Kingdom of Spain
Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit processing time
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.
Typical window
3 weeks – 6 weeks
Government fees
Employer and employee fees apply; TIE fee additional.
Last checked
20 April 2026
What drives the timeline
Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit sits in the work sponsored category. Typical duration: 3 years; renewable for 2 years; leads to permanent residence after 5.. Indicative government fees: Employer and employee fees apply; TIE fee additional..
- Requires a sponsor.
- Leads to settlement / permanent residence.
- Suited for: Senior hires at Spanish or multinational employers, Tech and engineering professionals.
Primary source
UGE-CE — Highly Qualified Professional
https://www.inclusion.gob.es/web/unidadgrandesempresas/en
Frequently asked questions
How long does the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) permit take to process?
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. These figures come from UGE-CE — Highly Qualified Professional and were last verified on 2026-04-20. Always confirm on the primary source before acting.
Is there a priority or premium service that speeds this up?
Refer to the linked primary source for current priority / premium options; availability changes frequently and varies by consular post.
Can you guarantee my application will fall inside this window?
No. Processing times are indicative and depend on case complexity, biometrics scheduling, sponsor-side delays, source country, public-holiday calendars, and policy shifts. The linked source is the only authoritative reference on the day you apply.