Living and working in Greece can offer a good quality of life. Its local business culture, tourism sector, and multinational environment are among the reasons foreign professionals may consider the country.
If you want to work in Greece, this article can help you. The following guide explains the general requirements for employment-related visa routes in Greece, including a checklist of documents and an overview of the application procedure. The exact process and supporting documents depend on your occupation and visa category.
Steps to Apply for a Greek Work Visa
A national long-stay visa, also known as a Type D visa, is generally used for stays exceeding 90 days and up to 365 days. Before submitting an application, check the instructions of the Greek diplomatic mission or consular post that serves the place where you legally reside. Appointment procedures and category-specific requirements may vary.
You can follow the steps below:
Step 1. Obtain a Work Contract or Professional Agreement
For most employment routes, you need to obtain an employment contract or another category-specific agreement before applying for a visa.
For dependent employment, the employer must complete the appropriate employment or hiring authorization process. Once the authorization is approved, the relevant information is transmitted to the competent Greek consular authority.
Other routes have different requirements. Examples include seasonal employment, highly qualified employment, intra-company transfers, research, and certain special-purpose occupations. Check the requirements for your specific route before filing your application.
Step 2. Complete the Visa Application Form
Complete the Greek long-stay work visa application form. Provide accurate personal, travel, and employment details, print the form, and sign it.
Prepare the general supporting documents and the additional documents required for your visa category. Documents should be current and submitted in the form required by the Greek diplomatic mission or consular post.
Step 3. Apply for a Visa at the Greek Embassy
Book an appointment with the Greek diplomatic mission, embassy, or consulate that serves the place where you legally reside. The list of Greek missions abroad is available here.
National visa applicants generally need to appear in person for an interview, submit the required documents, and provide a photograph and, where applicable, fingerprints.
Step 4. Pay the Administrative Fee
The standard fee for a Greek national long-stay Type D visa is 180 EUR. A different fee, an exemption, or an additional service-provider charge may apply in some cases. Confirm the applicable amount and accepted payment method with the Greek diplomatic mission or consular post before your appointment.
While reviewing your application, the consular authority may request additional documents or ask you to attend an interview.
Processing times vary depending on the diplomatic mission, the visa category, and the applicant’s circumstances. Ask the relevant Greek mission about the expected timeline and apply well before your planned travel date.
Step 5. Collect Your Residence Permit in Greece
Once your application is approved, you may use your national visa to travel to Greece. The validity of a national visa depends on the applicable rules for your category. A national visa is generally issued for a period exceeding 90 days and up to 365 days, and it is not extended.
For routes that require a residence permit, submit the residence-permit application after arriving in Greece and before your visa expires. Many current residence-permit applications are submitted online through the Ministry of Migration and Asylum’s electronic system. Follow the instructions for your specific permit category, as some temporary work routes have separate rules.
Documents Needed for a Greek Work Visa
A national long-stay visa, also known as a Type D visa, is generally used for stays exceeding 90 days and up to 365 days. A visa does not automatically provide every right associated with employment or residence. You must follow the residence-permit or temporary-work rules that apply to your category.
Common employment-related routes include:
- Dependent employment
- Seasonal employment, including agriculture and tourism routes
- Highly qualified employment and the EU Blue Card route
- Intra-company transfers for eligible managers, specialists, and trainee employees
- Research activities under a hosting agreement
- Certain special-purpose occupations, such as athletes, coaches, creators, teachers at foreign schools, and foreign press correspondents
- Separate investment or business-activity routes
The following general requirements normally apply to a Type D visa application. The Greek diplomatic mission or consular post may request additional documents, and category-specific documentation is also required.
General Requirements
- A completed and signed national visa application form with a recent ICAO-compliant color photograph
- A passport or travel document recognized by the Greek authorities, issued within the previous 10 years, with at least two blank pages and a validity period extending at least three months beyond the intended departure from the Schengen Area
- A criminal record certificate issued by the authorities in your country of residence; additional certificates may be requested in some cases
- A medical certificate from a recognized state or private institution
- Travel insurance with coverage lasting at least as long as the visa
- Category-specific supporting documents, such as an employment contract, employer authorization, hosting agreement, assignment letter, or professional approval
For Dependent Employment
- The employer’s approved employment or hiring authorization
- An employment contract that meets the requirements of the applicable route
For Seasonal Work
- The employer’s approval and supporting documents for the applicable seasonal-work sector
- Any additional documents required for the specific agriculture, tourism, fisheries, or other seasonal-work route
For Intra-Company Transfer
- Evidence that the applicant qualifies as an eligible manager, specialist, or trainee employee
- The assignment documentation and the employer’s required authorization
For Researchers
- A hosting agreement with a recognized and approved research organization
- Any additional educational or professional documents required for the route
For Other Employment Categories
- The documents required for your specific occupation and residence-permit category
- Any approvals, qualifications, contracts, or professional documents requested by the Greek authorities or the competent diplomatic mission
Ask the Greek diplomatic mission or consular post whether your documents must be translated or legalized. The applicable requirements depend on the document and the procedure.
We hope this article on how to get a work visa in Greece was informative and insightful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
