Greece’s Immigration Policy Takes Major New Turn!

• 12 October, 25

The Greek government has unveiled a comprehensive reform plan for its immigration and residence permit system, led by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. The draft bill, expected to be submitted to Parliament for a vote in October, aims to modernize visa procedures, simplify residence permits, and enhance refugee integration into the labor market.

Greek Minister of Migration Thanos Plevris emphasized during a cabinet meeting that the reform seeks to ensure Greece “no longer lags behind the times,” creating a legal, transparent, and controlled framework to meet real labor market needs.

“Who can come, how long they stay, and under what conditions — these should be decided by us, not by illegal migration networks,” — Thanos Plevris, Greek Minister of Migration

Streamlined Residence Permit Procedures: Faster and More Efficient

Currently, Greece has over 510,000 valid residence permits, but around 290,000 applications remain pending, half of which are renewals. Lengthy approval times have forced many immigrants to wait for months or even years, disrupting both their work and daily lives.

The new bill introduces a digitalized and fast-track approval system, ensuring applicants receive new permits before their current ones expire. This reform is expected to cut bureaucratic delays, reduce backlogs, and ease pressure on public administration.

Four New Visa Categories to Attract Global Talent

To address workforce shortages and attract international professionals, the bill proposes four new types of visas targeting key sectors such as technology, education, and healthcare:

• Tech Visa – for experts in IT, innovation, and digital industries
• Talent Visa – for highly skilled professionals with international competitiveness
• Med Visa – for foreigners seeking medical treatment or wellness services in Greece
• Education Residence Permit – for students, researchers, and academic staff

Through these new visas, the Greek government aims to boost competitiveness and position Greece as an attractive destination for global talent and investment.

Addressing Labor Shortages in Agriculture, Construction, and Tourism

Beyond high-tech sectors, Greece faces acute labor shortages in agriculture, construction, and tourism. Rural areas struggle to find farm workers, construction sites lack manpower, and the tourism sector suffers seasonal gaps.

The reform allows HR outsourcing companies to recruit foreign workers more easily, while simplifying labor import procedures. Additionally, Greece plans to sign more bilateral labor agreements with partner countries — covering both the repatriation of illegal migrants and structured legal labor migration.

Refugee Policy Shift: From Financial Aid to Employment and Training

Each year, roughly 20,000 people receive refugee status in Greece. Previously, many depended on state subsidies or moved to other EU countries, leading to workforce losses.

The new policy focuses on economic integration and self-reliance:

• Refugees will be encouraged to join the labor market, especially in construction, agriculture, and tourism
• Financial subsidies will be gradually reduced
• Investments will focus on language and vocational training, enabling refugees to gain practical skills

Training programs will be offered mainly at reception centers, emphasizing Greek language acquisition and hands-on vocational education.

Reform Timeline: Parliament Vote Expected in October

The immigration reform bill has entered its final stage. A public consultation will be launched soon, followed by a parliamentary vote in October. This initiative is seen as the most comprehensive upgrade to Greece’s migration management system in the past decade.

Ultimately, this reform marks Greece’s transition toward an open, lawful, and intelligent immigration framework — one designed to tackle labor shortages, support demographic sustainability, and enhance economic resilience.

For individuals planning to move to Greece, apply for a Greek visa, or follow European labor market trends, it is essential to monitor how these new policies are implemented in the coming months.

Cre: 希中网