EU Blue Card in Spain
EU Blue Card in Spain is the EU-wide residence and work permit for highly qualified non-EU workers as applied in Spain, decided by the UGE and requiring a contract or firm offer paying at least EUR 41,356.36 per year in 2026, or EUR 33,085.09 for specified shortage groups and qualifying recent graduates.
EU Blue Card in Spain operates in the Spanish Work Permits segment.
EU Blue Card in Spain: Core Facts
- Term Type
- Residence and work permit for highly qualified workers
- Decided By
- UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estrategicos)
- 2026 Salary Threshold
- EUR 41,356.36 gross per year (as of October 2026)
- Reduced Threshold
- EUR 33,085.09 per year for specified shortage groups 1-2 or qualifying recent graduates (2026)
- Calculation
- 1.4 x INE mean annual earnings of EUR 29,540.26 (EAES 2024); reduced figure is 0.8 x the standard threshold
- Legal Basis
- Orden PJC/44/2026
- Offer Requirement
- Valid contract or firm offer, with qualification or experience and duration conditions
- Update Rule
- A new INE survey applies to applications one month after publication (Orden PJC/44/2026 art. 3)
- Country
- Spain
- Status
- Active Definition
- Verified
How EU Blue Card in Spain compares
The EU Blue Card in Spain is NOT the same as Spain's national highly qualified professional permit under Ley 14/2013, which the UGE also decides but under its own salary and role criteria; check which modality applies. It is also NOT the general employed-work route (cuenta ajena) decided by the provincial Oficinas de Extranjeria with a convenio and SMI pay test, and NOT the digital nomad (international teleworker) visa, which is for remote work for foreign employers or clients rather than a Spanish job offer.
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EU Blue Card in Spain: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the EU Blue Card salary threshold in Spain in 2026?
As of October 2026 the EU Blue Card in Spain requires a gross salary of at least EUR 41,356.36 per year, which is 1.4 times the INE mean annual earnings of EUR 29,540.26, under Orden PJC/44/2026.
Is there a lower EU Blue Card salary for shortage occupations in Spain?
Yes. The EU Blue Card in Spain has a reduced threshold of EUR 33,085.09 per year in 2026, 0.8 times the standard figure, which applies only to specified shortage groups 1-2 or qualifying recent graduates.
Who decides EU Blue Card applications in Spain?
EU Blue Card applications in Spain are decided by the UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estrategicos). Because a new INE survey changes the threshold one month after publication, check the live UGE figure when filing.
Related Entities
Other entities covered on the Spain Visa Routes page:
- Policia Nacional: Extranjeria y Fronteras
Spanish Immigration Authorities
- Oficinas de Extranjeria
Spanish Immigration Authorities
- UGE (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estrategicos)
Spanish Immigration Authorities
- IPREM
Spanish Visa Funds Thresholds
- EU Registration Certificate (Spain)
Spanish Residence Documents
Read more
Where EU Blue Card in Spain is mentioned on How to Spain
Guides and reference pages on this site that mention EU Blue Card in Spain:
Maintained by Jules (How to Spain). This page follows the Grounding Page Standard v1.5. Last verified: 2026-10-25.