Immigration and Global Mobility in Spain

Coordinated immigration strategy for international talent and business mobility

We advise companies on immigration and international mobility, supporting the recruitment, deployment and regularisation of foreign professionals in Spain.

Our work covers residence and work permits, highly qualified professionals, intra-company transfers, international assignments, renewals, family reunification and the establishment of corporate operations in Spain.

We coordinate employment and immigration advice to align legal requirements, workforce planning and business priorities.

Corporate immigration under Spanish law

Recruiting or relocating international professionals to Spain requires careful coordination between immigration status, employment conditions and the company’s corporate structure.

 

The appropriate permit, professional profile, employment relationship, remuneration, Social Security position, supporting documentation and implementation timetable must be aligned before the assignment or recruitment begins.

 

We advise companies on the appropriate immigration route and support the process from initial assessment to application, relocation and ongoing compliance.

Core immigration and global mobility matters

We advise on:

  • Residence and work permits
  • Permits for highly qualified professionals
  • Intra-company transfer permits
  • EU Blue Cards
  • International assignments and secondments
  • Cross-border remote working arrangements
  • Digital nomad permits for international professionals
  • Permit renewals and modifications
  • Family reunification and dependant applications
  • Immigration compliance and right-to-work checks
  • Social Security coordination
  • Employment contracts for foreign professionals
  • International assignment documentation
  • Corporate immigration planning
  • Company establishment and expansion in Spain
  • Immigration implications of restructurings and business transfers

Highly qualified professionals

The recruitment of highly qualified professionals requires alignment between the role, professional profile, remuneration and corporate need.

 

We advise companies on eligibility, job classification, supporting documentation, employment conditions, application strategy and compliance throughout the permit’s validity.

Intra-company transfers and international assignments

International groups frequently need to deploy executives, specialists and other key professionals to their Spanish operations.

 

We advise on intra-company transfers, secondments, assignment structures, documentation, Social Security coordination and the employment implications of temporary or long-term mobility.

Residence and work permits

The appropriate immigration route depends on the professional’s nationality, role, employment relationship and intended period of residence in Spain.

 

We assess the available options, prepare the application and coordinate the required corporate, employment and personal documentation.

Renewals, modifications and ongoing compliance

Immigration planning does not end when the initial authorisation is granted.

 

We advise on renewals, changes of employer or role, modifications of immigration status, family applications and compliance with the conditions attached to the permit.

Company establishment and recruitment in Spain

Hiring international professionals may require the foreign company to establish an appropriate legal and employment structure in Spain.

 

We coordinate immigration advice with company set-up, employment contracts, payroll, Social Security registration and other requirements necessary to recruit and deploy personnel lawfully.

Cross-border global mobility

International mobility projects must be coordinated across immigration, employment, tax, Social Security and corporate workstreams.

 

As founding members of L&E Global, Suárez de Vivero coordinates employment law advice with leading firms in more than 30 countries, supporting companies in cross-border assignments and multi-jurisdictional mobility projects.

How we support the process

Assessment

Professional profile, immigration status, assignment structure and business requirements.

Strategy

Permit route, employment framework, documentation and implementation timetable.

Application

Preparation, filing, follow-up and coordination with the company and the professional.

Compliance

Renewals, modifications, family applications and ongoing immigration obligations.

When to involve employment counsel

Immigration counsel should be involved before the professional is recruited, transferred or begins providing services in Spain.

 

Early involvement is particularly important where the project involves senior executives, highly qualified professionals, intra-company transfers, accompanying family members, urgent deployment or the establishment of a new business presence in Spain.

Immigration and Global Mobility FAQs

What immigration permits can companies use to recruit foreign professionals in Spain?

Depending on the profile and circumstances, companies may use permits for highly qualified professionals, intra-company transfers, EU Blue Cards, general work authorisations and other immigration routes.

Yes. The appropriate route depends on the group structure, the professional’s role, the length of the assignment and the employment and Social Security arrangements.

In many cases, yes. Spouses, partners, children and certain dependant family members may apply together with the principal applicant or through a subsequent family application.

Before the recruitment or assignment is confirmed. Early advice helps identify the correct permit, structure the employment relationship and avoid delays or compliance issues.

Corporate restructuring requires precision before action

We advise companies on the employment law strategy, negotiation, implementation and defence of restructuring processes in Spain.
Barcelona
Plaza Europa, 9-11, 15 D
Torre Inbisa
08908 Barcelona
Madrid
Príncipe de Vergara 62
1º Derecha
28006 Madrid