Types of residency in Greece
Greece offers various types of residency permits for foreign nationals who want to live and work in the country. The most common types of residency permits in Greece are:
Temporary residence permit
Foreign nationals who plan to stay in Greece for less than 5 years can apply for a temporary residence permit. This type of permit is issued for specific purposes, such as work, study, research, or investment.
Permanent residence permit
Foreign nationals who have lived in Greece for at least 5 years can apply for a permanent residence permit. This permit allows the holder to live and work in Greece indefinitely.
Golden visa
The Greek government offers a special type of residency permit, known as a golden visa, to foreign nationals who invest in real estate in Greece. The minimum investment required is €250,000. Golden visa holders are entitled to live and work in Greece and travel freely within the Schengen Area.
Process for Applying for Residency in Greece
The process for applying for residency in Greece varies depending on the type of permit that the foreign national is applying for.
Temporary residence permit
To apply for a temporary residence permit in Greece, the foreign national must submit an application to the Greek embassy or consulate in their home country. The application must be accompanied by a number of documents, including:
- A valid passport
- Proof of financial means to support themselves while in Greece
- Proof of health insurance
- A certificate of good conduct from the foreign national’s home country
- Any additional documents required for the specific purpose of the stay in Greece (e.g. an employment contract or proof of enrollment in a Greek university)
Once the application is approved, the foreign national will be issued a temporary residence permit.
Permanent residence permit
To apply for a permanent residence permit in Greece, the foreign national must have lived in Greece for at least 5 years with a valid temporary residence permit. The application must be submitted to the Greek authorities, along with the following documents:
- A valid passport
- Proof of financial means to support themselves in Greece
- Proof of health insurance
- A certificate of good conduct from the foreign national’s home country
- Any other documents required by the Greek authorities
Registering with government departments/organisations
Foreign nationals who move to Greece must register with the following government departments/organisations:
- The local tax office
- The social security office
- The police station
Foreign nationals who plan to work in Greece must also register with the employment office.
Resources for Residence in Greece
The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs is the main source of information on residence in Greece. The ministry’s website provides detailed information on the different types of residency permits available, as well as the application process and the required documents.
Foreign nationals can also contact the Greek embassy or consulate in their home country for information and assistance with the application process.
For reliable, up-to-date information on residency in Greece, you may wish to consult the following websites:
- The Hellenic Police website (https://www.hellenicpolice.gr/en/index.html)
- The Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs website (https://www.mfa.gr/en/pages/homepage.html)
- The Greek National Tourism Organization website (https://www.visitgreece.gr/en)