Intra-Company Transfer in Italy: complete guide

Introduction

The Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) 📈 is designed for multinational companies that need to move executives, managers, or highly skilled employees from a foreign branch to their Italian entity.

Introduced by Legislative Decree 253/2016, implementing EU Directive 2014/66, the ICT allows companies to relocate staff 👨‍💼👩‍💼 without creating a new employment contract in Italy.

In this guide, we’ll cover visa requirements, the full procedure, duration, rights, benefits, and key differences with other residence permits. We’ll also highlight common mistakes ❌ and practical lifehacks 💡.

What is the ICT in Italy?

The ICT is a visa and residence permit aimed at:

• Executives 🧑‍💼
• Managers
• Highly skilled workers with unique expertise

📌 Key features:

• The employment contract remains with the foreign parent company.
• The Italian entity must belong to the same corporate group.
• The employee keeps rights and seniority from the home company.

ICT visa requirements

To apply for an ICT visa in Italy, you need:

1. Ongoing employment with the foreign company.
2. Minimum seniority (usually 3–6 months within the group).
3. Transfer decision to the Italian branch or subsidiary.
4. Corporate documentation (statute, financials, certificate of incorporation).
5. Assignment letter or secondment contract 📑 specifying role and duration.
6. Valid health insurance in Italy 🏥.

Step-by-step procedure

1. Apply for work authorization (nulla osta) at the Immigration Office 🏛️.
2. Request the ICT visa at the Italian consulate abroad.
3. Enter Italy with the visa.
4. Apply for the ICT residence permit within 8 days of arrival.
5. Register with the local municipality if staying over 12 months.

⏳ Average processing time: 2–3 months.

Duration of the ICT permit

• Managers and specialists: up to 3 years.
• Trainees: up to 1 year.

⚠️ Non-renewable: after expiry, the worker must return to the home country.

Rights under the ICT

With the ICT permit you can:

• Live and work legally in Italy ✅.
• Bring family members under an ICT family permit 👨‍👩‍👧.
• Travel freely within the Schengen area ✈️.
• Keep seniority and social security rights from the parent company.

ICT vs other residence permits

• ICT vs EU Blue Card 💳: Blue Card requires an Italian contract, ICT does not.
• ICT vs standard work permit: ICT is temporary and tied to the foreign contract.
• ICT vs intra-EU transfer: an Italian ICT holder can also work temporarily in other EU branches of the same group.

Benefits of ICT

• Quick relocation 🌍.
• Mobility within the EU corporate network.
• Simplified process for large multinational groups.
• Family members can join under dependent permits 👨‍👩‍👧.

Common mistakes ❌

• Confusing ICT with the Blue Card.
• Submitting untranslated or non-legalized documents.
• Forgetting to apply for the residence permit within 8 days.
• Transferring employees without minimum required seniority.

Lifehacks 💡

• Start early: consulate appointments may take weeks.
• Use sworn translations to avoid rejections.
• Prepare family applications 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 together with the main case.
• If the project exceeds 3 years, consider the Blue Card or a standard work permit instead.

Conclusion

The Intra-Company Transfer in Italy is a powerful tool for multinationals to relocate staff quickly 📈. It offers practical and legal advantages, but requires careful planning to meet requirements and deadlines.

With the right legal and immigration support 👩‍⚖️👨‍⚖️, the ICT becomes an efficient solution to strengthen a company’s international presence in Italy.