How to Hire Welders from Abroad in Greece (2026 Guide)

7 min

The welder shortage in Greece and whether hiring abroad works

Greece faces a structural deficit of skilled industrial workers, particularly certified welders. The resurgence of the domestic shipbuilding and repair industry in the Perama, Elefsina, and Skaramangas zones, alongside expanding infrastructure projects, energy corridors in Thrace, and manufacturing hubs in Oinofyta and Sindos, has driven up local demand. At the same time, many experienced Greek welders moved to northern Europe over the past decade, leaving a thin talent pool at home.

Hiring welders from outside the EU is becoming a standard option for Greek employers, but it is not a quick fix. Greek immigration procedures for non-EU nationals involve significant bureaucracy and rigid administrative steps. If you need a welder to start on a site next month, recruitment from abroad will not solve your immediate problem. However, if you are planning workforce needs 6 to 9 months ahead for major contracts or long-term shipyard capacity, non-EU recruitment offers a predictable supply of skilled trade personnel.

Employers in Greece typically handle shortages through three main routes: relying on local subcontractors (which carries high day-rates), recruiting candidates from non-EU Balkan neighbours like Albania or North Macedonia who may already have historical ties to the domestic labor market, or sourcing certified welders from third countries such as Egypt, India, or the Philippines through formal entry permits.

The legal pathway: Metaklisi and the Greek immigration framework

The formal system for bringing a non-EU skilled worker to Greece is called metaklisi (invitation of foreign labor for dependent employment). This process is regulated under the Greek Migration Code (Law 5038/2023 and subsequent updates) and managed by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum alongside regional Decentralized Administrations (Apokentromeni Dioikisi).

The metaklisi system operates through a national quota framework established via a Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) issued every two years. This decision sets out the maximum number of job positions opened to non-EU citizens by region and trade qualification. Here is how the legal process works step by step:

Quota verification: The employer checks whether the relevant Decentralized Administration (for example, Attica or Macedonia-Thrace) has available quota seats for industrial or construction workers under dependent employment.
Employer application: The employer files an application with the Decentralized Administration responsible for their business location. The application must include the employer's tax registration numbers, proof of business activity, a draft employment contract offering at least the statutory wage standards, and proof of suitable housing for the candidate.
Approval and transfer to embassy: Once the Decentralized Administration approves the invitation, the document is transmitted to the Greek Embassy or Consulate in the worker's home country.
Consular visa processing: The worker attends an interview at the Greek Embassy or Consulate, submits police clearance, medical test results, and their trade credentials, and receives an entry visa (Type D long-stay visa for employment).
Entry and residence permit: Upon arrival in Greece, the worker registers with the local immigration office to receive a Single Permit (Adeia Diamonis) combining work and residence authorization.

Because immigration rules, quota releases, and administrative procedures change frequently, employers should verify current requirements directly with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum or a specialized Greek immigration attorney before beginning the process.

Realistic timeline from decision to arrival

Employers frequently underestimate the time required to complete the Greek metaklisi procedure. You should budget for a realistic window of 5 to 9 months from the day you sign an agreement with a foreign candidate to the day they report to your site or yard.

Step 1: Quota check and application preparation (3 to 6 weeks): Gathering tax documents, drafting employment contracts, verifying regional quota availability, and submitting the employer request to the Decentralized Administration.
Step 2: Decentralized Administration processing (2 to 4 months): Local authorities review the employer application and issue the formal act of approval. Processing speed varies widely between regional offices.
Step 3: Consular appointment and visa issuance (2 to 3 months): Document verification, health checks, background clearance, and visa endorsement at the Greek Consulate in the country of origin.
Step 4: Travel, onboarding, and tax registration (2 to 3 weeks): Flight arrangements, obtaining a Greek tax number (AFM), registering with the ERGANI labor tracking system, and enrolling in social security (EFKA).

Employer obligations: Pay, working hours, housing, and certification

Greek labor laws enforce strict statutory floors and administrative requirements for foreign personnel brought in under the metaklisi scheme. Your legal commitments include:

Pay standards: The minimum pay must meet or exceed the national statutory minimum wage or the applicable sectoral Collective Labor Agreement (Syllogiki Svmvasi Ergasias). For qualified welders working in heavy industry, metal structures, or ship repair, market rates are substantially higher than the basic minimum wage. Gross monthly pay typically ranges between €1,100 and €1,900 depending on specialized certifications (such as GTAW/TIG or 6G pipe welding). In Greece, private sector employees receive 14 monthly payments per year (including Christmas, Easter, and summer bonuses).
Labor system registration: Before the worker begins their first shift, they must be registered in ERGANI, the digital labor declaration system operated by the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. Working hours, shift schedules, and overtime must be logged strictly in accordance with Greek labor law.
Housing obligations: Under the metaklisi regulations, the employer must demonstrate that the worker will have access to adequate housing that meets health and safety standards. In practice, employers operating in specialized zones like Perama, Elefsina, or regional infrastructure projects often secure and pay for shared accommodation during the initial contract period.
Qualification standards and ISO certification: While formal registration of trades in Greece falls under the Ministry of Development, industrial buyers and shipyard operators require recognized technical standards. Welders must hold valid welder performance qualification certificates under international standards, primarily EN ISO 9606-1 (for steel) or EN ISO 9606-2 (for aluminum). Employers usually re-test candidates on site using standard test coupons inspected by certified non-destructive testing (NDT) personnel before putting them on critical jobs.

What this costs you, roughly

The upfront financial commitment to hire a non-EU welder includes mandatory state fees, administrative overhead, travel, and initial setup costs. Below is an estimated cost breakdown per worker:

State administrative fees (Paravolo): €200 for the employer metaklisi application fee paid to the Greek state.
Consular visa fee: €150 paid during the consular stage.
Document translation and legalization: €100 to €300 for official translations of trade certificates and personal documents into Greek via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Certified Translators service.
Travel costs: €300 to €800 for airfare from the worker's home country to Athens or Thessaloniki.
Initial housing and setup allowance: €400 to €1,000 for securing initial rental accommodation or providing a temporary allowance.
On-site testing and NDT certification: €200 to €500 per welder for testing coupons and third-party inspection agencies on site.

Recruitment integrity and avoiding worker exploitation

Legitimate employers in Greece strictly adhere to ethical hiring practices. A legitimate employer never requires a candidate to pay for their employment contract, visa application, travel arrangements, or recruitment costs. Under Greek labor law and international standards set by the International Labour Organization (ILO), charging workers recruitment fees is illegal.

Employers who engage with unverified third-party recruiters that charge candidates risk severe legal liabilities under human trafficking laws and labor inspection penalties from the Labor Inspectorate (SEPE). Furthermore, workers who arrive burdened by illegal recruiter debts face financial stress that compromises safety and performance on site. Ensuring that your hiring channels are direct and transparent protects both the worker and your business from legal liability.

Sourcing welders directly on the Workuro registry

Finding foreign welders who are actually interested in moving to Greece can be a challenge. Workuro provides an open registry where workers abroad publish their trade profiles, work experience, standard certifications (such as ISO 9606-1), and stated country preferences, including Greece.

As an employer, site manager, or HR lead in Greece, you can search the registry directly to review candidate backgrounds and contact them without intermediary recruitment agents. Workuro charges no per-hire fees and takes no commission on placement; employers pay only for access to the registry and manage their own hiring decisions and visa filings.

The Workuro registry is young and still growing, meaning candidate pools vary by trade and region. It is designed as a practical tool for Greek companies taking control of their international hiring pipeline and dealing directly with skilled trade professionals.