Spain's Highly Qualified Professionals (HQP) permit: a complete guide for employers

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The HQP permit is one of the fastest and most flexible ways to hire non-European high-skilled professionals, executives, managers, and specialists in Spain. This guide for HR and Global Mobility breaks down the criteria, costs, and step-by-step application process for this permit, to simplify the process for your team and global hires.

What is the Highly Qualified Professionals (HQP) permit in Spain?

The Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) Residence Permit (also known by its Spanish name, Visado Altamente Cualificado) is a Spanish work permit that enables companies to hire skilled individuals from non-EU countries for roles requiring high levels of responsibility, specialized expertise, or advanced qualifications. Unlike traditional work permits in Spain, the HQP visa facilitates the rapid entry of specialized talent.

Main advantages for employers and employees:

• Faster Processing: The HQP visa processing time is significantly expedited. Administration typically processes the authorization application within 20 working days, with the associated visa for highly qualified employees usually taking 10 working days. This efficiency greatly benefits top professionals and companies needing rapid onboarding.
• Extended Initial Validity: The permit is initially valid for up to 3 years (or for the duration of the contract if shorter), offering stability for both the employer and the employee.
• Family Inclusion: The HQP visa status allows immediate family members (spouses, children, dependent relatives) to apply to join the main employee in Spain, often with permission to work. This makes these authorizations attractive for international moves.
• Employer-Specific, yet Flexible: The employee’s authorization ties to their role with the sponsoring company. However, it offers nationwide permission to work, providing flexibility in job location within Spain.
• No Labor Market Test: Unlike some other work permits in Spain, the HQP permit isn't subject to a national labor market test, meaning companies don't need to prove that no suitable local employee is available.
• Pathway to Long-Term Stay: After 5 years of continuous legal residency under the HQP permit, employees can apply for long-term status through a Spanish residence permit, granting them unrestricted permission to work throughout Spain.

The HQP visa is most commonly used for positions in fields such as technology, engineering, renewable energy, and finance. It's one of the main options among Spanish authorizations for attracting high-skilled employees.

Who qualifies for the HQP permit?

To secure an HQP permit, both the candidate and the hiring company need to meet specific criteria. The conditions for the HQP visa ensure this authorization is granted to top international professionals.

Candidate criteria for the highly qualified professionals' authorization:

• Education or Experience: Candidates need to meet one of the following criteria:
  
  • Hold a university or postgraduate degree (minimum level 5A on the Spanish Qualifications Framework).
  • Have at least 3 years of documented professional experience equivalent to a higher education qualification in their field.
  • Be a graduate of a recognized university or business school.
• Job Offer with Minimum Salary: Candidates are required to receive a formal job offer that meets the minimum salary threshold for the HQP permit for 2025. This is an important condition for a highly qualified employee visa to Spain.
  
  • €54,142 for directors and managers.
  • €40,077 for other technical, scientific, and intellectual professionals.
  • Note: For applicants under 30 years old, these amounts are subject to a reduction coefficient of 0.75. This salary requirement for the HQP permit for 2025 is designed to attract top talent.
• Clean Criminal Record: Provide a certified criminal record certificate that has been apostilled/legalized (from their country of origin and any country of residence in the last 5 years).
• Health Insurance: Proof of complete health insurance coverage in Spain.

Hiring company criteria:

Generally, there are no specific criteria for the hiring company (e.g., size or sector) to apply for an HQP permit. Any Spanish company or foreign company with a branch in Spain can apply, provided the position meets the criteria. This makes the HQP visa accessible to a wide range of businesses seeking highly skilled talent.

Application process for the Highly Qualified Professionals authorization (step-by-step)

The application process for a Highly Skilled Professional Visa in Spain starts with the employer company or its authorized legal representative. The process varies slightly depending on whether the candidate is already legally in Spain or applying from abroad.

