The Highly Qualified Professional Visa is designed for non-EU professionals with specialist skills who have been recruited to work in Spain, particularly in high-demand sectors such as technology, engineering, and research.
Highly Qualified Professional Visa – Spain
By Barry Davys
This article is published on: 10th December 2025
Key Requirements
- A job offer from a Spanish company approved for “highly qualified” roles, along with suitable qualifications or professional experience.
- Minimum annual salary of €40,100 to demonstrate highly qualified status.
- Visa validity of up to three years, renewable for an additional two years.
- Eligibility to apply for the Beckham Law reduced tax regime.
- Applications can be submitted online in Spain by the employer (with fast-track processing, often within 20 working days) or via the Spanish Consulate in the UK if applying from abroad.
Understanding the Financial Impact of Your Move to Spain
Securing your visa is a major milestone — but it’s equally important to understand how relocating to Spain will affect your finances.
Many applicants ask whether they can join the Beckham Law while on the HQP Visa, and what this could mean for their tax position. While the well-known 24% tax rate on employment income up to €600,000 is widely published, there is another significant benefit that can substantially reduce your tax bill for the entire five-year duration of the scheme.
At The Spectrum IFA Group, our advisers are both professionally qualified and personally experienced in moving to and living in Spain. We help clients understand how to structure their finances efficiently from day one.
Additional Resources
- Case Study: Case Study, How we helped a Spanish Tax Resident couple after their move to Spain
- Why a financial adviser is essential for expats in Spain
- Moving within 12 months? Book a call online at a time that suits you.
HQP Visa not suitable? View other visa options for British nationals.
Working With Trusted Visa Specialists
While we are experts in financial planning, we are not visa specialists. For immigration matters, we work closely with Klev & Vera, a Barcelona-based law firm led by managing partner Anna Klevtsova, who holds degrees in International Law from both the UK and Spain.
Our collaboration ensures clients receive clarity on:
- Which visa type is most appropriate
- Assistance with the application process
- Ongoing matters such as state pension queries
For transparency: we do not receive any commission or fees from these lawyers. Our priority is that clients receive accurate, reputable advice.
The Beckham Law – Key Rules
You may be able to reduce your tax burden by opting to be taxed under the special non-resident tax regime (Beckham Law) if you meet the following conditions:
- You have not been a tax resident in Spain in the last five years.
- You apply for the new Beckham regime within six months of arrival.
- You become resident in Spain (typically by spending 183+ days per year in the country).
- The reduced rate applies for the year of arrival plus five full tax years.
- The first €600,000 of employment income is taxed at 24%.
Employment Criteria for the Beckham Law
You may qualify for the regime under any of the following employment structures:
- New employment in Spain with an entity registered with the Spanish Tax Agency
- Transfer to a Spanish entity while maintaining an existing employment contract
- Remote work from Spain for a foreign employer
- Appointment as a director of a Spanish entity
- Self-employment (“autónomo”) in an entrepreneurial activity
- Highly qualified self-employment providing services to startups
- Self-employment in training, research, development, or innovation activities
Each pathway has specific requirements, so professional tax advice is essential to confirm eligibility before relocating. We work with specialist tax lawyers who can assess your circumstances — and again, we do not receive any form of commission for referring clients.