Top 17 Occupations to Enhance Your Greece Work Visa Chances
Key Takeaways
1. Greece is experiencing labor shortages in 17 occupations, with construction and hospitality being the most impacted sectors.
2. The country is seeking to attract workers from Asia and North America.
3. There is a significant shortage of 180,000 agricultural workers, prompting exporters to urge authorities to ease entry requirements.
Greece is experiencing labor shortages in 17 occupations, according to the 2023 EURES report on shortages and surpluses. The most affected industries include food and hospitality, construction, cleaning, and skilled crafts. Foreigners in these roles may have a higher chance of employment and obtaining a Greek work visa.
The EURES report highlights the following roles with worker shortages in Greece:
- Kitchen helpers
- Building construction laborers
- Cleaners and helpers in offices, hotels, and other establishments
- Domestic cleaners and helpers
- Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers
- Mechanical machinery assemblers
- Motor vehicle mechanics and repairers
- Air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics
- Plumbers and pipe fitters
- Protective services workers not elsewhere classified
- Bartenders
- Waiters
- Hotel receptionists
- Contact center information clerks
- Chefs
- Nursing professionals
- Supply, distribution, and related managers
Conversely, the report also identifies ten occupations with a surplus of workers, such as healthcare assistants, salespersons, receptionists, office clerks, psychologists, philosophers, historians, and political scientists. This implies higher competition and difficulty in securing employment in these roles.
Greece's Recruitment Efforts for Seasonal Workers
The Hellenic Foundation for European and Foreign Policy (ELIAMEP) confirms Greece's worker shortages, especially in construction and hospitality. According to ELIAMEP’s report "Looking for seasonal workers: Greece’s search for migrant labor," Greece seeks seasonal workers from Asian and North African countries. The Greek authorities have signed several agreements with third countries to recruit foreign labor.
Agricultural Worker Shortages
Greece’s agricultural sector reportedly needs 180,000 workers, causing significant losses for farmers and the economy. To address these shortages, Greece recently signed an agreement with Egypt to hire 5,000 Egyptian seasonal workers in the agricultural sector by 2024.