Posts in category: Global Mobility

Regarding foreign talent, the new law incorporates a set of immigration measures to facilitate entry and residence not only for highly qualified professionals but also for entrepreneurship and investment.

Law 14/2013, of September 27, 2013, to support entrepreneurs and their internationalization, is modified as follows:

1. The visa referred to the teleworkers of international character is incorporated.

2. Regarding the general requirements for the stay or residence, it is indicated that a certificate of criminal record in Spain and in the countries where he/she has resided during the last two years, for crimes provided for in the Spanish legal system, must be provided. Additionally, a responsible declaration of the non-existence of criminal records for the last five years must be submitted.

3.The chapter relating to entrepreneurs and business activity is modified, and it is indicated that foreigners who request to enter Spain or who, being holders of a residence or stay authorization or visa, intend to initiate, develop or direct an economic activity as an entrepreneur, may be provided with a residence authorization for business activity, which will be valid throughout the national territory and will be valid for three years. Once this period has expired, they may request the renewal of the residence authorization for two years, and may obtain permanent residence after five years. The application will be made by the interested party or through its legal representative and electronically to the Unit of Large Companies and Strategic Groups. In the event that the foreigner is outside Spain, the application for authorization and visa will be made simultaneously through a single request that will initiate the processing of authorization and visa consecutively.

4. The initial authorization of residence for investors is modified, which will have a duration of three years.

5. Likewise, the residence authorization for highly qualified professionals will be for three years or equal to the duration of the contract, in case it is shorter. Once this period has expired, the renewal of the residence authorization may be requested for two years, and permanent residence may be obtained after five years. Likewise, the period of validity of the national residence authorization for intra-company transfer will be three years or equal to the duration of the transfer.

6. In addition, the period of validity of the residence authorization for research shall be three years or equal to the duration of the hosting agreement or contract, if shorter. Once this period has expired, he/she may request the renewal of the residence authorization for two years, being able to obtain permanent residence after five years.

7. A new section is introduced, regarding the authorization procedure, where it is indicated that the passport will be a sufficient supporting document to register with the Social Security during the first six months of residence or stay in the categories regulated by this section and in those cases in which the foreigner is not in possession of a foreigner identification number (NIE), without prejudice to the subsequent application for the NIE.
8. The section relating to the visa for studies, job search and internships is modified and it is worded as follows: “Once the studies have been completed in an institution of higher education, foreigners who have reached at least Level 6 according to the European Qualifications Framework, corresponding to the degree accreditation may remain in Spain for a maximum non-extendable period of twenty-four months in order to look for a suitable job in relation to the level of the studies completed or to undertake a business project.

9. The period of validity of the residence authorization for internships is also modified, which will be of twelve months or equal to the duration of the internship agreement, if shorter. This authorization may be renewed only once, and the total period of the initial authorization and its extension may not exceed two years. In the case of an internship contract, the duration will be the duration foreseen in the contract and governed by the labor legislation applicable at any given time.

If you need more information about the novelties of the immigration law 28/2022, do not hesitate to contact us. Our experts will advise you and inform you about the novelties.

On December 22^nd, 2022, the Law 28/2022, of December 21^st, for the promotion of the ecosystem of emerging companies, known as the Startup Law, has been published in the BOE.

The purpose of the regulation is to establish a specific regulatory framework to support the creation and growth of emerging companies in Spain, aimed at promoting their relocation to Spain, attracting talent and international capital, as well as stimulating public and private investment in them, among other objectives.

On many occasions, workers in start-up companies can carry out their work remotely, as long as they have a computer and internet connection. Among other novelties, to regulate the residence of this profile of itinerant professionals and of many others who may choose Spain as a more stable place of remote working, a new category of visa and residence permit has been created.

The international telecommuting visa allows you to enter and reside in Spain for a maximum of one year – unless the work period is shorter – while its holders work for themselves or for employers anywhere in the world. The international telecommuting visa is a sufficient title to reside and work remotely in Spain during its validity. Within sixty calendar days before the expiration of the visa, international teleworkers who are interested in continuing to reside in Spain may request residence permit for international teleworking, as long as the conditions that generated the validity of the visa are maintained.

In addition, the residence permit for international remote working allows foreigners who are already regularly in Spain to request an authorization for a maximum period of three years -unless it is requested for a shorter period of work-, renewable for a period of two years -when the conditions that generated the validity of the permit are maintained-, being able to obtain permanent residence after five years.

The national of a third State is authorized to remain in Spain to carry out a work or professional activity remotely for companies located outside the national territory, through the exclusive use of means and computer systems, telematics and telecommunications;

• In the case of carrying out a work activity, the holder of the permit for international teleworking may only work for companies located outside the national territory.
• In the case of exercising a professional activity, the holder of the permit for international teleworking will be allowed to work for a company located in Spain, as long as the percentage of that work does not exceed 20% of the total of their professional activity.
• Qualified professionals who can prove that they are graduates or postgraduates from prestigious universities, professional training centers and business schools of recognized prestige or with a minimum of three years of professional experience may apply for a visa or residence permit for telecommuting.

This assumption of “international teleworkers” is added to those provided for in Law 14/2013, of September 27^th, on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization, to benefit from all the advantages granted by that Law, not only in terms of the tight processing times, with positive silence at the end, but also because of the possibility of family reunification from an initial moment.

Finally, it should be noted that, with the aim of attracting and retaining talent, the validity of residence permits is extended from two to three years as provided for in the Law 14/2013, of September 27^th, supporting entrepreneurs and their internationalization.

Law 20/2022, of October 19, 2002, on Democratic Memory has been published in the Official State Gazette. The Law enters into force the day after its publication.

The Eighth Additional Provision of the Law of Democratic Memory, on the acquisition of Spanish nationality, offers the possibility of applying for nationality to:

• Those born outside Spain of father or mother, grandfather or grandmother, who had originally been Spanish, and who, as a consequence of having suffered exile for political, ideological or belief reasons or sexual orientation and identity, had lost or renounced Spanish nationality.

• The sons and daughters born abroad of Spanish women who lost their nationality by marrying foreigners before the entry into force of the Constitution of 1978.

• The sons and daughters of legal age of those Spaniards to whom their nationality of origin was recognized by virtue of the right of option in accordance with the provisions of the present law.

It should be noted that the new Law does not have an age limit for applicants. Only that applicants for Spanish nationality will have two years to complete the process, starting on October 20, 2022, with the possibility of extending one more year.

How can we help you?

If you are interested in applying for Spanish nationality, do not hesitate to contact us. Our team will inform you and will apply for the procedures to obtain the Spanish nationality.