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

1. Is Greece right for you? The Metaklisi system explained

If you live in Morocco and want to work legally in Greece in a trade like construction, agriculture, or hospitality, you must follow a specific legal process. Greece does not allow foreign workers to show up on a tourist visa and search for a job. Instead, the country uses an employer-led authorization process known as Metaklisi (μετάκληση). Under this system, a Greek employer must officially request you by name through their local regional government before you can apply for your visa in Morocco.

Before you spend time and money on this process, you need a clear reality check. Greece has real shortages in manual and skilled trades, but its official quota process can move slowly. Greek authorities set official worker quotas (Metaklisi limits) every two years. Because of bureaucratic steps in Greece, getting your final authorization can take several months. If you need to relocate quickly, other European destinations like Spain or Italy have larger annual quotas and more direct bilateral channels with Morocco. However, if you have a Greek employer willing to sponsor you, the legal route to Greece is clear and fully accessible.

2. Documents and Apostille legalisation in Morocco

Once a Greek employer secures approval for your employment, you must gather your personal and professional documents in Morocco. Greece requires strict legalisation to prove your Moroccan documents are authentic. Because both Morocco and Greece are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, you do not need full embassy attestation. Instead, you must get an official Apostille stamp on public documents from the local Moroccan authorities, such as the court or district administrative office (Caïdat or Prefecture).

• Valid Moroccan passport: Must have at least two blank pages and remain valid for at least three months beyond your planned visa expiration date.
• Official employment contract: Must be signed by your employer in Greece and stamped by the Greek Decentralized Administration (Apokentromeni Dioikisi).
• Police clearance record: Your official Moroccan criminal record certificate (Extrait du casier judiciaire or Fiche d'anthropométrie) showing no criminal record. This must have an Apostille stamp.
• Medical certificate: Issued by a licensed doctor in Morocco, stating that you do not suffer from any contagious diseases listed under international health regulations. This document also requires an Apostille stamp.
• Official translations: All Moroccan public documents issued in Arabic or French must be translated into Greek or English by a certified court translator.
• Proof of qualifications: Certificates, vocational diplomas, or reference letters proving your work history in your specific trade.
• Health insurance cover: Travel medical insurance covering initial medical emergencies until you register with the Greek national health authority (EFKA).

You will submit these documents in person along with your biometric data (fingerprints and photo) at the Greece embassy or visa application centre serving Morocco, located in cities like Rabat or Casablanca.

3. Real costs, timelines, and avoiding agency scams

Moving to Europe requires advance planning for fees and personal expenses. You must know what the official fees are, what you will spend on preparations in Morocco, and who is responsible for each payment.

• Official visa fee: The Greek National Work Visa (Type D) application fee is set by Greece and typically ranges from approximately 75 euros to 180 euros. The visa service centre in Morocco will also charge a small administrative service fee of approximately 300 MAD to 600 MAD.
• Document legalisation and translation: Preparing your police clearance, medical records, official translations, and Moroccan Apostille stamps will cost approximately 800 MAD to 1,800 MAD (approximately 75 euros to 170 euros) depending on the number of pages.
• Medical check and insurance: The medical exam and initial travel insurance in Morocco generally cost between 500 MAD and 1,200 MAD (approximately 45 euros to 110 euros).
• Travel to Greece: A one-way flight from Morocco to Greece typically costs approximately 2,000 MAD to 4,500 MAD (approximately 190 euros to 420 euros). Many reputable employers cover or reimburse this flight, but you should clarify this in writing.
• Processing timeline: The total wait time from when your employer files the initial Metaklisi request in Greece to when you receive your visa in Morocco usually ranges from approximately 2 to 6 months.

Under Greek and European labor standards, employers carry the costs of recruiting staff. No employer, agency, or middleman in Morocco or Greece may legally charge you money for a job offer, visa allocation, or contract. Be extremely cautious if anyone in Morocco asks for thousands of dirhams as a guarantee fee or processing charge. These are almost always scams targeting workers looking for opportunities abroad.

4. Trades genuinely hiring in Greece right now

Greece relies on international labor to support major national industries, particularly during peak operating seasons.

• Agriculture and harvesting: Agricultural farms across regions like Peloponnese and Crete depend on foreign workers to cultivate and harvest olives, citrus fruits, and greenhouse produce.
• Hospitality and tourism: Coastal resorts and island hotels regularly hire foreign kitchen staff, maintenance technicians, drivers, and cleaners to handle high summer tourist numbers.
• Construction and skilled trades: Building contractors active in urban development and infrastructure projects seek welders, formwork carpenters, bricklayers, and heavy machinery operators.

5. Myths vs facts

There is a lot of bad advice on social media about working in Europe. Here are the facts about moving from Morocco to Greece.

• Myth: You can enter Greece on a tourist visa and start working immediately.
  Fact: Working on a short-stay Schengen tourist visa is completely illegal in Greece. You must receive an approved employment authorization and apply for a National Type D Work Visa in Morocco before you travel.
• Myth: You must pay a private broker in Morocco to get a Greek work permit quota spot.
  Fact: Work quotas are allocated through official Greek regional administrations directly to registered employers. Private brokers cannot buy or guarantee quotas, and charging workers for job placements is illegal.
• Myth: You need a university degree to get a legal work permit in Greece.
  Fact: Greece grants work authorization for manual and skilled trades based on your practical experience, vocational training, and a binding contract from an employer.
• Myth: Seasonal agricultural workers can stay in Greece indefinitely.
  Fact: Seasonal work visas in Greece permit work for a specific duration, usually up to 9 months per period, after which you must return to Morocco unless your visa permits a transition to long-term status.

6. Before you sign

Protect yourself and your legal status by completing this verification checklist before making travel plans or signing an offer:

• Check employer authorization: Confirm that your employer has sent you a copy of the official Metaklisi approval letter from the Greek Decentralized Administration.
• Review wage and housing terms: Verify that your employment contract clearly states your exact gross salary, weekly working hours, overtime terms, and details about provided accommodation.
• Verify document Apostilles: Ensure your Moroccan police record and medical certificate have received the official Apostille stamp from Moroccan courts before submitting them for translation.
• Confirm zero upfront fees: Double-check that you have not paid any money to a recruiter, agent, or middleman for the job contract itself.
• Inspect passport details: Check that your passport name matches your Greek work authorization document exactly to prevent visa processing delays.

7. Build your Workuro profile today

If you want European employers to find you legally, make sure your professional details are organized and up to date. Set up your Workuro profile to showcase your trade skills, whether you work in construction, agriculture, hospitality, logistics, or driver services. Add your practical work history, list any vocational certificates you hold in Morocco, and state your language abilities in French, Arabic, English, or basic Greek. Make sure to indicate if your Moroccan passport, police clearance, and medical records are ready for Apostille legalisation. Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.