Spain Visa: Salary Insights

Want to work in Spain as a software engineer? Here's what you need to know about salary requirements for different visas:

• EU Blue Card: $43,684/year (€40,077). Reduced rates apply for high-demand roles or applicants under 30.
• Highly Skilled Worker Visa: $43,600–$58,860/year depending on role. Reduced by 25% for SMEs or applicants under 30.
• Digital Nomad Visa: $36,127/year ($2,983/month). Additional income required for dependents.
• Self-Employment Visa: Income varies, but freelancers typically earn $54/hour (€50/hour).

Key Notes:

• Benefits like housing allowances can't exceed 30% of total pay.
• Salary thresholds ensure financial stability and eligibility.
• Experienced software engineers earning $54,500+ are well-positioned for most visas.

Quick Comparison:

Visa Type	Salary Requirement	Processing Time	Key Perks
EU Blue Card	$43,684/year (€40,077)	1–3 months	Work across EU after 12 months
Highly Skilled Worker	$43,600–$58,860/year	2–4 months	Fast processing, Schengen access
Digital Nomad Visa	$36,127/year ($2,983/month)	15–45 days	Flexible for remote workers
Self-Employment Visa	$54/hour (€50/hour avg.)	~6 months	Tailored for freelancers with a plan

Each visa option has its own requirements and benefits, so choose the one that best fits your career goals and financial situation.

Foreign Software Engineer in Spain 🇪🇸 | Salary, Visa, Pros & Cons

1. EU Blue Card

The EU Blue Card is a popular option for software engineers looking to work in Spain.

For 2025, Spain's minimum gross annual salary requirement for the EU Blue Card is €40,077. However, there are exceptions based on specific categories, as shown below:

Applicant Category	Annual Salary Requirement
Standard Rate	€40,077
Under 30 Years	€30,058
Directors/Managers	€54,142
Directors/Managers (Under 30)	€40,607
High-Demand Roles	€32,062

When compared to other EU countries, Spain's salary threshold falls in the mid-range:

Country	Minimum Salary Requirement
Belgium (Brussels)	€66,377
France	€59,700
Germany	€48,300
Spain	€40,077
Netherlands	€35,868

These figures highlight Spain's position among EU nations when it comes to salary expectations for the EU Blue Card.

To qualify for the EU Blue Card, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Have a valid job offer for at least six months in a high-skilled role
• Hold a three-year bachelor’s degree or have five years of relevant professional experience
• For ICT roles, demonstrate three years of relevant experience within the past seven years.

Benefits of the EU Blue Card include:

• The ability to work in other EU member states after 12 months
• Faster family reunification processes
• A pathway to permanent residency after five years
• Equal access to working conditions and social benefits

Applicants need to submit a range of documents, including a completed application form, valid passport, work contract, proof of qualifications, a criminal record certificate from the past two years, and an updated CV. Some documents may also require apostille certification and a Spanish translation.

For software engineers already holding an EU Blue Card from another EU country for at least 12 months, transferring to Spain is possible while retaining the card's benefits.

Next, we’ll explore the Highly Skilled Worker Visa, which provides another pathway for professionals based on their expertise.

2. Highly Skilled Worker Visa

The Highly Skilled Worker Visa (HQP Visa) is designed for non-EU/EEA software engineers working in executive, managerial, or technical roles.

Here’s a breakdown of the salary requirements based on position type:

Position Type	Annual Salary Requirement
Managerial/Director	$58,320 (approximately €54,000)
Academic/Scientific	$43,200 (approximately €40,000)
Technical Professional	$54,000 (approximately €50,000)

Salary Highlights:
If you’re under 30 or employed by a small or medium-sized enterprise (SME) in a strategic sector, you may qualify for a 25% reduction in the salary requirement.

This visa comes with several perks:

• Faster Processing: Applications are processed more quickly than standard work visas.
• Schengen Access: Allows free movement within the Schengen area.
• Family Inclusion: Offers family reunification options.
• Path to Citizenship: Provides a route to Spanish nationality.

To be eligible, software engineers need to meet these criteria:

• Secure a valid job offer from a Spanish company.
• Hold either a higher education qualification or have at least three years of relevant professional experience.
• Fulfill the minimum salary requirement for their specific role.
• Submit all required documents, including a criminal record certificate.

Applications for the HQP Visa can be submitted through Spanish consulates abroad or, alternatively, within Spain if you enter as a tourist.

