About Greece

Greece, a southeastern European country, is one of the most popular and highly visited countries in the world. Greece not only boasts a high tourism rate but is now emerging as a top destination for foreign nationals looking to work abroad. The high quality of life, affordable living costs, and plenty of job opportunities across high-demand sectors make it a great choice for skilled foreign professionals. Greece has a GDP of $267.35 billion, and consistently ranks in the European Skills Index for Skills Development and Skills Activation. The Greek job market is expanding, with over 85,000 job vacancies available for foreign workers.

Greece is currently facing a major labour shortage due to an aging population, economic recovery after the pandemic, and growth in tourism, construction, and digital industries. The country needs more than 300,000 workers across sectors such as tourism, agriculture, construction, and manufacturing. However, only about 90,000 foreign workers are expected to fill jobs in 2026, which covers only a small part of the total demand.

Greece is also making agreements with other countries to hire professionals. For example, a bilateral agreement with India allows up to 50,000 Indian workers to work in Greece.

Skilled foreign workers can apply for a Greek work visa to work and settle abroad in one of the most vibrant, secure, and fast-growing economies. Some of the key sectors in Greece are IT, tourism, maritime industries, and healthcare.

Capital: Athens | Population: ~ 10.4 million| Language: Greek| Currency: euro (€) ≈ ₹103.04

Why Work in Greece?

• High demand for professionals in IT, Healthcare, tourism, and digital services
• A growing job market with plenty of job opportunities in the tourism, shipping, and healthcare sectors
• Requires over 300,000 skilled foreign workers to fill labour shortages
• Streamlined pathways for obtaining long-term residence in Greece
• Full-time workers can earn up to €50,000 to €75,000

*Want to apply for a work visa in Greece? Sign up with Y-Axis to help you with the process.

Benefits of Working in Greece

• Growing Job for skilled professionals: The country needs 300,000+ skilled workers across in-demand sectors
• High quality of life: Offers affordable living costs, work-life balance, and a vibrant culture
• More job opportunities: Access job opportunities across top sectors like IT, healthcare, shipping, etc.
• Tax benefits: Get special tax benefits from the Regime for Employees and Entrepreneurs ("Brain Regain" Regime, Article 5C)
• Immigrant-friendly government policies: Offers integration programs, pubic services, and residency assistance
• Family-friendly: Promotes family reunification; can bring spouse and dependent children
• PR pathway: Qualify for permanent residence in Greece after 5 years of living in the country

Types of Greece Work Visas

Greece offers different types of work visas depending on how long you plan to stay and the purpose of your visit. The two main categories are the Short Stay (Type C) Visa and the Long-Stay (Type D) Visa. A Type C visa is mainly used for short-term visits such as business meetings, conferences, or training programs and allows stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. In contrast, a Type D visa is intended for individuals who plan to stay in Greece for more than 90 days for long-term employment, education, or family reunification.

The table below highlights the key differences between the two types of Greece visas, including their purpose, eligibility requirements, and visa fees.

Some of the other types of Greece work Permit options are as follows:

• EU Blue Card: For highly-skilled non-EU nationals with eligible salaries.    
• Digital Nomad visa: For individuals who work remotely for companies/organizations outside Greece.
• Seasonal work visa: For contract-based, temporary work with a duration of up to 9 months a year.
• Intra-company Transfer Visa: For individuals who are transferred from a non-EU company to a Greek branch.

Major In-Demand Sectors in Greece

Greece currently needs workers in several industries. The demand for skilled workers is increasing because of an aging population, growth in tourism, and the rapid use of digital technology. The country is also investing in digital development and infrastructure projects with support from the European Union.

Every year, Greece has more than 100,000 job vacancies. Many companies are looking for skilled workers in sectors such as tourism, information technology, engineering, logistics, shipping, construction, agriculture, and healthcare.

The table below shows some of the most in-demand jobs in Greece and their average yearly salaries.

Source: Talent Site

Read more...

Highest Paying Jobs in Greece for Indians

Average Salary Levels in Greece

Salaries in Greece depend on experience, job role, and industry. People who are new to a job usually earn lower salaries, while professionals with more experience and special skills can earn higher pay. These salary ranges are common in sectors such as tourism, IT, healthcare, engineering, construction, agriculture, and manufacturing. Highly skilled roles like AI engineers, cybersecurity experts, and senior IT professionals may earn higher salaries.

