Eligibility Requirements
If you are employed as a manager, specialist, or trainee in a company established outside the European Union (EU), and that company has a branch or conducts business in Spain, you may be eligible to apply for an Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) Permit.
Before applying, you must have been employed by the same company for at least 3 months.
Application Procedure
Applications must be submitted online to the Large Business and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE). The application may be submitted by the host company in Spain or its authorized representative.
Fees
Application fee: €73.26
Residence card issuance fee: €16.08
Renewal fee: €78.67
Residence card fee: €19.30
If no decision is issued within 20 days, the application is considered approved by administrative silence.
If the applicant is outside Spain, a visa must be obtained from the Spanish Embassy or Consulate after the application is approved. Applicants who are already legally in Spain do not require a visa.
Simplified Procedure for Certified Companies
A special 3-year certification is available for recognized companies. Companies included in this scheme are exempt from resubmitting certain supporting documents for future applications.
Required Documents
Valid passport
Health insurance
Police clearance certificate
Letter from the company
Higher education qualification or at least 3 years of equivalent professional experience
Proof of employment with the same company for at least 3 months
Documents relating to the intra-company transfer
Proof of registration with the Social Security system
Validity of the Permit
The ICT permit is generally granted for up to 2 years or for the duration of the transfer, whichever is shorter.
Managers and specialists: Renewable up to a maximum total stay of 3 years.
Trainees: Renewable up to a maximum total stay of 1 year.
Appeals
If the application is refused, the applicant may file an administrative appeal and, if necessary, seek judicial review before the courts.
Renewal
The permit may be renewed for an additional 2 years, provided that all legal requirements continue to be met.
Rights of Family Members
Family members may apply together with the main applicant or at a later stage.
Eligible family members include:
Spouse or unmarried partner
Minor children
Dependent parents
ICT permit holders enjoy certain rights similar to those of Spanish nationals in specific areas, including:
Recognition of professional qualifications
Access to Social Security benefits (subject to applicable conditions)
Access to goods and services
Other Provisions
Holders of a valid visa and residence permit may live and work anywhere in Spain.
Applicants must maintain their legal immigration status while their application or renewal is being processed.
A Labour Market Test is not required for ICT permit applications.
ICT Mobility within the European Union
Holders of an ICT permit issued by one EU Member State may work for the same company in another EU Member State.
Short-term Mobility: Up to 90 days
Long-term Mobility: More than 90 days
For both short-term and long-term mobility, the host company must notify the competent authorities before the transfer.
The mobility request may be refused if:
The legal requirements are not met within 20 days;
Fraudulent or false documents are submitted; or
The maximum permitted period of stay has already been reached.
Documents Required for ICT Mobility
Signed notification from the host company in Spain
Copy of the employee's passport
Copy of the current ICT EU Residence Card
Copy of the employment contract with the sending company
For accompanying family members, the relevant notification documents are also required.