Spain: EU Blue Card Implemented

May 26, 2023

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Country / Territory

At a Glance

  • The Spanish government has implemented the EU Blue Card to align with the EU Blue Card Directive.
  • The government has also amended the national residence permit for highly qualified professionals, including expanded eligibility rules and a longer validity period.

The changes come into effect on May 29, 2023.

The situation

The Spanish government has implemented the EU Blue Card to align with the EU Blue Card Directive and has amended the national residence permit for highly-skilled professionals.

CHANGE DETAILS IMPACT
Amendments to the national residence permit for highly qualified professionals

Permit details have been amended to allow the following foreign nationals to qualify for the permit:

    • Those with a qualification comparable at least to level 1 of the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education; or
    • Those with at least three years of relevant professional experience.

Permit validity has been expanded to the duration of the employment contract plus three months (up to a total of three years).

 The pool of eligible candidates and the duration for this national residence permit have been expanded.
EU Blue Card

This is a new residence permit available under the Entrepreneur’s Act in Spain, which is available to:

    • Those with a higher education qualification of at least three years;
    • Those with at least a level 2 qualification under the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education; or
    • Those with at least five years professional experience in a relevant profession or sector (or three years in the prior seven years for information and communications technology managers or professionals).

This permit is available for those with an employment contract lasting at least six months who will earn between one and 1.6 times the average gross annual salary. There is an exception to the salary requirement for professions with a particular need for foreign workers.

The permit is valid for the duration of the employment contract plus three months (up to a total of three years).

 This process is more flexible than those available at a national level for highly skilled professionals.
  • History and purpose of directive. These changes are intended to make the EU Blue Card system more attractive to foreign nationals entering Spain and to their employers. The main aim of the EU Blue Card is to attract and retain highly skilled workers in Spain and European Union.
  • EU mobility under the EU Blue Card. Holders of an EU Blue Card can enter and work in another EU Member State under the EU Blue Card status for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
  • Dependents. Family members of EU Blue Card applicants can apply for a residence permit as dependents under the main applicant’s EU Blue Card application.

The above changes come into effect on May 29, 2023 and the government is expected to publish further details in the future. We will report on related developments.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].

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