Greece Work Permit Guide for Employers (2026)
Total timeline: 3–6 months. Primary permit: Type E.4 single permit. EU member state. Last reviewed: May 2026
Law 5275/2026 Update
Law 5275/2026 — effective 6 February 2026: Greece’s immigration framework was comprehensively reformed under Law 5275/2026, transposing EU Directive 2024/1233. Key changes for employers: the minimum employment contract for an E.4 permit was reduced from 12 months to 6 months; the E.4 permit validity was extended from 2 years to 3 years; a new single permit procedure replaces the previous two-track visa and residence permit system; and new visa categories including the Tech Visa and Talent Visa were introduced. Any guide referencing the pre-2026 process is outdated.
Hiring a non-EU national in Greece involves three sequential stages across two government ministries — an employer authorisation application to the Decentralised Administration, a Type D national visa at a Greek consulate, and a single permit application after arrival that combines work and residence rights into one document. Since Law 5275/2026 took effect in February 2026, that final stage is now a unified single permit rather than parallel tracks, and the worker may begin employment as soon as the application is submitted and the certificate of submission is issued — without waiting for the permit card itself.
Quick answer
Non-EU nationals need a Type E.4 single permit to work in Greece. The employer submits an electronic authorisation application to the Decentralised Administration (€200 fee; minimum 6-month contract). Once approved, the employee applies for a Type D visa at a Greek consulate. After entry, the employee submits the single permit application — and can begin work upon submission. The permit card (valid 3 years) is issued within a 90-day statutory target. Subject to Greece’s biennial quota system. Total timeline: 3–6 months. EU/EEA nationals need no permit.
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals — no work permit required
Citizens of EU member states, EEA countries, and Switzerland have the right to work in Greece without a work permit or residence permit. Those planning to stay for more than 90 days must register their presence at the local Aliens and Immigration Department or a Citizens’ Service Centre, typically within 30 days of the 90-day threshold. This registration is an administrative requirement — it is not a work authorisation process. Non-EU and non-EEA nationals working in Greece require a Type E.4 single permit or another appropriate permit category.
Greece’s quota system: the constraint every employer must understand
Greece controls non-EU employment through a quota system set by joint ministerial decision every two years. The quota specifies the maximum number of non-EU nationals who may be admitted for salaried employment, broken down by region and job speciality. The decision is informed by the Economic and Social Council of Greece, the Greek Manpower Employment Organisation, and the country’s regional authorities, taking into account sector unemployment rates, regional labour supply, and national economic priorities.
The practical implication for employers is significant: even if the employer is compliant, the employment contract is valid, and the candidate is qualified, a permit application can still be affected if the relevant quota for that role and region has been exhausted for the current biennial period. Employers planning to hire non-EU nationals in Greece should verify current quota availability before setting a start date or making a formal offer.
Quota exemptions exist for certain categories — notably EU Blue Card applicants, intra-company transferees, and workers admitted under strategic investment fast-track procedures under Law 5275/2026. For employers hiring at scale under a strategic investment project, up to 500 employees per project can be processed with priority under the new law.
Work permit and visa categories in Greece (2026)
Tech Visa (Z.13A) & Talent Visa (Z.15)
Tech Visa: for non-EU employees of Elevate Greece-registered startups; 12-month visa, min. contract 12 months, salary ≥1.6× national average; convertible to E.1. Talent Visa: for recent graduates (within 5 years) of globally ranked universities at Master’s/PhD/Postdoc level; no job offer needed on entry; 12 months to seek employment in Greece.
Type E.1 — EU Blue Card Updated 2026
For highly qualified non-EU professionals. Under Law 5275/2026: validity extended from 2 to 3 years. Minimum gross annual salary threshold: €39,888. Requires higher education degree or 5+ years of equivalent experience. Enhanced family reunification rights and EU intra-mobility after 12 months. Exempt from quota system.
Type E.4 — Dependent employment single permit
The standard route for non-EU nationals in salaried employment with a registered Greek employer. Under Law 5275/2026: minimum contract duration 6 months (down from 12); permit validity 3 years (up from 2), renewable in 5-year increments. Employer authorisation fee: €200. Subject to biennial quota system.
Seasonal Employment Permit
For non-EU nationals in agriculture, tourism, and hospitality. Under Law 5275/2026, maximum stay extended to 9 months within any 12-month rolling period (previously 6 months). Separate from the E.4 process — not subject to the same employer authorisation requirements but quota-limited by sector. Cannot be used for ongoing employment relationships.
