FLASH NEWS
Greece changes immigration rules: 90,000 residence permits unblocked
2026-01-18 09:20:48 / BOTA
The Greek government is preparing significant changes to the legal immigration system, aiming to unblock thousands of residence permits, reduce bureaucracy and address labor shortages in the economy. The new draft law by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum is expected to be presented to the Greek Parliament soon, local media report.
According to the authorities, around 90,000 blocked residence permits will be unblocked immediately, while tens of thousands of other applications that currently remain pending are expected to be regularized within two years.
The Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, told APE-MPE that the draft law aims to end years of delays that have created uncertainty for migrants and difficulties for businesses.
What does the draft law provide?
Automatic renewal of residence permits for certain categories of immigrants, especially when they continue to work for the same employer
Permit with a minimum period of two years, to avoid formal loss of legal status due to administrative delays
Re-application for immigrants who have been living legally for over 5 years, whose application was previously rejected for formal reasons
Facilities for immigrants over 65 years old, who have lived and worked in Greece for at least 20 years, allowing them to stay without work obligations, with private health insurance
Currently, around 793,000 legal immigrants live in Greece, while nearly 293,000 applications for residence permits are still pending.
Third-country workers and the economy
The draft law also provides for the acceleration of procedures for bringing in workers from third countries, especially for sectors with a significant labor shortage such as agriculture, construction and tourism. For large projects, the immediate call-up of up to 500 workers will be allowed.
Another innovation is the possibility of changing employers without losing legal status, reducing the risk of exploitation of foreign workers.
In parallel, Greece is strengthening bilateral agreements with countries such as the Philippines, Armenia and Egypt, linking them to cooperation against illegal immigration.
According to the Greek government, the reforms aim to create a clear distinction between legal and illegal immigration, facilitating the legal path for those who work and contribute to the economy, while maintaining a strict approach to violations of the law.
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