Working in Greece

The Greece Ministry of Foreign Affairs oversees most work visa requests. Workers from Schengen Agreement countries need only a passport to gain entry into Greece. Workers from countries not included in the Schengen Agreement need to obtain work permits in order to gain entry into Greece.

As part of the Schengen Agreement, Greece allows citizens of EEA or European Member Countries to live and work in Greece without a visa or work permit. Depending on the country, nationals may work in Greece freely for up to three months.

Non-EU nationals and workers from countries outside of the Schengen Agreement must apply for work permits. A worker may apply for a work permit through an employer or apply for a working holiday visa. Application approval may take several months, and applicants must meet all working visa requirements as outlined by the Greece Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Additionally, the Greek government reserves the right to turn away any foreign worker.

Greece offers international applicants seeking employment in the country different avenues to obtain official permission. Depending on the nature of work, applicants must apply for corresponding visas. Applicants must possess a valid passport, pose no threat to public order or public health, and possess the ability to cover return costs to the country of origin. The Greek government reserves the right to deny any application for work visas.

Applicants wishing to extend stays in Greece must apply for permanent residence and naturalization. The Greek naturalization process grants internationals full rights and responsibilities upon completion. The working visa application process and permanent residence application process may incur fees. Application fees typically vary by length of stay and specific process.

Travel rules vary greatly depending on the country of origin. Contact the Greece Ministry of Foreign Affairs to learn more about eligibility requirements for holiday work visas in Greece. Go to the Greece Ministry of Foreign Affairs website to find official rules and regulations about working in Greece. The site provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about gaining a working holiday visa to Greece.