Next, we’ll dive into the Digital Nomad Visa and its specific salary requirements.

3. Digital Nomad Visa

Spain's Digital Nomad Visa offers an opportunity for remote workers to live and work in Spain with fewer financial hurdles compared to other visa options.

Base Income Requirements:
To qualify, applicants must show a minimum monthly income of about $2,983 (approximately €2,763), which is 200% of Spain's minimum wage. If you're bringing family members, the income requirements increase as follows:

Family Status	Additional Monthly Income Needed
Individual	$2,983 (≈ €2,763)
First Dependent	+$961 (≈ €890)
Each Additional Dependent	+$324 (≈ €300)

How Income is Verified:
Applicants need to provide evidence of stable income through:

• Documentation of active business operations
• Bank statements showing consistent earnings

These steps are part of the broader eligibility process.

Who Qualifies?
To be eligible for the Digital Nomad Visa, you must meet these criteria:

• Be employed in a remote role for at least one year
• If freelancing, ensure no more than 20% of your income comes from Spanish clients
• Have a clean criminal record for the past five years
• Hold an employment contract that explicitly allows remote work from Spain

Once these conditions are met and income proof is verified, applicants can proceed to the next phase.

Timeline and Costs:
Expect the visa application process to take between 15 and 45 days. The application fee is around $79, and submissions must be made in person at a Spanish Embassy or Consulate.

What Documents Are Needed?

• Evidence of consistent income, like recent pay stubs or bank statements
• Employment contracts outlining remote work permissions
• For freelancers, proof of ongoing client relationships

The visa is valid for up to 12 months and can be renewed for a total of five years. Up next, we'll dive into how these digital-focused options stack up against more traditional pathways.

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4. Self-Employment Visa

For independent software engineers, Spain offers a self-employment visa as a tailored option. With nearly 30% of Spain's 3.2 million freelancers working in technology fields, this visa is a fitting choice for tech professionals. Here's what you need to know about the financial requirements and application process.

Financial Requirements

Requirement Type	Details
Business Plan	Must be approved by ATA, OPA, UATAE, UPTA, or CIAE
Income Proof	Bank statements showing consistent earnings
Application Costs	$432–$648 (€400–€600)
Visa Fee	$65 (€60)
Medical Certificate	Additional fee may apply

Business Plan Essentials

Your business plan is a critical part of the application. It should include:

• Projected investment and profit estimates
• Potential job creation
• Necessary licenses for your business operations
• A detailed market analysis focused on software engineering services

Income Benchmarks

Freelance software engineers in Spain typically earn around $54 (€50) per hour. Demonstrating consistent income at or above this level strengthens your application.

Application Timeline and Process

The application process generally takes about six months. You'll need to prepare the following documents:

• Forms EX-07, 790-052 (for tax purposes), and 990062 (work authorization)
• A completed national visa application
• Criminal background check
• Medical certificate

Tax Obligations

As a self-employed tech professional in Spain, you’ll need to register as an "autonomo." This requires reporting worldwide income and keeping detailed financial records.

Professional Recognition

To move forward, your business plan must be approved by one of the following organizations:

• Federación Nacional de Asociaciones de Empresarios y Trabajadores Autónomos (ATA)
• Organización de Profesionales y Autónomos (OPA)
• Unión de Asociaciones de Trabajadores Autónomos y Emprendedores (UATAE)
• Unión de Profesionales y Trabajadores Autónomos (UPTA)
• Confederación Intersectorial de Autónomos del Estado Español (CIAE)

This visa pathway is a structured option for software engineers ready to establish themselves as freelancers in Spain.

Visa Comparison

This section breaks down how Spain's various visa options for software engineers differ in terms of salaries, fees, and processing times.

Here’s a quick comparison of the key details for each visa type:

Visa Type	Minimum Salary Requirement	Processing Fee	Timeline
EU Blue Card	1.5× the average gross salary	$452 (≈€418)	1–3 months
Highly Skilled Worker	Based on the position	N/A	2–4 months
Digital Nomad Visa	$3,000/month (≈€2,762)	$79 (≈€73)	2–2.5 months
Self-Employment Visa	Variable ($54/hour, ≈€50/hour)	$108 (≈€100)	2–3 months

Key Benefits Comparison

The EU Blue Card is aimed at highly skilled professionals. One of its standout advantages is that after two years of working in Spain, holders can move and work in other EU countries without needing to reapply for another visa.