Minimum wage thresholds relevant to permit applications
Employment contract salary must meet Greece’s minimum wage thresholds, which were updated in April 2025. The permit application and employer authorisation will be reviewed against these figures.
White-collar employees
€880/month
Professional, managerial, and administrative roles — effective 1 April 2025.
Blue-collar workers
€39.30/day
Manual and skilled physical work — effective 1 April 2025.
For EU Blue Card applications, the minimum gross annual salary threshold is €39,888. For Tech Visa (Z.13A) applications, the salary must be at least 1.6× the national average annual salary. For permanent residency, applicants must demonstrate annual income of at least the minimum wage level (€10,560 annually as of 2025).
How to get a work permit in Greece: the 2026 single permit process
The process runs across two government ministries and three distinct stages. The employer drives stages 1 and 2. The employee handles stages 3 through 5 after the approval is issued.
Employer submits electronic authorisation application to the Decentralised Administration
The Greek employer — or an EOR acting in that capacity — submits an electronic recruitment application to the competent Decentralised Administration. The application must include an employment contract of at least 6 months’ duration, proof of financial capacity demonstrating the employer can pay the agreed salary, a valid tax-clearance certificate, and the required €200 fee per worker. Where the employer is a company, the authorities may also review whether the candidate’s qualifications are relevant to the employer’s registered business activity. This stage typically takes 2 to 3 months in practice, though the quota position for the relevant region and speciality must be confirmed before submission. Subject to biennial quota availability by region and job speciality — verify before committing to a hire date.
Approval act issued and transmitted to Greek consulate
Once the employer authorisation is approved, the approval act is issued and sent electronically by the Decentralised Administration to the competent Greek consulate in the employee’s country of residence, accompanied by the signed employment contract. Government action — employer notified by email; no separate filing required at this stage.
Employee applies for Type D national visa in person at Greek consulate
The employee must appear in person at the Greek consulate in their country of legal residence to apply for a Type D national visa. Under Law 5275/2026, the visa is issued for 6 months (reduced from 1 year under previous rules, aligned with the reduced minimum contract duration). The application requires the visa application form, valid passport, passport photographs, criminal record certificate, medical certificate, travel insurance, and employment authorisation documentation. An interview may be required. Visa processing typically takes 2 to 4 weeks. Employee action — in-person appearance mandatory at Greek consulate.
Employee enters Greece and submits single permit application before visa expiry
After entry into Greece on the Type D visa, the employee submits the single permit application before the visa expires. This is a combined application for both residence rights and work authorisation under the Law 5275/2026 framework. A key 2026 change:the employee may begin employment upon submission of the complete application and receipt of the certificate of submission— they are not required to wait for the permit card to be issued. The authority has a statutory 90-day target to process the application. Employment may start on receipt of the certificate of submission, not on permit card issuance.
Biometrics collected and Type E.4 single permit card issued
The immigration authority collects the employee’s biometric data and processes the single permit. Once issued, the Type E.4 card is valid for 3 years under Law 5275/2026 — up from 2 years under the previous rules. The card can be renewed for 5-year periods thereafter. Renewal applications must be submitted at least 2 months before expiry; late applications up to 3 months after expiry attract a €100 monthly fine. E.4 valid 3 years, renewal no later than 2 months before expiry.
