The situation
Greece has published legislation making the EU Intracompany Transferee (ICT) Directive effective.
A closer look
- Permit details. The new ICT permit combines work and residence authorization and can be granted for up to three years for managers and specialists, or one year for trainees. Foreign nationals cannot be in Greece or in another EU country when the application is filed, and must collect an entry visa at a consular post outside the European Union before travel. Family members can accompany the foreign national and will be allowed to work.
- Long-term mobility permit. ICT Permit holders from another EU country travelling to Greece for more than 90 days in a 180-day period for work at an entity in the corporate group must file a local application before starting work.
- Short-term mobility. ICT Permit holders travelling for less than 90 days must file a notification with the Ministry of Migration and the Labor Authority before starting work.
Impact
The ICT Permit offers advantages for qualified non-EU nationals to stay and work in Greece, including improved intra-EU mobility options over other Greek work permit types.
Background
All EU countries (except Denmark, Ireland and the United Kingdom, which opted out of the EU ICT Directive) have implemented the EU ICT Directive, though the effectiveness dates vary by country.
Looking ahead
It is likely that the government will introduce a quota for specialists and trainees (but not for managers). Fragomen will report on further information as it becomes available.
Fragomen can support clients to plan an immigration strategy across Europe.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Work authorization
Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canada’s entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.
Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.
Fragomen news
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."
Work authorization
Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italy’s Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering high‑net‑worth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structured—though not accelerated—pathway to long‑term EU residence.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.
Awards
Fragomen is recognised in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.
Work authorization
Senior Manager Alexander Hood and Senior Associate Lara Hannaway outline how the UK Global Talent visa is increasingly being used by internationally mobile individuals as a flexible UK residence option, examining who the route is designed for, the endorsement process and the sectors currently covered, including the new design route launching in July 2026.
Work authorization
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the closure of Ireland’s Immigrant Investor Programme and outlines the limited remaining options for high net worth individuals seeking Irish residence through approved investment and charitable donation routes.
Video
Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers highlights key updates from the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, including a pause in employment-based advancement, continued movement in family-based categories and a warning of potential retrogression later this fiscal year.
Awards
Partners Parisa Karaahmet, Raquel Liberman and Julia Onslow-Cole and Practice Leader Olga Nechita are recognised in Citywealth’s Top 30 Immigration Advisors 2026 for their leadership in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on global mobility and cross-border planning.
Work authorization
Manager Quentin Pache outlines the main family reunification pathways available in Switzerland, highlighting key eligibility requirements, procedural deadlines and practical risks that frequently lead to delays or refusals.
Work authorization
Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canada’s entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.
Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.
Fragomen news
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."
Work authorization
Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italy’s Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering high‑net‑worth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structured—though not accelerated—pathway to long‑term EU residence.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.
Awards
Fragomen is recognised in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.
Work authorization
Senior Manager Alexander Hood and Senior Associate Lara Hannaway outline how the UK Global Talent visa is increasingly being used by internationally mobile individuals as a flexible UK residence option, examining who the route is designed for, the endorsement process and the sectors currently covered, including the new design route launching in July 2026.
Work authorization
Senior Manager Samantha Arnold examines the closure of Ireland’s Immigrant Investor Programme and outlines the limited remaining options for high net worth individuals seeking Irish residence through approved investment and charitable donation routes.
Video
Partner Melissa Vasquez-Myers highlights key updates from the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, including a pause in employment-based advancement, continued movement in family-based categories and a warning of potential retrogression later this fiscal year.
Awards
Partners Parisa Karaahmet, Raquel Liberman and Julia Onslow-Cole and Practice Leader Olga Nechita are recognised in Citywealth’s Top 30 Immigration Advisors 2026 for their leadership in advising high-net-worth individuals and families on global mobility and cross-border planning.
Work authorization
Manager Quentin Pache outlines the main family reunification pathways available in Switzerland, highlighting key eligibility requirements, procedural deadlines and practical risks that frequently lead to delays or refusals.