How to Get a Highly Qualified Work Permit By Opening a Representative Office in Spain

Expanding your business into Spain is an exciting opportunity — but it comes with a crucial step if you plan to relocate your key talent: obtaining the Highly Qualified Professional (HQP) work permit. This residence permit is designed for executives, managers, and specialists who will be essential to your company’s Spanish operations.

In this post, we’ll break down how the HQP permit works and what steps you need to follow to secure it when establishing a representative office in Spain.

What is the HQP Work Permit?

The HQP permit is part of Spain’s Entrepreneur’s Law (Ley de Emprendedores) and allows foreign companies to transfer skilled employees quickly and efficiently. It is valid for up to two years (renewable) and covers not only the employee but also their immediate family members, making relocation easier.

This permit is particularly useful if you are setting up a representative office in Spain and need to send a director or senior manager to handle market research, local partnerships, and compliance matters.

Key Requirements

To qualify for the HQP permit, you must meet the following:

Company Eligibility: Your business must be a large company, part of a group, or involved in strategic projects in Spain.

Job Role: The applicant must be an executive, manager, or highly skilled professional.

Contract & Salary: The work contract should reflect the strategic nature of the role and meet minimum salary thresholds.

Office Setup: Proof of your company’s presence in Spain, such as registration documents for your representative office or subsidiary.

Application Process

Register Your Business Presence: Incorporate a representative office or branch with the Spanish Commercial Registry or through a notary.

Prepare Documentation: Gather the company’s corporate documents, employment contract, employee’s qualifications, and proof of financial solvency.

Submit the Application: File through Spain’s Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE) — this unit processes applications quickly, often within 20 working days.

Receive Approval & Relocate: Once approved, the employee can apply for their residence card and relocate with eligible family members.

The Highly Qualified Professional permit is one of the fastest and most reliable ways to bring your key staff to Spain. Whether you are just starting with a representative office or planning a full subsidiary, securing the right talent on the ground is essential for success.

If you’re ready to expand your business into Spain, partner with OnDemand International to simplify the entire process — from incorporation to work permit applications — so you can focus on growing your business.