Immigration and Global Mobility Update / December 202

Greece

New national visa and residence permit for digital nomads

A new type of national visa has been introduced with a duration of 12 months and a residence permit with a duration of two years (renewable) that can be granted to third country nationals who are self-employed, freelancers or employees working remotely with the use of information and communication technologies for employers or clients outside of Greece, as well as to the family members of these digital nomads. This residence permit does not grant the right to the latter and to his/her husband/partner and family members to work as employees or free-lancers in Greece.

(Article 11 of Law 4825/2021)

Validity of Asylum Seekers Cards extended

The duration of validity of Asylum Seekers Cards has been extended from six months to one year. These cards are renewable until the assessment of the holder’s application for international protection has been completed.

(Article 21 of Law 4825/2021)

Update on COVID-19-related travel measures

Until 06:00 on 3 December 2021, EU and Schengen citizens and members of their families are exempt from the general travel ban in Greece under a Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD). Permanent residents of certain countries are also allowed to enter Greece in any way and by any means under the conditions set out in the JMD. The JMD also sets out exemptions to the travel ban for some categories of travellers, particularly those practising specific professions (e.g. medical and nursing staff) or holding specific residence permits. See the “JMD Δ1α/ΓΠ.οικ. 74077” here (in Greek) for details.

Travellers can enter via the land borders at Promachonas, Ormenio, Evzonoi, Nymfaia, Niki, Doirani, Kristallopigi, Kipi, Kakavia, Kastanies and Exohi at any time. Limits apply at Kipi and Kastanies (1500 passengers per week, not including freight drivers). Mertziani is accessible from 08:00 to 20:00.

Cruising and yachting are allowed for passengers of countries not subject to special restrictive measures and under the conditions in the JMD. Maritime connections with Turkey are temporarily restricted with some exceptions, such as transport of goods by ships.

Health protocols

All visitors to Greece shall complete an electronic Passenger Locator Form (PLF) providing their contact details in Greece before their arrival. A valid PLF with a QR code is required for entry.

All travellers to Greece must also meet one of the following conditions:

• Have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days previously and provide an official vaccination certificate in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian;
• Present a negative PCR test conducted up to 72 hours before arrival in Greece or a negative antigen (rapid) test conducted up to 48 hours before arrival in Greece. This is subject to conditions relating to the testing lab and to the information that must be provided about the traveller.
• Present a certificate proving that s/he tested positive for COVID-19 with a PCR or antigen test in the past 30 to 180 days. A certificate is issued 30 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test and is valid for 180 days after it. The certificate must be drafted in one of the languages listed above and include the name and surname of the person, as they appear on his or her passport.
• Have a digital or paper COVID-19 certificate, in accordance with Greek or other EU member states’ provisions, with information on vaccination, result of last rapid or PCR test, compliant with the time periods described above.

Special health protocols apply for permanent residents of some counties, such as Russia.

Finally, all visitors to Greece can be subjected to random PCR or rapid testing and should respect the emergency COVID-19 measures during their stay.

Written by: Roubini Michaloudi, Associate

For further information and help please don´t hesitate to contact us at:

E: kkremalis@kremalis.gr
T: +30 210-6431387

Greece

New national visa and residence permit for digital nomads

A new type of national visa has been introduced with a duration of 12 months and a residence permit with a duration of two years (renewable) that can be granted to third country nationals who are self-employed, freelancers or employees working remotely with the use of information and communication technologies for employers or clients outside of Greece, as well as to the family members of these digital nomads. This residence permit does not grant the right to the latter and to his/her husband/partner and family members to work as employees or free-lancers in Greece.

(Article 11 of Law 4825/2021)

Validity of Asylum Seekers Cards extended

The duration of validity of Asylum Seekers Cards has been extended from six months to one year. These cards are renewable until the assessment of the holder’s application for international protection has been completed.

(Article 21 of Law 4825/2021)

Update on COVID-19-related travel measures

Until 06:00 on 3 December 2021, EU and Schengen citizens and members of their families are exempt from the general travel ban in Greece under a Joint Ministerial Decision (JMD). Permanent residents of certain countries are also allowed to enter Greece in any way and by any means under the conditions set out in the JMD. The JMD also sets out exemptions to the travel ban for some categories of travellers, particularly those practising specific professions (e.g. medical and nursing staff) or holding specific residence permits. See the “JMD Δ1α/ΓΠ.οικ. 74077” here (in Greek) for details.

Travellers can enter via the land borders at Promachonas, Ormenio, Evzonoi, Nymfaia, Niki, Doirani, Kristallopigi, Kipi, Kakavia, Kastanies and Exohi at any time. Limits apply at Kipi and Kastanies (1500 passengers per week, not including freight drivers). Mertziani is accessible from 08:00 to 20:00.

Cruising and yachting are allowed for passengers of countries not subject to special restrictive measures and under the conditions in the JMD. Maritime connections with Turkey are temporarily restricted with some exceptions, such as transport of goods by ships.

Health protocols

All visitors to Greece shall complete an electronic Passenger Locator Form (PLF) providing their contact details in Greece before their arrival. A valid PLF with a QR code is required for entry.

All travellers to Greece must also meet one of the following conditions:

• Have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19 at least 14 days previously and provide an official vaccination certificate in Greek, English, French, German, Italian, Spanish or Russian;
• Present a negative PCR test conducted up to 72 hours before arrival in Greece or a negative antigen (rapid) test conducted up to 48 hours before arrival in Greece. This is subject to conditions relating to the testing lab and to the information that must be provided about the traveller.
• Present a certificate proving that s/he tested positive for COVID-19 with a PCR or antigen test in the past 30 to 180 days. A certificate is issued 30 days after the day of the first positive COVID-19 test and is valid for 180 days after it. The certificate must be drafted in one of the languages listed above and include the name and surname of the person, as they appear on his or her passport.
• Have a digital or paper COVID-19 certificate, in accordance with Greek or other EU member states’ provisions, with information on vaccination, result of last rapid or PCR test, compliant with the time periods described above.

Special health protocols apply for permanent residents of some counties, such as Russia.

Finally, all visitors to Greece can be subjected to random PCR or rapid testing and should respect the emergency COVID-19 measures during their stay.

Written by: Roubini Michaloudi, Associate

For further information and help please don´t hesitate to contact us at:

E: kkremalis@kremalis.gr
T: +30 210-6431387