New Immigration Law in Greece Voted - Automatic Renewal for Some Categories, Increases Duration of 'Blue Card'
By a majority vote, the Greek Parliament has approved the draft law “Promotion of Legal Migration Policies”, with which the government aims to create an effective framework as a means to curb illegal migration and support the economy. The main purpose of the new law,
is the promotion of a modern legal migration policy, which reduces bureaucracy, speeds up procedures and covers the real needs of the economy, with a strict stance against illegality.
With the passing of the new law, the validity of the residence permit is at least two years and automatic renewal is introduced for certain categories of permits, with the exception of cases related to public order and security. In addition, the procedures for hiring workers from third countries are improved. Temporary Employment Agencies, including private ones, will conclude agreements with potential employers and workers, expanding the scope of legal employment for workers from third countries. For highly qualified workers, consular procedures are simplified and the duration of the 'Blue Card' residence permit is increased.
For students and pupils from third countries, a residence permit is granted valid for the entire duration of their studies, the right to part-time work is offered and the possibility of residence after graduation to look for work. For asylum seekers, mainly those with international protection status,
Through vocational training programs and access to the labor market, social and economic integration is strengthened.
The draft law promotes bilateral (interstate) agreements with countries of origin, with an emphasis on both the legal movement of workers and cooperation on the return of persons residing illegally, and will increase the effort and fight against illegal migration.
The draft law also includes a special provision for persons who have been legally resident in Greece for five years or more and who have previously been rejected solely for procedural reasons, such as lack of documents or formal errors. These persons are given the opportunity to reapply, after correcting the deficiencies, so that they are not left out of the system for non-essential reasons. It also strengthens the decentralized administrations that examine applications, as well as the possibility of transferring files from one region to another, in order to reduce the burden and speed up the processes.
Along the same lines, for immigrants over 65 years of age, who have lived and worked legally in Greece for at least 20 years, the possibility of staying without the obligation to work is foreseen, provided that they have private health insurance and a pension, so as not to burden the public insurance scheme.
There are around 793,000 legal immigrants living in Greece, while around 293,000 applications for residence permits are pending. Delays in their processing have caused problems for beneficiaries, as permits are often issued after their practical deadline has passed, creating uncertainty and difficulties for employment and social integration. With the adoption of the new law, it is expected that an immediate solution will be given to around 90,000 backlogged files, while another 90,000 residence permits could be unblocked within two years.
Special attention is also paid to large projects, where the possibility of rapid recruitment of up to 500 workers is envisaged, while procedures at consulates are also simplified to reduce the time needed to issue documents.
The Minister of Immigration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, emphasized that Greece maintains a tough stance against illegal migration, but at the same time with more functional rules for legal migration, to also cover the economy's needs for labor.
With the adoption of the law and the new rules, a clear, rapid and functional framework for legal migration is created, with less bureaucracy, permanent permits, flexible employment procedures, and organized attraction of workers and professionals that cover the real needs of the Greek economy.
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