How to Apply for a Single Permit in Greece (D Visa → Residence Permit), Law 5275/2026

Greece’s Law 5275/2026 fundamentally restructures how non-EU nationals obtain the right to live and work in the country by introducing a unified Single Permit regime. If you need to understand how to apply for a single permit in Greece under the 2026 framework, this guide walks you through every stage, from the employer’s electronic authorisation request through to the consular D-visa application and, finally, the issuance of a biometric residence permit by Greek police. The process affects employed third-country nationals, intra-company transferees, researchers, and certain other long-stay categories, as well as the Greek-based employers who sponsor them.

Because the law makes a national D visa mandatory before entry for most work-related categories, applicants who previously relied on entering Greece on a short-stay visa and converting status in-country must now follow a different, consulate-first route.

Overview of the Single Permit Process and Who It Applies To

The single permit Greece framework, introduced by Law 5275/2026, transposes the EU Single Permit Directive into Greek national law. Its core objective is to merge the residence permit and work authorisation into a single administrative act, one document, one procedure, rather than requiring applicants to obtain separate permissions from different ministries. The law was published in the Government Gazette in early 2026 and is administered jointly by the Ministry of Migration & Asylum and the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.

Under this regime, the standard application pathway runs as follows: an employer in Greece submits an electronic authorisation request, the applicant then applies for a national D visa at a Greek consulate abroad, and after entry the applicant completes biometric enrolment and receives the printed residence permit from the Greek police. The permit itself functions as both a residence and a work authorisation.

The D-visa → single permit route is mandatory for most employment-based categories, including salaried workers, intra-company transferees, seasonal workers (for stays exceeding 90 days), researchers under hosting agreements, and students transitioning to post-study employment. Certain categories, notably investors under the Greece golden visa 2026 programme, financially independent persons, and some family reunification applicants, follow distinct tracks and are not covered by the single permit workflow described here.

A key practical consequence is that in-country status changes (for example, arriving on a Schengen C visa or visa-free entry and then applying for a work permit at a local police station) are no longer available for most work categories. Industry observers expect this change to be the single largest source of confusion for applicants accustomed to the older system.

Eligibility and Prerequisites for the Single Permit in Greece

Eligibility for the single permit depends on both the applicant’s personal qualifications and the sponsoring employer’s compliance status. Both sides must satisfy distinct prerequisites before any application can proceed.

Employer Prerequisites

The employer must be a legal entity or natural person lawfully operating in Greece. Before submitting the electronic authorisation request, the employer should confirm the following:

• Active registration. The company must be registered with the General Commercial Registry (GEMI) and hold a valid tax identification number (AFM).
• Social security compliance. The employer must be registered with EFKA (Unified Social Insurance Fund) and current on social security contributions. Outstanding contribution debts may block the electronic authorisation.
• Employment contract. A signed employment contract or binding job offer must exist, specifying the position, salary (which must meet or exceed the Greek minimum wage), working hours, and contract duration.
• Vacancy justification. Where required by sector or occupation, the employer may need to demonstrate that the position was advertised locally or that priority rules (preference for EU/EEA nationals) have been satisfied, in accordance with Ministry of Labour guidance.

Applicant Prerequisites

The third-country national must satisfy the following conditions:

• Valid passport. Minimum six months’ validity beyond the intended period of stay, with at least two blank pages.
• Clean criminal record. A certificate issued by the competent authority in the applicant’s country of nationality or residence, apostilled or legalised and (where requested) officially translated into Greek.
• Health insurance. Proof of medical insurance covering the initial period of stay until employer-provided coverage (through EFKA) takes effect.
• Recognised qualifications. Where the position requires regulated professional qualifications, the applicant must hold recognised or equivalence-certified diplomas.

Family members (spouse, minor children, and in some cases dependent adult children or parents) may accompany the main applicant. They follow a parallel D-visa application process and must submit their own documents, including proof of the family relationship (marriage and birth certificates, apostilled and translated). The family member’s residence permit is generally tied to the duration and validity of the main permit holder’s single permit.

Step-by-Step Procedure: How to Apply for a Single Permit in Greece in 2026

The procedure involves four mandatory stages and one optional stage for family members. The table below maps each step to its responsible actor and typical duration before the detailed walkthrough that follows.

Step 1, Employer Submits Electronic Authorisation Request

Actor: Employer / HR department.

The process begins in Greece, not at the consulate. The employer logs into the dedicated portal on gov.gr (the official Greek government services platform) and submits an electronic authorisation request for the specific third-country national. This request replaces the older paper-based work permit pre-approval that previously required physical submissions to the Decentralised Administration.

The employer uploads the following through the portal:

1. The signed employment contract or detailed job offer, stating the position title, salary, working hours, and contract duration.
2. Company registration details (GEMI extract) and the employer’s AFM.
3. Proof of current EFKA registration and contribution compliance.
4. Vacancy justification documentation, where applicable.
5. A copy of the applicant’s passport biographical page.

