German Intra-Corporate Transfer Card

ICT Card

The German ICT Card (German Intra‑Corporate Transfer Card) is a special residence permit for employees of companies located outside the European Union. It allows these employees to be temporarily transferred to a branch of the same company within the EU.

Our company, Nexus-Europe GmbH, assists foreigners with starting and developing their own business in Germany and moving to Germany through business immigration or the EU Blue Card. Over 20 years of operation we have helped more than 7,000 customers.

Who Can Apply for the German Intra-Corporate Transfer Card

The German ICT Card is designed for three groups of employees:

• Managers – people in leadership positions
• Specialists – employees with specific expert knowledge
• Trainees – young professionals in development programs

The card allows these employees to work temporarily in Germany while remaining employed by their original company outside the EU.

Validity of the German Intra-Corporate Transfer Card

It is a non‑permanent residence permit, meaning it is valid only for a limited period. The German Intra‑Corporate Transfer Card is issued for the duration of the transfer, but there are maximum time limits:

• Managers and specialists – up to 3 years
• Trainees – up to 1 year

If your employment contract is shorter than these maximums, the card will be valid for the length of your contract.

Requirements for the German ICT Card

Before you can receive the German ICT Card, several conditions must be met. The card is always issued in the EU country where you will spend the most time during your transfer. This country is called the "first Member State," even if it is not the very first place you go.

Here are the specific requirements for getting a German Intra‑Corporate Transfer Card in Germany:

• You must have an employment contract with the sending company.
• This company must have existed for at least 6 months before the transfer begins, and the contract must remain valid for the whole transfer period.
• If your transfer is not fully described in your employment contract, you need a separate assignment letter.
• The transfer must take place within the same company or group of companies (for example, from a parent company to its subsidiary).
• The transfer must last at least 90 days.
• You will work in Germany as a manager, specialist, or trainee.
• You must provide proof of your professional qualifications.
• You need the approval of the German Federal Employment Agency. This approval is usually arranged through the German Embassy or the local Immigration Office.
• You also need a visa to enter Germany. The visa is issued by the German embassy in your home country. You should ask the Embassy exactly which documents you need to submit.

Advantages of the German ICT Card

• Easy travel within the EU.One of the biggest benefits of the German ICT Card is the ability to move to other EU countries for short periods without applying for a new residence permit. You can stay and work in another EU member state for up to 90 days within any 180‑day period. For this, your company only needs to send a notification to the authorities in the second country.
• Short‑term mobility in Germany with an ICT card from another EU country.In the same way, if you already hold an ICT Card from another EU member state, you can use your mobility rights to work in Germany for up to 90 days within a 180‑day period. You do not need a separate German residence permit. However, your employer must notify the German Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) before you start working.
• Legal certainty. If your application meets all the legal requirements, you have a legal right to receive the German ICT Card. The same applies to mobility rights when moving to other EU member states.

The German ICT Card is a powerful tool for international companies that want to move their employees across borders efficiently. It offers short‑term and long‑term mobility options, clear rules, and legal certainty. Whether you are a manager, specialist, or trainee, understanding how the German Intra‑Corporate Transfer Card works will help you plan your assignment in Germany with confidence.

Our company, Nexus-Europe GmbH, provides turn-key solutions: from individual Roadmap development to establishing a fully operating business.