1. Description

This visa authorises highly skilled professionals to live and work in Spain. Under Law 14/2013 there are two tracks:

  • EU Blue Card (Directive 2009/50/EC): requires a university degree of at least 3 years or equivalent experience and a contract of ≥1 year.
  • National PAC: for other highly qualified specialists meeting tailored educational or experience criteria and hired into executive, technical or specialised roles.

Managed by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE), this permit allows residence and work throughout Spain without needing to satisfy national employment quotas.

2. Official Form

Complete Form MI-T for International Mobility, selecting “Highly Qualified Professional” or “EU Blue Card Holder.” For consular visas, use the national visa application form plus the favourable UGE resolution. Submissions are usually online via the UGE electronic office, typically managed by the employer.

3. Fee Model

Pay the residence fee via Form 790 – Code 038 (approx. €73). Payment can be made online (to obtain an NRC) or by bank transfer/cash per consular instructions. Additional consular visa fees may apply; some countries charge a specific Blue Card fee.

4. Required Documentation

  • Signed employment contract or job offer from the Spanish company, detailing position and salary (min. 6 months; ≥1 year for Blue Card).
  • Candidate profile: apostilled & translated university degree (Bachelor’s/Master’s/Doctorate), or professional experience certificates (min. 5 years for Blue Card without degree; ≥3 years for PAC).
  • For regulated professions, Spanish recognition of the foreign qualification.
  • Copy of full passport.
  • Updated CV.
  • Company letter justifying the hire for high qualification and detailing job functions.
  • Company documentation (e.g. descriptive report, CIF/NIF, articles of incorporation or registry extract, proof of meeting strategic criteria such as size, sector or interest).
  • Apostilled & translated criminal record certificate from country of origin/residence.
  • Proof of payment of Form 790 – Code 038.
  • Public or private health insurance for the worker, or proof of Social Security registration. (For Blue Card: evidence that the gross annual salary meets the 1–1.6× national average threshold, approx. €33 000–54 000.)

5. Key Requirements

  • Sponsoring company must recruit the foreign professional for a highly qualified role.
  • Applicant must have a higher education degree (EQF level 6+) or equivalent extensive professional experience.
  • For EU Blue Card: degree of ≥3 years and contract guaranteeing salary above threshold (≈1.5× average).
  • For National PAC: lower academic level (EQF level 5 or ≥3 years experience) permitted for technical/management positions.
  • No requirement to satisfy national employment situation or quotas.
  • All documents must be legalized/apostilled and translated; no criminal record.
  • Employer’s strategic status (large company, innovative startup or project of general interest) is considered favourably by UGE.