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Intra-Company Transfer Visa Spain
Transfer employees to Spain with a coordinated corporate immigration plan
An intra-company transfer visa in Spain may be relevant when a company needs to move personnel to its Spanish operations for a defined assignment. The correct route depends on the relationship between the companies, the role of the employee and the nature of the temporary transfer.
Pellicer & Heredia advises international groups on Spanish ICT-UE and national intra-company transfer authorisations, coordinating immigration steps with corporate and employment documentation. We work with decision-makers and HR teams to identify avoidable delays before an assignment begins.
Reviewed by Pedro Heredia Ortiz, Family and International Matters Lawyer at Pellicer & Heredia firm
- Bar Association no. 5954
- Languages: English and Spanish
- Last updated: November 2026
Plan your company transfer with our immigration lawyers
Transferring employees to Spain? Describe your assignment using the form below. You can also use our AI voice assistant or schedule an online video consultation with our corporate immigration lawyers.
Who can apply for an intra-company transfer visa in Spain?
The following situations illustrate common profiles. Eligibility depends on the full legal and documentary assessment, rather than nationality or job title alone.
Multinational companies transferring executives
International groups assigning a manager to Spain should establish the corporate link, the management responsibilities and the intended assignment conditions.
Businesses relocating specialist employees
A specialist may qualify for an ICT-UE arrangement where the individual’s knowledge and professional profile meet the relevant criteria.
Employees assigned to a Spanish group company
The movement between foreign and Spanish entities needs documentary support. The corporate relationship should be examined before choosing a transfer route.
Trainees moving within an international organisation
Some structured training assignments may fall within a particular ICT category. We review the training objectives and the applicant’s position.
UK companies transferring staff to Spain
British groups can use eligible Spanish immigration pathways for appropriately documented intra-group assignments following Brexit.
US companies relocating
employees
American organisations transferring eligible staff to Spain need to consider the Spanish authorisation and any corporate, contractual or social security implications.
How our corporate immigration lawyers can help your business
Our work is tailored to the applicant, the sponsoring organisation where applicable, and the requirements of the selected procedure.
Reviewing the corporate transfer structure
We map the sending and receiving businesses, the legal relationship and the assignment to identify the potentially appropriate authorisation.
We explain the practical documents, responsibilities and likely decisions involved in this stage, so the client can proceed on an informed basis.
Selecting the ICT-UE or national route
We assess whether the proposed movement fits the ICT-UE categories or another national intra-company transfer situation.
We explain the practical documents, responsibilities and likely decisions involved in this stage, so the client can proceed on an informed basis.
Preparing corporate and employee documents
We review the assignment letter, evidence of the companies’ relationship and the employee’s qualifications and employment history.
We explain the practical documents, responsibilities and likely decisions involved in this stage, so the client can proceed on an informed basis.
Managing the immigration application
We coordinate submission and correspondence with the competent Spanish authority, maintaining a clear checklist for the HR team.
We explain the practical documents, responsibilities and likely decisions involved in this stage, so the client can proceed on an informed basis.
Assisting accompanying families
We identify the family provisions that can apply and organise supporting documentation in parallel where feasible.
We explain the practical documents, responsibilities and likely decisions involved in this stage, so the client can proceed on an informed basis.
Supporting repeated company assignments
For groups handling numerous transfers, we review whether collective or planned filing arrangements are relevant.
We explain the practical documents, responsibilities and likely decisions involved in this stage, so the client can proceed on an informed basis.
Why choose Pellicer & Heredia?
International residence applications require precise coordination between legal requirements and a client’s circumstances. Our approach is built around the following strengths:
- Corporate perspective: advice considers the international group, local Spanish entity and employee.
- Route distinction: we analyse ICT-UE and national ICT authorisations rather than treating all transfers as identical.
- HR coordination: clear document requests can be shared across overseas and Spanish offices.
- Related legal support: employment and company law issues can be addressed alongside immigration.
We begin with a realistic assessment. No immigration authorisation can be guaranteed, and the relevant public authority makes the decision.
