How to work and immigrate to Greece as a lawyer?

Eligibility to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer

Now everyone is eligible to move to Greece as a lawyer. There is eligibility to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer.

The first one is that you must have a law educational degree. You can study for a law degree in Greece or your home country. The choice is with you and your conditions.

The other principle is to register with the Bar Association. You must register with the local officials. You should find out who is responsible in the area or city you want to work as a lawyer.

If you are a non-EU national, you need a work permit to work as a lawyer. So you must find a Greek employer as it’s the employer who can apply for a work permit.

You might be able to work as an independent lawyer, but it’s up to the local Bar Association.

How to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer?

You must follow a few steps to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer. This section brings you these steps. But you should know the process depends on the area you want to immigrate to and your nationality. You might have to go through different steps.

Step 1. Get an academic degree

You must get a law degree from a recognized college or university. It can be in your home country or a foreign one. You can also study law in Greece, but you must get admission from a law school and apply for a student visa.

You’d better ensure the law school or university is verified, and Greek officials accept it. You can reach the Bar Association of the area you are going to move to and ask them.

Step 2. Get Greek Language Proficiency

Greek legal system works in the Greek language. So you must work on your language skills and become fluent in it. You must work on your oral and written skills and improve them to the extent of understanding legal terms.

Remember that you might have to submit proof of the Grek language fluency certificate to the Bar Association.

You’d better contact the Bar Association and determine whether they need Greek language fluency. If yes, what the accepted score is, and what certificate do they need?

Step 3. Pass the recognition process of your degree

If you study for a law degree in a foreign country, you must have it recognized by the Hellenic National Academic Recognition Information Center (DOATAP). You must send them your degree and other supporting documents. They evaluate your application and decide whether you can work as a lawyer in Greece.

You’d better gather as many supporting documents as possible to speed up the process.

Step 4. Registration with the Bar Association

After the Hellenic National Academic Recognition Information Center (DOATAP) recognizes your degree, you must register with the local Bar Association (Δικηγορικός Σύλλογος). You must complete the registration with the Bar Association of the area you want to work as a lawyer.

So you must find the responsible Association for the area you want to work in. Also, you must learn about the requirements and process in detail. The procedure might be different in each one.

Step 5. Pass the training period

After you pass the recognition and the registration with the Bar Association, you must pass a training period that gets called “δικηγορική πρακτική.”

Its duration is often 1-2 years and is up to the local Bar Association decision. You will work under the supervision of a registered lawyer in Greece. It’s to get familiar with the Greek law system, process, and details.

It’s often your responsibility to find a lawyer and persuade him/her to work under his/her supervision.

Step 6. Pass the exams

After you complete the training period, you must pass the Greek Bar Exam. It’s known as “εξετάσεις δικηγορίας.” it contains oral and written parts, and you need Greek language fluency to pass it. It covers a wide and different range of law subjects.

The exam assesses your theoretical knowledge and practical skills. You’d better study hard during your training period.

Step 7. Take Oath and Registration

After you pass the exam and get the passing score, you must take your oath and register with the Bar Association to get your license.

You should contact them to know the process.

Step 8. Find a job and work permit application

If you are a non-EU national, you need a work permit to work in Greece. Only a Greek employer can apply for a visa. You or the employee may not apply for a work permit.

If you want to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer, you need a work permit. So you must find an employer willing to hire you.

There are different ways to find a job in Greece as a lawyer. You can find a job through websites that advertise job positions or get help from recruiters.

You might be able to work as an independent lawyer. But you should check it with the Greece Bar Association.

How long does it take to immigrate and work in Greece as a lawyer?

The process to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer is up to your conditions and the stage you are now in.

You need a law degree to become a lawyer in Greece. Have you got your degree? If not, you should get admission to a law school, study there, and get your degree. It takes time to finish it.

If you study in a foreign country and not in Greece, you must pass the recognition. You have to send your degree and other documents to the Hellenic National Academic Recognition Information Center (DOATAP). Remember that you need Greek language fluency as a requirement.

It takes time until they decide whether you are eligible to work as a lawyer in Greece.

After the positive response from recognition, you must pass a training period in Greece for about 1-2 years.

Then you must register with the local Bar Association.

If you have studied for your degree, you can expect up to 2 years for the required time to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer.

Passing a law degree in Greece takes 4 years. Then you must register with the Bar Association.

