Spain highly qualified professional and EU Blue Card residence at UGE: official requirements and filing

Official procedure information: Application for Residence for Highly Qualified Professionals

What it is

Through this procedure, you can apply for a residence authorization when you are legally in Spain, which will grant you a 3-year permit to live and, if you wish, work throughout the entire national territory.

The residence authorizations regulated by Law 14/2013, on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization, facilitate entry and stay in Spain for economic interest reasons, among others, for highly qualified professionals.

Managing authority

Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit

Approximate processing time

Fastest resolution time: 20 business days.

Who it is for

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).

Documents

• 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.

General requirements

• 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.

Official answers

Who can submit the application?

The applicant, depending on the type of authorization, may be:

• For initial authorizations:
  • For highly qualified professionals, researchers, or intra-company transfers, the company or entity requiring the foreign national’s services.

Applications can be submitted by the interested person or through a representative.

Is it necessary to submit foreign documents translated and legalized?

All documents must be translated into Spanish. In the case of foreign public documents, they must also bear the Hague Apostille or, failing that, have been legalized through diplomatic channels.

Can the application be admitted for processing?

The Law establishes as a requirement not to be in an irregular situation in Spain, so this requirement must be met at the time of application.

Submitting the residence authorization application will extend the validity of the residence or stay situation held until the procedure is resolved.

Source: Plataforma ONE, Red.es (one.gob.es/en/procedures/application-residence-highly-qualified-professionals). Reproduced under the Plataforma ONE legal notice. Compared with the source on November 2, 2026. Aviso legal