Are you a non-EU citizen with a wealth of education or professional experience, dreaming of working in Greece? If you possess a valid work contract or have a job offer from a Greek employer that offers a salary higher than the average, you might qualify for a special type of residence permit known as the EU Blue Card. This permit allows you to work in Greece as a highly skilled employee, granting you numerous benefits and rights.

In this article, we will delve into the conditions for working as a highly skilled worker in Greece, based on the legal frameworks of Law 4251/2014 and Directive 2009/50/EC. Additionally, we will provide valuable tips and advice on preparing your application to increase your chances of success.

Allow me to introduce myself; I am a Greek lawyer specializing in immigration law, assisting foreign nationals with their legal matters in Greece. With extensive experience in EU Blue Cards, residence permits, citizenship applications, and more, I am here to offer professional guidance. If you require assistance with your EU Blue Card or any other immigration concerns, feel free to contact me at my office in Leonidio. You can find my contact details and directions on my website. I provide a free initial consultation and offer reasonable fees.

Let’s begin with the basics.

Understanding the EU Blue Card and Its Benefits

The EU Blue Card is a type of residence permit that enables non-EU citizens to work as highly qualified employees not just in Greece but also in other EU member states participating in the program. It is governed by Directive 2009/50/EC, aimed at attracting and retaining highly skilled workers from third countries, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of the EU economy.

Holders of an EU Blue Card enjoy several benefits, including:

The right to work and reside in Greece for the duration of the work contract or job offer, plus an additional three months.

The right to bring family members along and access family reunification rights.

Equal treatment with Greek nationals concerning working conditions, social security, education, and recognition of qualifications, among others.

The possibility of moving to another EU member state participating in the scheme after residing in Greece for 18 months, subject to certain conditions.

The opportunity to acquire long-term resident status after five years of continuous residence in the EU, subject to certain conditions.

Conditions for Working as a Highly Skilled Worker in Greece

According to Section 6 of Law 4251/2014 and Directive 2009/50/EC, you may apply for an EU Blue Card if you meet the following criteria:

Completion of higher education leading to at least a bachelor’s degree or possessing at least five years of professional experience equivalent to higher education qualifications.

Employment with an employer based in Greece offering a salary that is at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Greece. For 2015, the minimum salary threshold in Greece was set at 30,675 EUR.

Possession of a valid work contract or a binding job offer for highly qualified employment with a duration of at least one year.

A valid travel document and, if required, a visa.

Proof of health insurance or an application for health insurance coverage.

No history of posing a threat to public policy or national security in Greece.

In support of your application, you will need to provide evidence of your qualifications or professional experience, such as diplomas, certificates, and references, among other documents. Additionally, you’ll be required to present a valid work contract or binding job offer from an employer based in Greece, a valid travel document, proof of health insurance, and payment of relevant fees.

The decision to grant you an EU Blue Card rests with the immigration authorities, who consider factors such as the needs and priorities of the Greek labor market, employer compliance with immigration and labor laws, and available capacity in the country. It is essential to note that meeting all the conditions does not guarantee approval of your application.

Applying for an EU Blue Card in Greece

The application process for an EU Blue Card in Greece entails several steps:

Check if there is an available quota for your profession. Greece applies a quota system for non-EU workers based on labor market needs. You can verify whether there is an available quota for your profession on the official website or by contacting the Ministry of Labor.

Apply for a national visa for highly qualified employment at the Greek consulate or embassy in your country of origin or residence. You will need to submit your application form along with supporting documents, such as your work contract or job offer, qualifications or professional experience, travel document, and health insurance. A fee of 180 EUR is also required. The processing time for your visa application can vary depending on the consulate’s workload and the complexity of your case, ranging from a few days to several weeks or months.

Enter Greece using your national visa and register with the local authorities within eight days of arrival. Registration involves contacting the local tax office, social security office, and municipality. You will receive a tax identification number, social security number, and certificate of residence, which you will need for your EU Blue Card application.

Apply for an EU Blue Card at the Ministry of Migration Policy before your national visa expires. Submit your application form and supporting documents, similar to the visa application. Pay a fee of 300 EUR. Once submitted, you will receive a confirmation slip with a reference number and a designated collection date for your EU Blue Card if approved. Keep this slip safe, as you will require it later.

Await the decision on your application. Processing times can vary depending on the workload of the Ministry and the complexity of your case. You can check the status of your application online using your reference number or by contacting the Ministry.

