How to Apply for the Talent & Tech Visa in Greece (law 5275/2026)

Greece’s Law 5275/2026 (FEK A’ 17, published 6 February 2026) introduced two dedicated immigration routes, the Tech Visa (residence title Z.13A) and the Talent Visa (residence title Z.15), designed to attract highly skilled professionals, startup talent and specialist hires to the Greek economy. If you need to know how to apply for the Talent & Tech visa in Greece, this guide maps every procedural step from employer pre-approval through biometric registration, sets out the documents needed, explains the statutory 90-day processing clock, and provides a full cost breakdown. Whether you are a candidate, an employer sponsor or in-house counsel preparing a filing, the procedure below reflects the requirements in force as of August 2026.

Overview of the Talent & Tech Visa Process and Who It Applies To

Law 5275/2026 created two distinct but procedurally related pathways. Choosing the correct route is the first decision applicants and sponsors must make.

• Tech Visa (Z.13A). Designed for third-country nationals recruited by companies registered on the Elevate Greece national startup registry. The employer must hold a valid Elevate Greece registration before sponsoring a Tech Visa application. The permit covers salaried employment in technology, R&D, engineering and innovation-driven roles.
• Talent Visa (Z.15). Aimed at highly qualified individuals, researchers, senior professionals, artists and specialists, who are invited to undertake a project, assignment or employment in Greece. The Z.15 route accommodates assignments of up to 12 months as well as longer residence-permit arrangements, depending on the nature of the activity and the sponsoring entity.

Both routes grant full work rights within the scope of the approved activity and can serve as a platform for subsequent family reunification and long-term residence applications. Applicants who do not meet the specific criteria for either route, for example, those seeking a standard employment-based permit, should consider the Single Permit procedure instead.

Eligibility and Talent & Tech Visa Requirements

Eligibility differs between the two routes. Both require the applicant to be a third-country national (non-EU/EEA/Swiss), to hold a clean criminal record, and to maintain adequate health insurance.

Tech Visa Eligibility (Z.13A), Employer Sponsorship via Elevate Greece

The Tech Visa route under Law 5275/2026 imposes requirements on both the employer and the candidate:

• Employer registration. The sponsoring company must be listed on the Elevate Greece national startup registry before filing the visa application. Elevate Greece is the official government platform administered by the Ministry of Development, and registration confirms the company’s status as an innovative or technology-focused enterprise.
• Employment contract. A signed contract or binding offer letter specifying the role, gross salary, start date and duration must be in place. The contract should reference the employer’s Elevate Greece registration number.
• Professional qualifications. The candidate must hold relevant academic credentials (typically a university degree or equivalent professional certification) appropriate to the role.
• Clean criminal record. Issued by the competent authority in the applicant’s country of nationality or residence, apostilled and translated into Greek or English. The Ministry of Justice provides guidance on criminal record certificate requirements through the National Criminal Records Information System (NCRIS).
• Health insurance. Coverage valid for the visa duration or, at minimum, the initial entry period.

Talent Visa Eligibility (Z.15), Academic and Professional Thresholds

The Talent Visa targets individuals whose expertise, professional standing or creative accomplishment meets a higher threshold:

• Demonstrable expertise. Advanced academic qualifications, a substantial professional portfolio, published research, awards or equivalent recognition in the applicant’s field.
• Invitation or assignment. A documented invitation from a Greek entity, research institution, cultural organisation or employer outlining the project, assignment or employment.
• Permitted activities. Research, academic instruction, artistic creation, senior advisory work, or highly specialised professional roles. The Z.15 category covers both short-term assignments (up to 12 months) and longer residence arrangements.
• Financial means. Evidence that the applicant can support themselves during the stay, payslips, bank statements or an employer guarantee.
• Criminal record and health insurance. Same requirements as the Tech Visa route above.

For a broader overview of immigration compliance obligations in Greece, including employer duties and penalties, consult the dedicated guide.

Step-by-Step Procedure: How to Apply for the Talent & Tech Visa in Greece

The application process follows a sequential workflow involving the employer, the applicant, the Greek consulate (where applicable) and the Ministry of Migration & Asylum. Each step below identifies who acts and what deliverables are required.

Step 1, Employer Pre-Approval and Elevate Greece Registration

Who acts: Employer / HR department.

