Greece: Significant Immigration Reforms Include Tech and Talent Visa, Liberalizing EU Blue Card

Tech and Talent Visas:  

• The Tech Visa is open to foreign nationals who will work for a registered tech start-up in Greece. It provides immediate work authorization. As a general rule, Tech Visa holders will not be able to change employers, and they will lose their immigration status if their employment ceases. 

• The Talent Visa is open to foreign nationals with advanced university qualifications (at least a Master’s degree), and allows them to enter the country and search for employment (though it does not grant work rights). Once employment is secured, the foreign national can then transition to the appropriate work and residence permit. 

• Both visas are valid for 12 months and allow conversion to an EU Blue Card (assuming standard EU Blue Card eligibility requirements are met).  

These new visa categories expand Greece’s ability to attract highly skilled foreign talent. There is also a clear drive to boost talent retention, as evidenced by opening of the possibility to convert to an EU Blue Card. 

EU Blue Card. The validity period for Greek EU Blue Cards has been extended to three years (up from two years). Additionally, applications can now be submitted up to three months after the permit expires (up from one month). 

These changes make the EU Blue Card more attractive for employers by reducing renewal frequency, administrative burden and compliance risks. Notably, the expanded post-expiry filing window reduces the risk of inadvertent loss of immigration status due to internal administrative challenges. 

Specialized Personnel Visa:  

• Greece has also created a new Specialized Technical Personnel visa, allowing foreign nationals to transfer from a company in a third country to a Greek company for major projects (including, industrial, technological, or pharmaceutical projects) for a 12-month period. Although there must be a service agreement between the two corporate entities, they do not need to be part of a shared corporate group.  

• Among other requirements, the project value must exceed EUR 10 million.  

• Visa holders may convert to an EU Blue Card (assuming standard EU Blue Card eligibility requirements are met). 

This visa will assist businesses to manage single-project talent challenges more efficiently, especially where certain critical skills exist within the corporate structure but are not currently present in Greece.  

Additionally, this scheme may also result in increased talent retention via the possibility of pivoting to an EU Blue Card.