If the candidate is legally in Spain (e.g., on a tourist visa):

• Submit Permit Application: The employer (or authorized representative) submits the residence permit and work permit application to Spain's central processing unit for large companies (UGE-CE - Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos). The employee’s legal stay in Spain automatically extends during the application process.
• Residence Card Application: Once the residence permit is approved, the employee applies for their TIE (Foreigner Identification Card) at the corresponding police station in Spain within 30 days. The employee can collect the TIE after 30-45 days.

If the candidate is outside Spain:

• Submit Permit Application: The employer (or authorized representative) submits the residence permit and work permit application to the UGE-CE in Spain.
• Employee Visa Process: Once the residence permit is approved, the professional applies for the visa linked to the residence permit at the Spanish consulate corresponding to their place of residence. This is often referred to as a visa for highly qualified employees in Spain.
• Entry and Residence Card Application: After the visa is issued, the employee enters Spain and applies for the TIE at the police station corresponding to their place of residence in Spain within 30 days. They can collect the TIE after 30-45 days.

Required Documents for Employers and Employees

For a smooth HQP permit application in 2025, companies and candidates should prepare the necessary documents beforehand.

Documents for the employer:

• Application forms for the permit, signed by a legal representative (often requiring a digital signature issued by the FNMT - National Mint and Stamp Factory).
• Employment contract copy (meeting salary requirements).
• Detailed job description for the highly qualified specialist role.
• Company incorporation documents and tax/social security certificates demonstrating adherence to regulations.

Documents for the employee:

• Valid, unexpired passport copy.
• Professional CV.
• Certified criminal record certificate that has been apostilled/legalized (from their country of origin and any country of residence in the last 5 years).
• University degree or documentation proving at least 3 years of relevant experience (Spanish: titulado/a). (Needs to include required translation and legalization if issued abroad).
• Proof of complete health insurance in Spain.
• Proof of financial means (if applicable for family members).
• Document confirming residence/non-residence and concordance (Spanish: Certificado de Residencia/No Residencia y Concordancia) (if applicable).

Costs, processing times, and permit validity

Understanding the financial implications and timelines is crucial for highly qualified professionals and employers considering this type of authorization in Spain. Some of the fees to consider are:

• Permit Application Fee: €73.26
• Visa Fee: Approximately €80 (may vary by consulate)
• Residence Card (TIE) Fee: €16.08

Once submitted to the UGE-CE, the HQP permit application usually takes about 20 business days to process. After that, the visa process at the consulate typically takes another 10 working days. However, delays can happen if extra documents are needed during the work permit process.

The initial Spanish permit is valid for up to 3 years. Renewals are typically granted for 2-year extensions, provided the conditions continue to be met.

Renewal and long-term residence for Employees

To maintain status in Spain through this authorization, employees need to follow renewal procedures:

• Renewal: The permit is renewable every 2 years, as long as the conditions that led to the initial permit (e.g., employment with the sponsoring company, salary thresholds) continue to be met.
• Long-Term Residence: After 5 years of continuous legal residency in Spain, employees and their eligible family members can apply for long-term residence via a residence permit Spain, granting them unrestricted permission to work throughout Spain.

Note: If employment ends, the employee’s authorization status typically expires unless they obtain another permit or meet other specific requirements.

How Jobbatical supports employers in Spain

Hiring through Spain’s Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) Visa is one of the fastest ways to recruit top global talent, but getting it right means having the right documents, legal precision, and a clear understanding of the process. Jobbatical’s expert team knows the system inside out and helps companies and their highly qualified employees through every step.

Our team assists companies managing applications for the HQP permit by:

• Assessing eligibility for the HQP permit or other Spain visa types.
• Managing document preparation, translations, and communications with authorities.
• Guiding employees through every step, from application to their TIE appointment, ensuring regulatory adherence.
• Supporting family members in their applications and renewals when needed.
• Providing specialized support for highly skilled talent permits, ensuring a smooth process for both HR teams and international employees.

If you're hiring qualified talent in Spain, the Highly Qualified Professionals (HQP) Permit is a smart and efficient option. To make the most of it, it’s important to understand the requirements, the process, and how it supports long-term hiring goals. With the right experts by your side, your HR and mobility teams can handle the process with confidence and stay fully compliant.