Greece to Import 5,000 Egyptian Farm Workers: Major Bilateral Deal Activated to Tackle Severe Agricultural Labor Shortages
- Xavi
- Jun 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 2
Athens, June 2, 2026 — Greece is set to welcome up to 5,000 Egyptian seasonal farm workers this year as part of a long-delayed bilateral labor agreement finally moving into full implementation.
Three years after the deal was signed, authorities have begun the practical rollout to address critical labor gaps in Greece’s agricultural sector, which has been struggling with workforce shortages for years.
Key Highlights of the Greece-Egypt Labor Agreement
Initial Quota: Up to 5,000 Egyptian workers for seasonal agricultural roles across various regions.
Work Duration: You may stay a maximum of 9 months per year, and after completing your first successful season, you may become eligible for longer-term permits of up to 5 years.
Flexible Mobility: Workers can move between regions and crops following the seasonal harvest cycle — from peaches and cherries in Macedonia and Halkidiki to olives, kiwis, and citrus fruits in other areas.
Current Progress: Around 150 prospective workers have already been registered with Greece’s Decentralised Administrations. Approvals have been sent to the Greek Embassy in Cairo for background checks and interviews.Over 36 employers from Greece have shown interest in taking part.
Christos Giannakakis, Board Member of the Hellenic Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, confirmed:
"The agreement signed roughly three years ago is finally starting to be implemented, and there is considerable interest from the Egyptian side in having people come to work legally in Greece."
Why This Deal Matters for Greece
Greece’s agricultural sector faces chronic labor shortages due to an aging local workforce, rural depopulation, and fewer young Greeks entering farming. Harvest seasons for key exports — peaches, olives, kiwis, and citrus — often go partially uncollected, threatening production and the wider economy.
Egypt, with its large youthful population of over 110 million, is viewed as a reliable and culturally compatible source of labor. The agreement ensures a legal, organized pathway instead of informal or irregular migration.
Focus on Decent Conditions and Long-Term Stability
Greek authorities and cooperatives are placing strong emphasis on worker welfare:
Exploration of subsidies for modern prefabricated housing units (ISO-box type) to ensure proper living standards, hygiene, and privacy.
Clear mechanisms for worker movement between regions according to harvest needs.
Emphasis on fair wages and supervised employment conditions.
A Model for Future Agreements
The Greece-Egypt initiative is being closely watched by other European countries facing similar agricultural labor shortages. It is seen as a potential blueprint for structured, legal labor mobility between EU and non-EU nations.
Giannakakis noted that the program could be expanded if demand grows, and it may inspire similar agreements with other countries in the future.
What Happens Next?
The process is now accelerating: interviews and final approvals in Cairo are underway, with the first group of workers expected to arrive in the coming months ahead of peak harvest seasons.
This agreement represents a pragmatic and institutional response to Greece’s labor challenges — securing the agricultural workforce while promoting legal and orderly migration.
For the latest updates, detailed guides, and analysis on Greece work visas, seasonal worker programs, agricultural labor policies, and bilateral immigration agreements in 2026, visit: visasupdate.com/blog/categories/greece
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