A Greek employment contract of at least 6 months
The role must be a highly qualified position with a signed contract or binding job offer from an employer established in Greece.
Visa & Immigration
EU Blue Card Greece: the employer guide
What HR teams need to know before making a highly qualified hire in Greece — prepared by our licensed Greek immigration counsel.
- Eligibility and the salary threshold that applies on your filing date
- Document pack and qualification recognition for regulated roles
- Realistic timeline: typically 2–4 months from kick-off to the card, depending on consulate and case complexity
Who qualifies
Higher professional qualifications
Either a higher-education qualification (normally 3+ years of study, recognised in Greece) or, for eligible occupations, several years of documented relevant professional experience.
Salary at or above the national threshold
Greek law sets the Blue Card salary floor as a multiple of the average gross national salary and updates it periodically. We confirm the figure that applies on your filing date before you commit to an offer.
Valid travel document and health insurance
A passport valid for the requested permit period, plus insurance cover until the employee is registered in the Greek social security system (AMKA / EFKA).
Regulated professions
For regulated roles (health, engineering, law and others) the qualification must be recognised by the competent Greek authority before the permit is issued.
Criteria and thresholds are set by Greek law and revised periodically. This page is general information, not legal advice — we confirm the rules in force for your filing date before you commit.
The process, step by step
- 01
Route check and offer design
Days 1–5A Greek immigration lawyer confirms the Blue Card is the most suitable and efficient route for the hire, and checks the salary and job description against the current threshold and occupation rules.
- 02
Document pack
Weeks 1–4Contract, company documents, degree recognition, apostilles and certified translations. The employee gets a personalised checklist inside the Mazi platform and we chase what's missing.
- 03
Entry visa at the consulate
Weeks 4–8Where the employee needs a national (type D) visa, we book the consulate appointment in the home country, prepare the applicant and submit the file.
- 04
Blue Card filing in Greece
On arrivalWe file at the Migration Directorate, obtain the blue receipt that legalises stay and work while the case is pending, and track the case number.
- 05
Biometrics, card and renewals
Weeks 8–16Biometrics appointment, card collection, AFM and AMKA registration, then renewal reminders well before expiry.
Blue Card or another route?
EU Blue Card
Highly qualified hires with a degree or equivalent experience and a salary above the threshold. Family reunification from day one and mobility to other EU states after a qualifying period.
Metaklisi (national work permit)
Roles that fall outside Blue Card criteria. Tied to the employer-driven invitation procedure and to labour market quotas, so timelines are usually longer.
Intra-corporate transfer (ICT)
Managers, specialists and trainees transferring inside the same group from a non-EU entity to a Greek one.
Digital nomad permit
Remote employees of a foreign employer, not for local Greek employment.
Wider questions on permits, costs and family support are answered on our FAQ page, and our comparison page shows how we differ from a law firm or a relocation agency.
EU Blue Card Greece — common questions
What is the EU Blue Card in Greece?
The EU Blue Card is a residence and work permit for highly qualified non-EU nationals employed in Greece. It is the Greek implementation of EU Directive 2021/1883 and is generally a suitable and efficient route for degree-level hires who meet the salary threshold.
What is the EU Blue Card salary threshold in Greece?
The threshold is set as a multiple of the average gross annual salary in Greece and is revised periodically, so the number that matters is the one in force on the day your file is submitted. We confirm the current figure and check your offer against it before you sign the contract.
How long does an EU Blue Card take in Greece?
For a complete file, plan on a typical estimate of 2–4 months from kick-off to the card — consular and Greek authority processing times vary and are confirmed for your specific case at the intro call.
What does the EU Blue Card offer that other permits don't?
After holding an EU Blue Card in Greece for a qualifying period, the holder can move to take up highly qualified employment in another EU member state under simplified rules, and that time counts toward long-term EU residence status. Family members generally join under more favourable conditions than most other routes. We confirm the current qualifying periods for your specific case.
Does the employee have to be outside Greece to apply?
Not always. Someone already legally residing in Greece on another status can often switch to a Blue Card without leaving. A lawyer needs to check the current status and its expiry date first.
Related services
Most cases touch more than one workstream. Here is what usually comes before or after this step.
Work permits & residence
Employer-sponsored permits, residence cards and renewals.
See how it worksMetaklisi (invitation)
The national quota route for hiring outside the EU.
See how it worksRelocation & housing
Housing search, leases, utilities and the move itself.
See how it worksSettling in
AFM, AMKA, banking, schools and family support.
See how it worksHiring someone on a Blue Card?
Send us the role and the salary. In 20 minutes we'll tell you whether the Blue Card fits, what it costs and when your hire can start.