HQP is fast and flexible for a career in Spain; Blue Card is better for career mobility within the EU. Both require high skills and salary.

Only for some categories (HQP, Blue Card, Digital Nomad, ICT) if legally present. Otherwise, you must apply from your home country.

Incomplete/incorrect documents, missing deadlines, unmet eligibility or salary requirements, or non-legalized/translated papers.

Yes, valid health insurance is compulsory for visa issuance and residence registration.

In 2026, the Spain work visa cost typically includes both the consular visa fee and related residence authorisation charges:

🇪🇸 Work Visa Fee (consular sticker): around €80 for most nationalities when applying through a Spanish embassy or consulate.
📇 Residence & Work Authorisation Fees: separate government charges (paid via forms like Modelo 790-052/790-062) usually range from €203.84 to €407.71 depending on salary level and visa type (standard vs. high-salary categories), with seasonal or lower-tier routes sometimes lower.

💳 Additionally, there are small local fees for the TIE (residence card) (about €16–€22), plus potential translation, legalisation, and service-centre costs.

So in 2026, a typical employee work visa application including the government visa fee and permit charges will most commonly cost in the range of €280–€500+ overall, excluding optional translation and ancillary costs

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Yes, after 5 years of continuous, legal residence with any work visa, you can apply for long-term residency.

HQP and Blue Card fast-track visas: about 20 working days. Consular applications: up to 3 months for work permit, plus 1–8 weeks for visa issue.

Yes, within the same visa category, subject to meeting job and salary requirements.

Usually 3 years initially, renewable for 2-year periods as long as requirements are met.

Yes, spouses/registered partners, dependent children, and parents may apply for reunification.

Typically €40,000/year or as set by the latest threshold for specific sectors.

Tech (IT engineers, developers), healthcare, finance, management, green energy, education.

The employer applies for work authorization in Spain. Once approved, the candidate applies for the visa at a Spanish consulate, or via Spain’s Large Companies Unit (for HQP).Employer applies for work authorization in Spain; after approval, candidate applies for the visa at a Spanish consulate or via Spain's Large Companies Unit for HQP.

Passport, signed job contract, degree/proof of qualifications, police clearance, medical certificate; employer documents and fee payment.

A residence/work authorization for non-EU citizens with specialist skills, allowing legal work and residency in Spain.