EU blue card in Spain

By Lucia Lagunas Reyes | Published on 24 January 2024

EU Blue Card in Spain: All the Information You Need

Spain ranks high among the top nations globally for expatriates, offering excellent job opportunities and a high quality of life. There are several benefits to living and working in Spain, particularly for non-EU nationals who can fill understaffed positions. Obtaining an EU Blue Card allows highly qualified professionals with the necessary credentials and years of professional experience to work in Spain.

On the other hand, a type D (extended stay) visa may be necessary prior to beginning the application procedure for an EU Blue Card if your home country requires one for entry into Spanish territory. If you are interested in knowing more about EU Blue Card, here is everything you need to know.

What is the EU Blue Card?

An EU Blue Card, or simply Blue Card, is a work permit that enables exceptionally qualified foreign nationals to temporarily come and remain in any EU member state for employment.

Created with the goal of luring skilled workers to Europe, this card is accepted in 25 of the 27 member states of the European Union (excluding Denmark and Ireland). Also, it’s an excellent chance for professionals like academics, computer scientists, and physicians who have to travel over Europe for work purposes.

The EU Blue Card is quite comparable to the highly qualified worker permit. Actually, the EU Blue Card candidate also has to be a competent worker.

So, what sets these permits apart? Primarily, the EU Blue Card is contingent upon the national employment situation, unlike the highly skilled visa. This means that the job in question must either be on the shortage list or lack sufficient Spanish applicants.

Moreover, another noteworthy disparity relates to the application process. In the case of the EU Blue Card, the employer initiates the process while the worker is still residing in their home country.

Who Can Apply for the EU Blue Card in Spain?

• Citizens of a non-EU country.
• Higher education qualification specifically graduates of three or more years higher education programs. Special consideration will be given to individuals with 3 to 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Participate in work activities requiring this specialised license. Such occupations fall under the category of ” highly skilled professional” and “incredibly advanced research programs.”

Whatever the case may be, the job vacancy must be on the list of positions that are challenging to fill, meaning it cannot be filled by any Spanish worker.

What Does it Take to Get an EU Blue Card in Spain?

In order to apply for an EU Blue Card in Spain, one must fulfil the following requirements:

• You should not be an Eu citizen or hold citizenship in the EEA, Switzerland, or be a family member of citizens from these countries.
• You must not be under any prohibition to enter Spanish territory.
• Your entry into Spain must be in accordance with legal procedures, and illegal entry is strictly prohibited.
• You should not have any criminal record against you in Spain or your previous countries of residence for offences punishable under the Spanish legal system.
• Your employment should fall within the category of occupations that are deemed difficult to fill.
• The Immigration Office has confirmed the unavailability of a local worker to fill the position for which you are applying for the EU Blue Card.
• You should possess a signed employment contract, mutually agreed upon by both the employer and the employee, ensuring continuous employment throughout the validity period of the Blue Card.
• Your gross salary must exceed the average gross annual salary for the specific profession you will be engaged in.
• Your employer must be registered in the relevant regime of the Social Security system and must be compliant with tax and Social Security obligations.
• Your employer must possess the necessary financial resources for the business project and must adhere to the obligations outlined in the contract.

Benefits of the EU Blue Card in Spain

Despite the complexity of the application process, the EU Blue Card provides several distinct advantages. Specifically:

• Work Opportunity Across Europe: The permit allows individuals to work throughout Europe, making it an excellent choice for those who wish to avoid restricting themselves to long term residency in Spain or any EU country.
• Flexible Validity Period: Once granted, the Blue Card provides the holder with a valid residence permit for a duration ranging from 1 to 4 years. The exact duration depends on the country where the individual will be employed.
• Free Movement Within the EU: After residing for 18 months in one of the EU member states with the Blue Card, the holder will have the freedom to move throughout the entire European territory without the need for additional procedures.
• No Labour Market Tests: Employers in Spain are free to sponsor their workers for a Blue Card without first doing a labour market exam. This makes it easy for small and medium-sized enterprises to hire non-EU nationals.

Other benefits include:

• Equal Treatment and Workplace Rights as Spanish Workers
• Access to education and vocational training
• Access to public goods and services
• Two days off per week (Saturday and Sunday)
• Paid Sick Leave (sickness benefits provided from the fourth day)
• 22 Paid Annual Leave Days, with a minimum two-week holiday
• 16 Weeks of Paid Maternity Leave (extended for twins and triplets). 100% contribution base during maternity and paternity leave
• 16 Weeks of Paid Parental Leave (mandatory for the first 6 weeks after birth)
• Ten national holidays
• Regular Working Hours: 40 hours per week
• Overtime limited to 80 hours per year, with no night overtime (exceptions may apply)
• Access within the territory of Spain

Differences: EU Blue Card vs. Long-Term EU Card

There is a lot of confusion among non-EU citizens between the Blue Card and the EU long-term card.

