Minimum salary for a highly qualified professional

When applying for a work permit as a highly qualified professional, the job position in question must meet a minimum salary requirement. The “high qualification” expected from these workers requires a high salary, in line with their profiles (usually executives, managers, or highly qualified technical staff). In the Social Security system, these contracts must correspond to qualification group 1 or 2.

Salary for a highly qualified worker

Remuneration is one of the key elements the Unit for Large Companies (UGE) takes into account when evaluating this type of application.

Although the Entrepreneurs Law does not establish a minimum salary amount, the UGE has provided several criteria regarding the minimum salary required for highly qualified professionals.

Specifically, it is assessed that the salary specified in the work contract or firm job offer is at least equal to the average annual salary by occupation groups, based on data from the National Statistics Institute (INE):

Groups 1 and 2 CNO-11	Average annual salary
Directors and managers	€54,142
Other technical and scientific/intellectual professionals	€40,077

*The variable part of the remuneration will not be included in the calculation of the indicated amounts.

However, the above amounts may be subject to a 0.75% reduction in the following two cases:

1. Applications from SMEs in a sector considered strategic and certified by a favorable report from the Directorate General for International Trade and Investment, as provided in Law 14/2013, of September 27.
2. Applications from highly qualified professionals up to 30 years old.

As we can see, salary is one of the key factors in managing the work permit as a highly qualified professional.

At Adlanter, we have expert professionals in international mobility for companies and workers. Our team of advisors and consultants can help you obtain the permit for highly qualified workers — don’t hesitate to contact us.

Do you want to learn more about the highly qualified professional permit? On our blog, we have specific posts dedicated to this topic in detail.