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The draft bill, presented by Migration Minister Thanos Plevris , introduces longer-term and automatically renewable residence permits for key migrant categories, including labor migrants, family-reunification entrants, and self-sufficient residents. At the same time, strict safeguards for public order and security are preserved.
As of today, Greece has 510,000 active residence permits on record, with 290,000 applications pending; roughly half are requests to renew existing permits.
The draft law creates new visa categories for highly skilled workers, scientific researchers, visiting professors, and students. It also provides for a longer validity period for European Union Blue Cards intended for narrowly specialized professionals.
Fast-track procedures will prioritize personnel on major investments, with future legislation allowing staff-leasing firms to serve as official employers.
Foreign students will receive residence permits valid for the duration of their academic programs. They will be allowed to work part-time and will have a one-year period after graduation to seek full-time employment.
To facilitate labor mobility and curb irregular entry, the government plans to conclude bilateral agreements with foreign countries.
Individuals granted asylum (estimated at 20,000 per year) will be integrated into the workforce. This will be accompanied by adjustments to social benefits and the introduction of mandatory Greek-language and job training programs.
Long-term residents will gain expanded rights to obtain permanent residence, and family members of Greek citizens will once again be eligible for resident cards.
The bill envisions broader capacity to process residence permit applications outside an applicant’s local office. The goal is to reduce delays and optimize a system in which prolonged backlogs have often forced cases to be restarted.
The bill is in the final stage of review at the ministry. It is expected to be released for public consultation immediately, with a parliamentary vote scheduled for October of this year.
Source: Ekathimerini
