11/30/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 11/30/2022 10:37
This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.
This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Greece's embassy or immigration authorities.
Entry requirements
If you're going to Greece to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.
Greece is in the Schengen area. If you're travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some business-related activities without needing a visa or permit, such as attend business meetings. It does not matter how many countries you visit in the Schengen area. Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps 'rolling'.
If you're staying for longer, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit.
The Greek authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.
You must always check with Greece's embassy or immigration authorities before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.
If you're working in more than one country, you need to check the entry rules of each country.
If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.
Visa and permit documents
This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Greece. It includes a checklist of documents that you'll usually need to include when applying.
It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with Greece's embassy or immigration authorities.
Any documents submitted to the immigration authorities in Greece will need to be translated into Greek. You can submit documents in English to the Greek consulate in the UK.
You also need to check if documents must be:
Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa. This guide uses the same terms used in Greece, so you know which ones to use when speaking to Greece's authorities.
Check if you need a visa or permit
You do not need a visa if you're travelling to Greece for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for specific business-related activities. These activities can include:
These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.
Document requirements
At the border, you may be asked to show:
Check Greece's exemptions
Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they're exempt.
All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country's authorities.
EU intra-company transfers from other countries
If you have an EU intra-company transfer permit (EU ICT) from another country you can work for up to 90 days in a 180-day period in Greece. You do not have to apply for a visa or permit.
The company you're moving from must notify the Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Show proof of exemption
You need to be able to show proof that you're exempt to the authorities on request. This could be:
Further checks
If you're not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from Greece's embassy or immigration authorities.
Applying for a visa or permit
This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit to help you prepare, but you'll need to check the exact rules and processes with the Greece's embassy or immigration authorities.
Taking your family
If you have a family they won't be able to join you if you have a national visa for temporary employment. They may be able to join you under the Schengen visa waiver rules.
Your family can join you with all of the long-term residence permits in this guide. Some permits have conditions so you should check. If they're joining you they will need to apply for a long-stay family member residence permit. In the case of the digital nomad visa, they can request an individual visa ending at the same time as the dependent visa.
Find out more about family reunification (section 5).
You need a national visa for temporary residence if you're:
You need a long-term residence permit (for work and professional reasons) if you don't qualify for a temporary residence visa and you're:
Long-stay permits are valid for up to 2 years depending on which one you need. They can be renewed for 3 years at a time.
National visa for temporary residence
A national visa takes 3 to 5 working days to get. It's valid for either up to 6 months, or up to 1 year. You can't extend it.
How it works
You need to request approval from the relevant authority responsible for your profession.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You'll also need the following documents for your type of work:
Transferring long term from a UK-based company to a branch in Greece
You need an EU intra-company transfer (EU ICT) permit if your UK-based employer moves you to a branch in Greece for:
To qualify you must:
An EU ICT permit can take 6 to 8 weeks to get. It's valid for 12 months. You can extend it for up to 2 years.
You have to leave Greece after living and working there for 3 years. You can only apply for a new EU ICT permit once you've spent 6 months outside of Greece.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate
You submit your work and residence permit application to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy.
You submit your biometrics to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy in Greece.
You collect your residence permit from Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy when you get to Greece.
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Working for a company in Greece on a long-term Greek contract
If you've been offered a job with a company in Greece you can apply for a residence permit if you're:
Highly skilled work for at least 1 year
To qualify for an EU Blue Card residence permit you must:
An EU Blue Card can take up to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer carries out a labour market test by applying for approval to hire you at the Greek immigration authorities. If the authorities can't find anyone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein to fill the role they will invite you to submit an application.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit your permit application to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy.
You submit your biometrics to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy in Greece.
You collect your residence permit from Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy when you get to Greece.
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Unskilled 'dependant work' for at least 1 year
To qualify for a residence permit for dependant work you must:
A dependant work residence permit can take 1 to 8 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it for an extra 3 years. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a spouse and any children under 18 they can join you after you've been in Greece for at least 2 years with this permit type. Find out more about family reunification (section 5).
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer carries out a labour market test by applying for approval to hire you at the Greek immigration authorities. If the authorities can't find anyone from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein to fill the role they will invite you to submit an application.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit a residence permit application to the relevant decentralised administration.
You submit your biometrics to the decentralised administration once in Greece.
You collect your permit from the decentralised administration.
