Amendments to the Greek Immigration Code: New Law Reshapes Employment of Third-Country Nationals
Amendments to the Greek Immigration Code: New Law Reshapes Employment of Third-Country Nationals
February 2026
Ioanna Kyriazi, Partner, Argyro Pertsinidou, Senior Associate, and Niki Nisotaki, Associate
Kyriakides Georgopoulos Law Firm
A. Introduction
Law 5275/2026 (Government Gazette A’ 17/06.02.2026) introduces a comprehensive reform of the Greek legal migration framework. The new legislation notably reshapes the framework governing the recalling process for the recruitment of third-country nationals (in Greek, “metaklisi”), while also establishing a unified (single) residence permit scheme for residence and employment, introducing new visa categories, and updating the procedures for issuing and renewing residence permits.
B. Interpretative Guidance – Selected Questions
1. What is covered by the “single permit” after the reform?
The single‑permit framework explicitly covers the following residence permit types: E.1 (highly‑skilled employment), E.3 (special‑purpose employment), E.4 (employment via the recruitment procedure), and certain family-related permits providing access to the labour market.
The single permit allows an individual to reside and work in Greece under a single administrative procedure, combining both residence and employment authorisation in one document.
2. What are the processing deadlines?
A statutory 90‑day period now applies for complete initial and renewal applications, with limited possibilities for extension; supplementary‑document periods may also be extended in exceptional cases.
3. Can employees who hold a “single residence permit” change employer more easily?
A change of employer is now permitted after six months with the initial employer; earlier change is allowed in cases of breach of employment terms, dismissal, or upon the employee’s substantiated request.
4. How do recruitment quotas change within the context of the recalling of third country national employees?
The annual Act of the Council of Ministers may now increase quotas by up to 15% (previously 10%) when required to address unforeseen or urgent needs. The Act may also specify the countries from which recruitment may occur and determine the number of nationals per country, considering factors such as national interest, bilateral relations, and the capacity of the relevant consular authorities.
5. Are Temporary Work Agencies (TWAs) enabled as employers of third-country nationals working in Greece?
Licensed TWAs (in Greek, “EPAs”) legally operating in Greece, may act as direct employers under the recall procedure for third-country nationals who will be granted an E.4 residence permit. A Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) will set out the eligible sectors, staffing and guarantee requirements, etc.
6. Is there a fast‑track process for strategic projects?
Yes. For the implementation of public or strategic investment projects of significant economic, social, or national importance, the implementing entities may recruit up to 500 workers per project under a priority procedure following the submission of a relevant petition; upon approval, workers must obtain an E.4 permit.
7. What new national visas are introduced with access to labour market?
New categories include: Z.13 (specialised technical personnel for specific sectors); Z.13A (Tech Visa for Elevate Greece companies – i.e. for Startups-); and Z.15 (talent visa for highly educated candidates), all with a maximum stay of up to 12 months.
8. What are the changes to the validity and renewal terms of the EU Blue Card (E.1)?
E.1. residence permit’s validity increases to three years (from two) and may be renewed for additional three-year periods.
9. What changes apply to digital nomads?
Direct in-country application is abolished. A national D visa must be obtained before entry to Greece and submission of an application for the issuance of the Digital nomads’ residence permit.
10. How do late renewals and validity alignment work?
Late submission is permitted up to three months after expiry of a residence permit duration with a EUR 100/month penalty. For residence permit with a nominal duration of at least three years, authorities ensure at least two years’ remaining validity from issuance; if this requirement is not fulfilled, the permit’s validity period shall be modified accordingly.
11. How will applications be allocated to authorities?
Applications may be automatically distributed to immigration directorates with lower workload, irrespective of the applicant’s residence, to reduce backlogs and processing times.
February 2026
Ioanna Kyriazi, Partner, Argyro Pertsinidou, Senior Associate, and Niki Nisotaki, Associate
Kyriakides Georgopoulos Law Firm
A. Introduction
Law 5275/2026 (Government Gazette A’ 17/06.02.2026) introduces a comprehensive reform of the Greek legal migration framework. The new legislation notably reshapes the framework governing the recalling process for the recruitment of third-country nationals (in Greek, “metaklisi”), while also establishing a unified (single) residence permit scheme for residence and employment, introducing new visa categories, and updating the procedures for issuing and renewing residence permits.
B. Interpretative Guidance – Selected Questions
1. What is covered by the “single permit” after the reform?
The single‑permit framework explicitly covers the following residence permit types: E.1 (highly‑skilled employment), E.3 (special‑purpose employment), E.4 (employment via the recruitment procedure), and certain family-related permits providing access to the labour market.
The single permit allows an individual to reside and work in Greece under a single administrative procedure, combining both residence and employment authorisation in one document.
2. What are the processing deadlines?
A statutory 90‑day period now applies for complete initial and renewal applications, with limited possibilities for extension; supplementary‑document periods may also be extended in exceptional cases.
3. Can employees who hold a “single residence permit” change employer more easily?
A change of employer is now permitted after six months with the initial employer; earlier change is allowed in cases of breach of employment terms, dismissal, or upon the employee’s substantiated request.
4. How do recruitment quotas change within the context of the recalling of third country national employees?
The annual Act of the Council of Ministers may now increase quotas by up to 15% (previously 10%) when required to address unforeseen or urgent needs. The Act may also specify the countries from which recruitment may occur and determine the number of nationals per country, considering factors such as national interest, bilateral relations, and the capacity of the relevant consular authorities.
5. Are Temporary Work Agencies (TWAs) enabled as employers of third-country nationals working in Greece?
Licensed TWAs (in Greek, “EPAs”) legally operating in Greece, may act as direct employers under the recall procedure for third-country nationals who will be granted an E.4 residence permit. A Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) will set out the eligible sectors, staffing and guarantee requirements, etc.
6. Is there a fast‑track process for strategic projects?
Yes. For the implementation of public or strategic investment projects of significant economic, social, or national importance, the implementing entities may recruit up to 500 workers per project under a priority procedure following the submission of a relevant petition; upon approval, workers must obtain an E.4 permit.
7. What new national visas are introduced with access to labour market?
New categories include: Z.13 (specialised technical personnel for specific sectors); Z.13A (Tech Visa for Elevate Greece companies – i.e. for Startups-); and Z.15 (talent visa for highly educated candidates), all with a maximum stay of up to 12 months.
8. What are the changes to the validity and renewal terms of the EU Blue Card (E.1)?
E.1. residence permit’s validity increases to three years (from two) and may be renewed for additional three-year periods.
9. What changes apply to digital nomads?
Direct in-country application is abolished. A national D visa must be obtained before entry to Greece and submission of an application for the issuance of the Digital nomads’ residence permit.
10. How do late renewals and validity alignment work?
Late submission is permitted up to three months after expiry of a residence permit duration with a EUR 100/month penalty. For residence permit with a nominal duration of at least three years, authorities ensure at least two years’ remaining validity from issuance; if this requirement is not fulfilled, the permit’s validity period shall be modified accordingly.
11. How will applications be allocated to authorities?
Applications may be automatically distributed to immigration directorates with lower workload, irrespective of the applicant’s residence, to reduce backlogs and processing times.
