Patricia Casaburi The Intercompany Transfer Visa Spain allows foreign nationals with previous and continuous employment in a foreign company to temporarily relocate to Spain within the same company or group of companies.
It’s also known as the Intra-Corporate Transfer Visa (Traslado Intraempresarial). The goal is to facilitate the relocation of qualified employees for particular projects or positions inside the business.
Benefits include fast processing (20 working days), family inclusion, EU mobility, and employment within the same business group.
This article will discuss what intra-company transfers are, the visa application process, and its benefits for you and your family members.
This guide will cover:
What is the Intercompany Transfer Visa Spain?
The Traslado Intraempresarial, or Spain Intra-Company Transfer Visa (ICT), allows foreign workers to relocate to a Spanish branch or subsidiary of the same company or group of companies, allowing them to live and work there.
This visa’s goal is to facilitate workers’ movement from an organization’s headquarters outside the EU to a branch or subsidiary in Spain, where they can remain for a predetermined amount of time.
Who is eligible for the Intra Company Transfer Visa Spain?
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old
- You must be from non-EU, non-EEA, or non-Swiss countries
- A clean criminal record check is required
- You must be in good health
- Be part of the company’s staff who are transferred from outside the European Union to a company within the same group to work as an executive, specialist, or trainee employee.
Benefits of the Spain ICT Visa
Legal Right to Live and Work: Those with an ICT residence permit are legally permitted to work in Spain.- Mobility and Flexibility: This visa provides prolonged stays, allowing applicants to travel to other nations without frequently renewing their visas.
- Schengen Access: Spend 90 days of a 180-day period traveling freely throughout the Schengen Area.
- EES and ETIAS exemption status: The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) will take effect on November 10 but does not apply to ICT visa holders, who are exempt from this requirement.
- Validity period: The visa for intra-company transfer is valid for the length of the transfer, typically no more than two years, though managers and specialists may have their visas extended for up to three years and trainee personnel for up to one year.
- Family members: The employee’s spouse, unmarried partner, children, and adult dependent children may also be granted visas to travel to Spain with them.
- Path to EU citizenship after ten years of residency: EU citizenship is possible after ten years of legal residency in Spain.
Legal Right to Live and Work: Those with an ICT residence permit are legally permitted to work in Spain.How to apply for the Spain ICT Visa?
To apply for a Spain ICT visa, the host company in Spain must first submit an online application to Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos (UGE-CE).
After the UGE-CE approves the residence permit, the employee can apply for a Spain ICT (Intra-Company Transfer) visa at the Spanish consulate in their home country.
1. Application of the host company (UGE-CE):
Online Application: The UGE-CE (Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit) requires the company or its agent to submit the ICT application online.
Documents Needed: The host company must provide documentation proving the intra-corporate transfer, including the employee’s job in Spain, the company’s business activity, and the employee’s qualifications.
Processing Time: It takes 20 business days for the UGE-CE to decide whether to accept an application.
2. Application for employee visa:
Following UGE-CE Approval: When the UGE-CE confirms the residence permit, the employee can apply for a visa at the Spanish consulate or embassy in their home country.
Documents Needed: The following paperwork must be submitted by the employee with the visa application:
- A valid passport
- Certificate of criminal record check
- Evidence of the representative’s identification and ability to reside in the consular district
- The visa fee is paid
- A Medical certificate
- Additional paperwork as needed by the particular consulate Visa
Important things to keep in mind:
Language: Verify that any pertinent documents are apostilled or legalized and that they are translated into Spanish.
Processing Times: Be aware of the processing times for both the visa and UGE-CE applications to make appropriate plans.
Consult the Consulate: For the most recent details on the application procedure and necessary paperwork, contact the Spanish consulate or embassy in your home country.
Spain ICT Visa Processing Time
Processing Time: Ten working days are allotted for processing visa applications. The worker can relocate to Spain and start working as soon as the visa is granted.
Getting a Spain Residence Permit
The worker must apply for a Foreigner Identity Card (TIE) at the local immigration office within 30 days after arriving in Spain.
The residence permit is granted for up to three years, depending on the time of the transfer to Spain. It can be renewed for an additional two-year period as long as the requirements have been fulfilled. Managers/specialists: max 3 years; trainees: max 1 year.
