Government Moves to Clear Backlog of Residence Permits
The Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum has introduced a new bill aimed at resolving long standing problems in the issuance and renewal of residence permits, reducing bureaucracy, and supporting the country’s need for workers. The proposal arrives at a time when migration is once again central to national and European discussions, with the government emphasizing a clear distinction between legal and illegal migration. Minister of Migration and Asylum Thanos Plevris stated to APE MPE:
"With this new bill on legal migration we are putting an end to long delays and bureaucratic dead ends that troubled workers and businesses."
Current Situation and Expected Impact
Greece currently hosts around 793000 legal migrants, yet approximately 293000 residence permit applications remain pending. These delays have caused significant challenges for applicants, as permits often arrive after they have expired, creating insecurity in employment and social integration. The new measures are expected to immediately unblock around 90000 pending permits, with a similar number anticipated to be resolved within the next 2 years.
Key Provisions of the New Bill
The bill introduces measures designed to support migrants who are already legally residing in the country. Certain types of residence permits will be automatically renewed, particularly when the migrant continues working for the same employer, eliminating the need for repetitive submissions. In addition, every new permit will have a minimum duration of 2 years to ensure that administrative delays do not threaten a migrant’s lawful status.
Support for Long Term Residents
Special provisions apply to migrants who have lived legally in Greece for at least 5 years and previously had applications rejected for purely technical reasons. These individuals may resubmit their applications and obtain residence permits once the issues have been corrected, supporting their full integration into Greek society.
Strengthening Administrative Capacity
The ministry will reinforce regional administrations responsible for processing applications and will allow the transfer of case files between regions to reduce workload imbalances. Another measure concerns migrants over 65, particularly first generation residents who have lived and worked legally in Greece for at least 20 years. They may remain in the country without the obligation to work, provided they hold private health and pension insurance to avoid burdening the public social security system.
Changes to the Recruitment of Workers from Third Countries
The bill also brings significant reforms to the process of recruiting workers from non EU countries. Procedures will be simplified, and temporary employment agencies will be allowed to initiate recruitment on behalf of businesses with immediate staffing needs. For large scale projects, companies will be able to recruit up to 500 workers swiftly, while consular procedures will be streamlined to reduce the time required for issuing essential documents.
Enhancing Worker Mobility and International Agreements
An important innovation is the ability of workers who enter Greece through recruitment programs to change employers without losing their legal status, increasing labor market mobility and reducing risks of dependency or exploitation. The ministry is also strengthening bilateral agreements with countries such as the Philippines, Armenia, and Egypt, especially for sectors like agriculture, with explicit requirements for cooperation against illegal migration.
A More Effective Legal Migration Framework
The Ministry of Migration and Asylum aims to build a more efficient system of legal migration that supports the economy and labor market, reinforces legal stability for migrants, and maintains a firm stance against illegal migration. Minister Plevris emphasized this balance, stating:
"We are freeing and accelerating the procedures for issuing and renewing residence and work permits with simpler processes. Greece remains absolutely strict against illegal migration but reshapes the legal pathway for those who want to work, covering labor gaps in areas such as agriculture, construction, and tourism."
