Greece•EuropeHighly Qualified Worker Visa (EU Blue Card)
At a Glance
Processing Time
14-28 days
Application Fee
150 EUR
Stay Duration
1 to 4 years
Renewable
Yes
Job Offer
Not Required
Dependents
Allowed
PR Pathway
Available
This visa can lead to permanent residency — the right to live and work here indefinitely without renewing your visa.Remote Work
Not Required
Overview
Long-term visa for highly skilled professionals from outside the EU. Requires university degree and employment contract with salary 1.5x average Greek wage. Fast-track to residency.
The EU Blue Card is part of the EU's immigration policy for highly skilled workers. Greece grants this card to professionals with university degrees employed in Greece at competitive salaries. It offers preferential treatment compared to standard work visas.
Annual Visa Allocation
2,000 visas per year
The quota is established every two years through a Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) based on labor market assessments. For the 2025-2026 period, the allocation for highly skilled workers (including EU Blue Card holders) was set at 2,000 positions, a significant increase from the 600 positions allocated for 2023-2024. The quota is distributed by administrative region and specific professional specialties. Historically, the highly skilled quota is significantly underutilized; for instance, only 58 EU Blue Cards were issued in 2024. Unused quotas do not roll over to the subsequent two-year period.
No lottery system
Check Your Eligibility
Take our quick assessment to see how well you match this visa and get personalized tips
Requirements
Financial
Minimum Income
31,919 EUR
per year
Personal
Passport Validity
3 months
Criminal Record Policy
Clean record required
Education
Bachelor or higher
Professional
Experience
5+ years
Required Skills
Excluded Nationalities
Citizens of the following countries are not eligible: AT, BE, BG, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GR, HU, IE, IT, LT, LU, LV, MT, NL, PL, PT, RO, SE, SI, SK, IS, LI, NO, CH
Documentation
Applicant Documents
Valid passport
6+ months validity
University degree
Bachelor or equivalent or equivalent
Employment contract
Salary minimum 1.5x Greek average wage
Professional credentials
Proof of qualifications
Health insurance
Coverage for employment period
Criminal record certificate
Legalized from country of residence
Medical certificate
Health examination
Sponsor Documents
Company registration
Business documents
Employment contract
Signed by employer
Financial capacity
Company financial statements
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Advantages
- Fast processing (2-4 weeks)
- Fast-track to permanent residency
- Spouse can work in EU
- Family reunification available
- EU mobility rights
Considerations
- High salary requirement (1.5x average)
- Requires university degree
- Requires employment contract
- Limited to specialized professions
Application Process
Secure job offer
Employment contract at 1.5x average Greek wage
Prepare credentials
University degree and professional documentation
Apply at Greek embassy
Submit EU Blue Card visa application
Biometric appointment
Fingerprints and photo
Pay visa fee
EUR 150
Receive visa
Usually within 2-4 weeks
Application Forms
EU Blue Card Application
Ready to Apply?
Check your eligibility first to see how well you match this visa