On 28 September 2013, Spain published law 14/2013 easing the work application process for intracompany transfers, highly skilled professionals and company managers. With the latest changes, work permit approvals for these cases will no longer require a labour market test.
It will in general be easier for companies to hire someone from inside the company, as the legislation for intracompany transfers is more lenient than the traditional transnational transfer regulations.
Furthemore, the work permit application for highly skilled professionals and managers will be now processed within 20 days in the Ministry of Labour, unlike previously in local immigration offices. Also, a power of attorney will no longer be needed for work permit applications by a third party.
No affected trading partner has been mentioned as, according to the Spanish Statistical Office, the migration inflow from any single country did not surpass 10'000 in 2014.