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

Understanding how to apply for the Talent & Tech visa in Greece is now essential for any employer, HR professional or specialist hire planning a relocation under the country’s reformed immigration framework. Law 5275/2026 (FEK A’ 17, published 6 February 2026) introduced two dedicated visa categories, the Tech Visa (Z.13A) and the Talent Visa (Z.15), each with distinct eligibility criteria, employer pre-approval obligations and a statutory 90-day processing target for complete applications. This guide maps the full procedure from employer registration through to residence-card issuance, sets out every document required, and explains the deadlines and costs that applicants and sponsors must plan for in the Talent visa Greece 2026 landscape.

Overview of the Process and Who It Applies To

Law 5275/2026 created two parallel routes for non-EU nationals with specialist skills. Choosing the correct route is the first decision applicants and sponsors need to make.

• Tech Visa (Z.13A). Designed for non-EU employees recruited by technology and innovation-driven companies. The sponsoring employer must be registered on the Elevate Greece national startup registry before the visa application is filed. The visa is employer-dependent: the hire must work exclusively for the registered sponsor.
• Talent Visa (Z.15). A national visa valid for up to 12 months, aimed at highly educated professionals, holders of at least a Master’s degree, PhD or postdoctoral qualification from recognised institutions, who wish to seek employment, develop a professional activity or undertake a project in Greece. The Z.15 route is individual-focused and does not require employer pre-registration on Elevate Greece, though a contract or invitation may still be needed to evidence purpose.

Both categories were established by Law 5275/2026 and are administered by the Ministry of Migration & Asylum. Applicants who do not meet either set of criteria may wish to consider the Single Permit procedure or the EU Blue Card route for highly qualified workers in Greece.

Eligibility and Talent & Tech Visa Requirements

The eligibility criteria differ materially between the two routes. Both require a clean criminal record, valid health insurance and a passport with adequate remaining validity. Beyond those common prerequisites, the requirements diverge.

Tech Visa (Z.13A), Eligibility Checklist

• Elevate Greece employer registration. The sponsoring company must hold a current registration on the Elevate Greece platform. This is a mandatory pre-condition, applications filed without proof of employer registration will not proceed.
• Binding employment contract. A signed contract or binding offer specifying the role, gross salary, start date and duration. The contract must reference the employer’s Elevate Greece registration.
• Relevant qualifications or professional experience. The candidate should hold qualifications or demonstrable expertise aligned with the role. Regulated professions require a valid sectoral licence.
• Exclusive employment. The Tech Visa binds the holder to the sponsoring employer for the visa’s duration.

Talent Visa (Z.15), Eligibility Checklist

• Advanced academic credentials. At minimum a Master’s degree, PhD or postdoctoral qualification from an institution appearing on at least two recognised international university rankings.
• Evidence of purpose. A contract, consultancy agreement, research appointment or detailed project description demonstrating the applicant’s intended activity in Greece.
• Professional portfolio. CV, references, published work or equivalent evidence of the candidate’s specialist standing, particularly important where work experience substitutes for formal qualifications.
• Financial means. Proof of adequate financial resources or an employer guarantee covering the stay.
• Health insurance. Coverage valid for the full intended period of stay.
• Clean criminal record. Certificate from the applicant’s home country, apostilled and translated in accordance with Ministry of Justice guidance.

For a broader overview of employer obligations and penalty exposure under the reformed framework, see the immigration compliance guide for Greece.

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

The application process follows a sequential workflow. Each step below identifies who acts, what must be delivered and the typical time required. The mandatory timeline table at the end of this section consolidates the full sequence.

Step 1, Employer Pre-Approval and Elevate Greece Registration

Who acts: Employer / HR / legal team.

1. The sponsoring company registers on the Elevate Greece platform by uploading its incorporation documents, VAT/AFM registration and evidence of innovation or technology activity.
2. Once registration is confirmed, the employer receives a registration reference and can generate an official proof-of-registration document (screenshot or PDF). This proof must be included in every Tech Visa (Z.13A) application.
3. Talent Visa (Z.15) sponsors do not require Elevate Greece registration but should prepare a formal invitation or contract for the applicant’s file.
4. Employers considering Tech Visa sponsorship for the first time should allow 1–14 days for the registration process, depending on the completeness of their company documentation. For founders exploring incorporation options, see how to start a business in Greece as a foreigner.

Step 2, Prepare the Employment Contract and Applicant Dossier

Who acts: Employer and applicant (jointly).

1. The employer drafts and signs a binding employment contract. The contract must state the role title, gross salary, start date, duration, work location and social-security obligations. For Tech Visa applications, it must also reference the employer’s Elevate Greece registration number.
2. The applicant assembles the personal dossier: academic diplomas (certified copies with apostille where applicable, translated into Greek or English), CV and professional references, a criminal record certificate from the home country (apostilled and translated per police clearance requirements), medical or travel health insurance and biometric passport photographs.
3. All foreign-language documents must be translated by a certified translator and, where required, carry a Hague Apostille or equivalent legalisation. Translation and apostille timelines typically drive the overall document-preparation window, allow 2–6 weeks.

Step 3, File the National Visa (Type D) Application or Digital Submission

Who acts: Applicant, with employer support.

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

Step 4, Ministry Processing and the 90-Day Statutory Target

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

1. Once the Ministry receives a complete application file, 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 found to be incomplete, the Ministry may request supplementary documents. This pauses the 90-day clock until the missing items are supplied, effectively resetting the timeline for the applicant.
3. The Ministry assesses eligibility, verifies employer status (including Elevate Greece registration for Tech Visa cases) and, where applicable, evaluates the candidate’s qualifications against the relevant thresholds.
4. A decision is communicated to the applicant or their authorised representative. Approval allows the applicant to proceed to entry and residence-card registration.

