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GREECE – New Immigration Code from January 2024
November 27, 2023
New immigration code takes effect in Greece on 01 January 2024, bringing about changes to certain immigration procedures. Specifically, procedures involving work authorisations will be modified in the following ways:
- The Article for Senior-Level Employees will be abolished at the end of the year and will not be replaced. Applicants who currently hold these residence permits and who are seeking to renew permits from January 2024 will be required to change their immigration status. Alternatives include EU Blue Card, or Special Purpose Residence Permit.
- Blue Card holders in any European Union Member State can enter Greece and apply for a Blue Card, provided they have completed 18 months as a Blue Card holder in another European Member State. The main changes to the Blue Card procedure include:
- New duration of employment contract (minimum of six months),
- New minimum salary level, and
- No requirement for a special visa to enter the country.
- Regarding intracompany transfer procedure, it should be noted that third country nationals who hold a valid intra-corporate transferee permit issued by another Member State may enter, reside, and work in Greece.
Newland Chase Insights
It appears that efforts are being made under the new immigration code to further modernize and digitize procedures for the granting and renewing of residence and work permits. Among the specific objectives of the new code are:
- To reduce the number of supporting documents required for issuance or renewal of residence permits, as well as reducing the requirement to submit the same documents at different stages of the process (such as visas and residence permits).
- To introduce electronic application for granting and renewal of all types of residence permits.
- To remove the ban on changing the purpose of residence for specific categories of residence permits, considering the workforce already legally residing in the country and simplifying administrative procedures for various services involved (such as Greek consulates and border authorities).
