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Residence and nationality

Residence and work for highly qualified professionals (Law 14/2013)

Residencia y trabajo para profesionales altamente cualificados (Ley 14/2013)

What it is

A residence and work authorisation for highly qualified professionals hired by a company in Spain, under Law 14/2013. There are two types: the EU Blue Card (higher education of at least three years, or five years of comparable experience, and a contract or firm offer of at least six months with a minimum salary) and the national authorisation (qualification equivalent to MECES level 1, or three years of comparable experience). The company or the professional applies online to the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE); it is decided in twenty days and, without a reply, deemed granted. The authorisation lasts up to three years.

Official wording
Plazo de resolución de la solicitud: veinte días desde la presentación electrónica de la solicitud en el órgano competente para su tramitación.

Official sources

Where it applies
All of Spain

Official information

Official sources

Go to the official website: Information sheet 66 (Ministry of Inclusion)

When

When a company in Spain wants to hire you for a highly qualified job. You must not be in Spain irregularly and must be over 18.

Official wording
No encontrarse irregularmente en territorio español.

Official sources

Steps

  1. Step 1: Check which type applies

    EU Blue Card: higher education of at least three years (MECES level 2) or five years of comparable experience (three years in the last seven for ICT professionals and managers); a contract or firm offer of at least six months; and, for regulated professions, a recognised degree. National authorisation: qualification equivalent to MECES level 1 or three years of comparable experience.

    Official wording
    Presentar un contrato de trabajo válido o una oferta firme de empleo de alta cualificación para un período de al menos seis meses

    Official sources

  2. Step 2: Apply to the UGE-CE

    The company or the professional files the MI-T form online on the e-office of the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit, with the documents. The fee (form 790 code 038, section 7.1) is paid within ten working days of admission.

    Official wording
    Telemáticamente, a través de la sede electrónica de la Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE).

    Official sources

  3. Step 3: Decision

    It is decided within twenty days of electronic filing; without a reply it is deemed granted. The decision is notified to the employer and communicated to the worker.

    Official wording
    Si no se resuelve en dicho plazo, la autorización se entenderá estimada por silencio administrativo.

    Official sources

  4. Step 4: Apply for the visa (if outside Spain)

    Once granted, you have one month from notification to the employer to apply in person for the visa at the consulate for your area (passport valid for at least one year, criminal records for the last five years, medical certificate, copy of the contract and fee). The consulate decides in ten working days; you collect the visa within one month and enter Spain within its three months of validity.

    Official wording
    el trabajador dispone de un mes desde la notificación al empleador, para solicitar personalmente el visado en la Misión Diplomática u Oficina Consular en cuya demarcación resida.

    Official sources

  5. Step 5: Social Security registration and TIE

    After entry, Social Security affiliation and registration must happen within three months. Within one month of registration, if the authorisation lasts more than six months, apply in person for the TIE at the police station where you live.

    Official wording
    En el plazo de un mes desde que el trabajador se haya dado de alta en la Seguridad Social, deberá solicitar, personalmente, la tarjeta de identidad de extranjero

    Official sources

Documents

Your ticks are saved on this device only.

🖨 Printable bilingual document card (you can show it at the counter)

Fees

Form 790 code 038, section 7.1; due when the application is accepted and paid within ten working days.

Official wording
Modelo 790 código 038 , epígrafe 7.1.

Official sources

FAQ

What salary is needed for the EU Blue Card?

A gross annual salary of at least 1.4 times the average gross annual earnings per worker published by the INE in the Annual Wage Structure Survey. A 0.8 coefficient applies to group 1 and 2 shortage occupations and to those who obtained their qualification at most three years earlier. The order sets no euro figure: it depends on the latest INE survey.

Official wording
un salario bruto anual igual o superior a 1,4 veces la ganancia media anual bruta por trabajador (ambos sexos) publicada por el Instituto Nacional de Estadística en la Encuesta Anual de Estructura Salarial.

Official sources

How long does the authorisation last?

Three years, or the length of the contract plus three months if shorter, never more than three years.

Official wording
La validez de la autorización de residencia será de tres años, o igual a la duración del contrato más un periodo adicional de tres meses en el caso de que la duración del contrato sea inferior

Official sources

Related procedures

Terms used on this page