Intra-Company Transfer Residence Visa in Spain

Whether you’re an executive, manager, or a specialist being sent from your company’s branch abroad, this type of visa is designed to make international mobility smoother. At Marfour International Law Firm, we help both companies and employees handle the legal process involved in transferring staff to Spain. From preparing the required documents to securing approvals, our team ensures every step is done right so the transfer goes smoothly and without delays.

Are You Planning an Intra-Company Transfer to Spain?

If your company is relocating you to Spain under an intra company transfer, there are specific steps to follow. This type of move allows skilled professionals, managers, or specialists to work at a Spanish branch of their company without going through the standard work visa route. But the legal process can be complex, especially for first-time transferees. That’s why many businesses and employees turn to Marfour International Law Firm, which handles the paperwork and ensures all requirements are met on time.

Check if You Qualify for the Intra-Company Transfer

Not all employees can use this route. To qualify, you must have worked with your current employer for at least 3 to 6 months (depending on your role). The transfer must be to a company in Spain that is part of the same group. Your job role should be managerial, highly technical, or involve specific expertise. Marfour can assess your profile and confirm if you meet the conditions before you apply.

Prepare the Required Documentation

This visa involves both company and personal documents. You’ll need a valid passport, proof of employment history, a detailed job description, and an official transfer letter from your company. The Spanish company must also provide proof of registration and explain your role. Companies Documents. All documents must be translated into Spanish and public documents apositlled.  .

Apply for the Residence Permit or Visa

Depending on your country of origin, you may apply from within Spain or from your home country. The application must be submitted to the Spanish immigration office (UGE). This permit is usually valid for one to three years and can be renewed one time and never more than three years. Marfour’s team can handle the application process from start to finish, ensuring everything is submitted correctly.

Bring Your Family with You

The intra company transfer route also allows you to bring your spouse and children. They can apply for dependent permits at the same time, and your spouse can work legally in Spain without a separate work visa. Legal advisors will help manage this step so your family can move together without complications.

Get Legal Support Every Step of the Way

To avoid errors or delays, it’s best to work with professionals who know Spain’s immigration laws. Marfour International Law Firm regularly helps foreign professionals with intra company transfers. Their services include legal checks, document preparation, communication with immigration authorities, and ongoing support after arrival.

Who Can Apply for an Intra-Company Transfer Visa in Spain?

The intra-company transfer visa is a special residence permit designed for employees moving to Spain within the same international company. If your employer wants to relocate you to a Spanish office, you may qualify for this visa — but only if certain requirements are met. This route is ideal for experienced staff, especially those with managerial or technical expertise.

Employees of the Same Company or Group

To apply, you must already be working for a company that has a legal presence in Spain. This could be through a branch, subsidiary, or another business structure within the same group. The transfer must happen within the same organization, not to a different employer.

Minimum Employment Period with Current Employer

You must have been employed with your current company for a certain time before transferring. For managers and specialists, it’s usually at least 3 months. This proves that you’re already integrated into the company’s structure.

Job Role Must Fit the Eligible Categories

Not all job roles qualify for this visa. Spain’s immigration rules focus on three types of roles:

• Managers or executives
• Technical specialists with advanced knowledge
• Graduates or interns in structured training programs
• Your role must be clearly explained in the transfer documentation, including your responsibilities and salary.

Employer Must Handle Most of the Paperwork

In most cases, the employer in Spain applies for the permit on your behalf. They must show that the transfer is valid, provide a signed contract, and confirm that the company complies with Spanish labor and immigration laws. The support of legal experts at Marfour International Law Firm makes this step easier, ensuring that all paperwork meets official standards.

Family Members Can Also Apply

If your transfer is approved, your immediate family (spouse and dependent children) can also apply for permits. These permits allow them to live in Spain, and in most cases, your spouse will have the right to work without needing a separate visa.

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How Does the ICT Visa Work for Employees Moving to Spain?

The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa allows employees of international companies to legally live and work in Spain. It’s designed for staff who are being relocated to the Spanish branch of the same company or group. This visa is especially helpful for companies expanding their teams globally while staying compliant with Spanish immigration laws.

What Is the ICT Visa Designed For?

This visa targets professionals who already work for a company outside of Spain and are now being transferred to its Spanish entity. The transfer must happen within the same corporate structure. It covers executives, skilled workers with technical knowledge, and graduates on internal training programs.

Who Applies for the ICT Visa and When?

The company in Spain usually initiates the application before the employee arrives. The visa must be requested while the employee is still outside Spain. In some cases, companies work with experienced legal firms at Marfour International Law Firm to prepare the documentation correctly and avoid delays.

Required Conditions for Approval

To qualify for the ICT Visa, the employee must:

• Be working with the same company or corporate group
• Have been employed for at least 3 months (for specialists or managers)
• Show a valid job offer or assignment letter from the Spanish company
• Prove the position fits the criteria for a transfer (managerial, specialist, or trainee)
• Hold private health insurance (if not registered under Spanish Social Security)

Length of Stay and Renewal Process

The initial permit is usually valid for up to 2 years, or the length of the assignment if shorter. It can be renewed as long as the employment relationship continues under the same conditions. Legal guidance during the renewal process can help avoid unexpected issues.