For remote workers, the Digital Nomad Visa offers flexibility with a relatively lower income threshold. However, applicants must ensure that their income comes from non-Spanish sources. If you’re applying with family members, you’ll need to show additional income - $1,120 for a spouse or adult dependent and $375 for each child.

Processing Considerations

The Highly Skilled Worker Visa simplifies the process for engineers employed by Spanish companies. Unlike traditional work permits, it skips the labor market testing requirement (which ensures no EU nationals are available for the role) and typically has a shorter processing time. On the other hand, the Digital Nomad and Self-Employment Visas offer more flexible timelines, which can be helpful for those not tied to a specific employer.

Application Success Factors

Successful applications often come down to meeting the salary requirements and ensuring all documentation is complete. For software engineers in high-demand tech roles, there may be leeway with salary thresholds.

Long-term Prospects

Beyond the initial visa process, it’s worth considering the bigger picture. Spain's tech sector is booming, with over 90,000 work visas issued in 2023 alone. This growth highlights expanding opportunities for software engineers, particularly in high-paying roles. Both the EU Blue Card and Self-Employment Visa are excellent pathways for those aiming to achieve permanent residency in Spain.

Summary

Spain's growing tech sector provides a range of visa options, each with specific income requirements. For instance, the EU Blue Card mandates an annual salary of $43,283 (€40,077), though this drops to $32,463 (€30,058) for applicants under 30. Meanwhile, the Digital Nomad Visa requires a monthly income of $2,984 (€2,762). These figures highlight how salary thresholds vary across different visa types, reflecting broader market trends.

Regional salary differences further illustrate the tech landscape in Spain, from entry-level roles to highly specialized positions:

• Madrid boasts an average salary of $45,574 (€42,198).
• AI Engineers typically earn around $70,200 (€65,000) annually, while Blockchain Developers can command salaries as high as $271,080 (€251,000).
• Junior developers might start at $21,600 (€20,000), but experienced professionals often earn $54,000+ (€50,000+) in major tech hubs.

These variations emphasize the importance of ensuring your salary meets or exceeds the visa-specific thresholds.

Spain’s tech industry is thriving, with a 5.8% annual growth rate and a shortage of 25,000–50,000 developer positions. The government’s commitment to digital innovation is clear, with $13.23 billion (€12.25 billion) allocated to the Digital Spain 2025 agenda.

Barcelona, in particular, has become a major tech hub, generating 26,000 new jobs and contributing $2.7 billion (€2.5 billion) annually to the economy. High-demand fields such as AI, cybersecurity, and cloud computing offer salaries that comfortably exceed visa requirements, especially in cities like Madrid and Barcelona. Ensuring your compensation aligns with these benchmarks is crucial when applying for a Spanish visa.

FAQs

What is the minimum salary requirement for software engineers applying for an EU Blue Card or Highly Skilled Worker Visa in Spain?

The EU Blue Card in Spain sets its minimum annual gross salary at $40,077 for 2025. On the other hand, the Highly Skilled Worker Visa comes with a slightly higher requirement, starting at $41,000, and rising to $56,000 for director-level roles.

These figures are key for meeting the financial criteria tied to these visas. Software engineers planning to apply should ensure their compensation meets or exceeds these thresholds.

How does Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa support remote workers with families, and what are the income requirements for dependents?

Spain’s Digital Nomad Visa offers remote workers the opportunity to bring their family along, including spouses or partners, dependent children, and other relatives who rely on them. To qualify, the main applicant must demonstrate a monthly income of at least $2,400. If family members are added to the application, the required income rises to $3,000 per month, with an extra $600 per month for each additional dependent beyond the first.

These income levels are designed to ensure applicants can comfortably support their families while living in Spain, making it an appealing choice for remote workers seeking a family-friendly relocation option.

What should be included in a business plan for the Self-Employment Visa in Spain, and why is it important?

To apply for a Self-Employment Visa in Spain, having a solid business plan is absolutely essential. This plan should cover all the key aspects, including a comprehensive business model, an analysis of your target market, financial projections, and a clear explanation of the product or service you intend to offer. Be sure to also detail the initial investment needed and specify how your business will contribute to the local economy - whether through job creation or boosting economic activity.

Spanish immigration authorities will carefully evaluate the practicality and potential of your business idea. A well-prepared and professional business plan not only demonstrates your readiness but also significantly improves your chances of getting your visa approved. It reflects your dedication to establishing a thriving and sustainable business in Spain.