The minimum salary required to obtain the Highly Qualified Professional (PAC) work permit is one of the most decisive requirements for the approval of the application. The Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE‑CE) reviews this point with particular attention, as the salary must reflect the highly qualified nature of the position.

In this updated guide, we explain the salary requirements in force for 2026, why they are so important, and how they influence the approval of the PAC permit according to current regulations.

 

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What is the minimum salary required to apply for the PAC in Spain?

According to the current legislation and the guidelines applied after the reform of the Immigration Regulations, the minimum salaries required for the PAC are:

Type of position Minimum annual salary required
Technical or qualified €40,077 gross per year
Director or manager €54,578 gross per year

These amounts are included in the guidelines applied by the UGE‑CE and are mandatory for the application to be approved.

Why is the minimum salary so important for the UGE‑CE?

The regulation sets this salary threshold as a way to ensure that:

  • The position truly requires high qualification.
  • The professional provides strategic value to the company.
  • The offer aligns with market standards for managerial or specialized roles.

If the offer does not meet these minimums, the application will be automatically rejected with no exceptions.

How is the salary calculated for the PAC permit?

The UGE‑CE carefully reviews:

  • Base salary: It must be clearly detailed in the contract.
  • Extra payments: They may or may not be prorated, but must be specified.
  • Variable pay or bonuses: Variable pay is generally not accepted as part of the minimum salary unless contractually guaranteed.
  • Annual equivalence: The amount must exceed the legal minimum salary, in gross annual terms.

What happens if the salary is below the minimum?

The UGE‑CE automatically rejects the application. There is no room for interpretation.
In such cases:

  • The company must modify and improve the offer.
  • A new revised contract or letter must be submitted.
  • The application can be restarted without penalty.

Common scenarios in salary review

Frequent error: contract with an annual salary of €38,000

It is rejected, even if the role is technically qualified.

Frequent error: director-level contract below €54,578

It is rejected, even if the company justifies other benefits.

Approved case: €42,000 salary for an advanced technical role

It meets the general threshold of €40,077.

Salary requirements depending on the type of position

The UGE distinguishes between two main categories:

Technical / qualified roles

They require:

  • University degree
  • Or relevant professional experience (minimum 3 years)
  • Specialized or technically demanding responsibilities

Minimum salary: €40,077

Managerial or executive roles

They require:

  • Team management
  • Strategic responsibilities
  • High‑impact decision-making

Minimum salary: €54,578

Key points to ensure the salary meets PAC requirements

  • It must appear explicitly in the contract
  • It must be annual gross salary, not monthly
  • It must differentiate fixed and variable pay
  • It must align with the responsibilities described
  • It must match the job description in the company report
  • It must be consistent with the Spanish labor market

If any of these points are inconsistentorm (Royal Decree 1155/2024)

Following the reform of the Immigration Regulation, the UGE now operates with:

  • 100% electronic processing
  • A maximum resolution period of 20 business days
  • Positive administrative silence

This means that if the salary offer is correct, approval is usually very fast.

Useful PAC links

To complete this content and ensure that your application meets all requirements:

 

Meeting the minimum salary for the Highly Qualified Professional (PAC) permit is essential for the UGE‑CE to approve the application. But salary is only one piece of the puzzle: the alignment between the role, experience, documentation, and corporate strategy is equally important to avoid delays or denials.

At Adlanter, we work daily with companies needing to attract international talent and with professionals looking to continue their careers in Spain. Through our International Mobility & Immigration service, we guide you throughout the entire process.

If you want to ensure your PAC application meets all requirements and is processed without errors, we can help you.

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