Spain: EU Blue Card Implemented

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).

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).