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International Contracting
According to information gathered by Employee Mobility Solutions (EMS), andThe Spanish government, through the National Statistics Institute, has updated the salary thresholds for highly qualified professionals and holders of the Blue Card. The measure, effective from May 2026, adjusts the requirements for hiring foreign talent in accordance with the new national average salary.
Spain updates salary requirements to attract international talent
The Spanish business ecosystem faces a key update to the regulations governing the hiring of foreign talent. Instituto Nacional de Estadística (INEThe Ministry of Economy has published the new national average salary for the year 2024, which triggers an automatic modification of the minimum salary thresholds required for granting residence permits. Highly Qualified Professionals (PAC) already holders of the Tarjeta Azul-UE.
This amendment, which came into effect on May 28, 2026, is based on the Ley 14/2013 to support entrepreneurs and their internationalization, and is regulated through the Orden PJC/44/2026The regulations stipulate that salary thresholds must be referenced to the average gross annual salary published by the INEwhich for 2024 has been set at 29.540,26 euros. This figure represents a direct hit in the planning of recruitment and in the budgets of companies with operations in España.
New salary thresholds for qualified professionals in 2026
According to Employee Mobility Solutions, as a direct consequence of the average salary update, companies wishing to hire foreign professionals under this modality must guarantee compensation that meets the new minimums. general threshold It is now set at 41.356,36 euros gross per year, while the reduced thresholdThe fee, applicable to specific profiles or sectors according to regulations, is €33.085,09. These amounts are crucial for the viability of the processes for processing and granting residence and work permits, impacting the overall talent attraction strategy of Spanish companies.
| Reference Concept | Gross Annual Amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| National Average Salary (reference 2024, published by the INE) | 29.540,26 € |
| New General Salary Threshold (for PAC and Blue Card) | 41.356,36 € |
| New Reduced Salary Threshold (for specific cases) | 33.085,09 € |
Key points and frequently asked questions about the new salary thresholds in Spain
How does this update affect my company's hiring plans?
This update has a direct impact on human resources budget planning. Any company in España Any company planning to hire a highly qualified non-EU professional must ensure that the salary offer meets or exceeds these new minimums. Otherwise, the residence permit application will be denied, which could delay or prevent the recruitment of strategic talent.
In what cases can the reduced threshold be applied?
La Ley 14/2013 The implementing regulations allow for a reduced threshold (in this case, €33.085,09) for certain profiles or situations. Generally, these include professionals up to 30 years old, profiles of particular interest to sectors considered strategic, or hires in Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs). It is essential to consult the current regulations to verify whether the profile being considered for hiring is eligible for this reduction.
Are these figures final for the entire year 2026?
Yes, these thresholds will remain in effect until the Instituto Nacional de Estadística Publish the average salary data for 2025, which is expected to happen in mid-2027. Therefore, companies can use these figures as a stable reference for all international recruitment planning carried out during the remainder of 2026 and the first half of 2027.
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