Highly qualified professional residence permit (and EU Blue Card)
Residence and work authorisation for non-EU professionals with a higher education degree or equivalent experience who receive a qualified job offer in Spain. It is processed by the company before the UGE-CE, with positive administrative silence.
The highly qualified professional (PAC) residence permit is designed to let companies in Spain bring in international talent quickly. It is processed by the company itself before the Large Companies Unit (UGE-CE), with a resolution in around 20 working days and positive administrative silence.
It comes in two forms: the national PAC permit and the EU Blue Card, which also facilitates mobility to other Union countries. It grants an initial authorisation of 3 years and allows family reunification from the outset.
Who is it for?
Non-EU executives and professionals with a prestigious university or postgraduate degree, higher vocational training, or at least 3 years of comparable professional experience, who are going to fill a qualified position at a company in Spain. Includes the EU Blue Card.
Main requirements
- Be a national of a country outside the EU/EEA/Switzerland
- Not be in an irregular situation in Spain
- Have a job offer or contract for a highly qualified position at a company in Spain
- Have no criminal record in the countries of residence over the last 5 years
Duration
3 years, renewable for 2. It allows residence for the family from the outset and, in the case of the EU Blue Card, mobility across other Union countries.
Usual documentation
- Valid passport
- Employment contract or job offer for a highly qualified position
- University or postgraduate degree, higher vocational training, or proof of at least 3 years of equivalent professional experience
- Proof that the salary meets the required threshold (EU Blue Card: at least 1,4 times the average annual gross earnings)
- Company documentation (deed of incorporation, activity and workforce)
- Criminal record certificate from the last 5 years, apostilled
- Health insurance or registration with Social Security
- Application form and proof of payment of the fee (modelo 790, código 038)
How to apply
The company submits the application to the UGE-CE electronically. It is resolved in around 20 working days, with positive administrative silence.
- The company gathers the documentation for the position and the worker.
- It submits the electronic application for authorisation to the UGE-CE and pays the fee.
- Once the authorisation is granted, the worker applies for the visa at the consulate if outside Spain.
- Once in Spain, the appointment for fingerprints and the Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) is booked.