Spain's EU Blue Card and HQP: 2026 Salary Requirements

EU Blue Card and national HQP/PAC have different rules for reducing the salary threshold. The UGE notice published in June 2026 sets a general minimum of €41,356.36 gross per year for both routes. EU Blue Card applicants meeting specific conditions can use €33,085.09; national HQP/PAC has no reduced threshold.

All figures below are annual salary before tax. Meeting the salary minimum does not replace the qualification, employment or other requirements.

The reduced €33,085.09 gross annual threshold applies to EU Blue Card applications with either of the grounds in article 2 of Orden PJC/44/2026:

• Recent qualification: the qualification required for the Blue Card was obtained no more than three years before the application. Evidence must establish the qualification and its date.
• Shortage occupation: the occupation belongs to group 1 or 2 of CNO-2011 and appears in the applicable official shortage-occupation catalogue (catálogo de ocupaciones de difícil cobertura).

A managerial title or an IT job alone is not enough. Without a documented reduction ground, use the general minimum. National HQP/PAC remains €41,356.36 with no reduced threshold.

The figures are updated after the INE publishes a new Annual Salary Structure Survey; the new threshold applies to applications submitted one month after that publication or later. Check the current UGE notice before filing.

EU Blue Card is the highly qualified employment route in article 71.2.a of Ley 14/2013. National HQP/PAC is the Spanish route in article 71.2.b. Compare the actual qualification and employment requirements as well as salary.

For an EU Blue Card, provide higher education from a programme lasting at least three years at the required level, or at least five years of relevant, comparable professional experience. For ICT specialists and managers, the experience alternative is three years within the seven years before application. Regulated professions also require recognition of the qualification. A valid employment contract or firm offer must cover at least six months. These conditions are in articles 71 and 71 bis.

A Spanish EU Blue Card does not immediately let you live and work anywhere in the EU. It provides mobility rights subject to conditions. For a long-term move after twelve months of residence with a Blue Card in the first participating state, you must apply in the second participating state and satisfy its requirements, including its salary threshold: article 21 of Directive (EU) 2021/1883.

National HQP/PAC authorises residence and work in Spain; it does not replace another country's residence or work permission.

• Identify the exact route: EU Blue Card or national HQP/PAC. A reduction available on one cannot be carried across to the other.
• Check gross annual salary in the contract or firm offer against the applicable minimum.
• Document any reduction ground: the qualification and award date, or the occupation code and its inclusion in the applicable shortage catalogue.
• Prepare qualification evidence: the diploma or relevant experience records, together with the employment contract.

Changing a job title does not create eligibility.

The Beckham tax regime has separate conditions; it does not replace residency requirements.

Last updated: 15 September 2026.