How long does a Greece work visa take to process?

A decision on a Greece work visa typically takes around 90 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.

What documents are required for a Greece work visa?

The Greece consular network lists: Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages); Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Signed employment contract or binding job offer; Employer's work-permit approval / labour-market decision (issued in the destination country); Proof of qualifications and their recognition where the profession is regulated; Criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated; Health insurance covering the start of employment; Proof of accommodation; Proof of UK immigration status (BRP, eVisa share code, or residence permit); Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken at the appointment. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.

Can I apply for a Greece work visa from the United Kingdom?

Yes. We list 4 submission points in the UK for Greece, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

Greece work visa: requirements, fee and processing time

This page covers the Greece work visa — used for taking up employment with a local employer. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Greece consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.

Consular fee

€180

Typical decision

90 days

Appointments

Outsourced center

Where to apply for a Greece work visa

GVCW visa application centre (London, Manchester, Edinburgh), but only after your Greek employer has obtained the "invitation for employment" from the Decentralised Administration for the region where the job is based.

Required documents

Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages)
Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard)
Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip
Signed employment contract or binding job offer
Employer's work-permit approval / labour-market decision (issued in the destination country)
Proof of qualifications and their recognition where the profession is regulated
Criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated
Health insurance covering the start of employment
Proof of accommodation
Proof of UK immigration status (BRP, eVisa share code, or residence permit)
Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken at the appointment

Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.

Fees, reductions and exemptions

National (type D) visa — standard€180
Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizenFree— Directive 2004/38/EC — fee waived where the applicant joins an EU citizen exercising free-movement rights.
Application centre service fee€37— VFS Global service fee, payable per applicant in GBP in addition to the consular fee.

National visa form is free; a consular fee (commonly EUR 180) plus the GVCW service fee apply. The employer bears the cost of the Greek-side authorisation.

Booking an appointment

The employer-side approval in Greece comes first and is the long pole — often several months. Only once it is granted can you book the national D work-visa appointment at uk-gr.gvcworld.eu.

Practical tips

Ask your employer to start the "call for work" procedure with their regional Decentralised Administration months before your intended start date — the UK lodging is the quick part.

What is unusual about the Greece process

Work authorisation is granted by the Decentralised Administration for the specific Greek region of employment (Attica has its own), not by a single national authority — so timelines vary by where the job is.

Official sources

If you are applying from the United Kingdom

London — GVCW Greece Visa Application Centre — London
Suite 1, 4th Floor, 1 Duchess Street, London W1W 6AN
Appointments and the GVCW service fee are booked and paid online before you attend.
Manchester — GVCW Greece Visa Application Centre — Manchester
Manchester centre — exact address is confirmed on the GVCW portal at booking
Opening days can be limited; check the portal when booking.
Edinburgh — GVCW Greece Visa Application Centre — Edinburgh
Edinburgh centre — exact address is confirmed on the GVCW portal at booking
Serves applicants resident in Scotland.
London — Consulate General of Greece in London
1A Holland Park, London W11 3TP
Consular office responsible for decisions; national D visas are adjudicated here, not at the visa centre.

Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.

Updated today against official Greece consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Greece work visa cost?: For a Greece work visa, the consular fee is €180. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: National (type D) visa — standard — €180; Family member of EU/EEA/CH citizen — free; Application centre service fee — €37. National visa form is free; a consular fee (commonly EUR 180) plus the GVCW service fee apply. The employer bears the cost of the Greek-side authorisation. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
How long does a Greece work visa take to process?: A decision on a Greece work visa typically takes around 90 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
Where do I apply for a Greece work visa?: GVCW visa application centre (London, Manchester, Edinburgh), but only after your Greek employer has obtained the "invitation for employment" from the Decentralised Administration for the region where the job is based. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
What documents are required for a Greece work visa?: The Greece consular network lists: Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid 3+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages); Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; 1–2 recent biometric photos (35x45mm, ICAO standard); Travel medical insurance covering €30,000, valid across the Schengen area for the whole trip; Signed employment contract or binding job offer; Employer's work-permit approval / labour-market decision (issued in the destination country); Proof of qualifications and their recognition where the profession is regulated; Criminal record certificate, apostilled and translated; Health insurance covering the start of employment; Proof of accommodation; Proof of UK immigration status (BRP, eVisa share code, or residence permit); Biometrics (fingerprints and photo) taken at the appointment. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
How do appointments work for a Greece work visa?: Appointment model: Outsourced center. The employer-side approval in Greece comes first and is the long pole — often several months. Only once it is granted can you book the national D work-visa appointment at uk-gr.gvcworld.eu.
Can I apply for a Greece work visa from the United Kingdom?: Yes. We list 4 submission points in the UK for Greece, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

🇬🇷 Greece work visa: requirements, fee and processing time