✅ GREECE WORK VISA – STEP BY STEP (FULL PROCESS) Guide for Medical, PCC, Interview, TRC, Tax & Post-Arrival Rules

A fully detailed 2026 Greece Work Visa guide covering PCC, medical test, embassy interview, visa approval, TRC rules, employer restrictions, tax agreements, earning potential, seasonal jobs, AFM/AMKA procedure, and mistakes to avoid.

Applying for a Greece Work Visa in 2025 involves a long, multi-step protocol that includes document preparation, PCC requirements, medical tests, embassy interviews, TRC formalities, tax rules, and strict post-arrival guidelines. Because the Greek Embassy has tightened regulations and increased professional scrutiny, applicants must understand every step clearly to avoid delays, rejections, or TRC complications.

STEP 1 — Understand Your Contract & Paperwork

Before anything begins, memorize ALL details on your work permit contract, because they will ask this in the embassy interview.

Memorize:

• Employer/owner name
• Salary
• Job role
• City of work
• Daily wage
• Who processed your papers

If you fail to answer these, interview rejection is possible.

STEP 2 — PCC (Police Clearance Certificate) MANDATORY – Strict Condition

• PCC is compulsory for all Greece work visa applicants.
• Critical: The PCC must have the stamp covering half the photo and half the paper.
• If the stamp is not on the photo → File rejected even if interview passed.

The Greek Embassy follows a zero-tolerance rule regarding PCC requirements.

✔ PCC is 100% mandatory

Your file will not be processed without it.

✔ PCC Photo Stamp Rule (CRITICAL)

Your PCC must have:

• A police stamp covering half the passport photo and half the paper.

✘ If the stamp is only on the paper → Rejection

✘ If the stamp is only on the photo → Rejection

✘ If PCC is old or damaged → Rejection

Many applicants have failed despite passing interviews because their PCC stamp was incorrect.

STEP 3 — Medical Examination (Pre-Check)

He advises to get a private medical test outside first to confirm you are fit.

Although it is optional, applicants are strongly advised to do a private medical test before submission.

This helps to:

• Detect health issues early

• Avoid embassy medical failure

• Save time and money

If you fail the official medical, your entire application collapses immediately.

STEP 4 — Submit Visa File at GVC (NOT VFS)

Applications in India are submitted through:

✔ GVC – Global Visa Center World
❌ NOT VFS

In India, Greece work visa files are only accepted at:

✔ Global Visa Center World (GVC)

VFS no longer handles Greece work visa applications.

During the submission, your documents, passport, PCC, and contract will be checked for accuracy.

STEP 5 — Mandatory Medical Test (On Submission Day)

On the day of submission, official medical test is compulsory.

Medical Includes:

• Blood test
• Urine test
• Chest X-Ray
• COVID-19 test
• Blood alcohol check

Approx Medical Cost: ₹800
Insurance Required: 1-year insurance ~ ₹12,000

Medical report is sent directly to the Embassy.

STEP 6 — Passport Validity Check

Your passport must have:

✔ 18 months minimum validity
❌ Less than 18 months → automatic rejection

Your passport must be valid for:

✔ At least 18 months from submission date

If it has less validity, the file will be automatically rejected.

STEP 7 — Waiting for Embassy Interview Call

Current timeline:

• 35–40 days (can increase to 58 days in some cases)
  Earlier it was** ~15 days** only.

Do NOT contact the embassy.
They will call or email you themselves.

⚠️ Important:
Now the embassy sends email, not phone call.
If you miss the email, you are marked ABSENT → Refusal letter in 4–5 days.

Due to high tourist season in May, June, July, work visa cases are pushed back.

Current Interview Wait Time:

• 35 to 40 days normally

• Up to 58 days in some cases

IMPORTANT:

The embassy may not call by phone anymore.
They now send interview emails.

⚠️ If you miss the email → Absent → Refusal letter.

Do not disturb the embassy with phone calls or emails during this waiting period.