| Step | Timeframe | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Employer authorisation | 2–3 months | Decentralised Administration; quota check first |
| Type D visa | 2–4 weeks | Greek consulate — in-person; 6-month validity |
| Single permit | 90 days | Statutory target from complete application |
| Work start | On submission | Certificate of submission allows employment to begin |
| Total lead time | 3–6 months | From employer authorisation to permit card |
Documents required at each stage
Stage 1 — employer authorisation (Decentralised Administration)
| Required Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Electronic recruitment application | Submitted via the official digital platform |
| Employment contract | Minimum duration 6 months under Law 5275/2026; must specify role, salary, and working conditions |
| Employer tax-clearance certificate | Confirming no outstanding tax obligations |
| Proof of financial capacity to pay salary | Bank statements or equivalent demonstrating ability to meet wage obligations |
| Copy of employee’s passport | Valid passport with sufficient validity |
| Employer authorisation fee | €200 per worker |
Stage 2 — Type D visa (Greek consulate)
| Required Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Visa application form | Completed and signed; in-person appearance mandatory |
| Valid passport | Minimum 3–6 months validity beyond intended stay |
| Passport photographs | Recent; meeting consulate specifications |
| Criminal record certificate | From country of origin; may require apostille |
| Medical certificate | Confirming absence of conditions relevant to public health |
| Travel insurance | Covering the intended period of stay in Greece |
| Employer authorisation approval act and signed employment contract | Transmitted by the Decentralised Administration; must be presented at consulate |
Stage 3 — single permit application (after arrival in Greece)
| Required Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| Travel document with Type D visa endorsement | Passport showing the national visa used for entry |
| Signed employment contract | The same contract used for the authorisation application |
| Proof of health insurance registration | Certificate of submission to or enrolment in the appropriate social insurance organisation (EFKA) |
| Proof of accommodation in Greece | Rental contract or equivalent confirming address |
| Compliant photograph | Meeting biometric photograph specifications |
| State processing fee | €300 paid by the employee at application submission |
Why work permit applications in Greece get rejected or delayed
Most common causes of refusal and delay:
- Quota for the relevant region and job speciality has been exhausted for the biennial period — application accepted but not approvable until the next quota round
- Employer’s tax-clearance certificate not current at the time of submission
- Employment contract duration below 6 months or salary below the applicable minimum wage threshold
- Employer financial capacity evidence insufficient to demonstrate ability to pay the contracted salary
- Employee’s Type D visa applied for at the wrong consulate — must be the consulate covering the employee’s country of legal residence, not nationality
- Single permit application not submitted before the Type D visa expires after entry
- Health insurance registration certificate not obtained before the single permit application is filed
- Renewal application submitted less than 2 months before expiry — risks processing gap; late applications after expiry attract a €100 monthly fine for up to 3 months
Greece work permit at a glance (post Law 5275/2026)
| Feature | 2026 position under Law 5275/2026 |
|---|---|
| Governing law | Law 5275/2026, effective 6 February 2026 (amending Immigration Code Law 5038/2023) |
| Standard employment permit | Type E.4 single permit — combines residence and work rights in one document |
| Minimum contract duration | 6 months (reduced from 12 months under 2026 reform) |
| E.4 permit validity | 3 years (extended from 2 years); renewable in 5-year increments |
| Employer authorisation fee | €200 per worker |
| Employee state processing fee | €300 at single permit application submission |
| Minimum wage (white-collar) | €880/month from 1 April 2025 |
| EU Blue Card salary threshold | €39,888 gross annual (Blue Card validity extended to 3 years) |
| Quota system | Biennial joint ministerial decision; limits by region and job speciality |
| Employment start point | On receipt of certificate of submission — not on permit card issuance |
| Statutory processing target | 90 days from complete single permit application |
| Renewal deadline | 2 months before expiry; late applications accepted up to 3 months post-expiry with €100/month fine |
| New visa categories | Tech Visa (Z.13A) for Elevate Greece startups; Talent Visa (Z.15) for top-university graduates |
Acumen International — our Employer of Record in Greece
The Greek work permit process places the entire administrative and legal burden of employer authorisation on the registered Greek entity. The Decentralised Administration will only accept the recruitment application from a Greek-registered employer, it requires that entity’s tax-clearance certificate, its proof of financial capacity, and its employment contract. A foreign company without a Greek entity cannot submit that application and therefore cannot initiate the permit process at all.
When Acumen International acts as your Employer of Record in Greece, we are the registered Greek employer for every purpose the immigration process requires. We submit the electronic recruitment application under our entity, provide the employment contract between Acumen and your worker, and ensure the employer-side documentation reflects a compliant Greek employment arrangement from the outset. We also manage EFKA social insurance registration — the certificate of which is a required document at the single permit application stage — and handle the full payroll, tax, and employment compliance chain once the worker is authorised.
Under Law 5275/2026, Law 5275/2026 also recognised Temporary Employment Agencies with minimum capital of €1 million as eligible employer/sponsors under the single permit framework — a category that EOR entities operating at the required scale may also operate within. Your business directs the worker’s output under a separate commercial arrangement. The employer-of-record obligations and permit sponsorship liability sit with us.
Official government resources
The primary authority for residence permits in Greece. Single permit applications, permit categories, and Law 5275/2026 guidance are published here.
2. Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs — third-country national employment
Official guidance on work authorisation for third-country nationals, employer obligations, quota information, and permit categories.
3. EU Immigration Portal — Greece (employed worker)
EU-level overview of the Greek employed worker admission system, quota framework, and procedural requirements.
