Spain – Highly Qualified Professional Visa

Introduction

With Law 14/2013, Spain aims to attract entrepreneurs, investors, and skilled workers. The goal is to establish itself as a leading international talent hub.

This visa applies if you are a foreign national looking to the development of an employment or professional relationship in a management position or activity for which a higher education qualification is required or, exceptionally, a minimum of three years of professional experience that can be considered equivalent to said qualification.

Requirements

Application form
Valid passport
Private health insurance with full coverage throughout Spain
Professional Degree or proof of a minimum of 3 years relevant professional experience
Copy of the employment contract dated prior to the submission of the application and conditioned to the visa approval
Job profile indicating the functions and tasks that the professional will perform
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Documentation accrediting the characteristics of the company
Depending on the role you will perform, a minimum gross salary is required by the authorities
Certificate of criminal records from the countries you have resided on the last 2 years, and a declaration that states that you do not have a criminal record in the countries where you have resided in the last 5 years
Application fee

Qualifying Dependants

This visa allows for your spouse or formal partner, dependent children and dependent ascendants to come to live in Spain with you.

Special Tax Regime

As a holder of the Highly Qualifies Visa, you can benefit from a special tax regime. If you have not been a tax resident in Spain during the last five years, you will pay a flat rate of 24% on income derived from work up to €600.000, instead of the usual progressive rate:

You must apply for the special regime with the Spanish tax agency within 6 months from the moment the relocation happens.

Summary of Key Advantages

You are eligible for permanent residency after 5 years of continuous residency, with the option to include your family (spouse, children and ascendants)

Fast-track application: resolution in 20 working days

Visa-free travel in the Schengen area

Renewal after 2 years (for an additional 2 years)

For Iberoamerican countries and former Spanish colonies, this resident permit counts toward applying for Spanish citizenship/passport after 2 years)

Application Process

There are 2 ways of applying:

Apply from Spain with a tourist visa (or any valid visa, including if you can enter visa free) and directly obtain a 3-year resident permit and card
Obtain a 1-year visa from your country of origin at the Spanish consulate and change this for a 3-year resident permit and card upon arrival in Spain

Step 1

Prepare all the documents