Skilled work opportunities in Spain
Get Hired in Spain on the Fast Track
A Spanish job offer becomes residency in about a month, family included.
The fast track
Your job offer is the visa
Spain runs skilled hires through a special unit called the UGE. There's no test to prove a local couldn't do the job. Your employer files the visa paperwork, and the work permit is usually decided in about 20 working days. The consulate stamp takes about 10 more.
The numbers that matter
~20 days
Typical UGE decision on your work permit
Weeks, not months
40,000 euros+
Rough salary floor for specialists (more for managers)
Fixed base pay only
24% flat tax
Beckham Law rate on Spanish income for six years
vs up to 47%
Who qualifies
Built for specialists and managers
You'll need a Spanish job offer for a high-skilled or management role, plus a degree or three-plus years of experience. Speaking Spanish puts you ahead in a tight market.
- Your spouse and kids come with you, and your partner can work,
- Freelancers don't qualify; this route needs an employer
Skilled Professional Visa (Highly Qualified Professional)
For executives, specialists, or graduates with in-demand profiles hired by a Spanish company. Allows residency, Schengen travel, and family reunification.
- Government cost
- $80
- Processing time
- ~30 days
- Timeline
- 1 year (renewable)
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Key requirements
- Valid passport
- Completed application form
- Job offer from a Spanish employer for a specialized, high-skilled role
- Proof of advanced qualifications (degree/diploma or 3+ years experience)
- Signed employment contract
- Proof of sufficient economic means (bank statements or employer sponsorship)
- Health insurance
- Recent background check (officially translated)
- Company documents proving legal status and business activity
An area of need
Spain wants audiovisual talent
Spain is spending over 1.7 billion euros to become Europe's audiovisual hub, and it wants talent in film, TV, animation, VFX, and gaming. If that's your field, a skilled-work permit is one way in. There's even a dedicated audiovisual route for qualified professionals.
Scouting Trips
See Spain like a local before taking the leap
- We walk neighborhoods
- Meet local experts
- Tour healthcare facilities
- Explore housing options
- Help you understand what daily life actually feels like
Moving to Spain
Spain Relocation Specialist
Handles the visa filing and your move into Madrid, Barcelona, or Bilbao.
Rachel Mims
Career Coach: Therapists, Veterans Coach, Expat Therapy
A Barcelona career coach who helps expats land roles and relocate.
Christine Job
Move Abroad Coach
A move-abroad coach in Valencia for the soft landing once you arrive.
Where the jobs are
Cities that are hiring
Barcelona
Tech and startups
Spain's startup and international-business magnet.
Valencia
Growing fast
Cheaper than Madrid, with a booming tech scene.
Malaga
The new tech coast
Big names have built hubs on the Costa del Sol.
Bilbao
Industry and engineering
Basque strength in engineering, finance, and design.
Common questions
What salary do I need?
It depends on the role. Recent guidance puts specialists around 40,000 euros a year and managers around 54,000, with a lower floor for applicants under 30. Only your fixed base pay counts, not bonuses. Thresholds change, so confirm the current number before you apply.
Can my family come with me?
Yes, and this is a big perk. You can file for your spouse or partner and children at the same time as your own application, and your partner gets the right to work in Spain too.
I work in film or TV. Is Spain hiring?
Very much. Spain is investing over 1.7 billion euros to become Europe's audiovisual hub and wants talent in film, TV, animation, VFX, and gaming. A highly qualified role can fit this visa, and there's also a dedicated audiovisual permit worth asking about.
Does this lead to permanent residency?
Yes. The permit renews in two-year steps, and after five years of legal residence you can apply for long-term residency. It also lets you travel the Schengen area.
Do I need a job offer first?
Yes. This one is employer-sponsored. A Spanish company has to offer you a high-skilled or management role and file the application. Freelancers and the self-employed should look at the Digital Nomad or Entrepreneur visas instead.
How fast is the Highly Qualified Professional visa?
Fast for a work visa. The UGE usually decides the residence permit within about 20 working days, and the consulate visa takes roughly 10 more. Many people go from job offer to approval in about a month.
Is there really a tax break?
There can be. Skilled hires can apply for the Beckham Law, a flat 24% tax on Spanish income up to 600,000 euros for six years, instead of rates up to 47%. You must apply within six months of registering with Social Security. US citizens still file US taxes on worldwide income.
Ready to make the move?
Talk to our team and see if Spain's skilled-worker visa fits you.