministry of Employment and Social Security, located at Plaza de la Remonta, No. 12, 3rd floor, CP 28071, Madrid.
Applications for initial residence authorizations and renewals can be submitted at any public registry.
Specifically, at the registry of the Secretariat General for Immigration and Emigration, Calle José Abascal, 39, Madrid.At the headquarters of the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (Plaza de la Remonta, Madrid), by prior appointment.
Online via the Ministry of Employment and Social Security’s electronic headquarters (digital certificate required).
The applicant depending on the authorizations can be:
- Initial authorizations:
- For investors and entrepreneurs: the foreign applicant.
- For highly qualified professionals, researchers, or intra-company transfers: the company or entity requiring the foreign worker.
- Family authorizations:
- If submitted jointly with the main applicant: by the main applicant (investors/entrepreneurs) or the company/entity (highly qualified professionals, researchers, intra-company transfers).
- If submitted later: by one of the above or the family member themselves.
- Renewals: submitted by the foreign holder of the authorization (family members renew their own authorization).
Applications may be submitted by the applicant or an authorized representative.
Foreign nationals granted a residence visa under this law may stay in Spain for one year without needing to process the TIE.
However, those granted a residence authorization under Law 14/2013 must personally apply for the TIE. The resolution granting the authorization specifies the procedure, required documentation, and where to apply.
If submitting in person: bring original and copy (UGE keeps the copy).
If submitting at a public registry: bring original and copy, and send only a certified copy.
Application forms for residence authorization can be found at the provided link
The law requires that the applicant is not in Spain irregularly at the time of application.
Submitting the residence authorization request extends the validity of the current residence or stay until the procedure is resolved.
Yes, provided the requirements for modification under the Regulation of Organic Law 4/2000 are met.
Yes. Additional Provision Four of Law 14/2013 states that residence authorizations allow both residence and work (self-employed or employed).
Foreign nationals must have coverage through public healthcare or private insurance during their stay in Spain.
Proof of insurance is not required if the foreign national (and family members) will be insured under the National Health System by registering with Social Security through an employment contract or professional relationship.
For entrepreneurs not starting activity immediately, short-term insurance (e.g., travel insurance valid for three months) is accepted.
In other cases, a public or private health insurance policy contracted with an insurer authorized to operate in Spain is required, offering coverage equivalent to the National Health System for the duration of the authorization or at least one renewable year (travel insurance is not valid).
For inquiries regarding Social Security contributions, you can visit the official website.
Foreign public documents must also bear the Hague Apostille or, failing that, be legalized through diplomatic channels.
More information on document legalization can be found at the provided link.
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