Farm workers from third countries: the special application window now runs to 31 October 2026

The special procedure that lets farmers invite third-country workers for agricultural work has been extended again — this time to 31 October 2026. Here is what to check before it closes.

Agricultural employers have two ways to bring in workers from outside the EU. One is the standard seasonal-work route under the Migration Code, inside the annual quota. The other is a special procedure under article 16 of Law 4783/2021, which lets employers apply, by way of derogation, to invite third-country nationals for agricultural work. That second procedure is time-limited, and its deadline has moved three times this year.

The deadline, and how it moved

• An extension announced in October 2025 ran the application window to 31 March 2026.
• An amendment in April 2026 extended it to 30 June 2026.
• A provision voted in July 2026 extended it again, to 31 October 2026.

Who it concerns

Farmers and agricultural businesses that need workers for agricultural tasks and want to invite named third-country nationals. Applications go electronically, through gov.gr, to the Aliens and Migration directorate of the Decentralised Administration covering where the employer is based. It is separate from the bilateral seasonal scheme with Egypt, which runs through the national union of agricultural cooperatives (ΕΘΕΑΣ) and has its own rules.

What to check before 31 October

1. Which route fits the case. Whether the special procedure or the standard seasonal route suits the work, the season and the worker's country. For seasonal work the Code ties the number of workers to your cultivated land or livestock, under a ratio set by the Ministry of Rural Development — so your ΟΣΔΕ data matters.
2. The workers' details. Valid passports and the personal details the application needs, collected early — this is where most applications slow down.
3. The employment terms. Duration, place of work and pay in writing, consistent across every document.
4. Accommodation. Where each worker will live, and that the accommodation is suitable.
5. The timeline after approval. The worker still needs a visa and has to travel. An approval received in late October is for next season's plans as much as this one's.

If you miss it

The standard seasonal and metaklisi routes remain open under the annual quota, and the quota for 2027 is being prepared now — see how the employer-needs consultation works.

Where Mazi fits

We prepare the application files and track each worker from approval to arrival, so the season doesn't start short. Licensed counsel handles legal work and filing where required.