Decentralised administrations
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Board members, shareholders, legal representatives and senior executives of a company in Greece (special purpose workers)
You need this residence permit if you're going to work for a Greek company as one of the following:
To qualify, you must:
The Greek company must employ at least 25 people. This only applies to Greek companies. It does not apply to a subsidiary or branch of a non-Greek company.
This residence permit can take up to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit a residence permit application to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy.
You submit your biometrics to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy in Greece.
You collect your residence permit from Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy when you get to Greece.
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Managers, business or technical executives of companies specialising in offshore exploration, drilling and extraction of hydrocarbons (special purpose workers)
To qualify for this residence permit you must:
This residence permit can take up to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
Your employer requests written confirmation from the Greek Ministry for the Environment, Energy and Climate Change that they can apply for a permit.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit a residence permit application to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy.
You submit your biometrics to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy in Greece.
You collect your residence permit from Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy when you get to Greece.
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Mining technicians (special purpose workers)
To qualify for this residence permit you must:
A special purpose residence permit can take up to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit your permit application to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy.
You submit your biometrics to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy in Greece.
You collect your residence permit from Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy when you get to Greece.
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Digital nomads
To qualify for a residence permit for a digital nomad you must:
A digital nomad residence permit can take 4 to 8 weeks to get. It's valid for 2 years and you can extend it for 2 years at a time.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit your residence permit application to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy.
You submit your biometrics to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy when you get to Greece.
You collect your residence permit from the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy when you get to Greece.
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Professional sports work
To qualify for a residence permit for athletes and coaches you must:
A residence permit for athletes and coaches can take up to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit a residence permit application to the relevant decentralised administration.
You submit your biometrics to the decentralised administration once in Greece.
You collect your permit from the decentralised administration.
Decentralised administrations
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Arts and entertainment work
You need a residence permit for intellectual creators if you're working in the arts or entertainment industries in Greece. This includes:
A residence permit for intellectual creators can take 1 to 8 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
To qualify you must:
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit a residence permit application to the relevant decentralised administration.
You submit your biometrics to the decentralised administration once in Greece.
You collect your permit from decentralised administration.
Decentralised administrations
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Teaching at non-Greek schools in Greece
You qualify for this residence permit if you've been granted permission to teach by the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs.
It can take up to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit a residence permit application to the relevant decentralised administration.
You submit your biometrics to the decentralised administration once in Greece.
You collect your permit from the decentralised administration.
Decentralised administrations
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Press correspondents
You need this residence permit if you're working in Greece as a foreign (non-Greek) correspondent.
The residence permit for foreign correspondents can take up to 8 months to get. It's valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit a residence permit application to the relevant decentralised administration.
You submit your biometrics to the decentralised administration once in Greece.
You collect your permit from the decentralised administration.
Decentralised administrations
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Investing in Greece
You can apply for a residence permit through the Golden Visa scheme if you're investing in:
Investing in real estate
You qualify for a residence permit for investors if you meet minimum investment requirements.
An investor residence permit can take 2 to 4 months to get. It's valid for up to 5 years and you can extend it as long as the investment is maintained. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You submit your residence permit application to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy.
You submit your biometrics to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy in Greece.
You collect your residence permit from Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy when you get to Greece.
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
Investing in securities or a bank deposit
To qualify for a residence permit as an investor in securities or a bank deposit you must meet minimum investment requirements.
An investor permit can take 4 to 8 weeks to get. It's valid for up to 5 years and you can extend it provided the investment is maintained. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You submit documentation proving your investment to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
you submit your residence permit application to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy.
You submit your biometrics to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy in Greece.
You collect your residence permit from Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy when you get to Greece.
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
Research work
To qualify for a residence permit for research you must:
How it works
You need to check with Greece's authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You apply for a national visa at the Greek embassy or consulate.
You submit your residence permit application to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy.
You submit your biometrics to the Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy in Greece.
You collect your residence permit from Greek Ministry for Migration and Asylum's General Secretariat for Migration Policy when you get to Greece.
Application documents
Greece's authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. They will vary depending on your circumstances. Usually, they need:
You also need a certificate of registration with the Greek social security authorities or an insurance certificate covering you for:
Greek government guidance
Read official Greek government information on residence permits.
Check for travel changes
European governments may update or change their rules without notice.
You should always check foreign travel advice for Greece, for updates on issues, such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.