4. Elevate Greece — National Startup Registry (Tech Visa eligibility)
The official registry of qualifying Greek startups for Tech Visa (Z.13A) purposes under Law 5275/2026. Companies must be listed here for their employees to qualify for the Tech Visa route.
Frequently asked questions
What did Law 5275/2026 change about work permits in Greece?
Law 5275/2026, effective 6 February 2026, is the most significant overhaul of Greek immigration law in over a decade. For employers the critical changes are: minimum contract for an E.4 permit cut from 12 to 6 months; E.4 permit validity extended from 2 to 3 years renewable in 5-year increments; a single permit procedure replaces the previous two-track system; the EU Blue Card extended from 2 to 3 years; renewal grace period extended from 1 to 3 months post-expiry with a €100 monthly fine; and new Tech Visa and Talent Visa categories introduced. Any process described before February 2026 is outdated.
Can we hire a worker on a 6-month contract and then extend — do we need a new permit?
The E.4 permit is issued for 3 years regardless of the initial contract duration, which is now only required to be 6 months minimum. Extending the employment contract within the permit’s 3-year validity does not require a new permit — the same E.4 card covers the extended engagement. A new application would only be needed if the permit itself expires or if the worker changes employer, which requires a new employer authorisation application from the start.
If the quota for our region is exhausted, can we apply anyway and wait?
Applications submitted when the relevant quota has been reached can be accepted for processing but will not receive approval until the next biennial quota round opens capacity. This can mean a wait of over a year in some cases, depending on when in the biennial cycle the application is submitted. The practical advice for employers is to check quota availability before making a formal offer, not after. For roles that qualify for quota-exempt pathways (EU Blue Card, intra-company transferees, strategic investment fast-track), the quota constraint does not apply.
Can a worker change employer after receiving the E.4 permit?
Under Law 5275/2026 the rules on employer change have been clarified. The E.4 permit is tied to the sponsoring employer — changing employer requires a new employer authorisation application from the beginning, including the €200 fee and the financial capacity documentation. However, during the validity of the existing permit, the worker retains legal residence status. The new employer’s authorisation application should be submitted before the existing employment ends to avoid a gap in lawful work status. The quota check applies to the new employer’s application.
Does EFKA social insurance registration need to be in place before the single permit application?
Yes — and this is one of the most practically significant requirements. The single permit application requires a certificate confirming that an application has been submitted to the relevant social insurance organisation (EFKA) for full health coverage. This means EFKA registration must be initiated before the single permit application is filed, not after. For Employer of Record (EOR) in Greece arrangements, EFKA registration is managed by the registered Greek employer, another reason why the employment and immigration process need to be coordinated as one workflow rather than handled sequentially.
What happens if the employee’s Type D visa expires before the single permit is issued?
Under Law 5275/2026, the certificate of submission of the single permit application is itself evidence of lawful residence — it confers the rights of the requested permit while the application is pending. This means that provided the single permit application was submitted before the Type D visa expired and the submission certificate has been issued, the worker’s residence status is protected during processing. The worker should keep the submission certificate with them at all times until the permit card is issued. What is not protected is failure to file the application before the visa expiry date — late filing is a compliance breach.
Is the Tech Visa route faster than the standard E.4 process?
The Tech Visa (Z.13A) is designed to be faster because it bypasses the standard employer authorisation stage at the Decentralised Administration. The consulate issues the visa directly based on the Elevate Greece company’s registration and the employment contract, without requiring the prior regional approval that gates the E.4 process. The trade-off is that the employer must be registered on the Elevate Greece startup registry — it is not available for employment by non-registered companies, regardless of how tech-focused the role is. Employers should check Elevate Greece eligibility before assuming the Tech Visa route is available to them.
Can a Talent Visa holder convert to employment with any Greek employer?
The Talent Visa (Z.15) allows holders to seek employment freely in Greece for 12 months without being tied to a specific employer. Once they secure a position, they can convert the visa to an E.4 dependent employment permit or, if they qualify, an EU Blue Card, provided the role meets the relevant salary and qualification requirements. The 12-month job-search period is not extendable. For employers, this means Talent Visa holders already in Greece are a source of available talent who do not require the employer to go through the full authorisation process, but an E.4 or Blue Card application is still needed once employment begins.
Hiring non-EU nationals in Greece?
Acumen International’s Global EOR solution gives your business a compliant route to employing workers in Greece under Law 5275/2026, managing the employer authorisation application, quota position, employment contract, EFKA registration, single permit coordination, and full employment compliance on your behalf.