The required time to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer can take from a few to several years. You should know the process, begin early enough, and know that unexpected things might happen.

Related jobs for lawyers in Greece

There are a few other related jobs for lawyers in Greece besides practicing law as a lawyer or attorney. You might be able to find a job in every one of them.

Whether you can find a position in them is up to various factors; 

• Education
• Work experience
• Your personal skills
• The demand
• etc,

If you are determined or interested in one of these positions, you should prepare yourself. Find out the requirements for these positions and apply if you are qualified. 

• Legal Researcher
• Public Sector
• Legal Consultant/Advisor
• Legal Consultant
• Corporate Counsel
• In-House Counsel
• Legal Researcher/Writer
• Legal Compliance Officer
• Government Lawyer
• Arbitrator or Mediator
• Policy Analyst/Advisor
• Legal Academia
• Compliance Officer
• Legal Analyst
• Mediator/Arbitrator
• Legal Academia

The above items are just samples of your career path in Greece. The legal field offers diverse opportunities, allowing lawyers to apply their legal expertise and skills in different sectors and roles.

Salary of a lawyer who immigrates to Greece

Many people want to know this before anything else. How much is a lawyer paid in Greece?

Your salary as a lawyer in Greece depends on various factors; 

• education,
• work experience,
• background,
• skills and abilities,
• negotiation with the employer,
• etc.

According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a lawyer who immigrates to Greece is about €1,119 per month.

According to Salary Explorer, the average income is about 4,740 EUR. It says while the lowest salary is about 2,180 EUR, the highest is about 7,540 EUR per month.

Economic Research Institute says that the average salary is about €73,177 per year.

Payscale says the average is $25.000 per year.

The mentioned figures are just samples. Your final salary is up to different factors.

Where to Work as a lawyer in Greece

There is no definite answer to the question of whether to work as a lawyer in Greece. It’s up to various items. Some are in your control, and some are not. For example:

• Education
• Work experience
• The demand
• Personal skills
• Etc.

There are various places where you can work as a lawyer in Greece, whether as an associate or partner. These are some of these employment opportunities: 

• Law Firms
• In-House Legal Departments
• Government Agencies
• Judicial System
• Legal Aid Organizations
• International Organizations and NGOs
• Academia
• Arbitration and Mediation Centers
• The law department of companies

The above items are just a few samples. You can find other places to work as a lawyer in Greece. The job market is improving after the Covid-19 pandemic. So you can find a job in various places.

Are lawyers in demand in Greece?

There is no data or statistics about the question of whether lawyers are in demand in Greece. The demand for lawyers in Greece is up to various factors and items. If you are determined and begin the process, you can overcome and immigrate to Greece as a lawyer.

You should also consider that the demand for lawyers vary

But you’d better consider these items in your plans and considerations: 

• Economic Conditions
• Legal System and Regulations
• Government Initiatives and Reforms
• EU and International Factors:
• Specialized Areas of Law

Greece has experienced economic challenges in the past few decades. It can affect the demand for skilled workers. This could result in fewer: 

• business activity,
• transactions,
• demand for legal assistance

But, economic recovery and growth can lead to an increase in demand.

The point you should consider is that the legal system is complex, with details about various aspects. So the demand for lawyers is often high as there are legal issues to be resolved.

The Greek government is implementing policies and changes to improve the economic situation, for instance:

• improving the business environment,
• attracting investments,
• addressing specific legal issues
• new business deals
• etc.

This could increase employment opportunities.

Law degree types in Greece

One of the ways to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer is to study for a law degree there. If you do so, you do not need to pass the recognition process as the law degree obtained inside Greece is accepted by the Bar Association.

The type of degree you can study is up to your personal choice, preferences, and the career you want to pursue in the future. You’d better determine one or the job positions you want to continue and determine what degree you need.

It can give you a helpful perspective and a roadmap for the degree you need to study.

This section brings you some of the law degree types in Greece you can study: 

• Master of Laws
• Bachelor of Laws
• Master of Legal Studies
• Doctor of Judicial Science
• Master of Dispute Resolution
• Juris Doctor

The above items are just samples, and you can find other options. You’d better visit the Greek universities or law schools’ websites and determine the related degrees you can study.

If you doubt whether the degree you have picked lets you work in the position you want, you can contact the Bar Association. They might guide you about the job opportunities with this law degree. Also, they can provide further information about the requirements and process.

