Brazilian applicants · Kingdom of Spain
Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit for Brazilian citizens
Residence permit for highly qualified workers with a Spanish employment contract, processed under the Law 14/2013 regime.
This page covers the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit specifically for Brazilian applicants — including document requirements, consular procedures, and common issues specific to Brazil. The general eligibility criteria apply to everyone.
- Processing time
- 3 weeks – 6 weeks
- Government fees
- Employer and employee fees apply; TIE fee additional.
- Typical duration
- 3 years; renewable for 2 years; leads to permanent residence after 5.
- Sponsorship required
- Yes
- Leads to permanent residency
- Yes
Bilateral context
- Schengen Area
- Mercosur
- Spanish ancestry eligibility
Consular processing: São Paulo / Rio de Janeiro
Tourist entry vs. this route
Yes — Brazilian nationals can enter Kingdom of Spain without a visa for short tourism (typically up to 90 days), but tourist entry does not authorise the activity covered by the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit.
Key figures for Brazilian applicants
Computed from our continuously re-verified, primary-sourced data. Indicative, not legal advice.
How long it takes
3 weeks – 6 weeks
UGE-CE publishes a 20-working-day decision target under the Startup Law for in-country HQP applications. Consular applications typically run 4–8 weeks.
Verified 1 June 2026 · UGE-CE — Highly Qualified Professional →
Time to permanent residence
Arrival → permanent residence (5 years) → citizenship (10 years for most nationalities; 2 for Latin American).
Leads to Residencia de Larga Duración, then Spanish citizenship.
Visa overview
The Highly Qualified Professional permit is Spain's fast-track work-authorisation route under the Entrepreneurs' Law (Ley 14/2013). Applications go to the UGE-CE unit with 20-working-day target processing. The route is routinely used by multinationals and tech employers for senior hires.
Eligibility
Typical criteria
- ✓Job offer from a Spanish employer for a highly qualified role.
- ✓Salary matching the route's minimums (tiered by company size).
- ✓University degree or 5+ years of equivalent professional experience.
Common blockers
- !Salary below the specific threshold for the employer size.
Typical evidence
- ·Employment contract.
- ·Degree or experience evidence.
- ·Employer's corporate evidence to UGE-CE.
Application pathway
Employer prepares the UGE-CE dossier
Most employers use specialist firms or in-house mobility teams.
UGE-CE decision
Target 20 working days.
Obtain visa or travel, then TIE
Visa at consulate if abroad, then TIE appointment in Spain.
Other Kingdom of Spain routes covered for Brazilian applicants
Digital Nomad Visa (Spain)
Residence permit for remote workers and international freelancers under the Startup Law (Ley de Startups).
Non-Lucrative Visa (NLV)
Residence visa for financially self-sufficient non-EEA nationals not planning to work in Spain.
Entrepreneur Visa (Ley 14/2013)
Residence permit for founders establishing an innovative business in Spain under the Entrepreneurs' Law.
Family reunification (Spain)
Residence permit for family members of Spanish residents; arreigo (settled-status) routes also available.
Not sure Kingdom of Spain is right for you? Compare similar routes
Other countries offer work sponsored routes that Brazilian nationals also apply to. See how they compare.
Frequently asked questions
Are Brazilian citizens eligible for the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit?+
Eligibility for the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit is set by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations and is not nationality-restricted beyond the general criteria, though Brazilian applicants may also have access to the following bilateral or treaty frameworks: Schengen Area, Mercosur, Spanish ancestry eligibility. See the criteria below for the published requirements.
Where do Brazilian applicants typically file the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit?+
São Paulo / Rio de Janeiro. Specific intake (online portal, biometrics centre, or in-country lodgement) is determined by Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations — confirm the current intake channel on the primary source linked above before filing.
Do Brazilian applicants need a tourist visa for Kingdom of Spain as well?+
Yes — Brazilian nationals can enter Kingdom of Spain without a visa for short tourism (typically up to 90 days), but tourist entry does not authorise the activity covered by the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit.
How long does the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit take to process from Brazil?+
The typical published decision window is 3 weeks – 6 weeks. Brazilian applicants usually file via São Paulo / Rio de Janeiro, and consular-post backlogs can add to the wait. Source: UGE-CE — Highly Qualified Professional, verified 1 June 2026.
How long until permanent residence in Kingdom of Spain?+
Arrival → permanent residence (5 years) → citizenship (10 years for most nationalities; 2 for Latin American). The route leads to Residencia de Larga Duración, then Spanish citizenship. See Ministerio de Justicia — Nacionalidad española for the qualifying-residence rules.
Is the HQP permit the same as the EU Blue Card?+
Spain separately implements the EU Blue Card. The HQP permit is a national Law 14/2013 route with faster UGE-CE processing. Employers choose the fit based on salary threshold, intra-EU mobility needs, and family-provision differences.