Pursuant to Law 5038/2023 (the "Immigration Code"), significant changes were brought to legislation concerning the codification and amendment of existing provisions, as well as the introduction of new ones. The codification of the existing legislation was deemed necessary, as after the enactment of Law 4251/2014, a series of amendments to individual provisions and the adoption of regulatory acts followed.
The new Immigration Code will enter into force as of 1 January 2024, except for certain provisions concerning the issuance of a copy of the decision which rejects or revokes a residence permit (par. 5, article 17), the submission of false or misleading documents by applicants (par. 4, article 20), and the granting of a ten-year residence permit to adult citizens who entered Greece as unaccompanied minors and have successfully completed at least three (3) classes of secondary education (par. 1, article 161).
At the same time, the deadline for investment – by way of advance payment- in real estate (“Golden Visa”) with a minimum investment value of 250,000 Euros, is extended until 31 July 31 2023. At the same time, the submission deadline for applications by employers wishing to employ third-country nationals who are exempt from the visa requirement under par. 4 of art. 5 of Law No. 5. 4251/2014 (Government Gazette A' 80), is extended to 31 December 2023.
You can read more about the major amendments of the new Immigration Code here.
