1. Introduction
Europe has established itself as a key destination for international professionals, whether young talent or those with solid experience in sectors such as technology, engineering, finance, healthcare, or research. The presence of multinationals, innovation hubs, and active talent attraction policies make the European continent a strategic environment for developing an international career.
In this context, countries such as France and Spain have implemented specific permits to attract these highly qualified professionals: the Talent Passport and the CAP visa, respectively. These two visas are designed to facilitate the stay and legal employment of workers with higher education or specialized experience—such as engineers, computer scientists, researchers, managers, or healthcare professionals—who contribute to the economic and scientific development of the host country.
In this article, Administra-vie (France) and MigratioLex (Spain), partners specializing in international mobility, offer an overview of two exceptional ways to attract qualified foreign talent to Europe: the French Talent Passport and the Highly Qualified Professionals (HSP) visa in Spain.
Through this joint analysis, we seek to provide clear and useful information so that each professional can assess which of these options best suits their profile, based on their work objectives and their life plan on the European continent.
2. French and Spanish regime for skilled professionals: similarities and differences between the Talent Passport visa and the PAC visa
a) Identification of visas in each country and applicable regulations
On the one hand, in France, one of the most used visas to attract highly qualified professionals is the "qualified employee" Talent Passport regulated by the Code on the Entry and Residence of Foreigners and the Right to Asylum (better known as CESEDA), in particular by articles L.421-7, L.421-9 and L.411-4.
In Spain, the visa used to attract international talent is known as the visa for highly qualified professionals and is regulated by Law 14/2013, on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization, specifically in Article 71.
b) Sector of the hiring company
In both France and Spain, it is not mandatory for the hiring company to be in a strategic sector. In both cases, the main considerations are the qualifications of the employee and the nature of the position. If the company is in a strategic sector, this can facilitate the process, but it is not an essential requirement for obtaining a visa in either country.
(c) Initial duration of the visa and subsequent residence permit
The initial visa duration is one year in France and Spain. After this period, it is possible to apply for a first residence permit. In France, the residence permit can last up to four years, while in Spain, the initial permit lasts three years, with the possibility of extending it for two additional years.
d) Salary requirement
On the one hand, to be eligible for the Talent Passport for “qualified employees” in France, the gross annual salary must be equal to or greater than 43,243.20 euros, according to the threshold established for the current year. This threshold aims to ensure that the employee receives remuneration that corresponds to their professional qualifications and the nature of the position they will occupy in France.
Furthermore, in Spain, the visa for highly skilled professionals generally requires a salary above 40,000 euros per year. However, this minimum salary may vary depending on the professional's age, sector, location, and position held. In any case, it is essential to evaluate each applicant's specific case to determine whether they meet the salary requirements, as certain variables can significantly influence the final decision.
e) Professional experience and requirement of an employment contract
In France, access to the “qualified employee” talent passport requires a master's degree or equivalent, obtained in France, as well as a permanent employment contract of at least three months with an employer established in France.
In Spain, however, the Highly Skilled Professionals visa requires a university or higher education degree, or at least three years of equivalent professional experience in the position to be filled. Furthermore, it is not mandatory to have a prior contract with an employer based in Spain.
(f) Competent authority in each country for obtaining the visa
In France, the application for a "qualified employee" Talent Passport must first be submitted to the French consulate in the applicant's country of residence. Once the visa is approved, the procedure for obtaining a residence permit is carried out at the local prefecture corresponding to the applicant's place of residence.
In Spain, the application for a visa for highly qualified professionals begins at the corresponding Spanish consulate. Once the visa is approved, the process of obtaining the residence permit is managed by the Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE), allowing the entire process to be carried out entirely electronically. This significantly speeds up the procedure compared to other residence permits.
g) Processing times for residence permits
In France, the processing time for residence permit applications can vary depending on the prefecture, but is generally between 1 and 3 months.
On the other hand, one of Spain's advantages is the speed of the procedure. The competent authority, the UGE-CE, processes applications within a maximum of 20 working days, making it a faster procedure than other permits. Furthermore, if the application is not resolved within this period, it will be considered approved by positive administrative silence.
3. Conclusion
Both visas offer valuable benefits, and the choice will depend on your professional goals and needs:
Do you have doubts or need specialized support? Administra-vie and MigratioLex work closely together to manage your immigration procedures in France and Spain. We speak French, English, and Spanish, and we are committed to serving you with integrity and dedication, offering reasonable fees tailored to the nature of each procedure.
We serve clients throughout France and Spain, providing support at every stage of the process, whether they are located in these countries or wish to initiate it from their home country. Our team is ready to confidently guide you every step of the way, ensuring your experience is seamless and successful.
Contact us today to get the support you need and start your application with confidence!