Upon successful submission, the portal generates an electronic file reference number (e-file ID). The employer should save this reference and share it with the applicant, as the consulate will require it during the D-visa application. Processing of the electronic authorisation typically takes 7 to 30 calendar days, depending on the volume of applications and whether the Ministry of Labour needs to verify vacancy justification or sector-specific quotas.

No separate employer fee is payable at the portal submission stage, though the employer bears the administrative cost of preparing the documentation. If the authorisation is refused, the employer receives an electronic notification through the portal with reasons for refusal, and may submit a corrected application or appeal.

Step 2, Applicant Applies for a National D Visa at a Greek Consulate

Actor: Applicant (at the Greek consulate or embassy in their country of residence).

Once the employer’s electronic authorisation has been approved (or, in some consulates, once the e-file reference number is available), the applicant books an appointment at the competent Greek consulate. Appointment availability varies significantly: consulates in high-demand countries may have waiting lists of several weeks, so early booking is essential.

At the appointment, the applicant submits the full D-visa Greece application package, including all documents listed in the required documents section below. The consulate collects biometric data (fingerprints and a digital photograph) as part of the visa application. The consular officer verifies the documents, cross-references the employer’s electronic authorisation via the portal, and forwards the file for decision.

The typical consular processing time is 30 to 60 calendar days from the date of submission. Some consulates may decide faster for straightforward cases; others may request supplementary documents, which extends the timeline. The D visa, once issued, is a national long-stay visa that permits the holder to enter Greece and remain legally while the residence permit application is processed. The D visa is generally valid for up to one year, though the exact validity depends on the contract duration and the category of stay.

This step is mandatory. Under Law 5275/2026, applicants in most work-related categories cannot bypass the consular D-visa stage by entering Greece on a short-stay Schengen visa or visa-free entry and applying for a residence permit locally. This represents a significant departure from previous practice, under which certain categories could initiate the process after arrival. For a detailed analysis of the consequences of overstaying or irregular entry, see Greece migration law 2026: illegal stay.

Step 3, Enter Greece and Register with Local Authorities

Actor: Applicant.

Upon arrival in Greece with the D visa, the applicant must take several administrative steps within 15 days of entry:

1. Register with the local Aliens and Immigration Division of the Hellenic Police (the competent police authority in the applicant’s area of residence). This registration triggers the residence permit file.
2. Obtain a tax identification number (AFM) from the local tax office (DOY), which is required for employment, banking, and social security enrolment.
3. Register with EFKA for social security purposes, the employer normally initiates this upon the start of employment, but the applicant should confirm registration.
4. Book a biometric appointment with the Aliens and Immigration Division if not already scheduled at registration. Biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) may be recollected for the residence permit card even if already provided at the consulate.

During this period, the applicant’s D visa serves as the legal basis for their stay and their right to commence employment. It is advisable to keep the original D visa, passport, employment contract, and employer electronic authorisation receipt accessible at all times.

Step 4, Greek Police Issue the Printed Residence Permit (Single Permit)

Actor: Greek Police / Ministry of Migration & Asylum.

After the biometric appointment and file submission, the Aliens and Immigration Division processes the residence permit application. The file is forwarded to the competent Decentralised Administration and ultimately to the Ministry of Migration & Asylum for final decision. Under the transposed Single Permit Directive framework, the authorities are expected to reach a decision within 90 calendar days of a complete application, though practical processing times vary, 30 to 90 calendar days is a realistic range depending on regional backlog.

Once a positive decision is issued, the applicant is notified (typically by SMS or through the police station) to collect the printed biometric residence permit card. This card constitutes the Single Permit: it authorises both residence and employment with the named employer for the duration specified. The right to work is activated from the date of the permit decision, though in practice the holder has been legally employed since entry on the D visa.

Applicants seeking a permit valid for up to five years should confirm eligibility, as extended-duration permits are available only for certain employment categories and contract lengths under Law 5275/2026.

Step 5 (Optional), Family Members’ Parallel Application

Actor: Sponsor (main applicant) / family members.

Spouses, minor children, and eligible dependent family members may apply for their own D visas simultaneously with the main applicant at the same Greek consulate. They submit a parallel set of documents (passport, family relationship certificates, health insurance, criminal record where applicable) linked to the main applicant’s e-file ID. Upon arrival in Greece, family members register separately with the Aliens and Immigration Division and receive their own residence permits, the validity of which is generally aligned with the main permit holder’s permit.

Required Documents for the Single Permit Application

The documents needed at each stage differ slightly. The table below consolidates the applicant’s document requirements for both the consular D-visa application and the post-arrival police file submission. All foreign-issued documents must be apostilled (for countries party to the Hague Apostille Convention) or legalised and, where required, officially translated into Greek by a certified translator or the Greek consulate’s translation service.

Applicant Documents

Employer Documents (for Electronic Authorisation)

Applicants should prepare two complete sets of every document, one for the consulate and one for the police file after arrival. Missing apostilles or translations are among the most common reasons for delays, so it is advisable to begin the legalisation and translation process well before the consular appointment. For those planning to start a business in Greece as a foreigner, additional company-formation documents may be required alongside the standard package.

