Residence Permit Types in Greece: Choose the One that Suits Your Needs

A residence permit allows you to live in the country for at least a year and there are several paths to getting one. According to Greece’s legislation, residence permits are issued for:

1. Work purposes. 

2. Studies, voluntary work, research, and vocational training.

3. Family reunion.

4. Humanitarian, exceptional, and other reasons. 

5. Victims of human trafficking and migrant smuggling.

Behind the dry lines of the law, various practical ways to get a residence permit are hidden. For instance, “work purposes” apply to employees, entrepreneurs, and investors. “Exceptional and other reasons” give real estate owners, renters, and financially independent persons the right to obtain Greek residence.

Some residence permits come with extra perks like fewer restrictions and more benefits. These are usually tied to investment in Greece’s economy and are widely known as Greece Golden Visas.

Most Greek residents have equal rights and obligations. Once you’ve got your Greek residence card, you’ll enjoy most of the same rights as locals. You can live, study, access healthcare, and travel freely across the Schengen Area. Just remember, you’ll also need to follow the law and pay your taxes like everyone else.

If you’re an EU citizen, living and working in Greece is pretty straightforward. You don’t need a visa or work permit to settle in.

Planning to stay in Greece for more than 3 months? Then you’ll need a Registration Certificate. To apply, bring your ID or passport, and one of the following depending on your situation:

1. Proof of employment in Greece, if employed, such as a work contract.

2. Proof of self-employment, if applicable.

3. Evidence of sufficient resources and health insurance, if not working, to prove that you will not become a burden on the Greek social assistance system.

4. Proof of enrollment in a recognised educational institution and health insurance, for students.

You can apply at your local police station or municipal office, and in most cases, your Registration Certificate will be ready right away or shortly after. 

The Registration Certificate does not need to be renewed as long as your circumstances remain the same. 

After living continuously in Greece for 5 years, you can apply for a permanent residence certificate, which confirms their right to live in the country indefinitely under conditions similar to those of Greek citizens.

If not from the EU, there are still plenty of ways to get a residence permit in Greece. The first step is to apply for a national type D visa at your nearest Greek consulate or embassy, so you can enter the country legally.

Requirements. With a minimum investment of €250,000, you can secure a residence permit and you’ve got five different options to make it happen:

1. Buying a property, residential or commercial.

2. Inheriting a property or receiving it as a gift.

3. Renting a hotel or tourist residence for 10 years.

4. Concluding a timeshare agreement.

The most popular choice is purchasing real estate. You can invest either in your own name or through an EU-based company, as long as you own all the shares.

Greece set an investment threshold of €800,000 for purchasing real estate in Attica and Thessaloniki, as well as on Mykonos, Santorini, and other islands with populations exceeding 3,100 residents. The investment requirement is €400,000 for properties in less popular regions.

Two specific categories of properties will continue to have a lower minimum investment of €250,000, regardless of the location:

1. Architectural monuments needing restoration, which must be completed within 5 years.

2. Properties being converted into residential units, with the renovation completed before the submission of a Golden Visa application.

There’s a new rule: you can now only buy one newly built property and it has to be at least 120 square metres to qualify for a residence permit. That means no more permits for studio flats or smaller homes. This restriction doesn’t apply if you’re investing in restored or converted properties.

Investment properties in Greece

Greece, Santorini

€450,000 — €550,000

Mediterranean style villa next to the sea in Santorini with guaranteed rent

83 m² — 94 m²

3

1

Greece, Kissamos

€1,250,000 — €2,200,000

Traditional style villas on the seafront in Crete

132 m² — 258 m²

3—5

3—5

Greece, Athens

€376,000 — €447,000

Hotel apartments in the historical center of Athens

47 m² — 97 m²

1

1

Family inclusion. Investors can include their family members in the application, including a spouse or registered partner, children under 21, and the parents of both the investor and the spouse. Children aged 18 to 21 must be enrolled in an educational institution to qualify.

Application process. You don’t have to be in Greece to make your investment. With a power of attorney, we can handle everything remotely: getting your taxpayer number, checking the property’s legal status, signing the deal, registering it, and paying the taxes. The entire process of obtaining the Greece Golden Visa through property purchase takes around 4 months.

Want to check out the property in person? You can, but it’s totally optional. The only time you and your family need to be in Greece is for the fingerprinting appointment.

