Greece is one of the best options to move to Europe and build the life you want. The great quality of life, amazing weather, the lack of skilled workers, and warm people are among the reasons that people picked Greece. They need nurses, especially after the Covid-19 pandemic, and it’s a great opportunity, and you should seize it. The Visa Library team will explain how to immigrate and work in Greece as a nurse through this comprehensive guideline.
How to immigrate to Greece as a nurse?
If you get your nursing degree in a foreign country and not Greece; you must get a license from Greek officials. Nursing is a protected title which means you must get a license to work as a nurse there. The Hellenic National Academic Recognition Information Center (NARIC) or DOATAP is responsible for the recognition of your documents. You must send them your degree or documents to begin the procedure.
Gathering the supporting documents.
You must gather the supporting documents and your degree and send them to the DOATAP. One point you must know is that you must pass the license exam in your home country and get a license to work as a nurse. Then you must get work experience for at least 2-3 years.
Work experience is an essential factor for Greek officials when considering your application.
This is the list of the documents you must gather, but you’d better contact the DOATAP and ask them for the complete list of supporting documents:
- Application form.
You must complete the application form according to the instructions and send them to the DOATAP.
- A certificate that you have passed the license exam in your home country.
- Proof of work experience.
- Pay the application fee.
The fee for doctors is 225€, but you must ask the Greek officials about the fee for nurses.
You should use the SWIFT system and pay the amount to this SWIFT code:
BNGRGRAA, IBAN: GR05 0100 0240 0000 0002 6072 595.
Keep the receipt, as you must submit it with your application. Mention in your deposit that you pay for recognition.
- A copy of your ID documents like a passport or national ID card. The Greek embassy/consulate or a Greek lawyer in your home country must verify it.
- An official statement of law (N. 1599/86). It must state that:
- All of the documents you have submitted are original.
- You have no other application to DOATAP or any other authority for recognition.
- State the place you studied and got your degree.
- You have completed your studies and got the certificate to be recognized.
- 7. A verified/certified copy of your High School diploma. It must be issued by a qualified authority if you are a national of one of these countries and say that you, as the holder of a high school diploma, have the right to begin high education.
- non-E.U. countries.
- the U.S.A.,
- the former U.S.S.R.
- Canada
- 8. A certified copy of your nursing or medical degree.
It must be verified by Hague Convention (APOSTILLE) too. If your country is not a member of the Hague Convention, the Greek embassy/consulate in your home country must verify your degree and transcripts. If not, the university must send an official degree to the DOATAP.
- 9. An official transcript. It must state grades from all of your subjects and for all of your study years. It must be verified by Hague Convention (APOSTILLE) too. If your country is not a member of the Hague Convention, the Greek embassy/consulate in your home country must verify your degree and transcripts. If not, the university must send an official transcript to the DOATAP.
- 10. A certificate for the location of your studies. The center that issues it must send it directly to DOATAP. If it’s not in Greek, English, or French languages, it must have Hague Convention (APOSTILLE). It must state your studies like this: Applicant name studies from …….. to …….., took place and were completed in …………… (country, city, campus) and nowhere else.
If you have a Ph.D. degree and it didn’t have coursework, the university must send a letter directly to DOATAP and state your:
- personal data,
- study program’s duration and type,
- graduation date,
- research supervision
- thesis defense.
Distance learning studies
If you have studied remotely, the university or school must complete a questionnaire and send it directly to DOATAP.
- 11. A Syllabus / Bulletin of the Institution
- 12. For postgraduate applicants with a thesis, your thesis, with a Greek summary, is needed.
- 13. An authorization or validation of the applicant’s signature by the Police if someone else on behalf of the application is applying.
Translation.
If your documents are not in Greek, English, or French, you must have them translated by a verified translation office. Ministry of Foreign Affairs / the Greek Consular Authorities in Greece or an authorized lawyer must verify them.
If you have a degree from one of these countries, you must submit further documents:
- Albania,
- Romania,
- Bulgaria.
- Serbia.
You need a professional license if you get your degree from the EU.
You must submit a complete list of supporting documents, and the DOATAP will not begin your application unless you have submitted a full list of documents. They might ask for further documents and have the right to do it.
If DOATAP co-examines titles, you must pay a fee of 414,72€.
The above list is a sample of the documents you must gather. DOATAP might ask for further supporting documents or waive a document by your nationality. You’d better contact them at the email address provided a few lines below and ask them for the full list of supporting documents for nurses.
Sending the application to DOATAP.
After you have gathered all of the documents, you must email them to the DOATAP email address:
For technical support, email them to this address: [email protected]
For the Identification process, email them to this address: [email protected]
To correct your supporting documents, email them to this address: [email protected]
Take the nursing licensure exam
DOATAP will process your application and decide whether you can work as a nurse in Greece. They will inform you of the result through your email address. So you should check it regularly. Moreover, DOATAP might ask for further supporting documents, or one piece is missing or lost. So you must send them that document ASAP.
