After six years of advising companies on the international hiring and relocation of their workforce, BLC Legal Consulting has witnessed firsthand how Spain has become a magnet for global talent. In recent months, however, new developments in immigration law and sectorspecific incentives mean there is even more to consider when planning a move. This article builds on our previous analysis and explores how Spain is evolving as a destination for companies and professionals.
Spain still offers a winning combination:
Throughout this period, companies from across the globe have chosen to establish Spanish branches or develop key HUBs in Spain, driven by a range of strategic advantages, including:
- Expansion of business operations within Europe.
- Significant cost efficiencies.
- Fast and accessible visa options for international talent.
- Attractive special tax regimes for expatriates.
- Excellent climate and quality of life.
- Strong work-life balance.
- Competitive cost of living.
These factors have not changed. What has changed is the scale of international talent coming to Spain and the administration’s commitment to fostering innovation. The Bank of Spain recently raised its growth forecast for 2025 to 2.9 %, citing a surge in immigration and more than 600,000 new residents since 2023. This demographic momentum is prompting the government to refine visa categories and encourage investment in highvalue sectors.
New regulations streamline the process:
Spanish administration continues to implement forward-thinking measures to position Spain as a leading destination for international talent. Under the Special Immigration Law, a wide range of immigration procedures have been introduced, each designed to address specific professional and personal circumstances through tailored work and residence permits.
Today, Spain offers multiple fast-track immigration pathways for professionals and entrepreneurs looking to work and develop their projects in the country. Some of the most relevant options include:
- Highly Qualified Professional national work permit: Designed for professionals hired under a local Spanish employment contract.
- Highly Qualified Professional EU Blue Card: A competitive option for highly skilled professionals working under a Spanish employment contract.
- Internship residence permit: Ideal for candidates undertaking internships with Spanish entities.
- Entrepreneurs’ residence permit: For individuals seeking to launch innovative business projects in Spain.
- Intra-company transfer permit: For employees relocated from a foreign company to a related Spanish entity, while maintaining their employment contract abroad.
- Digital Nomad Visa: For foreign nationals wishing to relocate to Spain while working remotely, either as employees or freelancers, for foreign companies using electronic means.
To ensure these procedures are both efficient and accessible, Spanish administration has implemented a streamlined process offering key advantages, such as:
- Mandatory administrative decision deadlines ranging from 10 to 30 working days.
- Positive administrative silence once the legal deadline has elapsed, allowing applications to be considered approved.
- Applications submitted primarily through electronic channels.
- The possibility for family members (spouse, children, etc.) to apply simultaneously with the main applicant.
- Work authorization for family members over 18 years old, enabling them to work as employees or freelancers for local or foreign entities, including remote work.
This streamlined framework has positioned Spain as a preferred shooting location for international productions. BLC Legal Consulting has embraced this niche, assisting major studios and streaming platforms with fasttrack audiovisual permits. Our work includes coordinating family visas, advising on tax incentives and liaising with regional film commissions to ensure seamless compliance.
Looking ahead: continued growth and innovation:
At BLC Legal Consulting, we are proud of the exponential growth our firm has achieved by staying ahead of regulatory changes and tailoring our services to emerging sectors. Companies across technology, life sciences and, more recently, the audiovisual industry rely on us to design strategic, compliant immigration solutions. We take pride in the trust placed in us by multinational corporations and major production studios, and we remain committed to ensuring that Spain’s evolving immigration landscape works in favour of our clients.
Whether your organisation is considering setting up a European hub, relocating a key employee or bringing a film crew to Spain, there has never been a better time to explore the country’s diverse and innovative visa options. We would be delighted to discuss how these pathways can help you achieve your goals.
