Security Alert
Law 5275/2026 modernises Greece's legal migration framework by accelerating application processing, increasing flexibility, and better aligning with labour market needs, while also deterring illegal migration. This newsletter summarises the key provisions of the new Law on legal migration.
A. Main administrative improvements
The new Law introduces several initiatives to reduce bureaucracy and speed up application processing, including:
Automatic allocation of initial and renewal applications to directorates with the lowest workload, regardless of the applicant's residence, to reduce backlogs and speed up processing.
Late renewals: the grace period is extended to 3 months post-expiry (from 1 month previously), with a €100 monthly late fee.
2-year minimum validity: for permits with a nominal validity of at least 3 years, authorities must ensure at least 2 years’ remaining validity from the decision date.
Outstanding renewal applications since 2022 for work, services, or family reunification: interim residence permit holders not deemed a threat to public order and safety will receive a 2-year residence permit.
B. Changes to existing residence permits
1. Residence permits for employment by invitation (E.4 permit)
The process has been extensively reformed, with the following key changes:
The cabinet act determining annual admission quotas will set out maximum positions per employment sector (not per specialty, as before). It may also provide for an increase in the quotas by 15% for urgent needs (up from 10%), and may designate eligible third countries and specific quotas per country of origin.
Minimum employment contract duration reduced to 6 months (from 1 year previously).
Dependent employment permits valid for 3 years, renewable in 5-year increments.
Legal entities or investment schemes can secure approvals for up to 500 third-country nationals per project for public works, strategic investments, or projects of special importance.
Licensed Temporary Work Agencies with minimum capital of €1 million now qualify as eligible employers/sponsors under the invitation framework. Assignments must comply with Greek labour rules on temporary agency work, and the same sectoral quotas and urgent-need increases apply as for direct employers.
2. EU Blue Card (E.1 permit)
The validity period is extended to 3 years (from 2 previously).
3. Partners of EU nationals (N permit)
The validity period is extended to 5 years (from 2 previously).
4. Digital Nomads (Z.1 visa)
Digital nomads can no longer enter Greece with a C visa or visa waiver to apply directly for a residence permit; a D visa is now a mandatory first step.
5. Unified “Single Permits”
The new Law clarifies which residence permits qualify as Single Permits under EU Directive 2024/1233, including permits for highly skilled employees (“E.1”), special purpose (“E.3”), dependent employment (“E.4”), and certain family reunification categories with work rights (“O.1”, “O.2”, “O.3”). Key highlights of the new process include:
a. Complete applications must be processed within 90 days, extendable by up to 30 days in exceptional cases;
b. The 2-month deadline for supplementary documents may be extended by up to 30 days in exceptional cases.
Employees may change employers after an initial period-or sooner if the employer commits serious labour-law violations-supporting worker mobility and protections.
C. Introduction of new migration pathways
1. Business-focused national visas
Visa for specialised technical personnel (Z.13 visa): For technical personnel of third-country enterprises contracted by Greek companies to build and operate production units in technology, pharmaceutical, or industrial sectors, with investments exceeding €10 million. Valid for up to 12 months, tied to project duration. Holders may apply for dependent employment (“E.4”) or highly skilled employment (“E.1”) permits if recruited by the Greek company.
Tech Visa (Z.13A visa): A 12-month visa for highly qualified third-country nationals employed by companies in the National Startup Registry (“Elevate Greece”). Permits immediate employment under a contract of at least 12 months, with a gross annual salary of at least 1.6 times the national average. Holders may transition to a high-skilled residence permit (E.1) with the same employer.
Talent Visa (Z.15 visa): A 12-month visa for highly educated candidates (Master’s/PhD/Postdoc from institutions on at least 2 international ranking lists) seeking employment or to establish a business in Greece. Requires proof of financial sufficiency, while holders may transition to appropriate residence permit categories before expiry.
2. Education, research, and post-study pathways
Study permits now match the full duration of the study program, with separate permits for professional training and college studies. Holders may work part-time up to 20 hours per week.
A one-year post-study permit allows graduates and researchers to seek employment or establish a business in Greece.
Additional specialised visas include those for visiting professors and foreign-university students attending affiliated programs at Greek colleges.