Already own property in Greece? You’re off the hook for the type D visa. A regular Schengen visa, or even a visa exemption, is enough to enter the country and apply.

The supporting documents specific to the option are the following:

• if buying a property — a purchase and sale agreement, proof of registration with the Land Registry, and a Land Registry’s certificate that there have been no obstacles associated with the purchase;

• if renting a hotel or tourist accommodation — a timeshare agreement, proof of registration with the Land Registry, and a certificate from the National Tourism Organisation that it has been informed about the deal;

• if inheriting or gifting — proof of the transfer of rights, such as a will.

The application fee is €2,000 for the main applicant and €150 for each adult family member included in the application.

Requirements. To get a Greek residence permit, you can transfer a capital of at least €350,000 to the country. The investment options are:

1. Purchase of shares in mutual or alternative investment funds — €350,000.

2. Opening a fixed-term deposit — €500,000.

3. Purchase of government bonds — €500,000.

4. Capital investments in Greek companies — €500,000.

5. Purchase of corporate and government bonds listed for trading — €800,000.

The application process is pretty standard. The application fee is €2,000 for the investor and €150 per dependent. 

Possible investment scenarios and supporting documents may be the following:

1. Investing in a venture capital fund, or EKES, which invests only in Greek companies — a statement revealing the details of the increase of the company or fund’s share capital.

2. Investing in a real estate investment company, or AEEAP, which invests only in Greek properties — a statement revealing the details of the increase of the company or fund’s share capital.

3. Investing in any other Greek company — an attestation proving the increase in the company’s share capital or the issue of a debenture loan.

4. Purchasing shares in a mutual fund intended to invest in shares, corporate bonds and Greek government bonds — a certificate for the participation of the applicant in the fund and a statement confirming the money transfer.

5. Purchasing stocks or shares in an alternative investment fund, or AIF, incorporated in the EU and intended to invest exclusively in immovable property in Greece.

6. Purchasing Greek government bonds — a bond purchase certificate.

7. Collecting a portfolio of shares, corporate and government bonds — an attestation certifying the creation of a private Investor Share in the Dematerialized Securities System of the Greek Central Securities Depository S.A. and a certificate for the creation of the exclusive use account.

8. Depositing money in a Greek bank — a certificate of the time deposit information, a certificate of an order for the automatic renewal, and a bank statement.

Residence permit types described in the two sections above fall within the Greece Residence by Investment Program. They are valid for 5 years, and their holders are not obliged to live in Greece. 

While you can’t take up a job in Greece as an investor, you can still earn income. Long-term property rentals are allowed, offering a rental yield of 2—5% annually. You can also collect dividends, earn interest, and even be a shareholder or managing director of a company.

After 7 years and once you get Greek citizenship you’re free to sell the property or securities and close your deposit. With real estate prices climbing about 1.2% each quarter, your property could gain up to 24% in value over five years.

Discover the advantages, terms, and details of the Greece residence-by-investment program

Want to apply as a financially independent person in Greece? You’ll need to show you’ve got at least €24,000 sitting in your bank account. If you’re a retiree, your monthly pension should be over €2,000 to qualify.

When family members accompany you, the necessary amount increases by 20% for the spouse and 15% for each child. For example, a couple with two children will need €36,000.

This residency type doesn’t allow you to work in Greece. But it’s perfect if your income is already sorted.

The application fee is €1,000, and for pensioners, €150.

Want to hire a foreign employee in Greece? You’ll need the green light from the local Decentralised Administration. That means submitting a tax clearance note to show you can cover the agreed monthly wage.

The job contract must last at least a year, and each time you apply for permission to hire a foreign worker, there’s a €200 fee.

The minimum wage in Greece is €830 per month. This rule applies to foreign workers as well. 

Highly qualified employment. For highly qualified roles, there are extra rules. Their salary must be at least 1.5 times higher than Greece’s average gross annual pay.

The number of highly qualified foreigners that can be employed in Greece is restricted. The quota for 2021—2022 includes 380 spots in the Attica region and 226 spots available across Greece. 

This type of residence is also called an EU Blue Card.

Supporting documents. To apply, you’ll need two key documents: the employment approval from the Secretary-General of the local Decentralised Administration and a work contract that’s valid for at least a year.

