The nation of Greece is a number one tourist destination every year. Its unique cuisine, language, culture, beaches, and architectural wonders including the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and the numerous temples to the ancient Greek gods, attract millions of visitors to explore one of the oldest countries in the world.
Even in the face of the recent global financial crisis, Greece’s economy is booming and its service, agriculture, merchant, and tourism industries are continuing to grow. The nation’s economy is the 15th largest in the European Union and it is the 7th most visited country in the EU as well. For these reasons, foreign nationals are turning to Greece as a viable choice for relocation and investment.
- The PR holders who have been residing in Greece for 7 consecutive years (180 days in each year)
- A child born in Greece and has enrolled and attending the A’ grade of elementary school.
- A child whose one of the parents has completed a continuous stay in Greece for 5 consecutive years prior to the child’s birth.
- A child unmarried and minor whose parents have acquired Greek citizenship.
- Children living in Greece and have successfully completed nine classes (6 in elementary school and 3 in Gymnasium) or 6 classes of secondary education.
Non-Europe Union nationals shall be allowed to enter the country in order to practice independent economic activity, provided that they have sufficient funds to practice the activity, amounting to at least € 60,000, which shall be deposited in an account in the name of the applicants with a recognized bank. After the issuance of the special visa, this sum shall be deposited in a corresponding domestic institution.
Studies, vocational training, scholars-special programs, studies at military academies, acquisition of medical specialty, financially independent persons, adult children of diplomatic officers, diplomatic delegations service staff, foreign press correspondents, ministers of known religions, athenian academy, study of acquaintance with and practice of monastic life, organized tourist group leaders, researchers.
Dependent employment or provision of services or work, seasonal employment, corporate executives etc.
This permit is applicable for Greece citizens and for those who have resided legally in Greece for the last two years.
Humanitarian reasons, public interest, trafficking victims
To help international investment and to keep pace with its European neighbors, Greece enacted its investment-based immigration program that offers a renewable five-year Greek residency visa to foreign nationals who invest at least 250,000 Euros into residential real estate that is physically located in the country.
One reason why the Greek program is particularly attractive is because this required investment amount is the lowest among the Southern European countries that have their own investment-based real estate programs. Additionally, a foreign investor may purchase multiple properties whose values total 250,000 Euros in order to meet the required investment amount.
Once a foreign national has entered Greece – regardless of the type of visa used for entry – the national can apply for residence pursuant to the real estate investment-based immigration program. The application for foreign real estate owners must contain three color photos of the investor, a copy of the investor’s passport, and a health certificate from a Greek doctor certifying that the investor is free of communicable diseases. Additionally, the application must have a copy of the contract for the purchase of the property (or properties) that are valued at a minimum of 250,000 Euros, along with a notarized statement confirming that the contract meets the requirements for investment-based residence in Greece.
If the real estate has already been transferred to the investor, the application must contain proof of the title transfer. The investor submits the application to Greece’s Aliens and Immigration of the Decentralized Authority agency. If the agency Secretary approves the application, the investor and family will receive the residence permit. The permit is initially valid for five years and may be renewed in further five-year increments as many times as the investor desires.
Non-EU nationals planning to live and work in Greece must apply for the appropriate permit from the Greek Consulate in their country of origin or residence before arriving in Greece.
Foreign nationals who want to stay in Greece for a period over 90 days will need a Residence Permit. Permission to work is granted with certain Residence Permits, therefore a separate work permit is not required.
The application should be made within the first 2 months, although it is recommended that it be done on arrival in case of delays.
Applications for Residence Permits need to be made at the municipality office/town hall or the local Aliens bureau.
The legislative agenda regulating specific characteristics of Greece immigration legislations was adjusted in January 2007. The Greece general confederation of labor considers the legislations despite the broader criteria in granting residence permits under the new legislation.
In January 2007, an adjustment to the immigration law #3386-2005 provided social and residence inclusion of 3rd country nationals in Greek territory. The new legislative intervention by the Public Administration and the Ministry of the Interior and Decentralization attempts to enhance and correct the shortcomings and omissions noted throughout the first 16 months that Law #3386-2005 was in effect. The inter-ministerial committee of Greece monitors the new policy.
This is also the first time that the Greece government established an international committee for social insertion of immigrants. Members of the committee include representatives of parliamentary parties, local government, academic community, and social partners. It creates an idea of an expansion with the inter-ministerial committee monitoring immigration policies while taking care of refugees. These issues were based on a multi-disciplinary perspective. The measures must be taken into account for the sake of issues related to immigration. The Greece Immigration Office has done continuous efforts to make this country a free place for immigrants.
The Immigration Committee reviews the application and interviews the applicant. The local Secretary General decides whether or not to grant the permit.
Resident permits are initially valid for one year. After this period, it can be renewed if the application for renewal is submitted two months prior to the expiration of the initial permit. After five years continuous residence, permanent residence for family members can be applied.