Hellenic Republic · skilled migration · Leads to settlement

EU Blue Card / highly qualified worker

By Sam Parks · Last reviewed: 24 May 2026

Greek route for highly qualified third-country employees with a qualifying contract and salary.

Requires employer sponsorshipLeads to permanent residencyResidence permit validity follows Greek/EU Blue Card rules and the employment basis.

Processing time: Processing is handled under Greek migration administration; confirm timing with the competent authority.
Government fees: Government fees vary by residence category and filing stage.
Typical duration: Residence permit validity follows Greek/EU Blue Card rules and the employment basis.
Sponsorship required: Yes
Leads to permanent residency: Yes

Reviewed 24 May 2026European Commission / Greece Ministry of Migration and Asylum ↗

Overview

Greece participates in the EU highly qualified worker framework. The route is for a skilled employee with a Greek job that satisfies contract, qualification and remuneration rules; it is not a general job-search or remote-work route.

Eligibility

Application pathway

Check the route fit
Confirm the Greek employer and role fit the highly qualified route.
Build the evidence pack
Prepare salary, qualification and contract evidence before filing.
Submit through the official channel
Submit through the Greek visa/residence process for the category.
After approval
After approval, maintain the authorised employment and renew before expiry.

Official application links

Where to actually go next

Government links only

These are the official pages to use for this route. Open them before preparing documents: the forms, fees, appointment systems, and sponsor steps can change without warning.

Official guidanceApplicant + sponsor
Use official EU Blue Card / highly qualified worker route page ↗
Use this official page to confirm requirements and follow the government filing route for EU Blue Card / highly qualified worker.
European Commission / Greece Ministry of Migration and Asylum · verified 24 May 2026

Matches these professions

Software engineer Doctor Engineer Data scientist

Also explored by

Indian Filipino Nigerian

Compare Hellenic Republic with

Related routes

Digital Nomad Visa
Greek visa route for non-EU remote workers who work for employers or clients outside Greece.

Frequently asked questions

Can remote workers use the Greek Blue Card?+

No. Remote workers should look at Greece’s Digital Nomad Visa; the Blue Card is for Greek highly qualified employment.

Does Greece apply salary rules?+

Yes. The official EU immigration portal describes the route around remuneration for highly skilled employment as set under Greek rules.

Need tailored advice?

We do not provide legal advice. For an application that depends on your exact circumstances, consult a regulator-listed immigration advisor.

Find a regulated advisor →

Compare Find my route →