Important Updates
Important Updates
May 12, 2025 | Costa RicaCosta Rica: Updated Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements for Certain Costa Rican Citizens and Residents Forthcoming
May 13, 2025 | United KingdomBuilding Design: Why Immigration is Key to Meeting the UK’s Housebuilding Targets
May 13, 2025 | FranceFrance: EU Blue Card Rules Relaxed
May 12, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Changes to Skilled Visa Rules Announced
May 12, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Youth Mobility Scheme: An Opportunity for Construction?
May 12, 2025 | Costa RicaCosta Rica: Updated Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements for Certain Costa Rican Citizens and Residents Forthcoming
May 13, 2025 | United KingdomBuilding Design: Why Immigration is Key to Meeting the UK’s Housebuilding Targets
May 13, 2025 | FranceFrance: EU Blue Card Rules Relaxed
May 12, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Changes to Skilled Visa Rules Announced
May 12, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: Youth Mobility Scheme: An Opportunity for Construction?
May 12, 2025 | Costa RicaCosta Rica: Updated Yellow Fever Vaccination Requirements for Certain Costa Rican Citizens and Residents Forthcoming
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcastsVideos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapFragomen Consulting EuropeAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Fragomen Consulting Europe
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Spain: EU Blue Card Implemented

May 26, 2023

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • SpainSpain

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

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.

A closer look

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.

Background

  • 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.

Looking ahead

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].

Country / Territory

  • SpainSpain

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Building Design: Why Immigration is Key to Meeting the UK’s Housebuilding Targets

Manager Kirsty Moore and Associate Ilaria Iovieno highlight the need for immigration reform to help construction firms meet UK housebuilding targets.

Learn more

Video

Staying in Canada Post-Grad | Immigration Options for International Students

Partner Jack Kim explores the different immigration pathways available for international students who want to stay in Canada after graduation.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Government Ends Overseas Recruitment for Care Workers: A Bold New Direction

Partner Siobhan Owers, Senior Associate Asif Hanif and Immigration Paralegal Georgia Marshall discuss how the UK Government has recently announced the end of overseas recruitment for care workers, marking a significant policy shift.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Changes to Skilled Visa Rules Announced

Partner Louise Haycock discusses how the success of the UK’s immigration reforms relies on practical implementation and clear guidance for employers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Youth Mobility Scheme: An Opportunity for Construction?

Manager Kirsty Moore and Associate Ilaria Iovieno highlight how a proposed UK-EU youth mobility scheme could ease construction labour shortages and lower recruitment costs.

Learn more

Media mentions

Dubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan Discusses AI, Trade and Talent Mobility in the UAE

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan highlights opportunities for AI, trade and talent mobility in the UAE.

Learn more

Blog post

Immigration Strategy for Work and Travel in the EU: Why Employers Must Plan Ahead

Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm and Business Immigration Consultant Marisa Gizzi discuss how employers must proactively plan for immigration strategies to ensure smooth work and travel arrangements in the EU.

Learn more

Media mentions

Ad Age: How US Agencies are Adjusting Cannes Lions Travel Plans Over Re-Entry Fears

Partner Daniel Schwarz highlights that heightened re-entry concerns are prompting US advertising agencies to take a more cautious approach to Cannes Lions travel, with many travelers seeking legal guidance.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Lisa Ryan Named to the San Francisco Business Times' Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business

Partner Lisa Ryan is named to the San Francisco Business Times' Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business list.

Learn more

Video

Golden Visa Direct Approval Filing via AXS Portal - Tecom Freezone | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Manager Devika Thamattat outlines how, effective immediately, all Golden Visa applications filed by the direct approval route for employees working at companies licensed by the Dubai Development Authority can only be filed via the AXS Portal.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding Compliance with PIC 4020: Meeting the Character Criteria for Australian Visas

Senior Associate Pamela Taukuro explains the requirements and steps necessary to meet the character criteria for obtaining Australian visas under PIC 4020.

Learn more

Video

France Digital Nomad Visa: Visitor Visa | How To Apply

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses France’s Visitor Visa – a key option for digital nomads looking to work remotely from one of the world’s most iconic destinations.

Learn more

Media mentions

Building Design: Why Immigration is Key to Meeting the UK’s Housebuilding Targets

Manager Kirsty Moore and Associate Ilaria Iovieno highlight the need for immigration reform to help construction firms meet UK housebuilding targets.

Learn more

Video

Staying in Canada Post-Grad | Immigration Options for International Students

Partner Jack Kim explores the different immigration pathways available for international students who want to stay in Canada after graduation.

Learn more

Blog post

UK Government Ends Overseas Recruitment for Care Workers: A Bold New Direction

Partner Siobhan Owers, Senior Associate Asif Hanif and Immigration Paralegal Georgia Marshall discuss how the UK Government has recently announced the end of overseas recruitment for care workers, marking a significant policy shift.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Changes to Skilled Visa Rules Announced

Partner Louise Haycock discusses how the success of the UK’s immigration reforms relies on practical implementation and clear guidance for employers.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Youth Mobility Scheme: An Opportunity for Construction?

Manager Kirsty Moore and Associate Ilaria Iovieno highlight how a proposed UK-EU youth mobility scheme could ease construction labour shortages and lower recruitment costs.

Learn more

Media mentions

Dubai Eye: Managing Partner, Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan Discusses AI, Trade and Talent Mobility in the UAE

Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan highlights opportunities for AI, trade and talent mobility in the UAE.

Learn more

Blog post

Immigration Strategy for Work and Travel in the EU: Why Employers Must Plan Ahead

Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm and Business Immigration Consultant Marisa Gizzi discuss how employers must proactively plan for immigration strategies to ensure smooth work and travel arrangements in the EU.

Learn more

Media mentions

Ad Age: How US Agencies are Adjusting Cannes Lions Travel Plans Over Re-Entry Fears

Partner Daniel Schwarz highlights that heightened re-entry concerns are prompting US advertising agencies to take a more cautious approach to Cannes Lions travel, with many travelers seeking legal guidance.

Learn more

Awards

Partner Lisa Ryan Named to the San Francisco Business Times' Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business

Partner Lisa Ryan is named to the San Francisco Business Times' Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business list.

Learn more

Video

Golden Visa Direct Approval Filing via AXS Portal - Tecom Freezone | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Manager Devika Thamattat outlines how, effective immediately, all Golden Visa applications filed by the direct approval route for employees working at companies licensed by the Dubai Development Authority can only be filed via the AXS Portal.

Learn more

Blog post

Understanding Compliance with PIC 4020: Meeting the Character Criteria for Australian Visas

Senior Associate Pamela Taukuro explains the requirements and steps necessary to meet the character criteria for obtaining Australian visas under PIC 4020.

Learn more

Video

France Digital Nomad Visa: Visitor Visa | How To Apply

Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses France’s Visitor Visa – a key option for digital nomads looking to work remotely from one of the world’s most iconic destinations.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.