Working in Greece from India: Visa, Permit, Costs (2026)

If you live in India and want to work legally in Europe, Greece is an increasingly active destination. Greece has signed a migration agreement with India to help fill labor shortages in key industries. However, you must follow the official legal process to secure a job and move safely.

This guide explains the exact steps for Indian citizens seeking skilled or manual trade jobs in Greece. It covers the visa system, required documents, real costs, and common scams to avoid.

Is Greece hiring workers from India right now?

Yes, Greece has a genuine demand for foreign workers in specific technical, physical, and service trades. The country relies heavily on international workforce support for several essential industries:

• Construction: Building contractors in Greece hire steel fixers, masons, electricians, and welders for residential and infrastructure projects.
• Agriculture: Large farming operations across rural Greece regularly hire workers for crop harvesting, packing, and general farm maintenance.
• Hospitality and tourism: Hotels and resorts in tourist regions recruit kitchen helpers, room attendants, and maintenance staff for busy seasons.

If you work in these trades, legal opportunities exist. However, you cannot simply buy a tourist visa and search for a job after you land. You must secure a certified employer and complete a legal application from India before traveling.

The Metaklisi process: Who applies first?

To work in Greece legally as a non-EU citizen, you must be hired through a system called Metaklisi (official procedure for inviting foreign workers). This route provides a National Work Visa (Type D) for dependent employment.

You cannot start this process on your own from India. The Greek employer must always apply first. Here is how the sequence works:

• Step 1 - The job offer: A registered Greek employer offers you a formal job contract that meets Greek labor law standards.
• Step 2 - Employer application: The employer submits an application to the local Decentralized Administration (Apokentromeni Dioikisi) in Greece, requesting permission to hire you under the annual worker quota.
• Step 3 - Regional approval: Once approved, the Greek authority sends an official approval letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the relevant embassy.
• Step 4 - Visa application: After approval reaches India, you apply for your Type D National Employment Visa.

Where to submit your application in India

When your employer's approval is granted, you must submit your visa application in India. Applications are processed through official visa application centres or directly through Greek diplomatic missions:

• VFS Global centres: Greece contracts VFS Global to collect visa applications and biometrics in major Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, and Bengaluru.
• Embassy of Greece: Final visa decisions are handled by the Consular Section of the Embassy of Greece in New Delhi.

You must book an appointment, bring your original documents, submit your fingerprints, and complete a brief interview if requested by consular staff.

Required documents and the Apostille rule

Greek consular officials review document packages carefully. Missing stamps or incorrect formats will delay your file. You will need to prepare the following items:

• Valid passport: Your passport must be valid for at least 3 to 6 months beyond your intended stay and have at least two blank pages.
• Signed employment contract: The official contract stamped by the Greek labor authority, showing your wage, hours, and job role.
• Police Clearance Certificate (PCC): Issued by the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Regional Passport Office in India, showing a clear criminal record.
• Medical certificate: A physical health check from an authorized medical clinic stating that you do not carry infectious diseases.
• Proof of qualifications: Trade certificates, diplomas, or official work experience letters proving you can perform the job.
• Travel health insurance: Insurance covering emergency medical treatment for your initial arrival period.

Crucial rule for document legalization: Both India and Greece are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. Your Indian Police Clearance Certificate and official trade certificates must be legalized with an Apostille stamp from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India. Documents without an official MEA Apostille stamp will be rejected by Greek authorities.

Official visa fees and processing times

The official government fees for a Greek National Work Visa (Type D) are set by the Hellenic Republic. You will also pay a service fee to the application center in India.

• Official visa fee: Approximately 150 EUR (around 13,500 to 14,000 INR, depending on the monthly official exchange rate).
• VFS service fee: Approximately 2,000 to 3,000 INR for biometrics and document handling.
• Processing time: Once submitted, visa processing typically takes approximately 1 to 3 months. Plan ahead and do not book non-refundable travel until your visa is stamped in your passport.

Real costs on the India side

In addition to official embassy fees, you need a personal budget to prepare your paperwork in India before departing. Here is a rough breakdown of realistic expenses in Indian Rupees and Euros:

• Police clearance (PCC): Approximately 500 INR (around 5 EUR).
• MEA Apostille & document attestation: Approximately 2,000 to 5,000 INR (around 22 to 55 EUR) depending on agency service fees.
• Medical examination: Approximately 3,000 to 6,000 INR (around 33 to 65 EUR).
• Document translation (if required): Approximately 1,500 to 4,000 INR (around 16 to 45 EUR) for official Greek translations.
• One-way flight to Greece: Approximately 30,000 to 55,000 INR (around 330 to 600 EUR) depending on season and baggage allowance.

Total direct out-of-pocket preparation costs in India usually range between 40,000 INR and 80,000 INR (roughly 450 EUR to 900 EUR). Keep exact receipts for every official payment you make.

Warning on illegal placement fees and scams

Under Greek and European Union regulations, foreign recruitment costs are the legal responsibility of the employer. It is illegal for an agent or employer to sell you a work permit or charge you thousands of Euros for a job placement.

Watch out for common fraudulent practices targeting Indian workers:

• Fake approval letters: Scammers print fake documents using official Greek logos and demand quick money transfers via UPI or Western Union. Always verify approval letters through official embassy channels.
• Processing fee traps: Fake agencies ask for 200,000 to 500,000 INR promising guaranteed visas. No agent can guarantee a visa decision made by the Greek Embassy.
• Tourist visa promises: Never accept an agent's advice to enter Greece on a tourist visa to convert it to a work permit later. This is illegal and leads to deportation.

Myths vs facts

• Myth: You can fly to Greece on a visitor visa and start working immediately.
  Fact: You cannot legally work on a tourist visa. Working without a Type D employment visa leads to arrest, fines, and a multi-year ban from the Schengen Area.
• Myth: An Indian recruitment agency can print your Greek work permit.
  Fact: Work permits are granted exclusively by the Greek government (Decentralized Administration). Agencies in India can only assist with file submission.
• Myth: You must pay your Greek employer for your visa approval.
  Fact: Greek employers pay official regional government fees when filing the Metaklisi request. Demanding large payments from workers violates Greek labor standards.
• Myth: You can work for any company once you land in Greece.
  Fact: Your Type D work visa and initial residence permit are tied directly to the specific employer who sponsored your Metaklisi application.

Before you sign

Before agreeing to an offer or handing over your documents, run through this protective checklist:

• Check contract details: Ensure your full name, passport number, job role, monthly basic wage, working hours, and rest days are clearly written.
• Verify company details: Confirm the Greek company name, tax number (AFM), and physical business address exist online or in official Greek registries.
• Confirm accommodation terms: Check whether your employer provides housing or if housing costs are deducted from your wage.
• Keep original documents: Never hand over your original passport or trade certificates to an agent permanently. Give copies only.
• Verify MEA Apostille: Make sure your PCC has the genuine square MEA Apostille sticker attached before submitting your visa file.

How to show your skills on Workuro

If you want European employers to discover your profile legally, make sure your information is completely accurate. When creating your profile, add details specific to Greece:

• List your exact trade skills (such as MIG welding, heavy vehicle driving, or concrete formwork).
• State clearly that you can provide an MEA-apostilled Police Clearance Certificate.
• Mention any basic English or conversational Greek language skills you possess.
• Upload clear copies of your vocational certificates and former employment reference letters.

Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.