If you’re applying as a highly qualified specialist, bring a diploma or proof of at least 5 years’ experience in your field. And if your profession is regulated, you’ll also need a certificate from the Professional Qualifications Board.

Family reunification. With a family reunification application, your spouse and kids can get residence permits as well. Just be ready to show documents like marriage and birth certificates to prove your family ties.

Children born in Greece with foreign parents and spouses of Greek citizens are eligible for 5-year residence permits.

Studies. If you’re accepted into a Greek university, you can apply for a student residence permit. Just make sure you can show you’ve got at least €400 per month on top of tuition to support yourself while you’re there.

As a student, you can work part-time to help cover your costs, but you won’t be eligible to bring family members under the family reunification option.

International protection. If you’re seeking asylum in Greece, you can apply for a residence permit under international protection. The process starts by booking a registration appointment online.

You can include up to eight family members in your asylum request — just list adults and minors separately. Everyone included will need to stay at the registration facility for up to 25 days while the process is completed.

Remote work. In 2021, Greece introduced a Digital Nomad Visa to attract remote workers from outside the EU who want to live in Greece while working for employers or clients outside the country. This visa provides a legal pathway for digital nomads to reside in Greece, leveraging the country’s appealing climate, lifestyle, and scenery while continuing their professional activities. 

The eligibility criteria are:

• be employed by a company outside of Greece or work as a freelancer for clients primarily based outside of Greece;

• demonstrate a stable income to support their stay in Greece. The minimum required income is usually around €3,500 per month, but this figure can vary slightly based on official updates;

• comprehensive health insurance that covers healthcare in Greece is mandatory.

The visa does not permit holders to work for Greek companies or engage in the local labour market.

To obtain permanent residence in Greece, an applicant must meet the following conditions. They have:

1. Legally resided in Greece for 5 straight years. It’s allowed to leave the country for no more than 10 months in total and no more than 6 months in a row.

2. Knowledge of the Greek language at an A2 level and elements of Greek history and culture. If an applicant cannot meet this condition, the necessary residing period extends to 12 years. Greek citizens’ relatives are exempt from this requirement.

3. Income not lower than the annual minimum wage. In 2024, it is €9,960. The amount is increased by 10% for each family member, but their income is also considered.

4. A registration address in Greece.

The application fee is €150; the processing time is 6 months. The status of a permanent resident is termless, and the residence card has to be renewed every 5 years.

Once you’ve got permanent residency in Greece, you’re free to work and run a business, just like a local.

1. Moving to Greece. If you’ve got a Golden Visa, moving to Greece is totally up to you. But for most other residence permit holders, living in Greece is required. Either way, you’ll enjoy the perks: a warm Mediterranean climate and a cost of living that’s easy on your wallet.

2. Tax incentives. Greece makes it worth your while with generous tax perks for new residents. Working or running a business here? You might pay tax on just half your income. Pension income is taxed at a flat 7%. And if you’re a high-net-worth individual, you can lock in a flat €100,000 annual tax, no matter how much you earn.

3. Visa-free travelling. With a Greek residence permit, your passport goes further. You can travel visa-free throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period and your time in Greece doesn’t count toward that limit.

4. EU citizenship prospect. Stick around for 7 years, and you could become a Greek citizen. You’ll need to pass a test on the country’s geography, culture, history, and politics, plus show B1-level Greek skills. There’s also an interview to see how well you’ve settled into Greek life.

This is a major advantage for nationals of countries like Türkiye, who normally require a visa to enter the Schengen Area. Learn more about the Greece Golden Visa for Turkish citizens.

5. Access to healthcare and education. With a Greek residence permit, you and your family can tap into public healthcare and education, just like locals. You’ll get access to subsidised medical care and public schools for your kids at the same standards and costs Greek citizens enjoy. It’s a big boost to your quality of life.

1. Whether you’re looking to work, invest, study, or retire, Greece offers residency options to fit your plans. You can usually get a temporary residence permit in just 2 months, and after 5 years, you’re eligible for a permanent one.

2. Want to invest your way in? With at least €250,000, you can buy property, invest in securities, or open a deposit and score a 5-year residence permit.

3. Along the way, you’ll unlock visa-free travel in the Schengen Area, generous tax breaks, access to public healthcare and schools, and even the chance to become an EU citizen after 7 years. It’s more than a permit — it’s your gateway to the Greek lifestyle.