1. For Tech Visa (Z.13A) applications, the employer must register on the Elevate Greece platform and upload all required company documentation (articles of incorporation, tax registration, proof of innovation activity).
2. Once registration is confirmed, the employer receives an official proof-of-registration document or reference number. This must be obtained before filing any visa application.
3. For Talent Visa (Z.15) applications, the sponsoring entity prepares a formal invitation letter describing the project, assignment scope, duration and remuneration terms.
4. Employers sponsoring either route should confirm their Greek tax and social-security registration status in advance, as they will be required to register the employee on the Greek payroll upon commencement of work.

Step 2, Assemble the Candidate’s Documents and Employment Contract

Who acts: Applicant and employer (jointly).

1. The employer and candidate sign the employment contract or offer letter, ensuring it states the role, gross salary, start date, duration, and, for Tech Visa filings, the employer’s Elevate Greece registration number.
2. The applicant obtains a criminal record certificate from the competent authority in their country. Foreign certificates must be apostilled (or legalised, if the issuing country is not a party to the Hague Apostille Convention) and translated into Greek or English.
3. Diplomas, professional certificates and any sectoral licences are certified, apostilled where applicable, and translated.
4. The applicant secures health insurance valid for the entry period and gathers proof of accommodation (lease, hotel booking or employer-provided housing confirmation).

Step 3, File the National Visa (Type D) Application at the Greek Consulate

Who acts: Applicant (employer may support the filing).

1. Applicants outside Greece submit a national visa (Type D) application at the competent Greek consulate in their country of residence.
2. The application package includes the completed visa form, passport (valid at least 12 months beyond intended entry), employment contract, Elevate Greece proof (Tech Visa) or invitation letter (Talent Visa), all supporting documents, and passport-specification photos.
3. Where Law 5275/2026’s digital submission channels are available, applicants or their sponsors may upload documentation through the Ministry of Migration & Asylum portal. Early indications suggest that digital pre-submission is being progressively rolled out but is not yet universally available at all consular posts.
4. Consular processing times vary significantly by post, typically 2 to 8 weeks. Applicants should book appointments well in advance.

Step 4, Ministry Processing and Decision (90-Day Statutory Clock)

Who acts: Ministry of Migration & Asylum / Aliens Directorate.

1. Once the Ministry receives a complete application file (all required documents, translations and fees), the statutory processing clock under Law 5275/2026 begins. The law establishes a target of 90 days from receipt of a complete file to a decision.
2. If the file is incomplete, the Ministry may request supplementary documents. This pauses the 90-day clock until the missing items are supplied, effectively resetting the timeline.
3. The Ministry assesses eligibility, employer status, and, where applicable, labour-market considerations. For Tech Visa applications, the Elevate Greece registration is verified.
4. A decision is communicated to the applicant (or their representative). An approved applicant proceeds to entry and biometric registration.

Step 5, Enter Greece, Complete Biometric Registration and Receive the Residence Card

Who acts: Applicant / Aliens Bureau or regional immigration office.

1. Upon receiving the Type D visa, the applicant enters Greece and must register with the competent Aliens Bureau or regional immigration office within 90 days of arrival.
2. Registration includes submitting biometric data (fingerprints, photograph) for the electronic residence card.
3. The residence card is typically issued 4 to 12 weeks after the biometric appointment, though timing varies by region.
4. The employer must simultaneously register the employee for Greek payroll, social security (EFKA) and tax purposes.

At-a-Glance Timeline Table

Required Documents for the Talent & Tech Visa in Greece

The documents needed for a Talent & Tech visa application in Greece must be assembled before filing. Missing or improperly formatted documents are the single most common cause of processing delays, because an incomplete file pauses the statutory 90-day clock. The table below provides an action-ready checklist.

Applicants are strongly advised to prepare certified translations and apostilles early, as these are frequently the bottleneck that delays the filing.

Timeline and Key Deadlines for the Talent & Tech Visa

Understanding the statutory and practical deadlines is critical. Law 5275/2026 introduced a formal 90-day processing target for complete applications, but that clock only starts once every required document is in the Ministry’s hands.