STEP 8 — Embassy Interview Preparation – Most Critical Step

Interview is the most critical step. The embassy will ask simple questions about your background to verify if your profile matches your documents.

Prepare these exact points perfectly:

• Employer name / company name
• Salary (hourly / daily / weekly / monthly)
• Job role & duties
• Working hours per day / per month
• Contract duration
• City in Greece / City you will live in / Job location in Greece
• Accommodation details and food details
• Who processed your papers
• Past work experience
• Family details / Family background / What your parents do in India
• Your marital status
• Travel history
• Your experience related to job
• How you learned about the job opportunity
• Why you want to work in Greece
• Who will pick you up from the airport
• Will you return after the contract?

Keep your answers short, clear, and consistent with your documents.

Confidence is key.

⚠️ Nervousness = Rejection.

Interview officers want to see:

• Confidence

• Honesty

• Awareness of your contract

• Clarity about job responsibilities

Start with Basic Greek Greetings to Impress the Visa Officer

One of the strongest ways to create a positive impression is by beginning the interview in Greek instead of English. Visa officers appreciate applicants who show the effort to understand their culture.

Useful Greek Greetings:

• Good Morning — Kali Mera (Ka-lee me-ra)

• Good Afternoon — Kali Spera (Ka-lee spe-ra)

• Good Night — Kali Nikta (Ka-lee neek-ta)

• Hello — Yasou / Yass (Ya-soo)

• How are you? — Ti Kanis (Tee ka-nis)

Using even one or two of these greetings increases your confidence and shows respect for the interviewer’s language.

Essential Greek Words to Use During the Interview

Learning these will help you answer politely and confidently.

STEP 9 — Common Interview Questions

1. What job will you do in Greece?
2. Name/address of your employer
3. Salary & working hours
4. Contract duration
5. Which city will you live in?
6. Accommodation details
7. Current job in India
8. Why are you moving to Greece?
9. Do you know anyone in Greece?
10. Financial support
11. Will you return after contract?
12. Travel history
13. Qualifications for this job

STEP 10 — Visa Fee & Decision

At the interview:

If they take passport + fee (90–270 EUR):
✔ Visa is approved (99% confirmed)

If they take your passport but not the fee:
❌ Refusal letter in 4–5 days
If passport returned immediately → Rejected

STEP 11 — Visa Stamping

After successful interview:

• Passport with visa is returned in 3 to 15 days.

STEP 12 — APÓFASI (Official Decision Paper) Delay

The decision approval paper from Greece (Apófasi) now takes:

• 15 to 20 days (previously 2–3 days)

Reason: heavy tourist visa rush in May, June, July (Embassy prioritizes tourist visas)

STEP 13 — Travel to Greece

After visa stamping, book your travel.

Upon arrival, complete mandatory formalities:

Once visa is stamped, you can travel to Greece confidently. Keep photocopies of:

• Contract

• Visa

• Passport ID page

• PCC

• Embassy documents

STEP 14 — Post Arrival Mandatory Steps

Within first days after landing in Greece:

1️⃣ AFM – Tax ID Number

Required for employment, tax, banking.

2️⃣ AMKA – Social Security Number

Required for:

• Medical insurance

• Social benefits

• TRC application

3️⃣ TRC (Residence Permit /  Άδεια Παραμονής) Submission

Must be applied within your visa validity.

STEP 15 — TRC (Residence Permit) Details

• TRC Fee = 16 Euro (Adia Paramoni)
  ⚠️ Do NOT pay people asking €3,000–€4,000 for TRC.
• Lawyer fee (optional): €200–€400
• TRC is issued for 2–3 years
• With TRC, you can:
  • Travel to Schengen
  • Return home freely

TARC, Family Reunion & Long-Term Residency (PR) in Greece

Once you arrive and begin working, you receive the TARC (Temporary Residence Card).

TARC Validity & Renewal:

• Renewed every year based on continuous employment.

