Work Permit in Greece for Ukrainians: Documents and Translation

An employer in Thessaloniki sends you a contract, the salary’s decent, but there’s a note at the bottom: “please prepare the documents for your work permit.” You look at the list - diploma, criminal record certificate, medical certificate, and everything needs an apostille and translation into Greek. 15 items, half of them confusing. If you’ve found yourself in this situation, this article is for you. Let’s break down what you actually need and how to avoid spending money on translations you don’t need.

Temporary protection vs work permit: which path is yours¶

The first question that determines your entire route: do you have temporary protection in Greece or not?

If you do - you don’t need a separate work permit. Temporary protection gives you full employment rights with the same labor and insurance protections as Greek citizens. Found a job? Show your residence card to the employer and sign the contract. You’ll need an AFM (tax number) and AMKA (social security number) - both are issued automatically when you register for temporary protection.

If you’re outside Greece and want to come specifically for work, or if temporary protection doesn’t apply to you - then you need a Type D work visa and a residence permit with the right to work.

A useful detail: since 2026, Greece allows those with temporary protection to apply for a standard residence permit under the migration code without losing their protection status. This makes sense if you want a more stable legal status for the long term.

Types of work permits in Greece¶

Greece uses a “single permit” system (ενιαία άδεια) - one document that covers both residence and work rights. There’s no separate work permit - it’s all in one card.

Standard permit for employed workers¶

The most common option. The employer finds a worker, submits a request to the local Decentralized Administration (Αποκεντρωμένη Διοίκηση), and if the position fits within the quotas - the process moves forward.

About quotas: Greece sets maximum numbers of foreign workers by region and profession every two years. If the quota’s been filled - even with a signed contract, the permit won’t be issued. So before starting the process, it’s worth checking the quota situation with the employer or a lawyer.

The permit is issued for 2 years and can be renewed for 3-year periods. The employment contract must be for at least 1 year.

EU Blue Card¶

For highly qualified professionals with a university degree or at least 5 years of professional experience. The salary must be at least 1.5 times the average gross annual salary in Greece. The contract needs to be for at least 6 months.

Advantages: easier to move to another EU country, faster path to permanent residence. For recent graduates (diploma obtained less than 3 years ago), a reduced salary threshold may apply.

Seasonal work¶

For jobs in tourism, agriculture, or fishing. The permit is issued for the duration of the contract, but no more than 9 months per year. If you’re working at a hotel or restaurant on the islands during summer - this is the type for you.

How to get a work permit: step by step¶

1. Find an employer - without a specific job offer, the process can’t start. The employer must be willing to sponsor your permit and go through the Ministry of Labor verification

2. Employer submits a request to the Decentralized Administration. They check quotas and whether there are suitable Greek or EU candidates for the position

3. Get a national Type D visa - submit your documents at the Greek consulate in Ukraine (or your country of residence). Consular fee - 180 euros

4. Arrive in Greece and apply for a residence permit - within a month of arrival, submit your application to the migration service. Until you get a decision, you’re allowed to work based on the biometric receipt of your application

5. Receive your single permit - the card confirming your right to reside and work

On an expat forum for Greece, one user shared their experience: “From the moment I found a job to having the card in my hand took almost 5 months. The longest wait was the quota verification stage - 2 months. My advice: start the process as early as possible.”

What documents you need for a work visa¶

For the EU Blue Card, you’ll also need: proof of higher education or 5 years of experience in the field, and a contract with a salary above the threshold.

Qualification recognition: DOATAP and regulated professions¶

If you’re working as a waiter or in construction - diploma recognition usually isn’t needed. But if your profession is regulated or you’re applying for a Blue Card - you can’t skip this step.

DOATAP - academic recognition¶

DOATAP (ΔΟΑΤΑΠ) is Greece’s center for recognizing foreign diplomas. Think of it as Greece’s equivalent of Germany’s ZAB. This is where you go to make your Ukrainian diploma officially count in Greece.

What you need to submit:

• Diploma with apostille
• Diploma supplement (transcript) with apostille
• High school diploma (for bachelor’s recognition)
• Certified translation of all documents into Greek (unless they’re in English or French)

Applications are submitted electronically at e-doatap.doatap.gr. Cost: 225 euros for a bachelor’s degree, 180 euros for a master’s or PhD.

If you’ve already gone through recognition for admission to a Greek university, the process will look familiar - but here the goal is different: confirming your qualifications for employment.

Regulated professions - a separate process¶

Some professions in Greece require a separate license. A diploma plus translation isn’t enough.

Professional qualification recognition is regulated by Presidential Decree 38/2010. Besides DOATAP, you may need to contact EOPPEP (Εθνικός Οργανισμός Πιστοποίησης Προσόντων - National Organization for the Certification of Qualifications) or the relevant professional chamber.

Translation of documents for recognition can only be done by a certified translator from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs register or a Greek lawyer. Translations from regular agencies aren’t accepted.

Document translation: rules and costs¶

Greece’s certified translation system works differently from Germany’s or France’s. Official translations can only be done by three categories of professionals:

• Certified translators from the MFA register - search at metafraseis.services.gov.gr
• Greek lawyers with knowledge of the relevant language
• Graduates of the Ionian University translation department

Translation costs¶

The average price per page is 15-25 euros plus 24% VAT. Athens is more expensive, smaller cities and islands are cheaper.

The right order of steps¶

The key rule: for documents from Ukraine, get the apostille in Ukraine first, then translate into Greek in Greece. The apostille is issued by the Ukrainian Ministry of Justice - you can’t get it abroad.

Need a preliminary translation to understand the content of your documents or as a base for the official certified translation? ChatsControl can translate your documents online in minutes. For official submission, you’ll then go to a certified translator from the register or order a certified translation.

Total cost: summary table¶

Greece’s minimum wage since April 2025: 880 euros per month for white-collar workers, 39.30 euros per day for blue-collar workers. So at minimum wage, the cost of getting your permit will pay for itself within the first month of work.

FAQ¶

Do I need a work permit in Greece if I have temporary protection?¶

No. Temporary protection gives you full employment rights without a separate permit. Your labor and insurance rights are identical to those of Greek citizens. For employment, you need an AFM and AMKA - both are issued automatically upon registration.

How much does a work permit in Greece cost for Ukrainians?¶

Type D visa - 180 euros, residence permit - 150 euros. Plus document translation (150-400 euros), apostilles, and qualification recognition (225 euros through DOATAP). The total comes to roughly 750 to 1,050 euros.

How do I get my Ukrainian diploma recognized in Greece?¶

Through DOATAP (e-doatap.doatap.gr): submit an electronic application with your diploma and supplement, both apostilled and with certified Greek translations. Cost: 225 euros (bachelor) or 180 euros (master/PhD). For regulated professions (doctors, engineers), you’ll also need to contact the relevant professional chamber.

Which documents need to be translated for working in Greece?¶

Must-translate list: criminal record certificate, medical certificate, diploma and diploma supplement, employment contract. All documents from Ukraine need an apostille before translation. Translation can only be done by a certified translator from the Greek MFA register or a Greek lawyer.

How long does it take to get a work permit in Greece?¶

From the employer’s first request to the card in your hand - usually 2 to 6 months. The official processing time for a residence permit application is 40 days, but in practice it often stretches to 1-4 months depending on how busy the migration service is.