🇬🇷map Greece [Residency]

Overview

Greece is part of the Schengen Area, which means most short stays for tourism or business follow the standard “90 days in any 180-day period” rule for visa-free nationals and Schengen C‑visa holders. Many travelers from the EU, UK (short stays only), US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and several other countries can enter visa-free for those 90 days; everyone else typically needs a Schengen short‑stay visa in advance. Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen zone and have a couple of blank pages. Expect routine checks on funds, accommodation, and return or onward travel, and note that overstays are taken seriously across the Schengen area.

For longer stays—work, study, family, investment, or remote work—you’ll look at a national long‑stay visa (Type D) and then a Greek residence permit after arrival. Greece offers several paths, including employment-based permits, EU Blue Card for highly skilled roles, student permits, family reunification, a popular “Golden Visa” investment route tied to property or other investments, and a digital nomad option aimed at remote workers with income from abroad. Health insurance is required for most categories, and police clearance certificates are common. Rules change every few years, so always check the latest instructions from the Hellenic Ministry of Migration and Asylum or the nearest Greek embassy/consulate before you apply.

Tourist and Short-term Visas

For a classic holiday or a short business trip, the Schengen short‑stay framework applies. If you need a visa, you’ll apply for a Schengen C visa through a Greek consulate or its visa center partner in your country of residence. Typical documents include your passport, application form, biometrics, travel medical insurance with coverage to EU standards, proof of accommodation, itinerary, and evidence of sufficient funds. Business visitors usually add an invitation letter from the Greek host company. Processing times vary by season but plan several weeks at minimum and longer around summer. Fees are standard Schengen rates, with some exemptions and reduced rates for certain nationalities and minors.

Short‑stay visas aren’t intended for work or long stays, and extensions are limited to exceptional cases, such as medical emergencies—don’t count on getting one for travel convenience. If you’re coming for a quick client meeting, a conference, or a scouting trip, a short‑stay is perfect. If you anticipate needing more time, consider applying for the correct long‑stay category from the outset; switching status inside Greece is generally not possible without leaving to apply from your home country.

Work Visas and Permits

If you have a job offer in Greece, your employer usually initiates the process on their side, and you apply for a national D visa at the Greek consulate where you legally reside. Greece uses several work categories, including standard employment permits, intra‑company transfers, seasonal roles (especially in hospitality and agriculture), researchers, and the EU Blue Card for highly qualified professionals with recognized qualifications and a salary above a legal threshold. Expect to show a signed contract, proof of qualifications, and sometimes professional licensing if your field is regulated.

Employer sponsorship is key. In most cases, the employer proves the role and your fit, then you lodge your visa application with your personal documents, medical insurance, and police clearance. Once the D visa is issued and you arrive, you apply for your residence permit within the deadline noted on the visa sticker. Timelines depend on the job category and local workload, so allow a few months from offer to permit card in hand, and avoid starting work until the permit process allows it. Keep originals of diplomas and apostilled translations ready—Greece pays attention to documentation quality.

Long-term Residence

For longer stays without an immediate job offer, Greece offers several pathways. Family members of Greek or EU citizens and legal residents can apply for family reunification. Students admitted to recognized programs can obtain study permits, often with limited work rights. The Golden Visa remains a draw for investors, historically linked to real estate above a set threshold that varies by location; it grants residence rights but not automatic work rights. Greece also introduced a digital nomad route designed for remote workers earning income from outside Greece, typically requiring proof of stable income, health insurance, and accommodation.

Temporary residence permits are usually issued for one or two years at a time and can be renewed if you still meet the criteria. After several years of continuous, legal residence (the exact count depends on category and any time‑credit rules), some residents may qualify for long‑term EU residence or permanent residence, provided language and integration conditions are met. For retirees, Greece has been attractive due to lifestyle and cost of living in many regions; while there isn’t a “retirement visa” in name, certain national visa categories for financially independent persons or the digital nomad option can fit that profile if you meet the income and insurance requirements.

Application Process

Start by confirming the right category for your purpose of stay, then check the nearest Greek consulate’s website for their checklist and appointment system. You’ll complete the national visa (Type D) application, gather documents such as your passport, photos, proof of purpose (job contract, university admission, investment proof, remote work documentation), clean criminal record, health insurance, and accommodation. Many documents require official translations into Greek and, depending on origin, apostilles or consular legalization—plan time for this step.

Submit your application in person, provide biometrics, and attend an interview if scheduled. If approved, you’ll receive a D visa that allows entry and a defined window to apply for your residence permit after arrival in Greece. Upon arrival, register your address as instructed, book your residence permit appointment with the local Migration office (or online where available), and submit biometrics and any remaining documents. Keep copies of everything; Greece often asks for the same papers at multiple steps. Track your permit status via the local office or national tracking tools where offered.

Costs and Fees

Expect three main cost buckets: government fees, document preparation, and practical extras. Government fees include the national D visa fee at the consulate and, once in Greece, the residence permit fee and biometric card fee. Some categories (students, minors, researchers) may have reduced or exempt fees. Document costs can include certified translations into Greek, apostilles/legalization, police clearances, and passport photos.

Medical insurance is required: for visas, Schengen-compliant coverage; for residence permits, broader health insurance that meets Greek standards. If you use a visa center, there may be service charges on top of government fees. Factor in courier costs, appointment travel, and potential attorney or consultant fees if your case is complex. As fees change, check current amounts on the consulate and Ministry of Migration and Asylum sites before budgeting.

After Arrival

Once you land, the early tasks are administrative but manageable if you plan ahead. Apply for your residence permit within the timeframe on your D visa and keep the receipt—this often serves as proof of your legal stay while your card is processed. If you’ll be employed, coordinate with your employer to complete any work permit activation or social insurance registration steps before your start date.

For daily life, you’ll likely need a Greek tax number (AFM) to sign leases, set up utilities, or open a bank account, and a social security number (AMKA or its current equivalent) for healthcare access. Banks vary in their openness to newcomers; bring your passport, AFM, proof of address, and sometimes a reference or initial deposit. Mobile phone plans, municipal registration, and driving license conversions (if applicable) are next—EU licenses transfer more easily than non‑EU ones, so check the rules for your country.

Common Issues and Tips

Most delays trace back to missing or incorrectly prepared documents—especially translations and apostilles. Start your police clearance and document legalization early, and triple‑check that names and dates match across every document. If your category hinges on income (digital nomad, financially independent), present clear, consistent proof: contracts, pay slips, bank statements, and tax filings. For work permits, make sure your job title, duties, and salary match the legal category on the employer’s application.

If you get a refusal, read the reasons carefully—many issues can be fixed with updated evidence or corrected documents, and appeals are possible within set deadlines. Using a local immigration lawyer or experienced consultant can be worth it for complex cases or tight timelines. Policy fine‑tuning happens regularly in Greece; always rely on the Hellenic Ministry of Migration and Asylum and the Greek consulate websites for the latest checklists, fees, and booking systems, and avoid relying solely on forum anecdotes, which can be out of date.

Franz
Franz is a German technical writer and business consultant from Munich, with over 15 years of experience in international corporate relocations and German business culture. Having worked for major German multinational corporations including BMW and Siemens, Franz has extensive experience facilitating the relocation of international talent to Germany and helping German professionals navigate complex assignments abroad.