EU Blue Card (highly qualified professionals)
Job offer neededDegree-holders with a qualified job offer.
Gross salary of at least €39,270 a year, or €31,416 for recent graduates.
Official page →Country guides / Spain
ESSpain
The lowest Blue Card salary threshold of the eight countries, and a digital nomad visa for people who keep working for employers or clients abroad.
Already made the move
Spain granted 484 first residence permits to South Africans in 2024 (Eurostat).
Working in English
Spanish is needed in most workplaces. English-speaking roles are mostly in tech and international firms in Madrid and Barcelona.
Visiting for interviews
South Africans need a Schengen visa for short visits, including interviews.
Main routes for professionals
Digital nomad visa
Remote workPeople working remotely for employers or clients outside Spain.
Income of at least €2,762 a month (2026), more with family.
Official page →These are the routes most relevant to mid-career professionals, not a complete list. Official source: Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration.
Worth knowing
- Blue Card thresholds were updated on 30 January 2026.
Getting your qualifications recognised: ENIC-NARIC network. Verify your South African qualifications with SAQA first.
Some of the largest employers
InditexBanco SantanderBBVAIberdrolaTelefónicaRepsolCaixaBankAmadeusFerrovialNaturgyACSAenaMapfreGrifolsCellnexEndesa
Major listed companies and multinationals operating in Spain. A listing does not mean a company is hiring or sponsors visas.
Does Spain fit you?
Check your profile against these routes and seven other countries.
Other countries
Checked against official sources on 16 October 2026. General information, not immigration advice.