Top Companies in Greece Hiring Indian Professionals

*Want to apply for jobs abroad? Avail the Y-Axis Job Search services to find the right one.

Key Tips for Indian Professionals

• Always check official Greek job portals such as EURES (EU job mobility portal) and OAED/DYPA (Public Employment Service). These websites often list job opportunities that may be open to non-EU professionals.
• Try applying for jobs in high-demand sectors such as IT, engineering, healthcare, hospitality, and shipping. These industries need skilled workers, which can improve your chances of getting hired.
• Many jobs in Greece allow people to work in English, but learning basic Greek can be helpful. It can make communication easier at work, improve your job opportunities, and help you settle in Greece more easily.
• Before accepting a job offer, check whether the Greek employer provides visa sponsorship and help with residence permits. Many international companies in Greece support foreign employees with the visa and relocation process.

Market Background & Trends in Greece

• Growing job opportunities: Greece will have over 1 lakh job opportunities in the next 5 years
• In-demand sectors: Information Technology (IT), healthcare, hospitality, construction, manufacturing
• Increasing demand for skilled foreign workers: Greece currently has a requirement of over 300,000 skilled foreign professionals.
• In-Demand Sectors: Greece currently needs professionals in several industries, including tourism and hospitality, IT and cybersecurity, healthcare and elderly care, construction, agriculture, manufacturing, renewable energy, education, customer service, and shipping and logistics.
• Work visa categories: EU Blue Card, Digital Nomad visa, and Intra-Company Transfer (ICT)
• Work visa policies: Greece plans to streamline the immigration process by digitalizing public services and introducing incentives for skilled professionals.
• Long-term residency options: Individuals can qualify for Long-Term Resident (EU) status if they have legally lived and worked in the country for five consecutive years.

Steps to Apply for a Greece Work Visa

Step 1: Register for Y-Axis Job Search services: Try out the Y-Axis job search services for job search support tailored to your profile.

Step 2: Secure a job offer: Y-Axis connects you with verified employers in Greece, who can also provide visa sponsorship based on your skills and occupation.

Step 3: Employer applies for a work permit: The Greek employer will initiate your work permit process at the Greek Ministry of Migration, with documentation assistance from Y-Axis.

Step 4: Apply for a Work Visa: You must now complete the visa application form and gather the necessary supporting documents. Y-Axis can assist you with the documentation process.

Step 5: Fly to Greece: Once you get the visa success, Y-Axis can guide you through the travel, relocation, and post-arrival process in Greece.

Greece Work Visa Fees

The Greece work visa fee depends on the type of work visa you apply for. Here are the most common fees:

Note: Additional costs may apply, including service charges, biometrics, signature attestation, and courier services.

Greece work visa processing time

The average processing time for a Greece work permit visa is 15-30 days. In some cases, the time taken to process a work visa in Greece may also take around 30-60 days. Below is a breakdown by processing time and visa type:

Note: The timeline varies based on documentation completeness and immigration office workload.

Factors Influencing Processing Time:

• Work visa type: Varies depending on the visa type you have applied for (Type C or Type D visa)
• Time of application: May take longer during peak or holiday season
• Workload at the embassy: The processing time differs based on the overall volume of applications at the embassy.
• Accuracy of the documents submitted: Accurate and correct documents are processed faster.
• Nationality: Citizens of some countries would require additional background checks or verification, which may extend the processing time.

Convert your Greece Work Visa to PR

You can convert your work visa in Greece to permanent residency after residing in the country for five continuous years.  

To convert your Greek work visa to a PR, you must meet the following criteria:

• Reside in Greece for five continuous years.
• The time spent outside Greece must exceed six consecutive months in the 5 years, or a total of 10 months.
• Must demonstrate an A2 level proficiency in the Greek language
• Have a minimum income of €12,320 per annum.
• Have a valid medical insurance
• Provide a valid registration address in Greece.

How can Y-Axis help you?

As the world's No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy, Y-Axis has been providing unbiased, personalized services for 25 years. Our team of experts is here to provide comprehensive assistance throughout your immigration journey, ensuring a seamless process. Our impeccable services include:

• Y-Axis Resume Writing Services to help you create a compelling resume
• Expert assistance with the Greece visa.
• Review of your documents and visa application form
• Complete Application processing
• Y-Axis Job Search Services to help you find the best jobs for you