Spain: Stricter Requirements for Entrepreneur’s Act Applications to Increase Document Gathering Time
November 14, 2024
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At a Glance
- The Spanish government now requires applicants for permits under the Entrepreneurs Act to apostille or legalize their higher education certifications, and for those applying under a professional experience pathway to submit social security/labor agency documentation from their country of origin.
- These rule changes will increase the time it takes to gather documents for affected applications.
- Fragomen is currently conferring with Spanish authorities to clarify whether pending applications submitted prior to the effective date of these changes must also include these documents.
The situation
Effective mid-November 2024, the Spanish government implemented stricter documentary requirements for permits under the Entrepreneurs Act, including for EU Blue Card, Highly Qualified Professionals, Intra-Company Transfers and Digital Nomad Visa applications.
A closer look
- Higher education certificates. Spanish authorities now require that higher education certifications (for instance, a university diploma) be apostilled according to the Hague Convention, or legalized (in addition to the sworn Spanish translation that was already required). Previously, they could be submitted without these requirements.
- Professional experience pathway. Applicants applying under a professional experience pathway must now include documentation issued by a social security/labor authority or other competent authority in their country of origin certifying the employment periods and the name of the employer. This document must also be apostilled according to the Hague Convention or otherwise legalized. It must also be translated into Spanish by a sworn translator. Previously, such applicants only needed to submit a letter from their employer certifying the work period.
Impact
These rule changes will increase the time it takes to gather documents for affected applications. Affected applicants and their employers should start preparing application materials earlier in the relocation process.
Background
These new criteria – which come in the wake of management changes in the Large Companies Unit of Spain’s immigration authority – were applied without notice and without any apparent transition period.
Looking ahead
Fragomen is engaging with Spanish authorities regarding whether pending applications submitted prior to the effective date of these changes must also include these documents. 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].
