EU Blue Card: Requirements for Renewal

Are you a highly qualified professional (non-EU citizen) and want to work in the Eurozone? Then you should know that the EU Blue Card could be the right option for your situation.

In Spain, there is a permit that allows third-country nationals to legally reside and work throughout the territory: the work permit for highly qualified professionals. It is granted when a company needs to hire a foreign professional for a highly qualified job or professional relationship. This general authorization includes two specific categories, one of which is the residence permit for highly qualified professionals who hold an EU Blue Card. Below, we explain how to renew it:

What is the EU Blue Card?

Also known as the Blue Card, it was created in 2009 as a tool to attract foreign talent to the Eurozone. It is a residence and work permit aimed at highly qualified foreign workers who wish to move to Europe for professional reasons. If you want to know how to obtain it, check out this other post on the EU Blue Card.

The validity of the Blue Card depends on the country where the professional works (from one to four years). Renewal is a key step for professionals wishing to continue their careers in the country. Below, we detail the most relevant aspects of the procedure.

The renewal of the EU Blue Card is primarily governed by Law 14/2013 on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization, particularly Articles 71 and 76.

When should you apply for renewal?

It is essential to respect the deadlines for renewing the EU Blue Card:

• Regular period: The renewal request can be submitted within the sixty calendar days prior to the expiration of the current authorization.
• Extraordinary period (after expiration): The application may also be submitted within ninety calendar days after the expiration date of the previous authorization. However, applying during this period may lead to the initiation of a sanctioning procedure for the infraction.

Submitting the renewal application within these timeframes extends the validity of the previous authorization until a decision is made.

What are the requirements for renewal?

The essential requirement for renewing the EU Blue Card is that the same conditions and requirements that led to the initial authorization continue to be met. This includes, among others:

1. Continuation of the highly qualified employment relationship: The holder must still have a valid employment contract for a highly qualified job.
2. Maintenance of qualification: Proof that the required professional qualification is still met.
3. Working and salary conditions: The contract conditions must continue to comply with current regulations and the applicable collective agreement. The gross annual salary must still meet the reference threshold, as specified in Article 71 of the law.

Validity period of the renewal

The residence authorization for highly qualified professionals, including the EU Blue Card category, is renewed for two-year periods.

Can the EU Blue Card be revoked or denied?

Renewal of the EU Blue Card may be denied, or the card may be revoked, if the requirements are not met. Specifically, the law states this will occur when:

• The foreign national no longer holds a valid employment contract for a highly qualified position.
• They are unemployed for more than three months, having held the EU Blue Card for less than two years.
• They are unemployed for more than six months, having held the EU Blue Card for at least two years.

In these unemployment scenarios, the person is granted a period of three months (or six months if they’ve held the card for at least two years) to find a new job that meets the criteria.

Toward long-term residence

Additionally, after several renewals, EU Blue Card holders may qualify for a long-term residence permit. The law states that long-term residence can be obtained after five years if all requirements are met.

How can Adlanter help?

At Adlanter, we have successfully managed EU Blue Card renewals for companies in the tech, pharmaceutical, and financial sectors. Our comprehensive approach includes:

• Eligibility assessment
• Document preparation
• Handling with UGE-CE
• Advice on family mobility
• Renewals and employer changes

✅ Not fully informed about your obligations to maintain your legal status in Spain? Check out our immigration services and discover how we can help you renew your EU Blue Card.