Spain•Europe20 days
169.34 EUR
3 years
Yes
Required
Allowed
Available
Not Required
Highly skilled employment with a recognized degree and salary above the member state threshold. Portable across EU after 12 months.
The EU Blue Card (Tarjeta Azul UE) is Spain's permit for non-EU highly qualified workers with a job offer paying at least €39,270/year. Applicants need a recognized higher education degree — or 5 years of relevant professional experience — plus a contract of at least 6 months.
The card is valid for 3 years, renewable, and leads to long-term residence. Spouses receive immediate work authorization on their TIE card with no separate permit. After 12 months in Spain, holders can transfer to another EU member state under simplified conditions. No annual quota applies.
This visa is ideal for non-EU professionals with a Spanish job offer above €39,270, a qualifying degree or 5 years' experience, and an intent to pursue long-term EU residence.
Administrative authorization fee (Modelo 790 Código 038) | 73.26 EUR |
TIE card fee (Modelo 790 Código 012) | 16.08 EUR |
Consular visa fee | 80 EUR |
| Initial grant | 3 years |
No quota
Non-EU/EEA/Swiss national
Valid employment contract or binding job offer in Spain for highly qualified work
Contract duration of at least 6 months
Salary meeting the minimum threshold (typically 1.4 times the average gross annual salary, or 1.12 times for shortage occupations or recent graduates)
Higher education qualification (at least a 3-year degree) or at least 5 years of relevant professional experience (3 years for ICT professionals)
Valid health insurance
No criminal record in Spain and countries of residence for the last 2 years, plus a declaration for the last 5 years
Not subject to entry restrictions or considered a threat to public policy/security
Job Offer
Required
Education
bachelor or higher
Min. Income
39,270 EUR/yr
Completed national visa application form
Valid passport (at least 4 months validity, 2 blank pages)
Two recent passport-sized photographs
Signed employment contract or binding job offer
Proof of higher education degree or relevant professional experience
Updated CV
Proof of health insurance
Criminal record certificate (apostilled/legalized)
Proof of payment of application fees
| Modelo MI-T Solicitud de autorización de residencia temporal y trabajo Tarjeta Azul-UE | Fill online |
| Application Steps | Pay fee: Pay €80 consular visa fee | exteriores.gob.es |
| Dependent Visa | Family reunification rights | home-affairs.ec.europa.eu |
| Fee Breakdown | Administrative authorization fee (Modelo 790 Código 038): 73.26 EUR; TIE card fee (Modelo 790 Código… | inclusion.gob.es |
| Fees | EUR 73.26 (administrative authorization fee) + EUR 16.08 (TIE card) if applying from within Spain, o… | inclusion.gob.es |
| Forms | Modelo MI-T (Movilidad Internacional-Titular) | inclusion.gob.es |
| Forms · Modelo MI-T · description | Solicitud de autorización de residencia temporal y trabajo Tarjeta Azul-UE | inclusion.gob.es |
| Forms · Modelo MI-T · url | https://www.inclusion.gob.es/documents/d/migraciones/05-formulario_altamente_cualificados | inclusion.gob.es |
| Included Nationalities | — | inclusion.gob.es |
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