Spain’s Highly Qualified Professionals Permit: Guide for Employers

The Spanish permit for Highly Qualified Professionals (HQP) provides companies with a fast and efficient pathway to bring non-European talents to Spain. If your company is seeking executives, managers, or specialists with unique skills, this permit offers a quicker and more flexible alternative compared to other types of work authorizations. Here's what companies should know about the requirements, costs and application process.

What is the Highly Qualified Professionals Permit?

This Spanish work permit allows companies to hire non-European professionals for roles that require specialized expertise or leadership skills.

Advantages for employers include:

• Faster processing: The administration has up to 20 working days to process the permit application.
• Initial validity of 3 years, with the option to renew every 2 years.
• Family reunification: Spouses, children, and dependent relatives can join the worker in Spain.
• Employer-specific permit: The employee’s residency is tied to their role within the sponsoring company.

The permit is employer-specific, meaning the employee’s residency is linked to their role with the sponsoring company.

Requirements for the Highly Qualified Professionals Permit

To qualify, candidates must meet these criteria:

• Hold a university degree or have at least 3 years of documented experience in their field.
• Receive a job offer with a minimum salary of:
  
  • €54,142 for directors and managers
  • €40,077 for other technical, scientific, and intellectual professionals

Note: For applicants under 30 years old, these amounts are subject to a reduction coefficient of 0.75.

• Provide a certified criminal record certificate that has been apostilled/legalized (if they do not have a prior permit in Spain).

There are no specific requirements for the hiring company: any company can apply for an HQ permit. However, this permit is most commonly used for positions in fields such as technology, engineering, renewable energy, and similar sectors.

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Application Process for Employers

The employer company is responsible for beginning the application process. This may be handled by an authorized company representative. The company should prepare all required initial documents and submit them to the appropriate authority. 

Step-by-Step Guide

Required Documents for Employers

When applying, companies must submit:

• Application forms for the permit, signed by a legal representative, using the signature issued by the FNMT (National Mint and Stamp Factory).
• Employment documents:
  
  • Signed contract copy
  • Detailed job description
  • Employee's professional resume
• Employee credentials:
  
  • Passport copy
  • Background checks
  • University degree or documentation proving at least 3 years of relevant experience.

Costs and Processing Times

• Permit application fee: €73.26 
• Visa fee: ~€80 (varies by consulate)
• Residence card fee: €16.08 

The processing typically takes 20 business days, although delays may occur if additional documents are requested.

Renewal and Long-Term Residence for Employees

• The permit is renewable every 2 years, as long as the conditions that led to the initial permit continue to be met.
• After 5 years of continuous residency, employees can apply for long-term residence, granting them unrestricted work rights in Spain.

‍Note: If employment ends, the employee’s residency status expires unless they obtain another permit or meet other requirements.

How Jobbatical Supports Employers in Spain

Spain’s Highly Qualified Professionals permit offers a faster route to hiring global talent, but success depends on precise documentation. Jobbatical’s experts can handle the relocation details, helping you save time and reduce costs.

Our team assists companies with:

• Work permits and visas, including family reunification.
• Legal compliance
• Relocation logistics, including accommodation and local administration.

‍Contact us for a personalized consultation.