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Highly Qualified Professional Visa (PAC)
SpainSpain•Europe
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Highly Qualified Professional Visa (PAC)

Work PR PathwayThis visa can lead to permanent residency, the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa. Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

10 days

Estimated Cost

EUR €179

Stay Duration

Up to 3 years (renewable for 2-year periods)

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

Yes

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information
Spain flag

Living in Spain

Cost of Living
26% cheaper than United States
Avg Salary€22,000
Quality of Life
183/200
Full Country Guide

Overview

Work visa for highly qualified professionals, managers, or graduates from prestigious universities. Requires job offer meeting salary thresholds and UGECE authorization.

Spain's Highly Qualified Professional Visa (PAC), under Law 14/2013, lets non-EU specialists, managers, and graduates of prestigious universities work in Spain. UGECE processes applications centrally, bypassing standard labor market tests. Minimum annual salary is €40,077 for technical roles; €54,142 for executives.

Initial stay is up to 3 years, renewable in 2-year periods. Family members may join immediately—spouses receive unrestricted work rights. After 5 continuous years, holders can apply for long-term EU residency. No annual quota applies.

This visa is ideal for senior non-EU professionals with a Spanish job offer who want a fast, employer-backed pathway to long-term EU residence without labor market testing.

Spain

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Cost Breakdown

Administrative authorization fee (Tasa 790-038)EUR €73
Consular visa feeEUR €90
TIE card fee (Tasa 790-012)EUR €16
TotalEUR €179

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.

Must have a valid employment contract or job offer from a company in Spain.

Must hold a university degree (bachelor's or higher) or have at least 3 years of relevant professional experience.

The role must be managerial, technical, or highly specialized, requiring the aforementioned qualifications.

Must meet the minimum salary threshold as determined by the Spanish authorities for the specific role.

Must have a clean criminal record in Spain and any country of residence for the past 5 years (certificate required for the past 2 years, plus a responsible declaration for the past 5 years).

Must possess private health insurance if required by the specific scenario.

KEY CRITERIA

Education

bachelor or higher

Experience

3+ years

Min. Income

40,077 EUR/yr

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

University degree

Employment contract

UGECE authorization

Medical certificate

Criminal record

Company documentation (sponsor)

Financial statements (sponsor)

Application Process

1

Secure job offer

Obtain job offer meeting salary/qualification requirements

2

UGECE authorization

Employer files for UGECE residence authorization

3

Apply for visa

Apply at Spanish embassy with authorization

4

Pay fee

Pay the administrative authorization fee (€73.26) and consular visa fee (€90)

5

Receive visa

Visa issued for residence

Application Forms

Highly Qualified Worker Visa Application—

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