EU Blue Card Spain

What is the EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a work permit for skilled non-EU professionals that opens doors across the entire European Union. You apply through Spain, work here for a year or so, and then have the option to relocate to Germany, France, the Netherlands, or any other EU country without starting your immigration process from scratch.

If you’re building a career in an industry where opportunities cross borders, such as tech, finance, or engineering, the Blue Card gives you flexibility that a standard Spanish work permit doesn’t. You get the benefits of fast-track processing in Spain while keeping your options open for the future.

Lower salary threshold if you’re under 30

One of the Blue Card’s biggest advantages for younger professionals is the reduced salary requirement. The standard minimum is €40,077 per year, but if you’re under 30 at the time of application, that drops to €30,058.

This makes a real difference for developers, engineers, and other skilled workers early in their careers. A 27-year-old taking their first job in Barcelona might not hit €40,000, but a salary in the low €30s qualifies them for the Blue Card. It’s designed to attract young talent, and the lower threshold reflects that.

Who qualifies for the EU Blue Card

For IT professionals and managers, the experience requirements are more flexible. If you have at least 3 years of relevant experience within the last 7 years, you can qualify even without a university degree. Spain recognizes that in tech especially, skills often matter more than formal credentials.

The EU mobility advantage

After 12 to 18 months of legal residence in Spain with your Blue Card, you gain the right to apply for work in other EU member states. The new country recognizes your Blue Card status and issues their own version, without requiring you to go through their full immigration process again.

This matters if you work in industries where career opportunities don’t respect borders. You might take a position in Barcelona to get started in Europe, then receive an offer from a company in Berlin or Amsterdam two years later. With a standard Spanish work permit, you’d need to apply fresh in the new country. With the Blue Card, the path is much smoother.

Even if you’re not planning to move elsewhere, having the option provides security. Your career plans can change, and the Blue Card ensures that doors stay open.

Bringing your family to Spain

Your spouse and children can be included in your Blue Card application from the start. They receive residence permits with full work authorization in Spain, meaning your partner can pursue their own career immediately rather than waiting months for a separate family reunification process.

When you eventually use EU mobility to move to another country, your family comes with you under the same streamlined process. The Blue Card treats family reunification as part of the package, not an afterthought.

Blue Card vs Highly Qualified Professional visa

Spain offers two fast-track options for skilled workers, and clients often ask which one is right for them. Both skip the labor market test and process in about 20 business days. The differences come down to mobility and eligibility.

The Blue Card is the better choice if you might relocate to another EU country in the future, if you’re under 30 and your salary falls between €30,000 and €40,000, or if you simply want the security of EU-wide mobility even if you don’t plan to use it.

The Highly Qualified Professional visa makes sense if you’re fully committed to staying in Spain long-term, if your company already has an established relationship with UGE, or if you prefer working with a dedicated Spanish unit that handles these specific applications.

In practice, both work well, and we help clients choose based on their individual circumstances and career plans.

The application process

1. Your employer, or our firm on their behalf, submits the residence authorization application
2. Spanish immigration reviews the application within 20 business days
3. You apply for your visa at the Spanish consulate in your home country
4. Once you arrive in Spain, you apply for your TIE residence card within 30 days

The timeline from application to arrival can be as short as six to eight weeks if everything is prepared correctly. We’ve seen cases move faster when documents are ready and consulates have available appointments.

Beckham Law tax benefits

Blue Card holders are eligible for Spain’s special tax regime, commonly called the Beckham Law. Instead of progressive income tax rates that can reach 47%, you pay a flat 24% on your Spanish income for six years from the date you become a Spanish tax resident.

At Blue Card salary levels, the tax savings are significant. We handle Beckham Law applications alongside the visa process to ensure you don’t miss this opportunity.

What we handle for you

We prepare your complete Blue Card application, coordinate with your employer to gather the necessary documentation, and guide you through every step from initial filing to your consulate appointment. If you’re unsure whether the Blue Card or HQP visa is better for your situation, we’ll help you evaluate both options.

Most of our Blue Card clients are tech professionals in their twenties and thirties who want the flexibility to potentially move within Europe as their careers develop. We understand what they’re looking for and how to make the process as smooth as possible.

Frequently asked questions

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