Highly Qualified Visa in Spain
A fast-track residence route for international talent.
1. What is the procedure?
The Highly Qualified Visa is a residence and work authorization designed for non-EU professionals who are hired in Spain for positions requiring advanced qualifications or specialized expertise.
This permit applies to:
- Senior management personnel
- Highly skilled professionals
- Graduates or post-graduates from recognized universities or business schools
- Specialists transferred within a multinational company
The visa can be issued either under the general immigration regime or under Law 14/2013 (Entrepreneur’s Law), which provides a fast-track procedure for large companies and strategic sectors.
It allows the holder to legally live and work in Spain under an employment contract.
2. Benefits
The Highly Qualified Visa offers several advantages:
- Legal residence and employment in Spain
- Fast-track resolution (under Law 14/2013)
- National mobility (valid across Spain)
- Family members can apply simultaneously
- Eligibility for long-term residency after 5 years
- Possibility to renew the permit
When issued under Law 14/2013, the permit typically offers greater flexibility and nationwide validity.
3. Who can apply?
This visa is intended for non-EU nationals who:
- Have received a job offer in Spain for a highly qualified position
- Are part of senior management
- Possess advanced academic qualifications or equivalent professional experience
The application must generally be initiated by the hiring company in Spain.
Family members (spouse, dependent children, and dependent ascendants) may apply together with the main applicant.
4. Requirements
This permit is processed exclusively under Law 14/2013 (Entrepreneur’s Law).
Core requirements include:
- Valid employment contract in Spain
- Clean criminal record certificate (last 2 years of residence, plus declaration covering last 5 years)
- Valid passport
- Proof of qualifications (degree or professional experience)
- Payment of administrative fees
Family members must provide documentation proving family relationship and financial dependence.
All foreign documents must be legalized/apostilled and officially translated when necessary.
5. How the procedure works
The process generally follows these steps:
- The employer obtains the work authorization
The Spanish company submits the application to the relevant authority (UGE in the case of Law 14/2013). - Residence authorization is granted
- Visa application at the Consulate (only if the applicant is outside Spain)
If the applicant is outside Spain, they must apply for a visa at the corresponding Spanish consulate after residence authorization is granted. - Decision period
The legal resolution period is typically around 10 days, though this may be extended if additional documentation is requested. - Arrival in Spain
If staying longer than 6 months, the worker must obtain a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) and register with the Social Security system.
Under Law 14/2013, the initial residence authorization is granted for 3 years and is renewable for 2 additional years. The permit is linked to the sponsoring employer. If the employment relationship ends, the change must be communicated and the residence status must be modified accordingly.
6. FAQ
ExpatPlanner is a relocation coordination platform designed for all people moving to Spain.
Rather than focusing on isolated administrative tasks, it structures the entire relocation process - identifying the correct legal pathway, sequencing the required procedures, and coordinating the professionals who execute them.
In practical terms, it turns a fragmented administrative journey into a clear, manageable roadmap.
ExpatPlanner was developed by a team of professionals with experience in international mobility, legal immigration services, and digital platforms.
The goal was straightforward: simplify Spain's administrative complexity for international professionals, entrepreneurs and remote workers by combining technology with specialized human expertise.
Legal and immigration services are handled by licensed immigration lawyers and regulated professionals in Spain.
ExpatPlanner coordinates these specialists so that the legal strategy, documentation preparation and administrative procedures remain consistent throughout the process.
This ensures that decisions taken early in the relocation do not create legal or tax complications later.
No. ExpatPlanner is not a law firm.
It is a coordination platform that organizes the relocation process and connects clients with the appropriate legal, administrative and tax specialists when needed.
This structure allows clients to access the right expertise while maintaining a single point of coordination.
The process typically follows three stages.
- First, we analyze your situation - nationality, professional activity, relocation plans and timeline.
- Second, we design a relocation roadmap that identifies the correct visa pathway and the administrative steps required.
- Finally, we coordinate the execution of those steps with the appropriate specialists while keeping you informed at each stage.
The objective is simple: clarity and control throughout the relocation.
Moving to Spain is rarely difficult because of a single procedure.
It becomes complicated because multiple procedures must be done in the correct order, often across different institutions.
A misplaced step - for example obtaining the wrong type of NIE or triggering tax residency too early - can create months of delay or unnecessary fiscal consequences.
ExpatPlanner reduces those risks by structuring the process from the beginning.
Costs depend on the services required and the complexity of the relocation.
Some clients use ExpatPlanner primarily for strategic planning and guidance, while others ask us to coordinate the full relocation process including legal filings and administrative procedures.
Pricing is transparent and defined before work begins so that clients understand the scope and expected costs.
Depending on the situation, services may include:
- Visa and residence strategy
- Coordination of immigration procedures
- NIE and administrative registrations
- Fiscal planning related to relocation
- Guidance on housing, banking and practical setup
- Coordination of legal and administrative specialists
The objective is not simply to complete paperwork, but to ensure that each step fits into a coherent relocation strategy.
Quality is ensured through two mechanisms.
First, by working with licensed professionals in each domain - immigration lawyers, tax advisors and administrative specialists.
Second, by coordinating the process through a structured roadmap so that each step is reviewed and executed in the correct order.
This combination of professional expertise and process coordination significantly reduces the likelihood of errors.
Yes.
Many clients arrive after beginning the relocation independently and encountering administrative obstacles.
In these cases, the first step is reviewing the current situation and identifying what has already been completed, what needs correction, and how to realign the process with the appropriate legal pathway.
No.
While many clients are remote professionals relocating under the Digital Nomad Visa, ExpatPlanner also supports:
- Highly qualified professionals relocating for employment
- Entrepreneurs establishing businesses in Spain
- International professionals seeking tax-efficient relocation
- Families relocating for long-term residence
Yes.
All personal data is handled in accordance with the European General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Documentation is stored securely and shared only with the professionals or institutions necessary to complete each administrative step.