Securing a work visa for Greece is the dream of many, and for good reason.
Greece stands out as a top global destination for employment opportunities.
While its economy may not be as strong as that of other EU nations, the country offers an excellent environment to unlock your professional potential and earn a steady income.
In this article, we will outline the requirements for obtaining a work visa for Greece and guide you through the application process.
Understanding the Application Process
If your goal is to work in Greece, the first step you need to take is to find a job with a local employer.
Your employer should then complete all the necessary procedures to invite you to the country.
As part of the process, they will need to request approval from the Decentralized Administration to hire foreign workers in Greece.
The competent authorities will make a decision based on a specific allotted foreign employee quota.
Once authorities grant approval, you will be invited to sign a work contract and prepare your work visa application.
You must submit the application to the Embassy, Consulate, or VFS Greece Visa Application Center located in your home country.
VFS Greece Visa Application Centers serve as dedicated facilities for individuals to submit their visa applications. This occurs in cases where Greece has outsourced the visa application process to VFS Global.
VFS Global is a renowned global company providing consular services on behalf of various diplomatic missions worldwide.
You can find the complete list of Diplomatic Missions of Greece on the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece.
Supporting Documents for a Work Visa for Greece
The Greece visa requirements may vary based on your individual situation and nationality.
You should also be aware that every Embassy may have slightly different visa requirements.
However, in most cases, you will need to submit:
- Fully completed long-stay visa application form
- A passport with a minimum validity of three months beyond the intended visa duration. The passport must contain at least two blank pages
- At least two photographs not older than six months (35 X 45 mm)
- Adequate health insurance
- Proof of a clean criminal record
- Medical certificate of good health
- University degree, professional certificates, or other applicable certificates
- Proof of accommodation
- Evidence of sufficient financial means such as the latest three months of bank statements
- Proof of paid visa fee (€180)
Depending on the Embassy and your personal situation, the processing time for your visa application can take up to 3 months.
You can find more information regarding the work visa for Greece in the Immigration Code Manual published by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Once the Embassy approves your visa, you can enter Greece and apply for a work permit.
The work permit for Greece also includes a residence permit.
These permits have been combined into a single document, where work permits also grant the right to reside in Greece.
Applying for a Greece Work Permit
After entering Greece, you have 30 days to apply for your work permit.
You can submit your application at one of the one-stop shops of the Decentralized Administration.
To apply for a work permit, you need to submit a set of documents that typically include:
- Photographs
- A copy of your passport with your visa sticker affixed to it
- Proof of accommodation
- Medical insurance
- Greek residence permit application form
- Tax Identification Number (AFM) you can get from the local Eforia tax office
- Social Security Number (AMKA) you can get from a KEP Citizen Service Center
- Health certificate
- Proof of sufficient financial means
- Proof of paid work permit (€300)
After submitting all the required documents, you will receive a work and residence permit which is valid for one year.
If you continue to meet all the conditions, you can renew the residence permit at least 60 days before it expires.