Types of intra-company transfer authorisations in Spain
Spanish rules distinguish between two principal intra-company movement arrangements. Identifying the right one protects the proposed assignment from avoidable category errors.
EU intra-corporate transfer permit (ICT-UE)
The ICT-UE category is intended for qualifying managers, specialists and trainee employees transferred within the same undertaking or group under its specific conditions.
We assess the specific documentary consequences for the sending company, Spanish host and person being transferred.
Spanish national intra-company transfer authorisation
A national authorisation may be relevant for other professional intra-company movement situations identified by the law and UGE guidance, including certain contracts or professional relationships.
We assess the specific documentary consequences for the sending company, Spanish host and person being transferred.
Choosing between the two routes
The purpose of the assignment, corporate relationship and role determine which regime is appropriate. We assess these facts before drafting the application.
We assess the specific documentary consequences for the sending company, Spanish host and person being transferred.
Group and collective filing options
Where an eligible group plans multiple assignments, special collective management mechanisms may be available, subject to their conditions and registration rules.
We assess the specific documentary consequences for the sending company, Spanish host and person being transferred.
Intra-company transfer visa Spain requirements
Requirements must be checked against the law and official instructions in force when the application is filed. Below are the areas we review before preparing the case.
Relationship between the foreign and Spanish businesses
The companies’ connection must be established for the proposed route. Corporate registers, ownership structures and other documents may be needed.
Supporting documents should be consistent with the overall application. Where a fact cannot be evidenced, it is better to identify the issue early than to rely on a general assertion.
Employee history and professional experience
The applicant’s pre-transfer relationship and professional record can be relevant, especially under the ICT-UE criteria.
Supporting documents should be consistent with the overall application. Where a fact cannot be evidenced, it is better to identify the issue early than to rely on a general assertion.
Manager, specialist or trainee status
These are legal categories rather than marketing job titles. Duties, skills and training documents should support the selected classification.
Supporting documents should be consistent with the overall application. Where a fact cannot be evidenced, it is better to identify the issue early than to rely on a general assertion.
Assignment letters and corporate evidence
The file should identify the purpose, location, duration and conditions of the transfer with documentation consistent across the employer entities.
Supporting documents should be consistent with the overall application. Where a fact cannot be evidenced, it is better to identify the issue early than to rely on a general assertion.
Employment and social security considerations
An international assignment can raise questions about contract continuity, postings and social security. We coordinate with relevant advisers rather than assuming immigration approval settles every obligation.
Supporting documents should be consistent with the overall application. Where a fact cannot be evidenced, it is better to identify the issue early than to rely on a general assertion.
How to apply for an intra-company transfer visa in Spain
The application sequence should be adapted to the applicant’s current location, legal status and specific authorisation. We organise each stage as part of a single immigration plan.
Review the proposed international assignment
We examine the sending entity, Spanish recipient, employee role, expected dates and family circumstances.
At this stage, we identify the person responsible for each action and check the evidence before moving to the next part of the procedure.
Select the appropriate ICT authorisation
We evaluate ICT-UE, national ICT and other relevant employment routes against the facts.
At this stage, we identify the person responsible for each action and check the evidence before moving to the next part of the procedure.
Prepare and submit the application
The corporate and personal documents are reviewed and the filing coordinated through the competent electronic procedure.
At this stage, we identify the person responsible for each action and check the evidence before moving to the next part of the procedure.
Plan arrival and ongoing compliance
We advise on subsequent residence documentation, the authorised role and circumstances that may require notification or renewal.
At this stage, we identify the person responsible for each action and check the evidence before moving to the next part of the procedure.
ICT visa Spain: costs, processing times and duration
Applicants often need practical answers before they decide to proceed. The figures and rules applicable to a case should always be confirmed at the date of application.
What are the principal costs?
The employer should allow for official fees, translations, certification and professional services. Assignment-related employment and relocation costs fall outside the immigration filing itself.
Our team explains the case-specific position and the information still needed for a reliable estimate.
