Intracompany transfer (ICT) visa in Spain

The intra-company transfer (ICT) visa and residence authorization in Spain is designed for multinational companies that need to temporarily relocate employees from a non-Spanish entity to a related entity in Spain.

This route is commonly used for managers, specialists, and in certain cases trainees, when the employee will remain employed by the corporate group and will be assigned to Spain for a defined period.

Who is this permit for?

In general terms, the intra-company transfer authorization is appropriate when:

• The employee is currently employed by a company outside Spain that belongs to the same corporate group as the Spanish host entity.
• The employee will be transferred to Spain to work as a manager (directing the company or a department), a specialist (advanced expertise essential to the business), or a trainee (limited situations under a training framework).
• The transfer is temporary and tied to a specific assignment or corporate need in Spain.

How does the process work?

The process typically has two coordinated tracks: the corporate authorization filed by the employer group in Spain, and the visa/residence formalities for the transferee (and family, if applicable).

Step 1: Employer filing — The Spanish host entity (or the authorized representative) files the application for the intra-company transfer authorization. The file must justify the transfer, the role in Spain, and the corporate relationship between entities.

Step 2: Visa (if applicable) — Depending on the transferee’s nationality and where the application is filed, the transferee may need to obtain a visa to enter Spain and complete the residence formalities.

Step 3: Residence documentation — Once approved, the transferee will obtain the corresponding residence and work authorization documentation in Spain.

What does the employer need to demonstrate?

While requirements vary depending on the specific profile, the employer’s file commonly focuses on:

• Corporate relationship between the sending entity and the Spanish host entity (group structure).
• Genuine assignment and a clearly defined position in Spain (manager/specialist/trainee).
• Professional profile consistent with the role (experience, qualifications, and internal position).
• Employment conditions for the assignment in Spain (salary and terms aligned with the role).

Key advantages of the intra-company transfer route

• It is designed for corporate mobility within international groups.
• It is aligned with situations where the employee is already part of the company group abroad and is being transferred to Spain for business reasons.
• In many cases, it allows a streamlined employer-led filing compared to standard work permits.

Family members

Family members can typically apply to accompany the transferee, subject to the applicable requirements. Where eligible, family members may obtain residence authorization linked to the main applicant.

How Strong Abogados helps

We coordinate the process with both the employer and the transferee. Our work typically includes:

• Eligibility assessment and selection of the correct route (ICT vs. highly skilled professional vs. other corporate permits).
• Preparation of the corporate file: corporate relationship evidence, role description, and supporting documentation.
• Coordination of visa and residence steps, including family applications where applicable.
• Practical guidance on timelines, document legalization/apostille, translations, and consular requirements.

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