Intracompany Transferee Law Effective

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].