Spain Highly Qualified Professional Visa (HQP / PAC) Guide

The Highly Qualified Professional (Profesional Altamente Cualificado, PAC) route under Law 14/2013 is for non-EU managers, executives, and specialists with advanced qualifications and high remuneration.

• Senior managers and directors of large companies or strategic business units
• Specialists with advanced qualifications (typically postgraduate level) in technical or scientific fields
• Employees with salaries significantly above standard work visa minimums
• Candidates whose roles qualify for exemption from the SEPE labour market test

Higher salary thresholds and qualification standards distinguish HQP from standard cuenta ajena work permits.

• Signed employment contract with a Spanish employer or Spanish branch of a multinational
• Salary typically at least 1.5× the average salary for similar roles in Spain (verify current thresholds with your employer's legal team)
• For managers/directors: role must involve significant responsibility and decision-making authority
• For specialists: advanced degree or equivalent professional experience in a technical/scientific field
• Employer authorization through the UGE or Ministry of Inclusion — often faster than standard work permits
• Exemption from SEPE labour market test in qualifying cases
• Clean criminal record and private health insurance if required during processing

Employer and candidate share documentation duties. Multinationals often have immigration counsel for PAC filings.

• Foreign documents usually require an apostille (or equivalent legalization) and a sworn translation into Spanish (traducción jurada).
• Most consulates expect documents issued within the last 3 months unless otherwise stated.
• Passport must typically be valid for at least 12 months with at least two blank pages.
• Valid passport and visa application form
• Signed employment contract with detailed role description and salary
• Employer authorization (resolución favorable) from UGE or Ministry of Inclusion
• Proof of advanced qualifications: apostilled degrees, professional certifications
• Company documentation: registration, organigramme showing candidate's seniority
• Criminal record certificate (apostilled and translated)
• Medical certificate if required by consulate

HQP applications are processed through the UGE fast-track channel when eligible, often reducing wait times.

• Employer submits HQP authorization request to UGE with contract and qualification evidence
• UGE review typically faster than standard cuenta ajena — often 2–4 weeks for authorization
• Candidate applies at consulate within one month of authorization approval
• Enter Spain within three months of visa issuance
• Some HQP holders may apply for in-country residence modification without leaving Spain
• Family members may accompany with derivative applications

Complete standard registration and explore Beckham Law eligibility for tax optimisation.

• Empadronamiento: register your address at the local ayuntamiento within the first weeks.
• TIE card: book a cita previa for fingerprinting within 30 days of arrival or approval; submit EX-17 and pay form 790-012.
• Tax registration: file Form 030 with AEAT to register your fiscal address in Spain.
• Employer registers you with Seguridad Social — obtain public healthcare via TSI
• Beckham Law: HQP employees often qualify — file Form 149 within six months of Social Security registration
• Renewals: tied to continued employment meeting HQP criteria