For those referred to as Financially Independent Persons (“FIP”), the Greek temporary residency programme offers residence in Greece along with visa-free travel within the Schengen area of Europe. Temporary residence holders in Greece are entitled, but not required, to establish and run a business, own real estate in Greece, and enrol their children in Greek and European educational institutions. The bearer of this type of residence permit is not permitted to work in Greece or any other EU nation, nor can it be regarded as a work permit. Those who are economically independent and citizens of third-party (non-EU) nations who have enough money from a stable annual income earned outside of Greece to cover their living expenses—that is, who do not work or engage in independent economic or investment activities in Greece—should apply for this kind of visa.

Before travelling to Greece, non-EU nationals who intend to live there must apply for the necessary visa at the Greek Consulate in their place of birth or current residence. A residence permit granted by the Greek government is required for anyone intending to stay in Greece for more than ninety days. Before the visa expires and during the first two months of arrival in Greece, an application for a residence permit must be submitted.

The necessary documents to apply for Residence Permit in Greece:

1. Visa from a Greek Consulate or Embassy
2. Copy of passport
3. Two passport-sized photos
4. Medical insurance
5. Health certificate from a Greek public hospital, proving that there are no contagious diseases
6. Proof of local residence
7. Proof of sufficient financial means to live in Greece
8. Proof of payment of the required fee to the national tax office
9. Employment contract (if applicable)

All of the aforementioned documents must be in Greek. Certified translators, attorneys, or the Department of Translation of the Greek Foreign Ministry must translate other official foreign documents, including birth or marriage certificates, into Greek.

After the Immigration Committee reviews the applications, the applicant is invited for an interview. The applicant’s request for a permission is next reviewed and approved or denied by the local Secretary-General.

You will receive a blue paper confirming that your application is being processed once it has been submitted. With the help of this blue paper, the applicant is permitted to stay in Greece until the status of their residence permit is officially resolved. The candidate may leave Greece during this waiting period and return at any moment.

The initial validity of residency permits is one year. After this time, if the renewal application is turned in two months before the original permission expires, it may be renewed. You can seek for permanent residence for family members after five years of continuous residency.

For those who want to invest strategically, buy real estate, and support the nation’s economic growth, Greece provides opportunities for residency through investment. The sectors in which Greece has a competitive edge by international standards—such as real estate and tourism, food and agriculture, renewable energy sources, technology and ICT, export-oriented manufacturing, environmental management, and life sciences—are the most alluring and lucrative ones for investments in Greece.

With the “Greece Golden Visa” permanent residency programme, anyone can live in Greece eternally without having to worry about EU travel limitations or visa requirements. Based on the investment made in Greece, permanent residency is awarded.

To be more precise, it offers a five-year residency visa in exchange for a real estate investment. This visa can be renewed if the real estate investment is maintained, and most importantly, it is not required to reside in Greece in order to maintain or renew it. However, citizenship can only be awarded after seven years of citizenship. Children up to the age of 21 are included in the family application, and there is no minimum stay requirement. The investor will receive free health insurance for themselves and their family, and their children will be admitted free of charge to Greek educational institutions (universities, schools, etc.).

Among the Southern European countries that have developed their own investment-based real estate programmes, Greece has the lowest necessary investment amount plan, which is one of its advantages and a major factor in its appeal. To meet the required investment amount, a foreign investor may thus buy many properties whose combined prices total at least 250,000 Euros. This is what makes it the most economical residency in terms of investment, even for family members, and it also provides free entry to the Schengen Zone with a visa within two months of applying.

Investment Options

• Acquire a minimum valued real estate property of €250,000 in mainland Greece or the nearby islands.
  
• Secure a minimum of €250,000 for a 10-year lease on a hotel or other vacation rental.
  
• own a property that was acquired before 2013 and is currently valued at least €250,000.
  
• Possess real estate in Greece worth at least €250,000 that you obtained via a donation or a concession from your parents.
  
• Acquire land with the intention of building on it, as long as the land and construction contract have a minimum value of €250,000.
  
• Enumeration of Greece’s Advantages Immigration Investor Programme for Golden Visas
  
• Greek residence for a mere €250,000 down payment on a home.
  
• Maintain a residence abroad while living and working in Greece.
  
• Getting into Greek universities
  
• entry to the EU’s Schengen area without a visa
  
• There are family members present.
  
• You can renew your visa every five years.
  
• Process for Obtaining Residence

A valid visa for admission into Greece is a prerequisite for applying for Greek residence. The first step’s procedure mostly depends on the foreign national’s country of origin because entry visa rules vary for citizens of the US and the EU compared to other countries.

Three colour photos of the investor, a copy of their passport, a health certificate from a Greek physician attesting to their lack of contagious diseases, a clean criminal record, and medical insurance covering their stay in Greece are all required for foreign investors or property owners. A copy of the contract for the purchase of the property (or properties) valued at at least 250,000 euros, or documentation of the title transfer if the property has already been transferred to the investor, is required with the application. Additionally, a notarized statement attesting to the contract’s compliance with Greek investment-based residence requirements is required.

