Spain's EU Blue Card, salary bar and what it gives you

Key rules

• Salary bar: The general bar is 1.5 times Spain's average gross salary, with a lower bar for shortage occupations and recent graduates.
• Card length: The card lasts for your contract plus a short margin, up to 3 years, and can be renewed.
• Qualification: You need a degree of at least three years, or five years of relevant experience if you have no degree.
• Losing work: Unemployment of up to 3 months does not lead to withdrawal of your card.

The salary figures, shortage occupation list and experience rules change often, so confirm the current amounts and procedures with UGE-CE or the Ministry of Inclusion before applying.

Do you meet the salary bar?

Your job offer must pay at least a minimum gross annual salary linked to Spain's average gross salary. The general bar is 1.5 times that average. A lower bar applies to shortage occupations and to recent graduates. The amount is revised each year, so ask your employer for the current figure and compare it with your offer. You can also ask the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, or the large-companies immigration unit (UGE-CE).

The decision below helps you pick which bar applies to you.

Do you meet the qualification bar?

You need one of these:

• A higher education qualification of at least three years, or a qualification at level 6 or above of the international education classification.
• If you have no degree, at least five years of relevant professional experience at a level comparable to a degree.
• If you work in information and communication technology as a manager or specialist, three years of experience within the last seven years.

Experience replaces a degree only in these limited cases. Gather proof of your degree or your experience before you apply.

What the card gives you

• Length. The card lasts as long as your work contract plus a short margin, up to a maximum of 3 years. It can be renewed.
• Moving within the EU. After 12 to 18 months in the first EU country, you may move to another EU country. Time spent in other EU countries counts towards long-term EU residence.
• Family. Your family members can get a residence permit linked to yours. The usual waiting period for family reunification does not apply.
• Changing job. For the first period you are tied to your sector or occupation. You can change employer, but you need a modification of your authorisation, which goes through UGE-CE. Ask them before you move if you may want to change later.
• Losing your job. Unemployment of up to 3 months does not lead to withdrawal of the card.

The timeline, checklist and questions below cover the steps and common doubts.

Choosing between options

Which salary bar applies to your Blue Card?

• Shortage occupation bar: Your job is on the list of shortage occupations, such as certain ICT professionals.

• Recent graduate bar: You recently graduated, so the lower bar also applies to you.

• General bar: Neither applies, so you need the higher general salary of 1.5 times the average gross salary in Spain.

Check your occupation and graduation date first; if either fits, the lower bar applies, otherwise the general bar does.

Timeline and deadlines

• Receive your Blue Card, valid for your work contract plus a short margin, up to 3 years: when the permit is granted

• Stay in the same sector or occupation: during the first period

• Move to another EU state if you wish: after 12 to 18 months in Spain

• Renew the card if your contract continues: before the card expires

• Get a modification of your authorisation if you change employer: before you start with the new employer

• Find new work without losing the card: within up to 3 months of unemployment

Checklist

• Ask your employer for the current minimum gross annual salary for a Blue Card and compare it with your job offer.

• Check whether your occupation is on the shortage list, which has a lower salary bar.

• Confirm you hold a higher education qualification of at least three years.

• Gather proof of five years of relevant experience if you have no degree.

• Gather proof of three years of experience in the last seven years if you work in information and communication technology without a degree.

• Check that your contract length gives you the Blue Card term you want, up to 3 years.

• Ask the large-companies immigration unit (UGE-CE) how to change employer if you may want to later.

Frequently asked questions

Can professional experience replace a degree for the Blue Card?

Yes, but only in limited cases: you need at least five years of relevant experience at a level comparable to a degree. For information and communication technology managers or specialists, three years of experience in the previous seven years is enough.

Is the salary bar lower for shortage occupations?

Yes, a lower salary bar applies to listed shortage occupations, such as certain ICT professionals. It also applies to recent graduates.

Can I move to another EU country with a Spanish Blue Card?

Yes, after 12 to 18 months in Spain you may move to another EU state under the Blue Card rules.

Do I lose my Blue Card if I lose my job?

No, not if you are unemployed for up to 3 months, since that does not lead to withdrawal.