Spain ICT Visa Fees
The following government expenses may be incurred when submitting an application for an EU ICT authorization in Spain:
- An application fee for a residency permit: The application charge is €73.26.
- Consular charge: The consulate and the applicant’s nationality determine the fee. Although the price is often roughly €90, it may occasionally be waived.
- Residence card application fee: The fee for a temporary residence permit application is €15.76, and for a long-term residence permit, it is €21.87. Please be aware that government costs can alter suddenly.
Intra Company Transfer Visa Spain: Renewal & Extensions
To renew or extend an Intra-Company Transfer Visa in Spain, you must initiate the renewal process within 60 days before the permit’s expiration or within 90 days after, ensuring the conditions for the transfer remain valid and with limitations based on worker category (managers/specialists: max 3 years, trainees: max 1 year).
Getting Permanent Residency and Spanish Citizenship
If you are in Spain under an Intercompany Transfer Visa, you can qualify for permanent residency and Spanish citizenship by meeting specific legal requirements. Here’s how:
1. Obtaining Permanent Residency in Spain
After legally residing in Spain for five consecutive years, you can apply for a long-term residence permit, granting you the right to live and work in Spain indefinitely. To qualify, you must:
- Hold a valid residence permit throughout the five years.
- Prove continuous legal residence (short absences are allowed but should not exceed six months in a year or 10 months over five years).
- Show financial stability and health insurance coverage.
- Provide a criminal record check certificate proving good conduct.
2. Applying for Spanish Citizenship
To obtain Spanish nationality, you must reside legally in Spain for ten consecutive years (with some exceptions allowing faster applications, such as for nationals from Latin American countries, Andorra, the Philippines, Equatorial Guinea, or Sephardic Jews, who can apply after two years). Key requirements include:
- Demonstrating continuous legal residence in Spain.
- Passing integration tests, including the DELE A2 Spanish language test (if not from a Spanish-speaking country) and the CCSE citizenship test on Spanish history and culture.
- Showing proof of financial stability and criminal record clearance in both Spain and your country of origin.
- Renouncing your previous nationality (except for certain exemptions like Latin American nationals).
Intra Company Transfer Visa Spain vs. Other Work Visas
Visa Type | Target Group | Requirements | Validity |
Highly Qualified Professional Visa | Professionals with specialized skills or high-level qualifications or 3 years professional experience | Job offer aligned with qualifications and meeting specific salary thresholds | Typically granted for 3 years, with the possibility of renewal |
EU Blue Card | Highly skilled non-EU nationals with a higher education qualification or at least 5 years of professional experience | Binding job offer or employment contract with a salary at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Spain | Initially valid for 1 to 4 years, depending on the contract, with options for renewal |
Work and Residence Permit (Cuenta Ajena) | Non-EU nationals seeking employment in Spain | Job offer from a Spanish employer, labor market testing to ensure no suitable EU candidates are available, and compliance with national employment regulations | Usually valid for 1 year, with potential for renewal *From 20 May 2025, renewal will be valid for 4 years. |
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Frequently Asked Questions about Intercompany Transfer Visa In Spain
What is the Spain Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa?
The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa allows employees of small or multinational companies to relocate to a Spanish company branch while maintaining an employment contract with their original employer.
Who is eligible for the ICT Visa?
You may qualify for the Spain ICT Visa if you work for a foreign company with a branch or subsidiary in Spain, have at least three months of continuous employment or a professional relationship with the company, and hold a higher education qualification or three years of professional experience. This visa is available for managers, specialists, or trainee employees transferring within the same business group.
How long is the ICT Visa valid?
- Up to three years for managers and specialists
- Up to one year for trainee employees
- The visa is renewable as long as eligibility criteria are met
Can family members accompany ICT Visa holders?
Yes, family members (spouse, children, and financially dependent relatives) and the main applicant can apply for residence permits.
How long does the ICT Visa application process take?
- The visa application is typically processed within 20 working days
- A decision is made by the Strategic Groups Unit or a duly accredited representative
Can I work in other EU countries with the Spain ICT Visa?
Yes! The Spain ICT Visa allows for short-term mobility within EU member states, making it a great option for multinational employees working across European offices.
Can I switch from an ICT Visa to a Work Visa in Spain?
Yes, but you must meet the work visa requirements, including having an independent job contract with a Spanish employer and fulfilling national labor market rules.