Collect your EU Blue Card if approved. If your application is successful, you will receive notification by email or phone. Return to the Ministry on the indicated date on your confirmation slip, bringing your passport and the slip. You will receive an EU Blue Card attached to your passport, indicating the expiration date of your residence permit. Additionally, you’ll need to pay a fee of 16 EUR for the sticker.

Highly Skilled Worker Categories in Greece

As an experienced EU lawyer, I can provide examples of jobs considered highly skilled in Greece, according to Law 4251/2014 and Directive 2009/50/EC.

Hospitality and tourism companies: Jobs like hotel manager, travel agent, tour guide, chef, and marketing specialist are suitable for highly skilled workers. Conversely, positions like housekeeper, waiter, cashier, driver, and security guard are less likely to be considered highly skilled.

Agricultural and food companies: Suitable jobs include agronomist, food technologist, quality manager, organic farmer, and exporter. Unsuitable jobs are typically those of picker, packer, cleaner, cook, and salesperson.

Engineering and construction companies: Highly skilled jobs encompass civil engineer, architect, contractor, project manager, and surveyor. Unskilled positions may include laborer, painter, plumber, electrician, and carpenter.

Education and research institutions: Suitable roles are professor, researcher, lecturer, librarian, and academic advisor. Unsuitable jobs may be student, assistant, secretary, cleaner, and security guard.

Media and internet companies: Highly skilled jobs in this sector may include journalist, photographer, web designer, editor, and social media manager. Jobs like cashier, receptionist, driver, security guard, and hairdresser may be considered less skilled.

Health care providers: Suitable jobs could be doctor, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, and therapist. Less skilled roles might include cleaner, receptionist, cashier, driver, and security guard.

Energy, utilities, and waste management companies: Highly skilled jobs comprise electrical engineer, environmental engineer, waste management specialist, power plant operator, and renewable energy consultant. Unskilled positions may include cleaner, cashier, driver, security guard, and receptionist.

Legal and financial services providers: Suitable roles encompass lawyer, accountant, consultant, auditor, and financial analyst. Unskilled jobs might include cashier, receptionist, driver, security guard, and cleaner.

Manufacturing and industrial companies: Highly skilled jobs include mechanical engineer, chemical engineer, production manager, quality control inspector, and industrial designer. Less skilled positions may include laborer, packer, cleaner, driver, and security guard.

Arts and culture organizations: Suitable jobs are artist, curator, theater director, festival organizer, and cultural mediator. Less skilled jobs may include cashier, receptionist, cleaner, driver, and security guard.

In 2021, the number of EU Blue Cards issued in Greece was not available yet, but it is likely to be similar or lower than the previous years, given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the labor market and immigration.

There may be several reasons for the low number of EU Blue Cards issued in Greece, such as:

The high minimum salary threshold required for highly skilled workers, which is set at 30 675 EUR per year. This may deter potential applicants who can find better salary offers in other EU countries or discourage employers who cannot afford to pay such high wages.

The quota system applied by Greece for admitting non-EU workers based on labor market needs. This may limit the availability of EU Blue Cards for certain professions or sectors that are not considered as priorities by the Greek authorities.

The lengthy and uncertain processing time for issuing an EU Blue Card in Greece, which can take up to 90 days or more. This may discourage applicants who prefer a faster and more predictable procedure in other EU countries.

The low awareness and attractiveness of the EU Blue Card scheme among non-EU workers and Greek employers. Many potential applicants may not know about the benefits and rights of the EU Blue Card or may prefer other types of residence permits that are easier to obtain or more suitable for their situation. Many Greek employers may not be familiar with the EU Blue Card scheme or may prefer to hire local workers or EU citizens who do not require a work permit.

These are some possible explanations for the low number of EU Blue Cards issued in Greece. However, there may be other factors that influence the demand and supply of highly skilled workers in Greece that are not captured by the web search results. Therefore, it is difficult to provide a definitive answer to your question.

I hope this information was helpful and interesting. If you have any other questions about working as a highly skilled worker in Greece or any other immigration matter, please feel free to contact me at my office in Leonidio. You can find my contact details and directions on my website. I offer a free initial consultation and reasonable fees.

Conclusion:

Understanding the difference between highly skilled and non-highly skilled workers in Greece is crucial for aspiring individuals seeking opportunities in the country. The EU Blue Card offers a pathway for non-EU citizens with significant education and professional experience to work and live in Greece while enjoying numerous benefits and rights.

Navigating the application process can be complex, but with the right legal guidance, you can maximize your chances of obtaining an EU Blue Card and beginning your journey towards a successful career in Greece. If you require any assistance with your EU Blue Card application or any other immigration matter, don’t hesitate to reach out to a specialized lawyer who can provide you with the necessary expertise and support.