Blue Card in Spain

The EU Blue Card is a permit that lets highly skilled workers from outside the EU live and work in Spain. It is based on EU rules that are part of Spanish immigration law. Spain uses it to attract talent for technical and highly qualified jobs, within yearly limits on numbers.

Who it is for

People from outside the EU who have a job contract in Spain for a highly qualified role and can show a higher education or enough work experience.

Main conditions

• Not an EU citizen.
• No criminal record and no ban on entering Spain.
• A job contract for a highly qualified position.
• Meeting the conditions for a first residence and work permit.

How the process works

• The employer starts the application in Spain.
• Once it is approved, the worker applies for a visa at a Spanish consulate (Spain's official office abroad).
• After arriving, the worker gets the Blue Card as a residence card.

What it offers

• The right to live and work legally.
• Close family members can be included.
• After 18 months of residence, the right to move to other EU countries.
• The card is valid for 1 to 4 years, depending on the country.