Nearly 5,000 applications have been submitted for a new type of work permit designed for third-country nationals, according to the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum.
As of March 1st, 2024, a total of 4,790 applications were received for the "blue card" residence permit, which allows third-country citizens to work legally in Greece. This comes after the launch of a dedicated online platform on February 9th, which has seen over 10,000 visits in less than a month.
"We are pleased with the pace of applications and processing," said Immigration and Asylum Minister Dimitris Kairidis. "This initiative provides legal work opportunities for foreigners who have resided in Greece for years, and helps regulate the labour market."
The new permit is available to third-country nationals who meet specific criteria:
- They must have a documented job offer from a Greek employer or a declaration to start a profession as a self-employed individual.
- They must have resided in Greece until November 30th, 2023, with at least three consecutive years of residence prior to applying.
- They must hold a clean criminal record, possess valid personal documents, and meet additional public security requirements.
Currently, 828 applicants have already received their blue cards, while the remaining 3,952 applications are under review.
(Source: Amna)
