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Visas and jobs in Greece

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Sunshyne77177

Hi there, I am so happy to have found this site!  My husband and I are planning an extended vacation in Europe with a possible long term stay in Greece if the Gods are watching over us and I'm having trouble finding a good source of info on jobs and such.  Firstly, I will be coming with a Bach. Degree in Nursing (RN) and he is a longtime mechanic for both large and small vehicles.  I do not speak the language but he does.  We are both early 40's so would still like to work for some more years.  Who do I contact to apply for a work visa and are these types of jobs in need?  Also, how difficult is it to become expat in Greece ( red tape/language barrier/etc.)  I'll be waiting on pins and needles for your great advice and guidance!

kristiAmgel

Hi ..its kristi here...to apply for a visa you contact the Greek embasy and while your there ask them if your degree is going to be recognisable here in Greece...as far as i know its hard to get it done here but mabey the regultions have changed since i last checked.
There is always work for those who want to work even if you dont speak the language...there are foreign companies who often look for english speaking people and than there is private care for private homes that will accept your degree...many elderly here hire private care.
As for your husband ...well this place is full of cars and trucks so he should have no problem finding a job.
It may be a good idea if you check out the Athens News (Greek) and mabey subscribe for a short time ...than you can check out the adds that are going ...it comes out here every Friday and if you know around when your coming here you may even be able to arrange a job before you get here through the newspapers.
There are several groups you can join

Newcomers
AWOG
Friends in Athens
Epate in Greece

they are all on the net and easy to find...hope that helps.

Good Luck

Kristi.

Joszie

Hi Kristi, am from East Africa, Kenya.

Am in my late 20's. I'm a professional graphic Designer and freelance Photographer.I was wondering if there are good jobs for Africans there. I mean, for those Africans in Greece, what kind of Jobs do they have? I would like to come in January next year.

I'd like to work in a Photo Studio and still continue doing Photography. Might you have a place you can suggest I apply before i come there. I don't mind whichever town as long as i get a job.
In short am open to any suggestions.

Thanks
JOSZIE

kristiAmgel

Look up the Athens News Newspaper on the net and they also advertise jobs there...you might be lucky to pick up something from there.
Jobs here are not easy to get so its a good idea as you said to try to have one ready and waiting before you get here.

Africans here work many different types of jobs but a lot of them have their own shops selling hair products ...others sell illegally on the streets and make their living that way.

Its not impossible to get a good job but you must not give up trying.
Also look up some job sites on the net and see what is going in Greece there.
type in the browser...jobs in greece and that should take you to a few sites.

wish you luck and hope all goes well for you.

kristi.x

KOUKLA75

Hey,

Personally I think you should drop by for a visit to check things out before deciding on it,there are lots of issues.

For instance,Papers, how do u plan to get residency or work permit? It is VERY difficult here for immigrants to get papers granted, I have loads of friends that are here years and still have not obtained, and many are wandering illegally because they have no choice...!

Many immigrants have good jobs, but the majority who came here for a better life, don't. I don't mean to discourage you by all means, but a great part of Africans, Pakistanis, Bangladesh are getting by,by selling pirated CD's, knock off handbags, on the streets.

There is a verey serious problem regarding immigrants and there is not much help/protection, Greece is very behind on this matter.Immigration & foreigners is fairly new to Greece compared to many other countries and not as tolerant.

Like Kristi said, Googling on all subjects and matters that interest you may be of great help, experiencing Greece first-hand on a daily basis is a whole different story.

If you do however have arrangements for your residency etc than by all means give it a shot, but once again I strongly suggest you come visit before making life changing decisions!

Kathy:)

KOUKLA75

Work permits

An EU work permit with validity for the entire EU does not exist. Work permits are granted by the specific EU country in which the job was secured, according to the rules and requirements of a member state’s labor laws. Some EU countries welcome immigrants; others do not, usually due to high unemployment or nationalistic agendas, and immigration legislation reflects this.

Authorization/sponsorship to work in an EU country: Authorization to work in the EU is not EU-wide, but rather granted by the specific country in which the job was secured. This normally happens when there is a shortage of workers in a specific sector/industry of a country. After it has been determined that there are no native or other EU citizens within the country to fill this position, a company then opens it to non-EU citizens. However, few companies opt to do this because it is a heavily bureaucratic and expensive process; in fact, many companies simply leave the position unfilled.

Residence permits

EU residence permits: As with a work permit, an EU-wide residence permit does not exist. All countries have different regulations and requirements governing residence permits, but they are generally granted if you are:
– working in the country (as owner/investor of a business or an employee),
– related to an EU citizen,
– a family member of a legal non-EU resident already in the country for many years, or
– living on financial means from outside the country to support yourself without working.


EU residency


The only way to establish residency in the EU is to live here, and the only way to live here to to get a permit. Should this not fit your situation, the only way around establishing residency in an EU country is by having an ancestral link to a parent/grandparent born in a European country, which would entitle you to citizenship

All countries have unique bureaucracy and laws governing EU and non-EU citizens residing within their borders. The EU sets a minimum standard in which member states should abide, but this is not always the case and the European Commission may intervene or assess penalties.

In short, a country’s government still has control over what laws and directives are implemented (or not) and the choice to provide its residents with more or less than the minimum. Discrimination usually reflects the level or lack of enforcement of directives and laws, i.e. The more discrimination, the less likely it will be that the country ever implements EU directives. Greece and France are known for their disdain for immigrants.:/\

Unemployment is higher in Greece than other EU countries, and alarmingly so for university educated people between the ages of 25-35, with women (more than 50 percent), immigrants and the disabled particularly affected.

There are an estimated 1.2 million non-EU immigrants in Greece. However, less than half of those have been able to secure a permit under existing legislation, even though the majority have been here an average of 7 years and qualify for long-term EU-wide permits. The immigration “reform” of 2007 changed little or nothing, and Greece and France tightened border controls and immigration laws in 2008 as promised......


source: livingingreece.gr

californiakat

Koukla,

You have again copy and pasted information from my Web site article without giving credit. I'm going to request that the Expat.com administrator remove these posts and future ones if it continues.

KOUKLA75

None of the above is copyrighted or info that FBI classified, I'm not sure what you want credit for, all the info above and in other posts is public information. Hremhse!

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