Services · Spain
Work Permits & Residency in Spain
We manage visas, work authorizations and residence permits as part of the employment case — choosing the right route and running it end to end.
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Spain offers several routes to hire non-EU talent: the highly qualified professional permit (HQP), the EU Blue Card, the digital nomad visa and intra-company transfers. Choosing the wrong one costs months; choosing the right one can mean approval in a few weeks under the Entrepreneurs Law fast track.
DNGlobalEx assesses each case, prepares and files the application, and coordinates everything that follows: visa issuance, TIE card, social security registration and renewals. Combined with our EOR, the same team employs the person the day they are authorized to work.
Who this is for
- Companies hiring a non-EU candidate who needs authorization before starting work
- Employers whose current employee is relocating to Spain and must keep working throughout
- Startups moving founders or executives who need residence sorted quickly
- Teams with mixed nationalities — US, UK, Israel, Ukraine, Russia — each needing a different route
- HR teams that want renewals and expiry dates tracked by someone accountable
Permit routes we handle
Highly Qualified Professional (HQP)
For managers and specialists above salary thresholds. Fast-track processing through the Large Business Unit (UGE), with decisions typically in about 20 working days.
EU Blue Card
For university-educated or experienced professionals, with EU-wide mobility advantages.
Digital Nomad Visa
For remote employees of foreign companies working from Spain — often combined with the Beckham Law tax regime.
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)
For moving existing employees from a group company abroad into Spain.
How we run a permit case
Eligibility assessment
We map nationality, role, salary and family to the best permit route, and give you a realistic timeline before starting.
Preparation & filing
Document collection, legalizations, sworn translations and submission — with employer-side documents prepared by us.
Approval & landing
Visa issuance, TIE appointment, social security number and start of employment, coordinated with relocation support.
Renewals & follow-up
We track expiry dates and manage renewals and family extensions so status never lapses.
The two most common routes compared
| Highly Qualified Permit (HQP) | Digital Nomad Visa | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Managers and specialists employed in Spain (e.g. via our EOR) | Remote employees of a foreign company working from Spain |
| Who employs | A Spanish entity — ours if we act as your EOR | The foreign employer continues |
| Typical decision time | ~20 working days (UGE fast track) | 20–45 working days |
| Salary condition | Above the HQP salary thresholds | Minimum income requirement |
| Family | Joint application possible | Joint application possible |
| Tax angle | Standard IRPF; Beckham Law possible | Often combined with the Beckham Law regime |
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Spanish work permit take? +
Fast-track routes (HQP, ICT, digital nomad) are typically resolved in 20–45 working days. Standard regime applications take longer. We give a case-specific estimate up front.
Can family members come too? +
Yes. Spouses and children can apply jointly or after the main applicant, and spouses generally receive work authorization as well.
Do you sponsor the permit or does our company? +
Both are possible. If we act as your Employer of Record, our Spanish entity is the sponsoring employer. If you have your own entity, we prepare and manage the application on your behalf.
What about UK and US citizens after relocation? +
Non-EU citizens, including UK and US nationals, need a work authorization before starting work in Spain. The HQP and digital nomad routes are the most common fits.
What documents are usually needed? +
Typically: passport, CV and degree or proof of experience, criminal record certificates with apostille, employer documentation and sworn translations into Spanish. We provide the exact checklist per route and handle legalizations and translations.
Can the application be filed from inside Spain? +
Often yes: the Entrepreneurs Law routes (HQP, digital nomad, ICT) can generally be filed while legally present in Spain. Other routes require consular filing from the country of residence. We confirm the correct venue during the assessment.
Does the employee’s nationality change the route? +
The main routes are open to all non-EU nationals, but specifics vary: Ukrainian nationals may qualify for EU temporary protection, and document issuance times differ by country. We assess this per person before committing to a timeline.
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