Intra-corporate transferee (ICT) residence permit

The permit authorises foreigners to travel to Spain under an employment/professional relationship (or for reasons of professional training) with a company or group of companies established in Spain or in another country.

This permit will apply in cases not contemplated for the EU intra-corporate transferee (ICT) residence permit, or once the maximum term of the transfer provided for in the previous section has elapsed (maximum term is 3 years or equal to the transfer term).

Intra-corporate transfers of groups of professionals and the simplified procedure.

Companies may request the collective processing of intra-corporate permits based on the planned management of a temporary number of permits applied for by the company or groups of companies.

Companies can request registration with the Large Business and Strategic Groups Unit (Spanish acronym UGE) and registration is valid for 3 years (registration is renewable).

Registered companies will be exempt from proving the requirements listed at the time of application.

This permit will apply in the event of temporary displacement to work as:

• An executive (permit term: maximum of 3 years).
• A specialist in the activities, techniques, and/or management of the entity (permit term: maximum of 3 years).
• A worker in training (permit term: maximum of 1 year).

Holders of an EU intra-corporate transferee (ICT) residence permit issued by Spain may enter, reside, and work in one or several Member States provided they make their intentions known or request authorisation beforehand.

Entities established in other Member States of the European Union may transfer foreigners holding an EU intra-corporate transferee (ICT) residence permit to Spain during said permit's period of validity. This must be disclosed to the UGE, which may oppose.

The intra-corporate transferee (ICT) residence permit has two types:

• EU intra-corporate transferee (ICT) residence permit.
• NATIONAL intra-corporate transferee (ICT) residence permit. 

Apart from the general requirements:

1. Existence of a true business activity and of the business group (as applicable).
2. A degree equivalent to at least Level 1 of the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Higher Education, corresponding to Level 5A of the Spanish Qualifications Framework for Lifelong Learning.
3. Proven professional experience of at least 3 years in length which can be considered comparable to said qualification.
4. Existence of a prior and continuous employment or professional relationship (3 months) with one or more of the group companies.
5. Documentation from the company proving the transfer.