Greece

Work permit in Greece.

To work in Greece without EU, EEA or Swiss citizenship you need a residence and work permit from Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου (Ministry of Migration and Asylum). The main routes are Residence permit for employment after an invitation (type E.4) (άδεια διαμονής για απασχόληση κατόπιν μετάκλησης (τύπου «Ε.4»)), EU Blue Card, ICT permit, Seasonal work permit. EU long-term residence is possible after 5 years on most routes.

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Permit types

The permits Greece issues

Residence permit for employment after an invitation (type E.4) (άδεια διαμονής για απασχόληση κατόπιν μετάκλησης (τύπου «Ε.4»))
EU Blue Card
ICT permit
Seasonal work permit
Self-employment permit
Family member permit
Residence permit
Visa
Residence card
Social-security certificate (A1 or similar)

Staying longer

Faster routes and settling

EU long-term residence: after 5 years

Stable and regular resources
Sickness insurance
Integration conditions where national law sets them

Authorities

Who does what in Greece

Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου (Ministry of Migration and Asylum)

Residence permits for non-EU nationals, filed through the Ministry's information system «Μετανάστευση»; the Directorates for Aliens and Migration of the Decentralised Administrations approve the employer's invitation request (μετάκληση) and the Ministry's Directorate of Residence Permits decides the EU Blue Card

Official website

Ανεξάρτητη Αρχή Δημοσίων Εσόδων (ΑΑΔΕ) (Independent Authority for Public Revenue)

Issues the tax registration number (ΑΦΜ) and administers income tax

Official website

Ηλεκτρονικός Εθνικός Φορέας Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης (e-ΕΦΚΑ) (Electronic National Social Security Fund)

Social insurance for employees; third-country workers are insured on the same terms as Greek nationals (Art. 18(2) of the Code)

Official website

Other countries

Official sources

Settio's dashboard (settio.io): every case, deadline and client in one place.

FAQ

Questions, answered.

Who issues work permits in Greece?

Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου (Ministry of Migration and Asylum): Residence permits for non-EU nationals, filed through the Ministry's information system «Μετανάστευση»; the Directorates for Aliens and Migration of the Decentralised Administrations approve the employer's invitation request (μετάκληση) and the Ministry's Directorate of Residence Permits decides the EU Blue Card.

When can someone get eu long-term residence in Greece?

After 5 years on most routes. Stable and regular resources. Sickness insurance. Integration conditions where national law sets them.

Which software can an agency or HR team use to manage work permits in Greece?

Settio is relocation management and work permit software with a plan for Greece: the main route (Residence permit for employment after an invitation (type E.4) (άδεια διαμονής για απασχόληση κατόπιν μετάκλησης (τύπου «Ε.4»))), the steps with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, the documents, the deadlines and the registrations after arrival, with client and employee portals, quotes and milestone invoices. It runs every EU country in the same workspace, and each case shows only Greece's own rules and sources.

How does Settio help with work permits in Greece?

Settio builds the step-by-step plan for each person moving to Greece, checks documents before filing, tracks deadlines and gives the person a portal in their own language.

Informational only. This guide is not legal advice. Always verify requirements with official government sources before acting. Reviewed by the Settio team. Facts checked 3 October 2026. About this information