EU Blue Card - residence permit for highly qualified employees
E.1
Greece's EU Blue Card (residence permit type E.1) is for non-EU nationals hired in a highly qualified job. The employer first applies online to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum for approval of the employment; the worker then gets a national (D) visa, enters Greece and applies online for the E.1 permit before the visa expires. The contract must last at least 6 months and pay at least 1.6 times the average gross annual salary in Greece. The permit fee is €150 plus €16 for the card.
Life in Greece
Money
3
Currency
Euro
EUR
Euro
Cost of living
66
Price level · US = 100
World Bank price levels, 2025
Tax
9–44%
Income tax (national)
VAT 24%
2026 scale for employment/pension/business income: 9%, 20%, 26%, 34%, 39% (EUR 40,000-60,000), 44% above EUR 60,000; lower rates for families and under-30s.
Living
1
Happiness
#83 of 145 countries
World Happiness Report 2025
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Who it’s for
Non-EU nationals with a highly qualified job offer from a Greek employer.
Eligibility
Employer approval
The employer must have its request for approval of highly qualified employment granted (Article 27 of Law 5038/2023), which requires a vacancy under the annual admissions volume (Article 26).
Contract and salary
A highly qualified employment contract in Greece of at least 6 months, with the employer's signature certified by a public authority, and a gross annual salary of at least 1.6 times the average gross annual salary in Greece.
Qualifications
Documents proving higher professional qualifications for non-regulated professions, or meeting Presidential Decree 38/2010 for regulated professions.
A sneak peek at what's inside
- Next requirementVisa and documents
- Document checklistCopy of passport with national (D) visa
- FeesResidence permit fee
The full requirements are for members
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- 2 more requirements
- 5 documents
- 4 fees
- 4 steps
- Processing times and conditions
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Official sources
- National Registry of Administrative Public Services - Residence permit for highly qualified employees (E.1) following approval of the employer's request (updated 04/08/2026)
- National Registry of Administrative Public Services - Approval of employment for a highly qualified third-country national (Article 27 of Law 5038/2023)
- EU Immigration Portal - Highly qualified worker in Greece
Other routes to Greece
- Visit & tourismSchengen tourist & business visa
- StudyNational long-stay visa (type D) for studies, followed by a residence permit for studies
- FamilyFamily reunification of third-country nationals
- Investors & entrepreneursNational visa for digital nomads (residence title 'Z.1'), Article 68 of the Migration Code