Family Members Can Join the Employee

The ICT Visa also allows the employee’s immediate family—such as spouse and dependent children—to live in Spain. They can apply for accompanying residence permits, and spouses may also be granted the right to work in Spain without applying for a separate work visa.

What Are the Legal Steps for an Intra-Company Transfer Visa?

If your company plans to relocate you to Spain, the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa is the legal route. It allows non-EU employees of international companies to work in Spain under an internal transfer. While the process is straightforward for experienced employers, it’s still important to follow each step carefully to avoid delays or rejections.

1: Check Eligibility of the Employee and Company

The first thing to confirm is whether the employee and the Spanish host company meet the basic conditions.

• The employee must have been working for the same group of companies for at least 3 months.
• The company in Spain must be legally registered and authorized to host foreign workers.
• This visa typically applies to executives, specialists, or trainees moving for internal training.

2: Gather the Required Documents

The documentation must clearly show the link between the foreign company and the Spanish entity. It includes:

• Assignment letter explaining the job role, duration, and location
• Proof of the employment relationship
• Evidence of the company’s presence in Spain
• Private health insurance if the employee is not registered under Spanish Social Security
• All documents must be officially translated into Spanish and properly legalized.

3: Submit the Application from Outside or Inside Spain

The application is submitted by the company in Spain to the Large Business and Strategic Groups Unit (UGE-CE). If the employee is outside Spain during this process, they need to get the visa. This is where working with a legal team at Marfour International Law Firm can help ensure the documents are complete and aligned with Spanish immigration laws.

4: Wait for a Decision from UGE

Once the application is submitted, the UGE office usually responds within 20 working days. If approved, the employee receives a resolution letter which is then used to apply for the visa at the Spanish Consulate in their home country, if he is outside of Spain. This visa allows them to travel and enter Spain for work.

5: Collect the Residence Card in Spain

After arriving in Spain, the employee has 30 days to register their address and apply for the Foreigners’ Identity Card (TIE). This card proves legal residence and must be renewed if the assignment is extended. The employee must also remain under the same job and company structure to keep the visa valid.

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Is an Intra Company Transfer Visa from the UK Accepted in Spain?

Since Brexit, the rules for UK companies sending employees to Spain have changed. If you’re planning a transfer from a UK office to a Spanish branch, it’s important to know how the ICT visa works in this situation. Spain does accept intra-company transfers from the UK, but the process must follow third-country national rules, just as transfers from the US or India.

Spain Recognizes the ICT Permit Under EU Rules

Spain accepts intra-company transfers through two main frameworks:

• National ICT Visa under Spanish Law
• EU ICT Permit (which allows mobility across several EU countries)

The UK is no longer part of the EU system, so British employees can no longer benefit from automatic EU mobility. However, Spain still accepts intra-company transfer requests from UK-based companies under its national system.

UK Company Must Have a Spanish Entity or Branch

For a UK company to transfer an employee to Spain, there must be a clear corporate link to a registered business in Spain. This could be a subsidiary, branch, or part of the same corporate group. This connection must be documented clearly when applying.

Employee Must Apply Under Spanish Immigration Law

Because the UK is now treated as a third country, British citizens must apply for the Spanish ICT visa just like any non-EU national. This includes:

• Proving at least 3 months of employment within the group
• Submitting an official transfer agreement
• Providing all required documentation translated into Spanish

The application must be submitted by the Spanish entity to the Large Business Unit (UGE-CE).

Legal Support Is Recommended for UK-to-Spain Transfers

The paperwork for ICT visas can be detailed, especially for post-Brexit transfers. Marfour International Law Firm to help prepare and submit the application correctly.

FAQs

Who can apply for an intra-company transfer visa in Spain?

Employees who hold a managerial, executive, or specialist role within a company can apply, as long as they are being transferred from a non-EU branch to a Spanish branch of the same group. The company must provide proof of the internal transfer and meet all legal requirements.

How long must I have worked at the company before applying for an ICT visa?

You should have worked at the company for at least 3 months before the transfer, depending on your job role. This ensures you have an established employment history before moving to the Spanish branch.

Can my family come with me under the ICT visa?

Yes, your spouse and dependent children can apply for residence permits at the same time. They are allowed to live in Spain and, in most cases, your spouse can also work during your stay.

Is the ICT visa issued in Spain valid in other EU countries?

Yes, after working in Spain for at least 90 days under the ICT permit, you may be eligible to work temporarily in another EU country under the same transfer, as long as that country also participates in the EU ICT program.

Does an intra company transfer visa from the UK work in Spain after Brexit?

No, the intra company transfer visa UK is not automatically valid for Spain. You must apply for a separate ICT visa under Spanish immigration law, even if your transfer started in the UK.

Last words

An intra company transfer can be a smart way to continue your career in Spain without going through the standard work visa route. But the legal process isn’t always simple. That’s where Marfour International Law Firm steps in. We support both employers and employees in preparing the paperwork, meeting all visa conditions, and handling timelines properly. If you’re getting transferred to Spain or need help bringing in your team from abroad, our legal team is ready to guide you every step of the way.