Greece to grant residency to undocumented migrants in major immigration push

ATHENS – Greece’s parliament has approved a groundbreaking bill allowing undocumented migrants to obtain a three-year residency and work permit, in a major relief for migrant rights.

The ‘Professional Insurance Reform’ bill, securing backing from 262 out of 300 lawmakers, aims to combat labor shortages by enabling migrants to occupy vacant job positions and was approved despite opposition from political bigwigs including former Prime Minister Antonis Samaras and others.

The New Democracy party rallied MPs to vote in favor of the bill while Greek Immigration Minister Dimitris Kairidis hailed this parliamentary endorsement as a vote of confidence in Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis’ administration, highlighting Greece’s dual approach of stringent border control and a balanced immigration policy aligning with economic needs and societal priorities.

The newly passed amendment primarily targets non-EU undocumented migrants, recognizing approximately 30,000 individuals irregularly employed for at least three years. It streamlines asylum-seekers’ access to the Greek labor market, reducing their entry wait time from six to two months.

Eligibility criteria outlined in the legislation encompass individuals with job offers from Greek employers, those residing in Greece without a permit until November 30, 2023, and others with three years of continuous residency. The application deadline for this permit is set for December 31, 2024, amid Greece’s struggle with labor shortages, exacerbated by the departure of low-wage workers, including Albanians, to other European nations.