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

Who acts: Applicant / local 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 4–12 weeks after the biometric appointment, though processing times vary by region.
4. The employer must simultaneously register the employee for Greek payroll, social security (EFKA) and tax purposes. Obtaining an AFM number is an essential early step.

At-a-Glance Timeline Table

Documents Needed for the Talent & Tech Visa in Greece

An incomplete application file is the single most common cause of processing delays, because missing documents pause the statutory 90-day decision clock. The table below provides an action-ready checklist of the documents needed for a Talent visa Greece 2026 or Tech Visa application.

Applicants are strongly advised to prepare certified translations and apostilles early, these are frequently the bottleneck that delays the entire filing. For detailed guidance on obtaining criminal record certificates, see how to get police clearance in Greece.

Talent & Tech Visa Processing Time: Timeline and Key Deadlines

The Talent & Tech visa processing time is governed by a combination of statutory rules and practical realities. Understanding both is critical to realistic project planning.

Law 5275/2026 introduced a statutory target of 90 days for the Ministry of Migration & Asylum to decide on a complete application. The clock starts when every required document is in the Ministry’s hands. If the file is incomplete, the Ministry may request supplementary documents, this pauses the clock until the missing items are supplied and effectively restarts the waiting period.

Calendar example. An employer completes Elevate Greece registration on Day 1. The candidate assembles and certifies all documents by Day 28. The application is filed at the consulate on Day 29. Consular processing takes 4 weeks (to Day 57). The complete file reaches the Ministry on Day 57. The statutory 90-day target runs from Day 57 to approximately Day 147. The candidate enters Greece shortly after approval and must register for biometrics within 90 days of arrival. Residence card issuance follows 4–12 weeks later.

Key deadline risks to manage:

• Elevate Greece registration must precede the Tech Visa filing, treat this as the first milestone in any employer-sponsored case.
• Consular appointment backlogs, book appointments 4–10 weeks in advance, especially at high-volume missions.
• Post-arrival registration, failure to register for biometrics within 90 days of entry may result in administrative penalties and complications for subsequent permit applications.

Costs, Fees and Tax Considerations

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 should engage a Greek payroll advisor before the employee’s start date to ensure timely AFM registration and EFKA enrolment, avoiding retroactive liabilities.

What Changes 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 how to apply for the Talent & Tech visa in Greece:

• 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 as a gatekeeper. Employers sponsoring Tech Visa hires must be registered on the Elevate Greece startup registry. This formalises a link between innovation policy and immigration, employers must complete registration before filing any sponsorship application.
• Statutory 90-day processing target. The law introduced a target of 90 days for the Ministry of Migration & Asylum to decide on a complete application. Industry observers expect this clock to improve processing predictability, although practical timelines may still vary during the initial implementation period.
• Expanded digital filing. Law 5275/2026 broadened digital pre-approval and application channels. The likely practical effect will be a gradual shift from exclusively paper-based consular filings to hybrid or fully 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 incorporating biometric data capture, aligned with EU standards.

For the broader impact of Law 5275/2026, including penalty increases, the reformed five-year residence permit pathway and updated family reunification rules, see the dedicated guides.

Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them

• Missing Elevate Greece registration proof (Tech Visa). Filing without confirmed employer registration is the most common procedural failure. Employers must complete the Elevate Greece process before any visa application is submitted.
• Incomplete application file. Un-apostilled criminal records, untranslated diplomas or missing insurance documents will cause the Ministry to request supplements, pausing the 90-day clock and delaying the decision.
• Non-compliant contract wording. Contracts that omit salary, duration or the Elevate Greece registration reference (Tech Visa) may be rejected. Have employment contracts reviewed against Ministry requirements before signing.
• Failure to register employee with AFM/EFKA after arrival. The employer must register the worker with Greek tax authorities and social security upon commencement of employment. Non-compliance creates employer liability and may affect the employee’s immigration status.
• Ignoring regulated-profession licence requirements. If the role requires a sectoral licence (e.g., healthcare, engineering), the applicant must hold and submit a certified copy. Omitting this will delay or block the application.
• Late biometric registration. Failing to register for biometrics within 90 days of arrival may trigger administrative penalties and complicate future permit renewals.
• 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 and filing fees.

Conclusion

Knowing how to apply for the Talent & Tech visa in Greece under Law 5275/2026 requires careful coordination between employer and applicant across a defined sequence: Elevate Greece registration (for Tech Visa sponsors), document assembly, consular or digital filing, and post-entry biometric registration. The statutory 90-day decision target gives the process clearer structure than predecessor regimes, but incomplete files, missing apostilles and late registrations remain the primary sources of delay. Applicants and employers who invest in thorough preparation before filing, using this checklist and timeline as a reference, will be best positioned to benefit from the streamlined procedure. For complex cases, first-time employer sponsorship or family-related immigration, professional immigration advice should be obtained early in the process.

Sources

1. Hellenic Parliament, Law 5275/2026 (FEK A’ 17 / 06.02.2026)
2. Ministry of Migration & Asylum, Official Guidance and Application Portals
3. Elevate Greece, National Startup Registry
4. Gov.gr, Government Gazette (FEK) Publication Portal
5. Ministry of Justice, Criminal Record Issuance and Legalisation Guidance
6. European Commission, EU Immigration Portal: Highly Qualified Worker in Greece