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

Reality check: Moving from Kenya to Greece for work

If you are a Kenyan worker skilled in construction, farming, hospitality, or warehouse logistics, finding an employer in Greece is possible, but you must know the true picture before spending any money. Greece has a legal framework for non-EU workers, but the process is heavily bureaucratic, controlled by national quotas, and often moves slowly. If you do not have a confirmed employer who is willing to file legal paperwork on your behalf in Greece, you cannot simply apply for a work visa from Nairobi.

Because Greece processes work permits through a strict employer-led approval system called metaklisi, processing times can take several months. If you need to start working abroad quickly, countries like Poland, Croatia, or Romania currently offer higher volumes of work permits and faster processing for Kenyan trade workers. However, if a legitimate Greek company wants to hire you directly, there is a clear, legal pathway to follow.

The visa route and application process in Kenya

To work legally in Greece as a Kenyan national, you cannot use a tourist visa or a short-stay Schengen visa. You must obtain a National Work Visa, officially known as a Type D Visa for employment (Exartiti Ergasia for dependent paid employment, or Epochiki Ergasia for seasonal work).

The most important rule to remember is that you cannot start this application by yourself. The employer in Greece must apply first.

• Step 1: Employer pre-approval (Metaklisi) - Your Greek employer submits a formal request to the local Decentralized Administration (Apokentromeni Dioikisi) in Greece, proving that the job post could not be filled locally and that they offer you a standard contract.
• Step 2: Regional approval letter - Once the Greek authorities approve the request, they send an official approval document directly to the Greek embassy serving Kenya.
• Step 3: Visa application in Nairobi - Only after the approval arrives in Kenya can you book your appointment and submit your Type D visa application at the Embassy of Greece in Nairobi or its official visa application centre.
• Step 4: Residence permit in Greece - After arriving in Greece on your Type D visa, you must apply for your physical residence permit (Adeia Diamonis) before your entry visa expires.

Documents, legalisation, and real costs

Kenyan nationals must present specific documents, several of which require legalisation before the embassy will accept them. Never pay third-party agents who claim they can submit paperwork without your physical presence, as you must attend in person to submit biometrics.

• Valid Kenyan Passport - Must have at least two blank pages and be valid for at least three months beyond your planned stay in Greece.
• Signed Employment Contract - A binding job offer from a registered Greek employer stating your job title, working hours, and wage.
• DCI Police Clearance Certificate - An official Certificate of Good Conduct issued by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations in Kenya. Approximately KSh 1,050 (about 7 euros) via eCitizen.
• Medical Fitness Certificate - A health check from an approved medical clinic in Kenya proving you do not carry infectious diseases. Approximately KSh 5,000 to KSh 15,000 (about 35 to 100 euros).
• Document Legalisation - Your police clearance and medical documents must be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) in Nairobi and certified by the Greek Embassy. Approximately KSh 2,000 to KSh 6,000 (about 15 to 40 euros).
• Official Visa Fee - The official Greek Type D National Visa fee is set by Greece and is approximately 150 euros (around KSh 21,000 to KSh 23,000). Embassy processing time typically takes approximately 3 to 8 weeks after your employer's pre-approval is verified.
• Flight and Travel Preparation - A one-way flight from Nairobi to Athens costs approximately KSh 55,000 to KSh 95,000 (about 380 to 650 euros), which legitimate employers often cover or advance.

In-demand trades and avoiding recruitment scams

While general job quotas are tight, Greek industries frequently recruit international workers for specific essential roles:

• Agricultural and farm work - Greek fruit orchards and olive farms require seasonal and contract workers for harvest, crop care, and packing.
• Hospitality and tourism staff - Hotels, resorts, and restaurants across the Greek islands and mainland seek kitchen helpers, housekeepers, and maintenance staff during peak seasons.
• Construction and skilled trades - Infrastructure and building projects across Greece hire experienced welders, carpenters, heavy equipment operators, and general builders.

Under Greek labor regulations and European Union guidelines, no recruitment agency or employer is permitted to charge a job seeker a fee in exchange for securing an employment contract. The costs of employer pre-approval, regional taxes in Greece, and recruitment agency fees belong entirely to the employer. Beware of fraudulent agents in Kenya who demand payments ranging from KSh 100,000 to KSh 300,000 for fake visa guarantees.

Myths vs facts

• Myth: You can fly to Athens on a tourist visa and start working legally the next day.
  Fact: Working on a tourist visa is strictly illegal in Greece and can lead to immediate deportation, fines, and a multi-year ban from the Schengen zone.
• Myth: A Kenyan agency can issue a Greek work visa directly from Nairobi without an employer in Greece.
  Fact: A visa can only be granted after a registered Greek employer submits an application to Greek local government authorities and gets official pre-approval.
• Myth: You must pay thousands of euros to an agent to cover your Greek work permit paperwork.
  Fact: Greek employers are legally required to cover their own filing fees in Greece, and European rules forbid charging workers placement fees.
• Myth: You do not need any official document legalisation if you have a signed job offer.
  Fact: Greek authorities require your Kenyan background checks and medical records to be legalised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi.

Before you sign

Before accepting an offer or handing over your documents, complete this mandatory safety checklist:

• Verify the employer - Ensure the company is a legally registered business in Greece with verifiable contact details.
• Check for metaklisi pre-approval - Confirm that the employer has submitted your details to the Decentralized Administration in Greece and received an official reference number.
• Review your contract terms - Ensure your contract clearly states your job role, working hours, basic salary, accommodation provisions, and rest days.
• Prepare legalised documents - Get your DCI Police Clearance Certificate updated and legalised at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi.
• Keep your original documents - Never give your original passport or credentials to an agent or recruiter; only present them yourself at the official embassy appointment.

Set up your Workuro profile today

To make sure European employers can find you for genuine job openings, keep your profile complete and accurate. Enter your specific trade credentials, list your exact skills like welding, heavy vehicle driving, or agricultural work, indicate your English or basic Greek language level, and upload your updated work history.

When employers search for qualified Kenyan workers, having your documents ready makes the pre-approval process much faster. Workuro is free for workers - employers pay to search the register, and nobody may charge you for a job.