Sheet 69 - Residence mobility for EU researcher granted in a Member State of the European Union other than Spain

* The content of this page is for guidance only. Only the provisions of the regulations in force at the time of submission of the application are applicable. 

Last Updated: May 2025

Index of contents 

  • Type of Authorization
  • Basic regulations
  • Requirements
  • Exigible documentation
  • Procedure
  • Family members

TYPE OF AUTHORISATION

It is an authorization that enables third-country nationals to reside and work throughout the national territory to carry out research activities.

BASIC REGULATIONS

  • Directive (EU) 2016/801 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 11 May 2016 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purposes of research, studies, internships, volunteering, pupil exchange programmes or educational projects and au pair placement.
  • Law 14/2013, of 27 September, on support for entrepreneurs and
  • their internationalisation (Articles 61, 62 and 72).
  • Instruction DGM 3/2018 on the transposition into the Spanish legal system of Directive 2016/801/EU: researchers.

REQUIREMENTS

  • Ser holder of an EU residence permit in force issued by a Member State of the European Union other than Spain.
  • Prior communication to the Unit of Large Companies and Strategic Groups, which must be made when the application for authorization is presented in the first State or, once the researcher has been admitted in that first State, as soon as the mobility project is known.  
  • Have a public or private insurance of disease arranged with an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain.
  • Have sufficient financial resources for themselves and their family members during their period of residence in Spain.

EXIGIBLE DOCUMENTATION

Note: in general, copies of the documents must be provided and the originals must be displayed at the time of submitting the application.

  • Displacement communication for EU research.  
  • Valid travel document and valid authorisation issued by the first Member State, which will cover the mobility period.
  • the hosting convention or contract concluded in the first Member State and the expected duration and estimated mobility dates;

  • Proof that the investigator has sufficient medical insurance and financial resources for himself or herself and the family members, if any.

Important note: when documents are provided from other countries they must be translated into Spanish or co-official language of the territory where the application is submitted by a sworn translator.  

List of sworn translators.  

On the other hand, any foreign public document must be previously legalized by the Consular Office of Spain with jurisdiction in the country in which said document has been issued or, where appropriate, by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, except in the case where said document has been apostilled by the competent authority of the issuing country in accordance with the Hague Convention of 5 October 1961 and unless said document is exempt from legalization under the International Convention.  

Information on translation and legalization of documents.

PROCEDURE

  • Subject legitimated to present the communication: the business entity that is going to receive the researcher or the representative of said company duly accredited.
  • Place of presentation:
  • The General Directorate of Migration Management may object, on a reasoned basis, to the mobility of the researcher within thirty days from the date of receipt of the complete communication in the following cases:  
    • When the required requirements are not met.
    • When the documents presented have been acquired fraudulently or have been falsified or manipulated.  
    • When the period of validity of the authorization has elapsed in the other Member State.In case of opposition by the General Directorate of Migration Management , the first State will allow the re-entry without further formalities of the displaced foreign person and his family. If the trip to Spain has not yet taken place, the refusal resolution will prevent it.

FAMILY

  • During the validity of the authorization, you may be accompanied by your family members.
  • The family members of the holders are the spouse or person with a similar relationship of affectivity, children under age or older, who, depending economically on the holder, have not constituted by themselves a family unit. Also the ascendants in charge of the holder.