Immigration Law
Legal Support for Residence Permits, Citizenship & Legalization in Greece
Immigration law constitutes one of the most complex and dynamic fields of law, as it regulates critical matters such as lawful entry, residence, employment, and removal of foreign nationals from a country. In Greece, the applicable legislative framework governing third-country nationals is defined by the Immigration Code (Law 5038/2023, as amended, including the latest updates introduced by Law 5275/2026).
Immigration law covers a broad range of areas, including applications for the granting and issuance of residence permits under various categories, family reunification procedures, acquisition of Greek citizenship, as well as asylum and international protection (Law 4636/2019, as amended by Law 4957/2022).
Nexus possesses the necessary experience and expertise to provide targeted, tailor-made legal solutions that fully meet the needs of each client. Given the complexity of administrative procedures, the frequent legislative changes, and the challenges often encountered in communication with public authorities, the assistance of an experienced immigration lawyer is often essential. Proper legal guidance and the timely submission of required documentation are crucial to safeguarding individuals’ rights and, most importantly, to avoiding irregular stay, which may have serious consequences for both the individual and their family members.
Residence Permits for Third-Country Nationals
Law 5038/2023 provides various types of residence permits. Nexus handles initial applications, renewals, and changes of purpose of stay, including permits for employment, studies, family reunification, business activity, and athletic purposes.
Family Reunification & Entry Visas
Legal support in family reunification cases involving spouses or children of Greek or EU citizens, as well as active assistance in obtaining entry visas where required.
Business & Investment Residence Permits
Investment-based residence permits, including the Golden Visa, startup visa, and intra-company transfers for executives of foreign companies operating in Greece. Services also include permits for financially independent persons and digital nomads.
Long-Term Residence Status & EU Citizens
Residence permits for EU/EEA nationals, acquisition of long-term resident status, and handling complex issues relating to employment and residence rights in Greece.
Employment-Based Admission of Third-Country Nationals
Legal support for employer-sponsored admission procedures, enabling the lawful entry and employment of third-country nationals in Greece for dependent or seasonal work, following an employer’s application to cover specific labor needs for a defined period.
Greek Citizenship Procedures
Submission of naturalization applications for third-country nationals and persons of Greek descent, citizenship acquisition through birth or education, determination and recovery of citizenship, and appeals against rejection decisions.
Residence Permits in Greece & Main Legalization Pathways
Greece provides a wide range of residence permit categories for foreign nationals, designed to meet modern social and economic needs while accommodating diverse applicant profiles. These categories ensure that third-country nationals can integrate smoothly into the country’s social and professional environment.
For those wishing to work or study in Greece, residence permits for employment (including both dependent and seasonal work) and study permits are among the most common pathways, provided that the legal requirements are met. At the same time, the legal framework safeguards family unity by enabling family reunification, allowing close relatives to reside legally alongside family members already living in Greece.
Beyond traditional categories, Greece has developed specialized schemes aimed at attracting investment and talent, including residence permits for researchers and corporate executives. The highly attractive and evolving Golden Visa program grants permanent residence to investors in real estate or capital, offering significant benefits for both applicants and their family members.
In response to modern trends, Greece also offers residence options for digital nomads, allowing third-country nationals to work remotely, as well as opportunities to invest in innovative startups through the startup visa scheme. Additionally, tailored residence schemes are available for financially independent individuals who can demonstrate sufficient resources and wish to relocate to Greece. Finally, taking into account the continuously increasing demand for workforce, the legislator further strengthens the institution of employment-based admission, granting employers the ability to effectively address existing gaps in the labor market.
Choosing the appropriate legal basis for submitting an application is not merely a procedural step—it is the most critical decision in the process. At this stage, our team provides comprehensive and substantive legal support, guiding clients clearly through each step of the procedure. We thoroughly analyze each stage and propose the most effective and advantageous solutions.
Equally important is ensuring that clients have a complete understanding of the procedures, required documentation, and estimated processing timelines, in order to achieve the best possible outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does immigration law in Greece include?
Immigration Law in Greece is the legal framework that sets the conditions for the entry, residence and activity of foreign nationals in the country. It is a broad area of law that also governs legal employment, family reunification with persons already legally residing in Greece, international protection (asylum) procedures and the requirements for acquiring Greek citizenship.
Who needs a residence permit in Greece?
Third-country (non-EU) nationals who wish to stay in Greece beyond the period permitted on their initial entry need a residence permit, unless they fall under specific legal exemptions. The right permit category is closely linked to the purpose of stay (e.g. work, studies, investment).
How can I get a work residence permit in Greece?
The granting of a residence permit for work depends on the type of professional activity, the applicant's educational and professional background, their nationality and the legislation in force at the time of application.
What documents are required for a residence permit?
The required documents vary depending on the type of residence permit and the applicant's profile (for example age, or whether they are the main applicant or a family member).
How do you renew a residence permit in Greece?
Residence permit renewals are carried out online. The required documents vary depending on the residence permit category.
How does the family reunification process work in Greece?
Family reunification is available to the legally defined family members of a recognised refugee or a third-country national legally residing in Greece. The application is submitted by the sponsor to the competent authorities. The requirements vary depending on the sponsor's legal status, which makes careful preparation of the application file and strict compliance with legal deadlines decisive for the outcome.
How can I obtain Greek citizenship through naturalisation?
A foreign national who has completed the required period of legal and continuous residence in Greece can apply for naturalisation. The prerequisites are passing the written examinations for the relevant Certificate, as well as submitting documents proving the applicant's economic and social integration into Greek society.
When do I need an immigration lawyer?
The help of an immigration lawyer is essential in complex cases (for example investment-based residence or family reunification) to avoid mistakes or an incomplete application, in cases of rejection decisions, or when changing the purpose of stay (switching to another permit category).