Family Reunion Rights:

After securing TARC, you can apply to bring:

• Spouse

• Children

• Dependent family members

Long-Term Residence Permit (LTRP):

After 5 years of legal stay, you can apply for the LTRP, which offers:

• Free healthcare

• Education

• Schengen movement rights

Greek Citizenship:

After 7 years of residence + language test + integration test, you can apply for citizenship.

STEP 16 — Work Restrictions & Tax Rules

✔ You must work 1 full year with first employer
❌ Changing early = TRC delay, extra lawyer cost, even TRC cancellation

✔ After completing 12 tax payments & 1 year:

• You may change employer legally
• You can take vacation to India

⚠️ Very important:
Discuss tax responsibility clearly before coming.
If employer doesn’t pay → you must pay from pocket.

Before traveling, ask your employer:

✔ Who will pay tax?

Employer?
Or you?

If you must pay tax:

• Expect €150–€200/month

• No tax agreement = salary loss

STEP 17 — 1 Year Open Rule

After you finish:

• 1 year contract
• 12 monthly tax payments (Delosi, April)

You are free to change employer and work anywhere.

STEP 18 — Salary & Job Earning Potential

High-Earning Job: Delivery Work

• With license + own bike
• Part-time (4 hrs/day): +€500/month
• Full-time 15 hrs/day: €1,800–€2,500/month

Seasonal Work (Summer Islands)

• Salary: €1,200–€1,500/month
• Free food + accommodation
• Savings: €1,000–€1,200/month

STEP 19 — Other Useful Knowledge

• Gym yearly membership = €60
• Shoes recommended:
  • Good rubber sole (for slippery marble)
  • Cushioning (hard pavements)

STEP 20 — Accommodation & Final Warnings

• Confirm salary, tax agreement, accommodation before traveling
• Many agents change terms after you land
• Some employers cancel TRC of workers who run away early.
  

  Final Warnings Before You Come

  • Never change employer before 1 year.
  • Never trust people charging €4,000 for TRC.
  • Confirm salary, tax, accommodation clearly.
  • Stay updated with embassy emails.
  • Maintain clean legal records.
    

    Learn Basic Greek Numbers and Days of the Week

    Knowing these simple basics can greatly improve your confidence and communication.

    Greek Numbers (1–10):

    1. Ana

    2. Dio

    3. Tria

    4. Tesera

    5. Pende

    6. Exi

    7. Efta

    8. Okto

    9. Enea

    10. Deka

    Days of the Week (Monday–Sunday):

    • Deftera

    • Triti

    • Tetarti

    • Pempti

    • Paraskevi

    • Savvato

    • Kyriaki

    Even if the officer does not ask these, showing such knowledge may give you an advantage.

    Greece Work Visa Application Process Explained

    The Greece work visa involves multiple stages. Understanding each step helps you avoid delays and mistakes.

    1. Document Submission

    Required documents include:

    • EuroPass CV

    • Passport

    • Work experience certificates

    • Optional hospitality diploma

    • Offer letter / Contract paper

    Employers upload your details in the Greek system.
    Processing time: 30–45 days.

    2. Work Permit Approval

    The Contract Paper is:

    • Approved by a Greek solicitor

    • Verified by the Embassy

    • Treated as your official Work Permit

    3. Medical Check-Up

    Done on the same day as your GVC submission.
    Includes:

    • Blood test

    • Urine test

    • Chest X-ray

    Reports are sent directly to the Embassy, not to you.
    No alcohol or communicable diseases must be found.

    4. Embassy Interview

    The interview checks:

    • Communication skills

    • Confidence

    • Job knowledge

    • Basic details about employer and work location

    5. Visa Stamping

    If approved, the embassy takes a fee of ₹3600–₹3700 INR.
    If the fee is not taken, your visa is likely rejected.
    Stamping usually takes 3–4 days, or 10–15 days during busy periods.