Visa & Residency

HSP Visa (Spain Highly Qualified Professional)

Also known as: Highly Qualified Professional Visa, Spain Tech Visa, Profesional Altamente Cualificado, PAC

Quick answer

Spain's national Highly Qualified Professional route is an employer-led residence authorisation for qualifying specialist roles. Under the rules checked in 2026, the authorisation can last up to three years, or the shorter contract period plus three months within that cap. The national route and the EU Blue Card have different qualification and salary requirements.

BOE — Law 14/2013, Articles 71 and 76 · checked 9 Nov 2026

Reference:Ley 14/2013, arts. 71, 76

The employer or qualifying foreign professional submits the application through the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit. Article 71 of Law 14/2013 governs the highly qualified routes; the role, relevant qualifications or equivalent experience and remuneration must meet the applicable criteria.

The statutory residence-authorisation decision period is 20 days. This is not a promise for the entire move, consular appointment or residence-card process. A residence authorisation also does not automatically establish eligibility for Spain's special impatriate tax regime.

Sources

BOE — Law 14/2013, Articles 71 and 76 · checked 9 Nov 2026

Related terms

Beckham Law

The Beckham Law is Spain's optional special tax regime for eligible people moving to Spain. Under the rules checked in 2026, it covers the tax year in which Spanish tax residence is acquired and the following five years. The general regime rate is 24% up to €600,000 and 47% above that; savings income has a separate scale. Employment income during the regime is deemed Spanish-source, including pay from a foreign employer.

Spain Digital Nomad Visa

Spain's international teleworker route serves qualifying remote employees of foreign companies and independent professionals. The Washington consulate states a €2,442 monthly main-applicant minimum for 2026, equal to 200% of the €1,221 SMI. Independent professionals may perform up to 20% of their activity for a Spanish company; employees must work for companies outside Spain.

Tax Residency

Tax residency is a domestic-law status used to determine a person's tax obligations. It is distinct from citizenship and permission to live in a country. Presence, homes, work and other ties can matter. A person can meet more than one country's domestic rules; an applicable tax treaty may resolve residence for treaty purposes.

All glossary terms