Spain Seeks to Streamline Cross-Border Business with UK
Spain has formally proposed a mutual 90-day work visa waiver for skilled professionals traveling between Spain and the United Kingdom. The initiative, announced by Amparo López Senovilla, Spain's Secretary of State for Trade, on December 11, 2025, during a high-level business forum in London, aims to significantly simplify cross-border operations for companies and professionals.
The proposal seeks to allow qualified professionals, including technicians, consultants, and executives, to deliver services for up to 90 days within any 180-day period without requiring a sponsor-based visa. This move is designed to alleviate the bureaucratic hurdles and costs that have emerged for businesses since Brexit.
Addressing Post-Brexit Mobility Challenges
The Spanish government's proposal directly addresses the complexities faced by companies attempting to send staff for short-term assignments between the two countries post-Brexit. Under current UK rules, most paid services require a sponsored Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker visa, incurring significant costs, such as a £715 visa fee and healthcare surcharges, along with lengthy processing times. López Senovilla highlighted these existing requirements as an 'obstacle' that Spain is keen to remove.
The proposed waiver aligns with Spain's recently revised Immigration Regulations, which include a 'Mode 4' service-deliverer exemption. If adopted, the bilateral agreement would operate independently of the existing EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and the Schengen acquis, necessitating separate UK legislation.
Economic Impact and UK's Response
The proposal comes at a time when Spanish investment in the UK saw a notable decrease in the first half of 2025, falling to €331 million from €4.88 billion in the same period the previous year. Despite this, officials describe the drop as temporary, with the UK remaining Spain's second-largest investment destination globally. The visa waiver is expected to enhance economic cooperation and boost agility in sectors such as aerospace, fintech, and renewable energy.
The UK government is currently 'studying' the idea. Observers note that London has previously shown willingness to establish bespoke mobility corridors, such as with Singapore, suggesting a potential precedent for a Spain-specific deal. While the proposal has garnered interest from digital nomads, it is primarily designed for skilled professionals on short-term assignments, distinct from Spain's existing Digital Nomad Visa for longer stays.
Future Outlook
Should the waiver be implemented, professionals would still be required to remain on their home-country payrolls and possess valid A1 social-security certificates. Further negotiations will be necessary to address details such as tax coordination and the status of accompanying dependents. The success of this initiative could serve as a model for other EU member states seeking to establish similar bilateral mobility agreements with the UK.
6 Comments
Donatello
Finally, some common sense to cut through the red tape. Great for trade!
Raphael
Doesn't solve the core problem of visa costs and delays for everyone. Too limited.
Leonardo
About time! This will make life so much easier for professionals and companies.
Michelangelo
This waiver could certainly boost certain industries and facilitate short-term projects. Yet, it also underscores how much more complicated cross-border work has become since leaving the EU.
Raphael
A step in the right direction for economic cooperation. Hope the UK agrees quickly.
Leonardo
It's good to see efforts to ease business travel, which is crucial for economic growth. However, the devil will be in the details regarding tax coordination and social security implications.