A residence permit is any document issued by the Greek authorities, according to which a citizen of another country is granted the right to legally reside in the territory of Greece in accordance with the provisions of the European Union.
Residence permit for EU citizens living in Greece
EU citizens have the right to live in Greece for 3 months without a residence permit; the only condition is that they must have a valid ID or passport with them.
EU citizens can stay longer than 3 months if:
they work or are self-employed in Greece
they are students, in vocational training or unemployed, provided they have sufficient funds and health insurance
they are family members, regardless of nationality.
EU citizens planning to stay longer than 3 months must register and obtain a registration certificate or residence permit within 90 days of arrival in Greece.
What documents must be submitted to obtain a certificate?
Passport or identity card
Four (4) photographs
Confirmation of housing availability (title documents or lease agreement)
Proof that you have sufficient income (bank statement or certificate from your employer)
Health insurance (EU Health card – European health insurance card, or private health insurance policy).
After five years of continuous residence or marriage with a Greek citizen, a Permanent Residence Certificate can be applied for.
Place of residence of third-country nationals who are family members of EU citizens in Greece
Third-country nationals who are family members of an EU citizen must apply for a residence permit within 3 months of arrival. The application is submitted to the immigration authority at the person's place of residence. The applicant must present an identity card or a valid travel document.
For more information, visit the website of the Greek Ministry of Migration regarding residence permits:
https://migration.gov.gr/en/gas/aitoyntes-kai-dikaioychoi/adeies-diamonis/
Residence permit for non-EU citizens residing in Greece
Non-EU citizens can enter and stay in Greece for up to 3 months.
A residence permit for non-EU citizens is difficult to obtain unless you are married to someone of Greek origin. You must first obtain a long-term visa from the Greek embassy or consulate in your country of origin to stay in Greece for more than 90 days.
When you arrive in Greece, you will have two months to apply for a residence permit.
According to the new joint decision of the ministers, citizens of third countries who invest at least 500,000 euros in the Greek economy are entitled to a five-year residence permit.
Who can get a golden visa for Greece?
Anyone over the age of 18 who does not have a criminal record can become an investor.
Also, a person who inherited real estate worth more than €500,000 or received it as a gift can also get a golden visa for Greece. He needs to pass a credit check, collect the necessary documents and apply for a residence permit.
What additional benefits does investor GNP give to investors?
It is not necessary to live in the country for 183 days
You can include your husband or wife, parents, and unmarried children under the age of 21 in the application
You can apply for a residence permit not in person, but through a proxy. However, within six months, the investor must visit Greece to provide biometric data
As an investment, you can buy profitable real estate and receive rental income
An investor can become a tax resident of Greece and pay income tax at a fixed preferential rate of 100,000 euros per year for 15 years.
What are the disadvantages of an investment visa?
The investor and his family members, who will receive a residence permit for investment, will not be able to get a job in the country.
How much do you need to invest to get a Greece Golden Visa?
To obtain a residence permit in Greece, you can choose one of the following options:
The investment amount depends on the selected option and the number of family members in the application. Investments in real estate require from €500,000.
How to get GNP in Greece for investments?
To receive GNP, you can open a bank deposit or purchase securities.
What are the stages of obtaining GNP?
Fulfill investment conditions.
Collect the necessary documents for submitting an application for a residence permit.
Get a visa.
When buying real estate, a tourist visa is enough, for other arrangements, a long-term visa type D is required.
Come to Greece.
Pay the state fee for submitting an application.
Submit an application for receipt of GNP.
Submit biometric data.
Get a GNP card.
How to get citizenship for a golden visa holder of Greece?
An investor does not have to be permanently in the country to keep a residence permit. However, to get citizenship, you need to live in Greece for at least 7 years.
First, the investor receives a golden visa of Greece for 5 years and moves to the country. After 5 years, he renews the GNP card or receives a PMP in Greece. PMP is issued to those investors who have spent no more than 10 months outside of Greece in the last 5 years.
In another 2 years, the investor applies for a golden passport of Greece. The fee for submitting documents is €700.
To obtain Greek citizenship, you must pass an exam on knowledge of the Greek language and the country's history, as well as take an oath. In addition, the investor confirms that he does not bear social risks — does not pose a threat to the life and health of citizens, and also has a stable income and does not claim unemployment benefits.
Minor children of the investor automatically receive the citizenship of the country together with him, provided that they live in Greece.
Naturalization allows a foreign citizen to obtain Greek citizenship. The procedure is different in each individual case.
What is naturalization?
Naturalization is the final step in the process of integration into the Greek way of life. This gives you the right to vote and run for office.
As Greece recognizes dual citizenship, applicants for a Greek passport do not risk losing their original citizenship, provided the country of origin also allows dual citizenship.
What requirements must a foreign citizen meet to obtain Greek citizenship through naturalization?
Be of legal age at the time of submission of the naturalization declaration (at least 18 years of age on the date of submission of the application)
Have no criminal record, i.e. not have been convicted of a crime committed (non-negligently) within the last decade before applying for naturalization
Not to be kicked out of Greece. It is also impossible to obtain Greek citizenship through naturalization for a foreigner who does not have the right to legal residence in Greece or whose residence status is uncertain
Confirm the required time of legal residence in Greece
Have one of the following residences permits:
Long-term residence permit or second-generation residence permit
Certificate or other type of residence issued to citizens of EU member states or EFTA countries
Residence permit issued to family members of a Greek citizen or a citizen of an EU member state or to the parents of a minor
A certificate of recognized refugee status or additional protection status or a family member of the holder of such a card
Travel documents or documents that can prove your identity.
What documents must be submitted for a naturalization application?
A true and certified copy of the naturalization application
Copy of social insurance number (AMKA – single registration number for work and social security)
A true and certified copy of a passport or other travel document certifying the identity
A copy of a valid residence permit
Applicant's birth certificate or birth certificate issued by the Greek authorities or other equivalent certificate required by the law of the first country of citizenship
A copy of the income statement or tax return for the last financial year.
How much does it cost to apply for naturalization?
The fee to be paid to the Greek authorities is €700 for third-country nationals, up to €100 for expatriates or citizens of EU member states or recognized political refugees and stateless persons. If the application is rejected and the foreigner wishes to apply again, the amount for third-country nationals is 200 euros, and for the rest 100 euros.
What are the additional requirements?
According to Article 5A (1) and (2) of the Greek Citizenship Code, the essential requirements to be met by applicants are:
knowledge of the Greek language to fulfill the obligations arising from the status of a Greek citizen
to be able to actively and effectively participate in the political life of the country
have a smooth integration into the economic and social life of the country.
In order to complete the naturalization process and assess the applicant's personality as a whole, there is a statutory obligation (section 7 (3) (b) of the Code of Administrative Procedure) to interview the applicant.
How long does the procedure take?
The decision period for a naturalization application is approximately three (3) years, and the decision is issued by the Ministry of the Interior and published in the Government Gazette.
What are the individual requirements?
The basic requirements are the same as for regular naturalization. Additionally, there are terms and conditions that vary depending on your case. You can find out more on the website of the Greek State Secretariat for Migration: https://migration.gov.gr/en/
