Introduction
Greece is one of the European countries facing a serious labor shortage across multiple industries. From agriculture and food processing to tourism and healthcare, many Greek employers are struggling to find enough workers locally. To fill this gap, the government relies heavily on migrant labor. But the process is not open-ended: it is regulated through an official quota for hiring foreign workers in Greece.
Understanding how this quota system works is essential for both employers who want to recruit international talent and workers who are looking for opportunities in Greece. In this article, we will break down what the quota is, the official numbers for 2025, the industries most affected, and the challenges Greece faces in meeting its labor demand.
What is the Quota for Hiring Foreign Workers in Greece?
The quota for hiring foreign workers in Greece refers to the official number of positions allocated by the Greek government to non-EU nationals (also called third-country workers).
Every two years, the government issues a Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD) that sets the maximum number of work permits available for foreign workers. This system is designed to:
- Match labor market needs with available workforce.
- Ensure that Greek and EU citizens are prioritized when possible.
- Provide a structured framework for legal migration.
In practice, employers in Greece who want to hire foreign workers must apply within the limits of this quota. If the sector or region has already reached its quota, employers cannot proceed with additional hires until the next decision is issued.
Quota for Hiring Foreign Workers in Greece 2025
For 2025, the Greek government set the total quota at 89,290 positions. This reflects both seasonal and long-term needs across the economy.
Breakdown of Quota Categories:
- Dependent employment (long-term contracts): 41,670 positions
- Seasonal employment: 45,670 positions
- Highly-skilled employment: 2,000 positions
Sub-sector Allocations:
- Up to 3,000 jobs in manufacturing
- Around 1,430 jobs in food processing (olive oil, cheese production, etc.)
- Approximately 2,500 jobs in healthcare and eldercare
- Thousands more distributed across agriculture, construction, and tourism
This quota highlights the heavy reliance on seasonal and blue-collar labor, especially in farming and hospitality. Highly-skilled roles remain a much smaller portion of the total, though demand in healthcare is expected to rise significantly in the coming years.
Why Greece Needs Foreign Workers
There are several reasons why the quota for hiring foreign workers in Greece is so crucial:
1. Labor Shortages in Agriculture and Tourism
Agriculture requires thousands of seasonal workers for harvesting, especially olives, grapes, and fruits. Similarly, Greece’s booming tourism sector depends on staff for hotels, restaurants, and resorts, especially during summer peaks.
2. Demographic Challenges
Greece faces an aging population and declining birth rate. Many young Greeks migrate abroad for better opportunities, leaving gaps in low-skilled and medium-skilled jobs.
3. Healthcare and Eldercare Needs
With one of the fastest-aging populations in Europe, Greece needs thousands of workers in healthcare, caregiving, and eldercare facilities.
4. Manufacturing and Food Processing
Traditional industries such as textiles, olive mills, and food packaging cannot operate efficiently without migrant labor.
How the Quota System Works
Employers cannot simply hire any number of foreign workers at will. They must follow a structured process aligned with the quota.
- Quota Setting – The Ministry of Migration and Asylum, along with other ministries, decides the total quota every two years.
- Employer Requests – Regional authorities collect requests from employers who need workers.
- Approval Process – If a request falls within the quota, employers can obtain approval to invite workers.
- Work Permit & Visa – Once approval is granted, workers can apply for a work permit and visa at the Greek embassy in their home country.
- Bilateral Agreements – Some countries (like Egypt) have special agreements with Greece that simplify seasonal worker recruitment.
This quota-based approach helps the government balance labor needs with migration control.
Challenges with the Quota System
While the quota system is designed to be fair and transparent, there are ongoing issues:
1. Mismatch Between Demand and Supply
Employer demand often exceeds the allocated quota. For example, in some regions, requests for seasonal agricultural workers are much higher than what the quota allows.
2. Administrative Delays
The approval process can be slow, creating bottlenecks. By the time approvals are granted, some employers have already missed peak seasons.
3. Low Utilization
Despite having a quota of 89,290 positions for 2025, only around 25% of the needs are expected to be met. Many employers cannot find enough workers willing to relocate, especially for physically demanding jobs.
4. Informal Employment Risks
When legal quotas do not meet market demand, some employers turn to informal labor, which exposes workers to exploitation and reduces state tax revenue.
Future Outlook for Greece’s Quota Policy
The future of the quota for hiring foreign workers in Greece will likely involve reforms. Policymakers and business associations have called for:
- More flexible quotas that can be adjusted annually instead of biannually.
- Faster approval processes using digital platforms.
- New bilateral agreements with countries in Asia and Africa to diversify labor sources.
- Increased focus on healthcare and skilled migration due to demographic challenges.
If these changes are implemented, Greece may be able to attract more workers and better meet its economic needs.
What This Means for Employers and Workers
For employers, it means they need to carefully plan recruitment in line with the quota and act early before slots are filled. Collaboration with licensed agencies is often the most effective way to secure workers.
For foreign workers, it means there are real opportunities in Greece, particularly in agriculture, tourism, and healthcare. However, they must ensure they go through legal channels, as working outside the quota can lead to penalties or deportation.
Conclusion about Quota for Hiring Foreign Workers in Greece
The quota for hiring foreign workers in Greece plays a central role in regulating the labor market. In 2025, Greece has allocated nearly 90,000 positions across dependent, seasonal, and skilled employment categories. Despite this, labor shortages continue to challenge key industries such as agriculture, tourism, and healthcare.
For employers, understanding and acting within the quota system is essential. For workers, Greece presents both opportunities and challenges, but legal compliance is the key to long-term stability.
👉 If you are an employer seeking guidance on navigating the Greek quota system, or a worker interested in legal opportunities in Greece, contact our team at Firstman Vietnam Recruitment, Manpower Supply & Immigration Services Agency.
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- Step-by-step consultation on quota applications
- Reliable recruitment channels with Greek employers
- Legal, transparent processes for work permits and visas
📞 Phone: +84 944 578 111
📧 Email: admin@firstman.vn
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Trusted Information Sources about Quota for Hiring Foreign Workers in Greece
The information in this article about the Quota for hiring foreign workers in Greece is supported by official government and EU sources:
- Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum – Official portal (Ministry announcements and quota regulations)
- European Migration Network (EMN) – Greece – Official EMN Greece page (Reports and legal migration pathways)
- EUR-Lex (European Union Law) – EUR-Lex portal (Official EU legislation and directives related to labor migration)