The Greek government plans to simplify the process of obtaining and extending residence permits. The Minister of Migration and Asylum has called 2024 the year of legal migration. Find out more about the changes migrants can expect in Greece

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During the first half of 2026, Greece intends to process 850,000 migration cases. It is planned to simplify the procedure for obtaining and extending residence permits for legal migrants. Greece is a dream country for many expats. The Mediterranean coast, delicious cuisine and rich history attract about 50,000 new residents to the state every year. Most foreigners come from Albania, Germany, Georgia, Russia and Romania.

2024 has been declared the "year of legal migration", and the Greek Minister of Migration and Asylum Dimitris Kairidis announced that he is working on a bill aimed at modernising the process. These changes are aimed at making life easier for legal migrants in the country and improving the system of migration procedures.

To plan an interesting and safe trip to this country, use the guides from Visit World. These documents contain basic advice on visa obtainment, border crossing, employment, citizenship, and much more. 

Rules for obtaining a residence permit for migrants in Greece

In Greece, the process of obtaining a residence permit usually takes up to two years, but it is planned to speed up the process by modernising the administrative mechanism. 

Minister Kairidis emphasised that four new biometric data collection centres will be opened in the first six months of 2024: 3 in Athens and 1 in Thessaloniki. This step is aimed at facilitating the application procedure and reducing the waiting time for residence permits. The opening of the new centres will also help to free up staff, which will improve the efficiency and speed of processing documents for immigrants.

In his statement to the Greek parliament, Minister Kairidis expressed serious concern about the conditions of migrants who "suffer for years" due to the time taken to renew their residence permits. Despite their legal stay in the country, they still face difficulties. 

The Minister stressed the need to modernise the process to process up to 850,000 migration cases by 2026. He noted that reducing the time for processing applications is a key aspect of making life easier for migrants in the country. His announcement has drawn serious attention to the problem and highlighted the need for swift action to ensure fairness and efficiency in the migration system.

In December last year, Greece passed a law allowing migrants to obtain long-term three-year residence and work permits. This step was a response to the country's significant labour shortage. 

According to the new law, around 30,000 irregular migrants can legalise their status. However, it is important to note that only those who have lived in Greece for at least three years are eligible for residence and work permits. This restriction is aimed at ensuring fairness and taking due account of the integration of migrants into Greek society. The Greek authorities are taking steps to make migration policy more flexible and to facilitate the regularisation of migrants.

The editors of Visit World recommend using the Travel Guide for Greece for a comfortable and safe trip.

The guide is a detailed written document that contains basic advice on obtaining a visa, crossing the border, getting a job, citizenship, and much more. More details at the link.

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Greece;

Legal advice on immigration in Greece;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Greece;

Medical insurance all over the world.

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