How long does an ICT application take?
Time spent assembling evidence from more than one country can be significant. The authority’s processing period should be distinguished from preparation and any consular steps.
Our team explains the case-specific position and the information still needed for a reliable estimate.
How long can a transfer last?
Maximum periods and renewals depend on the ICT category and legal conditions. An assignment of indefinite duration may point to a different immigration route.
Our team explains the case-specific position and the information still needed for a reliable estimate.
Can family members accompany the employee?
Eligible family members may have an associated residence route. We review documentary requirements and coordinate applications where possible.
Our team explains the case-specific position and the information still needed for a reliable estimate.
Intra-company transfer vs highly qualified professional visa
The following comparison explains the main distinction. It does not replace an individual eligibility assessment.
Where the employee is being hired directly by the Spanish entity rather than transferred, see our highly qualified professional visa page.
Corporate immigration support for multinational companies
When several jurisdictions are involved, a transfer must be planned as a business operation as well as an immigration file.
Employee transfers from the UK to Spain
We review the impact of UK nationality and the relationship with the Spanish host after Brexit.
The legal analysis remains tied to the specific employee and assignment, even when a wider programme is in place.
Employee transfers from the USA to Spain
We assess assignments from US group companies with attention to the Spanish immigration category.
The legal analysis remains tied to the specific employee and assignment, even when a wider programme is in place.
Immigration coordination for Spanish subsidiaries
We clarify the role of the host business, signatories and evidence that the receiving entity should provide.
The legal analysis remains tied to the specific employee and assignment, even when a wider programme is in place.
Planning several international assignments
We examine whether a coordinated corporate workflow or relevant collective procedures could improve consistency.
The legal analysis remains tied to the specific employee and assignment, even when a wider programme is in place.
Our international immigration lawyers in Spain
Our team can review your case from an international perspective, bringing together immigration advice and, where appropriate, support on Spanish employment law, business matters or tax residence. We focus on identifying the correct route, preparing consistent evidence and explaining the steps needed to proceed.
FAQs about intra-company transfers to Spain
These answers cover common questions. The outcome of any application depends on its facts and the law in force at the relevant date.
What is an intra-company transfer visa in Spain?
It is a route for qualifying non-EU personnel temporarily moving to Spain within an international business or professional arrangement, subject to the rules of the relevant authorisation.
For an individual assessment, our immigration team can review the relevant documentation and explain the possible next steps.
What is the difference between ICT-UE and national ICT?
ICT-UE covers specific categories of intra-group transferees. The national route can cover other eligible movement situations; the company and assignment determine the appropriate one.
For an individual assessment, our immigration team can review the relevant documentation and explain the possible next steps.
Can a UK company transfer staff to Spain?
Yes, if the assignment and the individual qualify under an appropriate Spanish authorisation. Brexit means UK nationality does not itself grant an unrestricted right to work in Spain.
For an individual assessment, our immigration team can review the relevant documentation and explain the possible next steps.
Can a US company relocate managers to Spain?
Potentially, yes, where the Spanish host, corporate evidence and manager’s circumstances satisfy the chosen permit rules.
For an individual assessment, our immigration team can review the relevant documentation and explain the possible next steps.
How long can employees stay?
Duration depends on whether the person holds an ICT-UE or another authorisation and on the applicable legal maximum and renewal conditions.
For an individual assessment, our immigration team can review the relevant documentation and explain the possible next steps.
Can an ICT holder work for a different Spanish company?
The permitted activity is tied to the terms and legal basis of the authorisation. Work outside the approved circumstances requires a prior assessment.
For an individual assessment, our immigration team can review the relevant documentation and explain the possible next steps.
Can family members accompany a transferee?
Eligible spouses, partners or dependants may be able to apply under the family provisions, supported by the appropriate documents.
For an individual assessment, our immigration team can review the relevant documentation and explain the possible next steps.
Manage international employee transfers with Pellicer & Heredia
Organising an international assignment? Use our AI voice assistant or arrange an online video consultation with our immigration lawyers.