While they both aim to facilitate foreign worker access to employment opportunities within the European Union, there are significant distinctions between the two.

What sets them apart is the journey one takes in acquiring the card.

The long-term EU card application process can only be initiated by non-Spanish citizens who have been resident in Spain for a minimum of five years.

As we’ve already established, the request for the EU Blue Card must come from the nation of origin. However, the Blue Card process is more straightforward since no proof of prior Spanish residence is required.

Furthermore, the EU Blue Card application is initiated by the employer or company, while the foreign national must personally complete all legal requirements to gain EU long-term residence.

Essential Professions for Highly Skilled Workers Seeking EU Blue Card in Spain

The type of work and professions that qualify as essential for the EU Blue Card in Spain are:
1. Information Technology (IT) Professionals:

• Software developers and engineers
• IT consultants
• Systems analysts
• Network administrators

2. Engineers:

• Civil engineers
• Mechanical engineers
• Electrical engineers
• Chemical engineers

3. Medical Professionals:

• Doctors and physicians
• Nurses
• Medical researchers

4. Scientists and Researchers:

• Researchers in various scientific fields
• Biologists, chemists, physicists
• Data scientists

5. Finance and Business Professionals:

• Financial analysts
• Business consultants
• Investment analysts
• Actuaries

6. Telecommunications Professionals:

• Telecommunications engineers
• Network architects

7. Language and Communication Specialists:

• Translators and interpreters
• Communication specialists

8. University Professors and Researchers:

• Professors in various academic disciplines
• Researchers in universities or research institutions

9. Management and Project Management:

• Project managers
• Business development managers
• Operations managers

10. Environmental and Renewable Energy Specialists:

• Environmental engineers
• Renewable energy experts

How to Apply for an EU Blue Card in Spain?

The process for obtaining the Blue Card in Spain begins with the employer initiating the procedure and providing the required documentation. Subsequently, the employee takes the next step by applying for a residence and work permit in their home country. Upon arrival in Spain, the final step involves obtaining the TIE (a document confirming legal status as a foreign national in Spain).

The best way to obtain the EU Blue Card is to trust the professional services of My Spain Visa. As a dedicated visa boutique in Spain, we provide comprehensive assistance and guidance at every step of the application process. Reach out to us today for support in obtaining your EU Blue Card with confidence.

Documents Needed When Applying for an EU Blue Card in Spain

When applying for an EU Blue Card in Spain, you’ll need to provide the following documents:

• EU Blue Card application form: Complete and signed application form for the EU Blue Card.
• A valid passport with at least two blank pages for visa stamps and valid for at least three months beyond the intended period of stay.
• Submit proof of the required training for the profession you’re obtaining a Blue Card for.
• For the company seeking authorisation, provide the following documents:
  – For individual entrepreneurs: Copy of NIF or NIE or consent for identity verification.
  – For legal entities: Copy of the company’s NIF, registered deed of incorporation, and a document confirming your legal representation of the company.
• Original and copy of a signed employment contract.
• Proof of health insurance.
• Proof that the business is solvent by filing its individual income tax return, VAT, or Corporate Tax.

Income Required to Qualify for a Blue Card

To be eligible for an EU Blue Card, your gross yearly income must be at least the amount stipulated by the Member State. For instance, in 2020, the minimum wage in Spain was €33,908, which is equivalent to 1.5 times the average yearly gross compensation for the designated occupation. Therefore, in order to be eligible for the Blue Card in Spain, your annual gross salary—as stipulated in your employment contract or legally binding job offer—must be at least this amount.

For jobs in industries where workers are in short supply or fall under ISCO categories 1 and 2, the gross compensation can be as low as 1.2 times the gross yearly wage.

How long can I work with an EU Blue Card?

The EU Blue Card allows you to stay and work in the member state that issued the card for a period that may range from one to four years

The initial validity period of an EU Blue Card in Spain is one year. Once it expires, it can only be renewed every two years unless the applicant qualifies for a long-term residence card. If that’s the case, the applicant’s long-term resident status eligibility will determine how the renewal procedure plays out.

Cost of an EU Blue Card for Spain

The associated fees for the government EU Blue Card in Spain are as follows:

• EU Blue Card Application €418
• Renewal €112
• Replacement €112

Need Help with EU Blue Card in Spain?

If you have questions about initiating your application for an EU Blue Card or any other immigration process (golden Visa, non-lucrative visa…) in Spain, our experts at My Spain Visa are ready to guide you through each step.