Requirements to obtain Greece work visas

Employees will need to put together all the required documents in addition to their application to obtain a work visa in Greece. These include:

• Fully completed D visa application form in English or Greek.
• Passport with at least 2 blank pages and valid for at least 3 months after the expiration date of the D visa.
• Copies of the data page and residence permit.
• A recent passport-size color photo no older than 6 months.
• Travel medical insurance valid for the D visa’s period.
• A medical fitness certificate.
• A copy of the applicant’s criminal record.

After obtaining a working visa, employees must obtain a residence permit for employment in Greece to legally work for your company. Employers must be locally licensed and incorporated to get a work permit on behalf of employees. Residence permits based on employment include the right to work, which means that employees need a residence permit for employment after obtaining a long-stay visa to legally live and work in the country

Work permits are usually employer-, occupation-, and location-specific and are typically valid for 2 years and each renewal is valid for a 3-year period.

Application process

International workers can apply online for the issuance of their first residence permit in the country at portal.immigration.gov.gr. The work permit they need depends on what position they have, and this can also impact how long the permit will be valid. The basic application steps include:

• Obtaining a tax number from the local tax office and a Social Security Registration Number (AMKA).
• Filling out a residence permit form.
• Showing a copy of a visa, passport, passport photos, certificate of medical insurance, and health certificate from a state hospital.
• Providing an employment contract with a Greece-based company; degree or other qualification certificate or documentation proving that the employee has at least 5 years of relevant work experience and labor market test approval.
• Proving a local address, ability to support oneself, and payment of the required fee.

After completing these steps, the employee will get a blue form that acts as a receipt showing the application is being processed. They can begin working for as soon as they get this form.