Best cities to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer

You are the person that determines the best cities to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer. It’s you who wants to live and work in this city. So you must be able to stand its features, pros, and cons. Each city has its advantages and disadvantages. You should determine whether you want this city by its conditions or not.

You should also research Greek cities or the city you find a job in. Determine if it has the features and you can find a job there.

There are two lists of Greek cities that you’d better know about them. The first one is the largest city to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer. There are always higher job opportunities in large cities as corporations and companies tend to locate them. So you can find a job better in large cities: 

• Athens
• Thessaloniki
• Patras
• Piraeus
• Larissa
• Heraklion
• Peristeri
• Kallithea
• Acharnes
• Kalamaria

The second list you’d better know is the popular cities in Greece. People and visitors like to visit or stay in these cities for one or a few reasons. You can research the cities and determine if you like to work in them or not.

Also, you can find a job in them easier. People like to visit or stay in them, and companies move there to provide services.

These are the popular cities in Greece: 

• Athens
• Thessaloniki
• Chania
• Nafplio
• Heraklion
• Rhodes Town
• Patras
• Rethymno
• Corfu Town
• Kavala,

How to find a job in Greece as a lawyer?

Finding a job in Greece as a lawyer depends on many factors. Some of these items are in your control, and some are not. Your personal skills, education, work experience, language fluency, certificates, and qualifications are only some of the items in your control.

The market, demand, and job description are not in your control. But you should keep looking to find a job that suits you.

You can use these ways to find a job in Greece as a lawyer:

Networking

You can find lawyers or people who work in your field and start a friendship with them. These people can refer you to companies. If there is a job position, they can inform you and seize it before someone else see it.

Online Job Portals

There are websites that advertise job positions in Greece. You can find a job as a lawyer in them. You should prepare your resume and apply for them. If your CV is eye-catching and the employer is convinced, they reach you for an interview.

This is a list of the websites that advertise job positions in Greece; 

• Kariera
• Jobfind.gr – Career Portal
• skywalker.gr
• kariera.gr
• job site.gr
• randstad.gr,
• just jobs.gr/find/ (KPMG)
• neuvoo.gr
• gr.jooble.org
• cosmosjobs.com
• cosmos-jobs.gr

Law Firm Websites

You can search and find law firm websites to determine whether they have job positions or not.

Bar Association Resources

Greece Bar Association website or the resources they have can help you find a job.

Legal Publications and Journals

There might be magazines or websites that publish law content in Greece. You can recognize them and determine whether they have job positions or not.

Legal Recruitment Agencies

There are companies that connect employers and employees. They can help you find a job in Greece as a lawyer. These are some of these recruiters or employment agencies. You should reach them to know whether they can help you.

• Randstad
• Adecco
• ManpowerGroup
• ICAP
• LMW
• Optimal HR Group
• Jobfind.gr

Personalized Applications

You do not have to use one of the above items. You can use all or a mixture of them that suits your conditions. The more you try, the higher your chance of getting the job.

The more unique your application, the better your chance of finding a job. So work on your resume, skills, and abilities and improve them. It boosts the chance of finding a job and stands you out.

One of the essential items that help you find a job is to determine the exact requirements; language proficiency, legal recognition, qualifications, hard and soft skills, certificates, etc. If you know what employers are looking for and provide them with it, you can find a job easier.

Language fluency to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer

You need Greek language fluency to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer. If you study in a foreign country and get your degree abroad, you must pass the recognition process to register with the Greek Bar Association. One of the requirements to pass the recognition is Greek language fluency.

Moreover, as the Greek legal system is in Greek, you need language fluency to understand how it works. Also, most of the people, lawyers, and your future co-workers speak Greek. So you need Greek language fluency to understand and communicate with them.

There is another way to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer. It’s to study for a law degree there. One of the requirements to get admission to law school is Greek language fluency. You might be able to find a law degree taught in English. But they are limited, and you will need Greek language fluency to pass the bar exam.

Also, English language fluency might be helpful. Greece is part of the EU, and so many international companies and clients are there. English fluency might be helpful for your career opportunities and help you work with international companies or clients.

Is it hard to immigrate and work in Greece as a lawyer?

You are the person to answer this question; Is it hard to immigrate and work in Greece as a lawyer?