Greek officials will inform you of the further procedure to follow. You might have to pass the nursing licensure exam. It’s to evaluate whether you have the skills and knowledge to work as a nurse. It is in Greek, and you must have language fluency skills to pass it. A B2/C1 level often suffices.
DOATAP will give instructions to take the licensure exam. You must visit Greece to take the exam. If you need a visa to enter the country, you can apply for a Greece tourist visa to enter and pass the exam.
Look for a job and apply for a work permit.
After you pass all of the stages and get your license, you may work as a nurse in Greece. But the license is permission to work as a nurse. If you are a non-EU national, you must get a work permit to work legally in Greece.
You, as a nurse or employee, may not apply for a work permit, and it’s the Greek employer who can apply for a work permit. So you must find a job in Greece and persuade an employer to hire you. There are various ways to find a job as a nurse. You can look for a position through the websites that advertise job positions or get help from recruiters or employment agencies. Also, you can reach clinics, hospitals, or medical centers that need a nurse.
After finding the employer and signing a contract, the employer applies for a work permit and after it is issued, you apply for a work visa.
Immigrate to Greece as a nurse requirements
You need some items to immigrate to Greece as a nurse. This section will introduce them to you. But you might need further requirements by your nationality and special case. These are the general requirements.
A valid nursing degree
You must study for a nursing degree and get your diploma from a verified university or education center. If you do not study in Greece, you must get it from your home country or a foreign one.
The university or center must be verified and valid in the country you study.
Have a license to work as a nurse
After you study and get your diploma, you must pass the licensure exam to immigrate to Greece as a nurse you get your degree. It’s a must to have a license to work as a nurse in that country, and it is different from the exam you take in Greece.
You must submit this license when you apply for recognition in Greece.
Have enough work experience as a nurse.
One of the essential requirements to immigrate to Greece as a nurse for foreign people is to have enough work experience. You must have at least 2-3 years of work experience and submit proof of it.
The hospital or clinic you work with them must be verified and issued the work experience proof for you.
Pass the recognition process
If you get your degree from a foreign country, you must pass the recognition process and get a license from Greek officials to work as a nurse. It’s a protected title, and everyone who wants to work in Greece as a nurse and some other medical occupations needs a license.
You can find more information about the process you must pass in the above section.
Pass the licensure nursing exam
There is a licensure exam that you must pass to immigrate to Greece as a nurse. You must send your documents to DOATAP, and after approval, you can take this exam. You need Greek language fluency to pass this exam. It tests your nursing knowledge and Greek language fluency. You must pass it to immigrate to Greece as a nurse.
Apply for a job offer and a work permit
If you are from a non-EU country, you must get a work permit to work in Greece. It’s true for nurses from a non-EU country.
The employee or nurse can not apply for a work permit and only the Greek employer can apply for it. So you must find a job offer with a Greek hospital or clinic.
Greece visa types of nurses
If you are from a non-EU country, you need a visa to enter Greece. The visa you need depends on the purpose of your visit and the duration of your days. You should also know that some countries are among the visa-waived countries. The nationals of these countries do not need a visa to enter Greece and can stay for up to 90 days. If you are a national of one of them and have a valid passport, you may enter and stay in Greece for up to 90 days, but you have no permission to work.
These are the Greece visa options for the purpose of your visit:
Greece work visa
If you are a national of a non-EU country, you need a work visa to work in Greece. Every non-EU national who wants to work in Greece needs a work visa. Before you can apply for a work visa, you must apply for and receive a work permit. Only a Greek employer can apply for a work permit. So you must find a job offer from a Greek employer.
You should try to find a clinic or hospital that needs you. You can find a job through the websites that advertise job positions in Greece or get help from recruiters.
You can find more information about Greece’s work visa from the Visa Library article.
Greece tourist visa
You must pass the licensure examination to immigrate to Greece as a nurse. It is held in Greece so you must enter the country. If you are not among the visa-waived countries and need a visa, you can apply for a tourist visa.
You can find more information about Greece tourist visa from the Visa Library article.
It permits you to stay for up to 90 days in Greece, but the duration of your stay depends on the authorities’ decision.
A tourist visa is just to visit relatives or friends in Greece or visit tourist attractions. You may not work or study under it.
Greece student visa
There is one other way to immigrate to Greece as a nurse. It’s to study for a nursing degree in Greece. This procedure is easier and has so many benefits. But you must be qualified and can afford the costs of studying in Greece.
First, you must find a university that offers a nursing diploma to foreign students. Then, you must fulfill the requirements and get admission. After you have the admission letter, you must gather the supporting documents and apply to the Greek embassy/consulate in your home country.
You can find more information about Greece’s student visa from the Visa Library article.
