Introduction: A Major Shift in Greek Labour Migration Law
Greece is preparing a significant reform of its labour migration framework with a draft bill transposing Directive (EU) 2024/1233 on a single application procedure for a single permit for third-country nationals. The bill, currently under public consultation, aims to simplify the procedure for legally employing non-EU nationals by introducing a single residence and work permit issued through one administrative act.
This reform is particularly relevant for:
- Greek employers facing acute labour shortages,
- HR departments and recruitment agencies,
- Temporary Employment Agencies (EPAs),
- Third-country workers and foreign agencies seeking cooperation with Greek businesses.
While the new framework promises less bureaucracy and greater legal clarity, important structural challenges, especially at the visa issuance stage, seem to remain unresolved.
Background: Directive (EU) 2024/1233 and Its Objectives
Directive (EU) 2024/1233 replaces the fragmented approval system previously applicable in many Member States with a unified “single permit” procedure, combining the right to reside and the right to work into a single administrative decision.
The Directive pursues three core goals:
- Simplification of administrative procedures,
- Equal treatment of third-country workers with nationals in key employment areas,
- Legal certainty and transparency for both employers and employees.
The Greek draft bill closely follows these objectives, introducing structural changes to long-standing migration practices.
Key Innovation: One Application, One Permit, One Authority
Abolition of the Dual Permit System
Under the new law, Greece moves away from the current multi-stage process (approval, visa, residence permit, work permit). Instead:
- A single application is submitted,
- Examined by a “one-stop shop” competent authority,
- Leading to the issuance of one permit covering both residence and employment.
This is a substantial improvement for employers accustomed to navigating overlapping procedures across multiple authorities.
Binding Examination Deadlines (On Paper)
The new law sets:
- 90 days for the examination of the application,
- A possible 30-day extension in limited cases.
Although this introduces a formal upper limit, market participants remain cautious, as no fast-track mechanisms or enforceable sanctions for delays seem to be introduced, particularly at consular level.
Who Benefits Most from the New Framework?
Employers in Greece
Greek companies gain:
- Reduced administrative burden,
- A clearer legal framework for hiring third-country nationals,
- The ability to recruit workers already legally residing in Greece under another status, without requiring them to leave the country.
Temporary Employment Agencies (EPAs)
For the first time, EPAs may act as formal employers in the labour migration process. This expands workforce flexibility and is expected to play a key role in addressing labour shortages exceeding 300,000 positions, according to market estimates.
High-Skilled Workers and Strategic Projects
The draft bill places special emphasis on high-value and strategic employment, introducing:
- Tech visas and talent visas,
- Special regimes for large public projects and strategic investments, regardless of company turnover,
- Provisions for visiting professors, startups, and innovative enterprises,
- Extended validity of EU Blue Cards.
From a policy perspective, this helps to better align Greece with EU-wide competition for highly skilled talent.
Enhanced Rights for Third-Country Workers
The draft bill explicitly reinforces equal treatment principles, ensuring that third-country workers enjoy rights comparable to Greek and EU nationals, including:
- Equal pay and working conditions,
- Access to social security,
- Trade union rights,
- Procedural safeguards and effective legal remedies.
Importantly, the new framework allows:
- Change of employer after six months, or earlier in cases of dismissal or breach of employment terms,
- Temporary unemployment without automatic revocation of the permit, provided it is time-limited.
These provisions may potentially strengthen the legal position of migrant workers in Greece.
Remaining Challenges: The Visa Bottleneck Persists
Despite its positive direction, the reform does not fully address the most critical practical obstacle: the visa issuance process.
Key concerns include:
- No binding deadlines or performance indicators for Greek consulates abroad,
- No fast-track visas for most sectors,
- Continued risk that applications approved in Greece may still be rejected at consular level,
- Limited impact on seasonal work, tourism, agriculture, and low or semi-skilled labour, which remain outside the reform’s main focus.
As a result, predictability and processing times will likely remain uncertain in practice.
Practical Takeaways for Employers and Foreign Partners
- Plan early: While procedures are simplified, timelines remain uncertain.
- Focus on eligibility: The new regime is particularly advantageous for high-skilled roles, strategic projects, and structured recruitment via EPAs.
- Legal compliance matters more than ever: Enhanced controls and stricter sanctions for illegal employment are introduced.
- Consular strategy remains critical: Successful applications still depend heavily on visa handling abroad.
Conclusion: A Positive but Incomplete Reform
The transposition of Directive (EU) 2024/1233 marks a substantial modernization of Greek labour migration law. The introduction of a single permit and clearer rights framework is a welcome step for employers and workers alike.
However, without meaningful reform of visa procedures and enforceable timelines, the system risks falling short of its full potential, particularly for sectors urgently needing large volumes of labour.
For businesses and foreign partners considering workforce mobility to Greece, specialized legal guidance remains essential to navigate the new framework effectively.
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