Entry Visa to Greece for Third-Country Nationals with High Educational Qualifications (“Talent Visa”)

Law 5275/2026 introduced a new category of national entry visa (Type D visa) for third-country nationals who hold high educational qualifications and apply for admission to seek employment or pursue a professional activity (“Talent Visa” – residence title type “Z.15”).

Specifically, third-country nationals who have graduated from a foreign higher education institution and hold a master’s, doctoral, or postdoctoral degree from a foreign higher education institution are granted a national entry visa valid for twelve (12) months, for the purpose of admission to seek employment or develop a professional activity in Greece (residence title type “Z.15”).

Accordingly, under this provision, eligible applicants are third-country nationals who cumulatively hold:

• A graduation degree from a foreign higher education institution.
• A master’s, doctoral, or postdoctoral degree from a foreign higher education institution.

The second degree must have been obtained within the last five years prior to the submission of the visa application. The provision does not set a corresponding time limit for the first degree. Therefore, an undergraduate degree alone is not sufficient, nor can the additional degree be substituted by professional experience.

The institutions must be included in at least two international ranking lists, as determined by the prescribed Joint Ministerial Decision. This requirement applies both to the institution that awarded the first degree and to the one that awarded the additional degree, if they differ. The Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs and Sports notifies the competent authorities annually of the updated lists. Consequently, the general recognition or good reputation of the university is not sufficient; verification of its inclusion in the specific lists is required.

The application is submitted to the competent Greek consular authority. Article 79C par. 3 requires, in addition to the general supporting documents for a national entry visa:

• The graduation degree from an eligible higher education institution.
• The additional degree, accompanied by proof that it was obtained within the last five years.
• Proof of sufficient resources of subsistence for the duration of the stay in Greece.

The provision provides for entry to seek employment without including an employment contract or an employer’s application among the specific supporting documents. This distinguishes it from the “EU Blue Card”: the Z.15 visa allows the interested party to seek a suitable professional opportunity after entering Greece.

Prior to the expiration of the national entry visa, and provided that the applicable requirements for the granting of residence permits under the Migration Code are met, the third-country national has the option to submit an application for a residence permit, in accordance with Article 12 thereof.

*Our office has extensive experience in all types of foreigners and residence permit law issues (granting and renewal of residence permits, appeals, legalization of illegal aliens, acquisition of Greek citizenship, cancellation of deportations, objections against detention of foreigners, etc.) For further legal advice or to assign your case to our office, please contact us at 2313 079293 or by email at info@siopi-law.gr. Please note that it is prohibited under the Code of Lawyers to provide legal advice without the appropriate fee (article 57 of Law 4194/2013)*

Dafni I. Siopi

Attorney at Law, LLM

Thessaloniki branch:

52 Tsimiski Street – Thessaloniki

+30 2313 0792923, +30 6977 568673

info@siopi-law.gr, dsiopi@siopi-law.gr

Athens branch:

134 Solonos Street – Athens

+30 211 0035843, +30 6977 568673

athens@siopi-law.gr, dsiopi@siopi-law.gr