Non-EU citizens who wish to take up employment in Greece are required to apply for both a work permit in Greece and a work visa as well as a residence permit that is based on that employment. Essentially, non-EU/EEA or Swiss nationals who wish to become employed will need to follow a two-step process for applying for the visa and for residence once they are in the country.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Work permit for EEA or Swiss citizens | Generally not required |
| Conditions for EU citizens working and residing in Greece | The EEA/Swiss citizen must register in Greece for residence purposes when remaining in the country for work. |
| Work permit for non-EEA citizens | Must hold a visa and residence permit for work purposes |
| Conditions for work for non-EEA citizens | Obtain the work visa and residence permit before entering the country and starting work |
| Types of work permits available in Greece | General employment, seasonal employment, intra-company transfer, etc. |
| Work residence permit specific documents | Proof of employment (via an agreement signed or agreed upon with a Greek employer/foreign company with a Greek branch or subsidiary) |
| Work residence permit general documents | ID, proof of housing, criminal record, etc. |
| Normal processing time for the work permit | One month or more |
| Maximum processing time for the work permit | Two months or more |
| Appeal against a work permit decision | An appeal can be lodged in the case of a reasoned work permit rejection. Our team can give you more details. |
| Jon change possible while holding a valid work permit in Greece | Can sign a new employment agreement during the validity period of the work permit |
| Conditions for job changes while holding a work permit in Greece | The change must not affect the professional qualifications for which the work permit was issued |
| Additional conditions for change of employment | A change in employment should not change the social security organization with which the holder is insured |
| Work permit validity | Two years |
| Work permit renewal period | Renewable for three years |
Our agents can help foreign nationals obtain a work permit for Greece, irrespective of their country of origin. Specialized aid is recommended in most cases, as it is useful to understand the policies in force, such as the admission of non-EU workers based on a system of volumes, as well as the other provisions of the Migration Code. An immigration lawyer in Greece from our team can help answer any legal questions and provide adequate assistance during the immigration process.
Securing a work permit with a Greek employer is often the first step for many EU and non-EU/EEA nationals interested in moving to Greece. Our team can offer you the needed assistance during your relocation process, so that you can successfully handle the work and residence permit applications. Discussing these matters beforehand can be useful for new employees.
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How to apply for a Greek work permit
The first step when trying to obtain a work permit for Greece is to apply for a visa of the same type at the embassy or consulate in one’s country of origin. This is a mandatory step; at the time of the application, the individual is required to have a valid employment contract (which may be required to be concluded for a minimum period).
Obtaining a work permit is often the first step for relocating to Greece, and, naturally, the applicant will need to reside in the country at least for the duration of the employment (which can be for a minimum of one year for long-term contracts but it can also be only for seasonal work). The second part of the process for getting a work permit for Greece is to apply for the residence permit for employment purposes.
The infographic below summarizes the process:
Our immigration lawyers in Greece list the main issues that should be taken into consideration regarding the residence permit:
- initial application: the residence permit application is submitted to the Decentralized Administration, and it is a one-stop-shop process;
- documents: the most important documents when applying for a residence permit are a copy of the passport and visa, photographs, the employment contract and proof of having proper health insurance; an application fee is also payable upon submission;
- duration: the residence work permit in Greece is valid for two years, and it can be renewed for three more years; it is important to observe the renewal requirements;
- decision: when the decision is a negative one, an appeal can be lodged to the administrative courts and/or the administrative authority.
When the applicant fails to submit all of the required documents for the work permit in Greece, in most cases, he or she will receive additional time to make the necessary adjustments (and a deadline for this submission will also be provided).
One of our immigration lawyers in Greece can provide you with more details, according to your particular situation, so that you may submit all of the required documents and avoid any delays.
The authority’s decision may take some time, and we suggest gathering the documents in due time so that the entire process can last as little as possible.
Please keep in mind that this is only a list of some of the minimum requirements for those who wish to apply for a work permit in Greece. Others, such as proof of applying for tax, social security, or tax registration in Greece, may also be needed.
Frequently asked questions about working in Greece
Non-EU foreign nationals who want to obtain a work permit for Greece are subject to more complex requirements, compared to citizens of an EU member state. This is why working with our local team of Greek immigration specialists is advisable from the early stages of the application process.
While each case is unique (depending on personal situations and nationality, among other factors), we have answered a set of questions that may be useful to all those who plan on applying for a work permit for Greece.
Some of the most important documents to obtain the residence permit (once you have the visa) include passport copy, photographs, the employment agreement, proof of full health insurance, and proof of application fee payment (usually this is EUR300).
You would have to submit an appeal to the administrative court. However, this can be done only if the decision is unmotivated. Our immigration lawyer in Greece can offer legal representation as needed.
You must observe the term for its original duration (which can be two years). Ideally, you apply for renewal before the expiry date in order to avoid paying an unnecessary fee. You will not ordinarily be asked to provide the employment contract again. While your residence permit is valid, you can sign an employment agreement with another Greek employer, and you can also work in another region of the country. Our team can give you more information about how you can change employment once you obtain a work permit for Greece.
Seasonal work is only permitted in certain business sectors such as agriculture, fishing and livestock farming. If you find work in one of these sectors, your employment will be only for a short duration, usually several months but less than six months. Other cases in which non-EU foreign nationals may only have to remain in Greece for a short period apply to athletes, coaches, or artists.
Yes, as a legal resident in Greece (based on your work residence permit) you have the right to: social protection, insurance and social security, compulsory education (for minors), and the right to free movement in the country. If you are unsure of your rights, you can discuss them with our immigration lawyer in Greece.
Remaining in Greece as an employed foreign national
If you have been working in Greece for a number of years, you may also wish to remain in the country and retire to Greece. If this is an option for you, our team can give you more details about permanent residence applications that can follow once you have lived in the country for a number of years as an employee. We can also give you information on the taxation of your foreign income, if you will still have such income after retirement.
Our team also assists foreign nationals who wish to apply for a different residence permit for Greece. We recommend getting in touch with our team as soon as you decide to apply for a permit, so that we can give you complete details on the needed documents, how and where to apply, when to submit your application according to the usual processing time, and your relocation plans, and more.
Remaining in the country for seven years or more as a lawful employee will allow a foreign national to apply for citizenship in Greece. This can be the last step for many foreigners who relocate to the country for employment purposes, and it is useful to know that Greece allows dual citizenship. Our team can give you more details about the minimum requirements and the application process.
Foreign nationals who wish to invest, rather than come to the country for work purposes, can reach out to us for details about obtaining Greek citizenship by investment in real estate or for other forms of investment.
Statistical data on Greece’s population
Greece has an estimated population of 9,877,013 at the beginning of 2026, and the country has also seen a rise in the number of asylum seekers. Other relevant data for the country include the following:
- 89.52% is the percentage of the urban population in the country;
- Athens is the most densely populated city, with an estimated population of 3,101,979 inhabitants;
- Thessaloniki is the second most populous city, with 749,840 people living here.
Contact our Greece immigration agents for complete information about the laws and regulations for foreign nationals seeking employment and permanent residence in the country. We can help you apply for a work permit in Greece.