Calendar example: An employer completes Elevate Greece registration on 1 September 2026. The candidate assembles documents by 1 October. The consular appointment is held on 15 October and the complete file reaches the Ministry by 1 November. Under the statutory target, a decision is due by 30 January 2027. The candidate enters Greece on 15 February and must register for biometrics by 16 May 2027.

Costs, Fees and Tax Considerations for the Talent & Tech Visa

Costs vary by consulate, nationality and the scope of professional assistance engaged. The table below provides typical ranges. Applicants should always verify the current fee schedule with the specific Greek consular post handling their application.

Once employed in Greece, the worker is subject to Greek income tax and both employer and employee social-security contributions. Employers considering sponsorship for the first time should factor payroll setup and ongoing compliance costs into their hiring budget. For founders starting a business in Greece as a foreigner, these obligations apply from day one of employing staff.

What Changed in 2026 Under Law 5275/2026

Law 5275/2026 (FEK A’ 17, 6 February 2026) reformed Greece’s immigration framework with several changes that directly affect the Talent & Tech visa application process:

• New visa categories. The law created the Tech Visa (residence title Z.13A) and the Talent Visa (residence title Z.15) as standalone immigration routes, replacing ad-hoc arrangements under earlier regulations.
• Elevate Greece gatekeeper role. Employers seeking to sponsor a Tech Visa must first be registered on the Elevate Greece national startup registry. This formalises the link between innovation policy and immigration.
• Statutory 90-day processing clock. The law introduced a target of 90 days for the Ministry of Migration & Asylum to reach a decision on a complete application. Industry observers expect this clock to improve processing predictability, although practical timelines may still vary during the initial roll-out period.
• Digital submission channels. Law 5275/2026 expanded digital pre-approval and application channels. The likely practical effect will be a gradual shift from paper-based consular filings to online submissions, though not all consular posts have implemented digital intake at the time of writing.
• Electronic biometric residence cards. The updated framework strengthens requirements for electronic residence permits aligned with EU standards, incorporating biometric data capture.

For the broader impact of Law 5275/2026 on immigration compliance, including penalty increases and overstay rules, see the dedicated guide to immigration compliance in Greece.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Incomplete application file. Missing documents pause the 90-day statutory clock. Assemble and verify every item against the checklist before filing.
• Un-apostilled or untranslated criminal record certificate. This is the single most frequent document deficiency. Obtain the apostille and certified translation in parallel with other preparation steps.
• Missing Elevate Greece registration (Tech Visa). Filing a Tech Visa application without confirmed Elevate Greece registration will result in rejection or suspension. Employers must complete registration first.
• Incorrect employment contract wording. The contract must state the role, gross salary, duration and, for Tech Visa, the employer’s Elevate Greece registration number. Generic offer letters may be rejected.
• Late consular appointment booking. Peak-season backlogs at popular consular posts can delay filing by weeks. Book early.
• Failure to register for biometrics within 90 days of arrival. Exceeding this deadline may lead to administrative penalties and complications when applying for the residence card.
• Employer payroll non-compliance. Not registering the employee with EFKA (social security) and the tax authorities upon commencement of work creates legal exposure for the employer and may affect the employee’s immigration status.
• Confusing the Tech Visa with the Single Permit. The Single Permit is a separate route with different eligibility criteria. Applying under the wrong category wastes time.

Conclusion

Knowing how to apply for the Talent & Tech visa in Greece is now a matter of following a defined statutory sequence: employer pre-approval (including Elevate Greece registration for the Tech Visa), document assembly, consular or digital filing, and biometric registration after entry. Law 5275/2026 has given the process clearer structure, most notably the 90-day decision target, but the practical reality is that incomplete files, missing apostilles and late registrations remain the primary sources of delay. Applicants and employers who invest time in thorough preparation before filing will benefit most from the new statutory timeline. For complex cases or first-time employer sponsorship, professional immigration advice should be obtained early in the process.

Sources

1. Ministry of Migration & Asylum, Law 5275/2026 Announcements
2. Hellenic Parliament, Law 5275/2026 (FEK A’ 17 / 06.02.2026)
3. Gov.gr, Government Gazette (FEK) Search Portal
4. Elevate Greece, National Startup Registry
5. EUR-Lex, EU Legislation Portal
6. Ministry of Justice, National Criminal Record (NCRIS) Guidance