-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE-----
Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR
Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov
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MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA,
 T4Tiig4jZ/I95ZG9eKANWFpzG+MLQxggIV9lT7Z2nrNwK8jtKplgvsWHo0V/oArM
 QLrUPZlaUoclo/0Q5NtUmQ==

<SEC-DOCUMENT>0001181431-08-012218.txt : 20080220
<SEC-HEADER>0001181431-08-012218.hdr.sgml : 20080220
<ACCEPTANCE-DATETIME>20080220212945
ACCESSION NUMBER:		0001181431-08-012218
CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE:	3
PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT:		1
CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT:	20080215
FILED AS OF DATE:		20080220
DATE AS OF CHANGE:		20080220

REPORTING-OWNER:	

	OWNER DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			LIFSEY WALTER
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0001242603

	FILING VALUES:
		FORM TYPE:		3
		SEC ACT:		1934 Act
		SEC FILE NUMBER:	000-19032
		FILM NUMBER:		08631363

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4084410311

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2325 ORCHARD PARKWAY
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95131

ISSUER:		

	COMPANY DATA:	
		COMPANY CONFORMED NAME:			ATMEL CORP
		CENTRAL INDEX KEY:			0000872448
		STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION:	SEMICONDUCTORS & RELATED DEVICES [3674]
		IRS NUMBER:				770051991
		STATE OF INCORPORATION:			DE
		FISCAL YEAR END:			1231

	BUSINESS ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2325 ORCHARD PKWY
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95131
		BUSINESS PHONE:		4084410311

	MAIL ADDRESS:	
		STREET 1:		2325 ORCHARD PKWY
		CITY:			SAN JOSE
		STATE:			CA
		ZIP:			95131
</SEC-HEADER>
<DOCUMENT>
<TYPE>3
<SEQUENCE>1
<FILENAME>rrd196002.xml
<DESCRIPTION>FORM 3
<TEXT>
<XML>
<?xml version="1.0"?>
<ownershipDocument>

    <schemaVersion>X0202</schemaVersion>

    <documentType>3</documentType>

    <periodOfReport>2008-02-15</periodOfReport>

    <noSecuritiesOwned>0</noSecuritiesOwned>

    <issuer>
        <issuerCik>0000872448</issuerCik>
        <issuerName>ATMEL CORP</issuerName>
        <issuerTradingSymbol>ATML</issuerTradingSymbol>
    </issuer>

    <reportingOwner>
        <reportingOwnerId>
            <rptOwnerCik>0001242603</rptOwnerCik>
            <rptOwnerName>LIFSEY WALTER</rptOwnerName>
        </reportingOwnerId>
        <reportingOwnerAddress>
            <rptOwnerStreet1>2325 ORCHARD PARKWAY</rptOwnerStreet1>
            <rptOwnerStreet2></rptOwnerStreet2>
            <rptOwnerCity>SAN JOSE</rptOwnerCity>
            <rptOwnerState>CA</rptOwnerState>
            <rptOwnerZipCode>95131</rptOwnerZipCode>
            <rptOwnerStateDescription></rptOwnerStateDescription>
        </reportingOwnerAddress>
        <reportingOwnerRelationship>
            <isDirector>0</isDirector>
            <isOfficer>1</isOfficer>
            <isTenPercentOwner>0</isTenPercentOwner>
            <isOther>0</isOther>
            <officerTitle>EVP, Operations</officerTitle>
        </reportingOwnerRelationship>
    </reportingOwner>

    <derivativeTable>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>6.28</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-12-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F1"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2016-12-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>500000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
        <derivativeHolding>
            <securityTitle>
                <value>Common Stock Option (right to buy)</value>
            </securityTitle>
            <conversionOrExercisePrice>
                <value>4.74</value>
            </conversionOrExercisePrice>
            <exerciseDate>
                <value>2007-09-15</value>
                <footnoteId id="F2"/>
            </exerciseDate>
            <expirationDate>
                <value>2017-08-15</value>
            </expirationDate>
            <underlyingSecurity>
                <underlyingSecurityTitle>
                    <value>Common Stock</value>
                </underlyingSecurityTitle>
                <underlyingSecurityShares>
                    <value>150000</value>
                </underlyingSecurityShares>
            </underlyingSecurity>
            <ownershipNature>
                <directOrIndirectOwnership>
                    <value>D</value>
                </directOrIndirectOwnership>
            </ownershipNature>
        </derivativeHolding>
    </derivativeTable>

    <footnotes>
        <footnote id="F1">25% of the shares subject to the option will vest and become exercisable on December 15, 2007, and the remaining shares will vest monthly thereafter in equal monthly installments, such that 100% of the shares subject to the option will be fully vested and exercisable on December 15, 2010.</footnote>
        <footnote id="F2">The option will vest and become exercisable in equal monthly installments, such that 100% of the shares subject to the option will be fully vested and exercisable on August 15, 2011.</footnote>
    </footnotes>

    <ownerSignature>
        <signatureName>/s/ Walter Lifsey</signatureName>
        <signatureDate>2008-02-20</signatureDate>
    </ownerSignature>
</ownershipDocument>
</XML>
</TEXT>
</DOCUMENT>
</SEC-DOCUMENT>
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