How it is legal, in plain words.
You do not need to know the law. You need to know what concerns you. Here it is, without legalese, based on the Greek Migration Code (Law 5038/2023) as in force in 2026.
In short
If you read only this, you know what you need.
You are the employer.
The approval is issued in your name and the workers sign a contract with you, like every employee in Greece.
We run the process.
Search, interviews, file, approval, visa, travel, residence permit. We are paid per worker; the worker pays nothing.
Two routes, you choose.
Seasonal (up to 9 months a year, for tourism and food service) or dependent employment (contract of at least 12 months, for every sector).
Seasonal or dependent employment? Which one fits you
| Seasonal permit | Dependent employment | |
|---|---|---|
| For whom | Tourist accommodation, food service, agriculture | All sectors: year-round hotels, industry, construction, facility, city restaurants |
| Duration | Up to 9 months per 12-month period. The approval can cover more than one season, so the same people come back | Contract of at least 12 months, renewable |
| Housing | Employer obligation, declared in the application | Not mandatory, but we help you organise it because it keeps people |
| Ideal for | A hotel open April to October, a seasonal restaurant | Stable positions all year round |
What is needed from you
The regional authority asks the employer for a few specific things. We collect them together in the first week, so the file is submitted complete and no time is lost. If something is missing (for example your business activity code is not in the right sector for a seasonal permit), we tell you before we start, not after.
- Active business with an activity code in the sector (for seasonal: accommodation, food service, tourism)
- Tax and social security clearance certificates
- Company registry certificate
- Declaration that you will hire the worker
- Proof of housing (seasonal workers only)
- Fee (small, per application)
The answers your accountant and lawyer will ask for
How long does it take and why?
About 4 months. Approval by the regional authority takes weeks to months depending on the region, the consulate needs its time, and the country of origin has its own exit procedures. Every year there is a maximum number of positions per region and specialty (94,240 for 2026), which is why we check availability before we start.
What rights does the worker have?
The same as every worker in Greece: legal wage, social insurance, leave, ERGANI registration. They enter with a national visa and receive a residence permit. Since 2026 they can change employer without losing their legal residence, which is why we work from the start on making sure they are properly briefed and want to stay.
Are you a temporary employment agency?
No, and we do not need to be. Leasing workers is a different thing and requires a special licence. We do not lease anyone: the workers are yours, with a contract with you. We provide the search and permit-management service, as any business that brings people from abroad would do, only we do it for you.
What exactly do I pay?
Two things, separately. To us: one fee per worker for the service: for seasonal permits one net monthly salary of the worker, one-off; for 12-month contracts 2,500 euros per worker. Travel and document costs are charged separately and shown in the quote. To the worker: wages and insurance, like for every employee of yours. There are no hidden costs, and the worker pays nobody anything, neither in their country nor here.
This information is general and does not constitute legal advice. For your own case we provide a written analysis together with the quote.
Season 2027: the national quota is set in the last quarter of 2026.
Whoever starts by December has people in April.