Timeline and Key Deadlines for the Single Permit Process

The total processing time from the employer’s electronic authorisation submission to the collection of the printed Single Permit card typically ranges from three to seven months end-to-end. The wide range reflects variation in consular appointment availability, police backlog, and whether supplementary documents are requested at any stage.

The 90-calendar-day decision target derives from the EU Single Permit Directive, which Greece has transposed through Law 5275/2026. However, this period begins only when the application file is deemed complete. If the authorities request additional documents, the clock resets. Early indications suggest that consulates in high-volume countries (such as India, the Philippines, and certain Middle Eastern and African states) experience longer appointment wait times, applicants from these jurisdictions should plan for the upper end of the timeline range.

Employers should factor the full timeline into workforce planning. Starting the electronic authorisation process at least four months before the desired employment commencement date provides a reasonable buffer.

Costs, Fees, and Tax Considerations

The cost of the single permit process in Greece includes government fees at two stages (consulate and police), plus ancillary costs for document preparation. The table below sets out the main fee items. All amounts are indicative and should be confirmed with the specific consulate and police division handling the application.

The employer does not pay a separate government fee for the electronic authorisation submission, though internal administrative costs (HR time, legal review of contract terms) should be budgeted. Once employment begins, standard Greek payroll taxes and social security contributions (employer and employee shares via EFKA) apply. Applicants should obtain their AFM promptly after arrival to ensure tax compliance from day one.

What Changes in 2026 Under Law 5275/2026, Practical Implications

Law 5275/2026 introduces several structural changes to the Greek immigration framework that directly affect how applicants and employers navigate the single permit Greece process. The most significant shifts are:

• Single administrative act. The residence permit and work authorisation are merged into one document and one procedure, eliminating the need for separate work permit approvals from the Ministry of Labour (which previously ran in parallel).
• Mandatory D-visa entry. For most employment-based categories, applicants must obtain a national D visa at a Greek consulate before entering Greece. The previous practice of entering on a short-stay Schengen C visa (or visa-free) and applying for a residence permit in-country is no longer available for these categories.
• Employer electronic authorisation. The employer’s role shifts from submitting paper files to a Decentralised Administration to completing an online submission through the gov.gr portal, creating a digital audit trail and (in principle) faster processing.
• Statutory decision timeline. Law 5275/2026 aligns Greek practice with the EU Single Permit Directive’s requirement for decisions within 90 calendar days of a complete application.
• Extended permit durations. In some categories, residence permits may be issued for up to five years (previously shorter), reducing the frequency of renewal applications.
• Digital nomads and remote workers. The single permit regime does not apply to digital nomads who work remotely for non-Greek employers. Digital nomad visas are governed by separate provisions, and those applicants should consult the specific digital nomad visa category rather than the single permit pathway.

This article reflects the law as of June 1, 2026. Implementing ministerial decisions and updated e-portal guides may be published after the law’s enactment, and applicants should verify the latest procedural requirements on the Ministry of Migration & Asylum website and the gov.gr portal before submitting any application.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Missing or expired apostilles. Criminal record certificates and educational documents frequently arrive without the required apostille or with an expired legalisation. Begin the apostille process at least six weeks before the consular appointment.
• Inconsistent contract details. The salary, job title, and contract duration stated in the employer’s electronic authorisation must exactly match the employment contract submitted at the consulate. Any discrepancy may result in a request for clarification or outright refusal.
• Late consular booking. Consulates in high-demand countries may have appointment backlogs of four to eight weeks. Book the appointment as soon as the employer’s e-file ID is confirmed, not after all documents are finalised.
• Relying on tourist entry. Entering Greece on a short-stay C visa or visa-free entry with the intention of applying for a work-based residence permit in-country is no longer permitted under Law 5275/2026 for most employment categories. Doing so risks being classified as an irregular stay.
• Failing to register within 15 days. The post-arrival registration window is strict. Late registration can delay the residence permit file and, in some cases, create complications for employment legality.
• Not saving receipts. Every fee payment (consulate, e-paravolo, translation) generates a receipt that may be requested at a later stage. Maintain a complete file of all originals and digital copies.

If a deadline is missed or a document is rejected, the applicant should seek an expedited appointment with the relevant authority (consulate or police) and engage qualified legal counsel immediately. In some cases, administrative appeals are available, a dedicated guide on fees, timelines, and appeal options for refused single permit applications is planned as a companion resource.

Sources

1. Greek Ministry of Migration & Asylum, Residence Permits
2. gov.gr, Issue a Residence Permit for the First Time
3. European Commission, Single Permit (Residence and Work)
4. Bernitsas Law, Overview of Law 5275/2026
5. PwC Greece, Legalflash on New Immigration Law
6. Ministry of Labour, Work for Third-Country Nationals in Greece
7. KG Law Firm, New Immigration Law Brief
8. Potamitis Vekris, Employment & Social Security Newsletter (Feb 2026)
9. ExpatsGreece, Greece Unifies Visa and Residency Permits