The application needs to be sent to Greece’s Decentralised Authority agency for Aliens and Immigration. The investor and their family will receive a residence permit if the application is approved by the agency secretary.

The above procedure often results in the issuance of the residency permit after 40 days from the date of investment. The Greek real estate investment must be put into action before a residence permit application may be submitted.

ADVANTAGES OF PERMANENT RESIDENCY IN GREECE

1. Living in Greece

The primary applicant, their spouse, their parents, and any children under the age of 21 are all included in the Permanent Residency Permit once it is issued. They will all be able to use the Greek healthcare system and Greek educational institutions (colleges, universities, etc.) for free. Living in Greece is not necessary before, during, or even after the Golden Visa residency application is approved.

2. Free Travel

Visa-free travel across the EU without traveling restrictions and visa requirements.

3. Fast Application Processing

All applications are evaluated by the Greek government within approximately two months from the date of filing. The applicant’s presence is not required, the application can be filed on their behalf.

4. Favorable Tax Structure

There are not any tax implications unless you reside in the country for over 183 days during the year.

In Greece, foreign labourers must possess the appropriate visas and work permits, particularly those who are not citizens of the European Union.

Requirements for citizens of EU-EEA

The process is quite easy if the applicant is a citizen of an EU or EEA member state; all they need is their passport or identity document to live and work in Greece without any restrictions. Once you have been in Greece for three months, or ninety days, you should get a Certificate of Registration from the Aliens Bureau. To acquire the Certificate, the applicant only needs to inquire about the existence of a foreigner’s department at the local police station; if not, they can send you to the nearest police station that does. There are no fees associated with this certificate, and it is perpetual. In order to receive it, you must supply the following:

• An application form from the police station
• A copy of your passport or ID.
• 4 standard passport photos.
• Proof that you have medical insurance or private health insurance.
• If you are an employing a certificate from your employer or proof of other sufficient financial resources.
• If you’re retired, a letter from your pension provider that states the annual income (translated in Greek).

A rental agreement, records of property ownership, or a statement from the signer of the property deed are some proof that you live in the area.

You are eligible to apply for a Permanent Residence Certificate, which is also non-expiring, after five years of residency in Greece.

For now EU-EEA citizens

Should you be departing from a non-EU/EEA nation, the procedure will be far more intricate. Once you have entered Greece with your visa and obtained a valid passport, you will need to apply for a work permit or resident permit. See which of the several permit kinds that pertain to your situation by reading the information below.

A National Work visa

Since this form of visa is for entry, if you intend to stay in Greece for longer than ninety days, you must get it issued prior to your arrival in the nation in addition to the entry visa. A employment offer from a Greek company or a company in your home country with a Greek branch to which you will be moved must be presented in order to obtain it. A valid passport, your employment contract (or offer), some evidence of health insurance, and a clean criminal background check are often needed for a National Work visa; however, you will need to get in touch with your local Greek embassy or consulate for more information.

This can take up to a year to complete. One way to get this kind of visa is to enter the nation on a tourist visa, look for work, and find an employer who is willing to sponsor your work visa and permit. After you meet with your potential employer and are certain you got the job after the interview, you must leave the nation to obtain a work visa. In order to recruit you over a Greek national or another EU citizen, your prospective employer must fill out the necessary paperwork, submit it to the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the Office of Manpower, and provide a deposit equal to several months’ worth of pay. After completing the aforementioned steps and the application process, the official work invitation letter and contract from Greece should be delivered to the Greek embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country. There, they will extend an invitation for an interview prior to granting the visa.

As can be seen above, obtaining a work visa through this option is a lengthy and multi-step process. In addition, it can be difficult to find an employer willing to undertake this process, as it is typically easier for them to hire candidates who are already in Greece. Additionally, the employer must demonstrate that their private business or company generates a certain amount of profit annually.

Get your own working permit

You are on your own to obtain it if you have no sponsors. You must apply in person at the local Municipal Office for a residence/work permit within 30 days of your arrival in the nation. Since the application procedure is extensive and could take several months, it’s crucial to get started as soon as possible. If your visa expires before your application is processed, you’ll have to leave the country and start the application process again from scratch. In order to receive your permit, you must provide the following documentation in Greek:

• Your Entry Visa.
• Your passport and its copy and two passport photos.
• A certificate of medical insurance.
• A health certificate from a state hospital stating that you don’t have any communicable diseases.
• Some proof that you have a local residence address whether it is a rental contract or something else.
• Some proof that you can support yourself financially, be it job or other resources
• A tax number (AFM) from the local tax office and proof that you paid the required fee.
• From the nearest Social Security Institute (IKA) office or the Citizens Service Office (KEP) a social security number (AMKA)