Related jobs for Nurses in Greece
There are different job positions for nurses, and you can find them by your education, work experience, and the demand. When you look for a job offer, try to look at similar positions and determine which occupations are most in demand.
Greece needs skilled nurses, and there is a demand for related jobs. You just need to be qualified and meet the eligibility requirements. Look at the above section to know what the requirements are. The more you work on your Greek language fluency, the higher your chance of finding a job.
| Critical Care Nurse |
| Assistant Director of Nursing |
| Company Nurse |
| Case Manager |
| Acute Care Nurse |
| Chiropractic assistant |
| Medical assistant |
| Chiropractic assistant |
| Diagnostic tester |
| Sonographer |
| Radiologic technologist |
| Clinical laboratory technologist |
Nurses’ salaries in Greece
The salary of a nurse in Greece depend on many factors. Look at these items for instance:
- Work experience
- Education
- The clinic or hospital you work with them.
- The city you work in.
- The position you have
- Your tasks and responsibilities.
- Etc.
Various sources have mentioned the average salary for a nurse in Greece.
According to Salary Explorer, the average salary of a nurse in Greece is about 2,350 EUR. while the lowest salary is about 1,510 EUR, the highest pay is about 4,520 EUR
According to Payscale, the average salary is about 14,475 EUR.
World salaries say that the average annual salary is about 22,420 EUR. it also says that the lowest annual salary is about 12,020 EUR, while the highest annual salary is about 34,120 EUR.
As explained, one of the determining factors for your salary is the job title you have. Look at these titles and the average salary for them to get familiar with the differences:
| School Nurse | 1,650 EUR |
| Respiratory Manager | 3,680 EUR |
| Psychiatric Nurse | 1,780 EUR |
| Personal Support Worker | 1,440 EUR |
| Occupational Health Advisor | 3,370 EUR |
| Nursing Supervisor | 2,790 EUR |
| Nursing Director | 4,510 EUR |
| Nursing Coordinator | 2,270 EUR |
| Nurse Practitioner | 2,220 EUR |
| Nurse Midwife | 2,170 EUR |
Best Greek cities to immigrate to as a nurse
You might have no control over the city to work as a nurse in Greece. The competition is tough, and many applicants want to get a job there. So you might have to accept the first job. But knowing about Greek cities helps you get a clear understanding and plan efficiently. As you might already know, there are higher job opportunities in larger cities. There are more hospitals or clinics there, and health tourism is active in these large cities. Welfare amenities are better in large cities, so foreign tourists visit them to get treatments and care. Therefore, you can find a job in larger cities better. These are the largest cities in Greece, and you can find a job better;
- Athens
- Thessaloniki
- Patras
- Piraeus
- Larissa
- Heraklion
- Peristeri
There is another list of cities that you should know about. It’s the most popular Greek city to visit and enjoy. As so many tourists and visitors visit them, you might be able to find a job in them easily. Many tourists require care and facilities, so you can find clinics or hospitals there. Look at the most popular cities in Greece as follows and try to find a job in them:
- Athens
- Thessaloniki
- Chania
- Nafplio
- Heraklion
Let’s sum up…
The Visa Library team brought you how to immigrate and work in Greece as a nurse. You learned about the procedure to follow and the requirements to submit and got answers to your questions. This is your comprehensive guideline to immigrate to Greece as a nurse.
If you come up with questions about the procedure or requirements, write them down in the comment section. The Visa Library team will answer all of them.
Frequently asked questions about immigration to Greece as a nurse
The average salary is about 2,350 EUR but look at the article for a detailed description of your salary.
A nursing degree takes about 4 years and the recognition process could take up to 2 years.
Your tuition is about 1500 – 9,000 EUR per year and the cost of living is about 300-600 Euros per month.
- Author
- Max-B.
- July 18, 2023
2 Comments
I worked as a nurse arouind 29 years ago, in the periods between 1987-1994
I am applying to reigster with the Nursing and Midwifery Board Ireland(NMBI). I have a clear criminal record from the Greek police. The NMBI require a certificate of my current professional status of any or no criminal convictions from my time as a nurse in Greece, from the Greek Ministry of Health. I have not been successful in my commnunications with them. The Hellenic Association of Nurses tell me I first need to have my qualification recognised by them. I recently completed the Return to Nursing Course at a UK university. Then I must apply to their register. Is this correct? P;ease can you help me. I am going round in circles.
Thank you. Geraldine Hennessy
Most of the information you got is correct. If you want to work as a nurse in Greece after not doing so for a long time, you usually need to have your nursing credentials recognized by the Greek government. In this case, the Hellenic Association of Nurses does this. Once they agree with your qualifications, you can apply to be on their list. After that, you can ask for the necessary proof of your current professional status and a check of your criminal record for the nursing work you did in Greece before. Then, you can send this certificate to the Nursing and Midwifery Board Ireland (NMBI) as part of their registration process. This will show that you have the right international qualifications and experience.