If you are determined and ready to pass the obstacles along the way, it’s easy to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer. But if you have not built the grit inside yourself and get disappointed by every challenge, you can say it’s hard for you to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer.

You should know that there are various obstacles that you must become a lawyer in Greece: 

• Legal Recognition of Degree
• Greek Language Proficiency
• Bar Exam
• Bar Association Registration
• Training Period and Bar Exam

The above stages are for a person who has studied abroad and got a legal degree in a foreign country. It could take a few years for you to pass all of the required stages. You should be ready to face all of these challenges and put in the hard work to overcome them.

Also, there could be unexpected problems. For the exam if you can not pass the Bar Exam this year, you have to study harder and pass it the next time it’s available.

This could make the process harder to stand and put pressure on. You should know that unexpected things can come up during the immigration process, and you’d better be ready for them.

Looking back at your hard work, resume, and work experience can determine whether you can immigrate to Greece as a lawyer and the process of hardship.

Greece visa for lawyers

If you are an EU national, you do not need a work permit or a visa to work in Greece. But non-EU nationals need a work permit and a work visa to work in Greece.

You must find a job offer with a Greek employer as it’s the employer who can only apply for a work permit.

Foreign layers must find a job offer with a Greek company, and after the work permit is issued, you can apply for a work visa. A work permit lets you work in Greece, and a work visa lets you enter the country.

You can find more information about Greece’s work visa from the Visa Library article or watch the prepared video on our YouTube channel.

There is also a Greece student visa that you need to study for a degree there. You can learn more about it in the Visa Library menu.

Required Personal skills for lawyers in Greece

You need some personal skills to immigrate and work in Greece as a lawyer besides the process you must follow. If you can not handle and complete your tasks, the whole process is lost. You should develop these personal skills in yourself and improve them to be a successful lawyer.

Working without these features often is not successful. So you’d better know them. Remember that you are going to immigrate to a new country, so you’d better know the required personal skills for there as well: 

• Teamwork
• Initiative and Independence
• Commercial awareness
• Creative Problem-Solving
• Written Communication
• Information analysis and research
• Verbal Communication Skills
• Working Well Under Pressure
• Build Your Empathy Skills
• Attention to Detail

Each of the above personal skills helps you in one or a few cases. They are just samples, and you might need other soft skills. But the whole package helps you to work well as a lawyer in Greece.

For instance, you must be able to work under pressure and handle case studies, research, dealing with clients, court pressure, and difficulties in your personal life.

How much does it cost to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer?

The cost of immigration to Greece as a lawyer is up to various factors: 

• your nationality,
• the immigration pathway you pick,
• the services you require

You need a work visa as a non-EU national. You must ask for the costs from the Greek embassy/consulate in your home country. It varies by your nationality and embassy services.

You need Greek language fluency to immigrate there as a lawyer.

If you get your degree abroad, you must pass the recognition, which has its costs: application fees, document translation, notarization, and administrative expenses.

You also need to prove your Greek language fluency certificate. You have to take a test and submit the fluency certificate. The test fees can vary depending on the test provider and the level of proficiency required.

You should also take a training period in Greece. You might not get enough income for this period in Greece and cover part of your expenses. You should also consider fees for the following:

•  training programs,
• study materials,
• examination fees,
• preparation courses
• etc.

Depending on the country you live in, you must consider the relocation fees. The average cost of a plane ticket is about $1.000. You’d better have some funds for the initial expenses.

You should note that the mentioned costs are generally required items. They can change your conditions and changes in regulations. If you have to go through another step, you might have to pay its related costs.

How to become a lawyer in Greece?

There are two ways for you to become a lawyer in Greece. First, you get a degree abroad and apply for recognition. You must send your degree and supporting documents to Greek officials. They determine whether you can become a lawyer in Greece or not. Then you must pass the training and exams and register with the Greece Bar Association.

The second way to become a lawyer in Greece is to study for a law degree there. You must get admission from a law school, apply for a student visa, complete your studies, and then register with the Bar Association.

Let’s sum up…

This Visa Library article explained how to immigrate to Greece as a lawyer. You learned about the requirements, process, salaries, and steps to follow and got answers to so many of your FAQs.

This is your comprehensive guideline to immigrate and work in Greece as a lawyer.

If you have any sort of questions, write them down in the comment section. The Visa Library team will answer them.

Frequently asked questions about immigration to Greece as a lawyer.