Spain intra-company transfer (ICT) residence at UGE: official requirements and filing

Official procedure information: Residence application for workers carrying out intra-company transfers

What it is

Through this procedure you can apply for a residence permit when you are legally in Spain, which will grant you 3 years of authorization to reside and work, if you wish, throughout the entire national territory.

Residence authorizations regulated by Law 14/2013, on support for entrepreneurs and their internationalization, facilitate entry and stay in Spain for reasons of economic interest, including workers carrying out intra-company transfers.

Managing authority

Large Companies and Strategic Groups Unit (Unidad de Grandes Empresas y Colectivos Estratégicos)

Approximate processing time

Fastest resolution time: 20 working days.

Who it is for

Foreign nationals who are transferred to Spain within the framework of an employment, professional or vocational training relationship with a company or group of companies established in Spain or in another country must hold the appropriate visa according to the duration of the transfer, as well as a residence authorization for intra-company transfer, which is valid throughout the national territory.

Spanish regulations provide two alternatives for the intra-company transfer of foreign nationals (non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss citizens):

• ICT-EU intra-company transfer authorization for managers, specialists and trainees.
• National intra-company transfer authorization for other cases, such as the transfer of workers for the execution of a contract (CSS).

Documents

• Original and copy of the complete passport.
• Public or private health insurance taken out with an entity authorized to operate in Spain.
• No criminal record in Spain or in the countries where the applicant has resided during the last two years.
• Documentation proving sufficient financial means for the applicant and family members during the period of residence in Spain.
• Higher education qualification or equivalent, or where applicable, a minimum of 3 years of comparable professional experience.
• Documentation proving a prior and continuous employment or professional relationship of 3 months with one or more companies within the group.
• Company documentation proving the transfer: letter from the foreign company, also signed by the transferred worker, stating the purpose of the transfer.

General requirements

• Completed application form.
• Copy of the complete passport or valid travel document and, where applicable, those of family members.
• Proof of sufficient financial resources for the applicant and family members during the period of residence in Spain, which may be justified, where appropriate, through the relevant employment contract or documentation proving a professional or training relationship.
• Public or private health insurance taken out with an insurance company authorized to operate in Spain, unless the applicant will carry out an activity that grants insured status under the National Health System. In the case of intra-company transfers, if there is a bilateral Social Security agreement between Spain and the country of origin, the corresponding coverage certificate must be provided; otherwise, a document from the transferring company indicating who is responsible for compliance with Social Security obligations in Spain. Please note that if the bilateral agreement does not include healthcare coverage, the public or private insurance mentioned above must also be provided.
• Proof of payment of the corresponding fee.
• If the applicant is already in Spain at the time of submission and holds a stay or study stay of less than six months, they must submit an original criminal record certificate from the country or countries where they have resided during the last five years.

Official answers

Who can submit the application?

The applicant, depending on the type of authorization, may be:

• For initial authorizations:
  • For highly qualified professionals, researchers, or intra-company transfers, the company or entity requiring the foreign national’s services.

Applications can be submitted by the interested person or through a representative.

Is it necessary to submit foreign documents translated and legalized?

All documents must be translated into Spanish. In the case of foreign public documents, they must also bear the Hague Apostille or, failing that, have been legalized through diplomatic channels.

Can the application be admitted for processing?

The Law establishes as a requirement not to be in an irregular situation in Spain, so this requirement must be met at the time of application.

Submitting the residence authorization application will extend the validity of the residence or stay situation held until the procedure is resolved.

Source: Plataforma ONE, Red.es (one.gob.es/en/procedures/residence-application-workers-carrying-out-intra-company-transfers). Reproduced under the Plataforma ONE legal notice. Compared with the source on November 2, 2026. Aviso legal