Residence permit for property owners

It is possible to issue residence permits to third country citizens and their family members, who purchase real estate in Greece, the value of which exceeds 250,000 Euros. The aforementioned five-year permit can be renewed for an equal duration, after its expiration, provided that the property remains in the ownership of the investor -who originally is a citizen of a third country- and the other conditions for granting the residence permit are met.

Residence permit for investment in securities or a bank deposit

The entry and residence of third-country citizens and their family members in Greece is allowed, in order to make an intangible investment in Greece in specific forms of securities or a bank deposit exceeding 400.000 euros in value, either as natural persons or through legal entities. The aforementioned residence permit (with five years duration) can be renewed for an equal duration, after its expiration, provided that the holding of the specific investment is certified and the other conditions for granting the residence permit are met.

Digital Nomad Visa

During the pandemic, Law 4825/2021 “Reform of procedures for deportations and returns of third country nationals, attraction of investors and digital nomads, issues of residence permits and procedures for granting international protection and other provisions” was enacted.

This law includes provisions for the granting of entry visas (type D) for a period of up to twelve months to self-employed, freelance or employed third-country citizens working remotely for employers or with clients outside Greece using Information and Communication Technologies.

The issuance is granted upon submission of a request to the competent Greek Consular Authority either in person or by registered letter. At the same time, the person concerned must submit their indefinite-period or fixed-term employment contract with a remaining period covering the period of validity of the national visa, as well as a solemn declaration stating that they intend to stay in Greece for at least one year and during this period they will provide remote labor, which will not involve labor or services for an employer based in Greece.
In addition, the person concerned must submit information about their status in the company, as well as information concerning the name, the registered office, the activity of the company in case that the third-country citizen is self-employed in their own company, located outside the Greek territory.

Furthermore, in order to be granted a visa, digital nomads will have to prove that they have a stable income sufficient to cover the costs of living in the country without burdening the social welfare system. This amount is set at EUR 3,500 per month and is proven by the employment or project contract or proof of employment, in the case of dependent work, services or projects, or a bank account.

The visa may also be individually issued to the family members of digital nomads for the same duration as the main person concerned. However, the family members must not provide dependent labor or engage in any form of economic activity in Greece.

In the case of families, the income criteria are increased by 20% for the spouse or cohabiting partner and by 15% for each child.

Provided that the relevant conditions continue to apply and after having entered the Greek territory, the applicant may, during the period of validity of the aforementioned National Entry Visa, apply for and obtain a residence permit of a two (2) years duration, by presenting the necessary documents, accompanied by an application submitted to the one-stop service of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum. In fact, the above-mentioned residence permit may also be granted to the members of their family and is renewed every two (2) years upon request of the person concerned (provided that the legal requirements are met).

Finally, it should be noted that, notwithstanding what is stipulated regarding the obligation to obtain a National Entry Visa (VISA D), applicants who have entered the country with a uniform visa (VISA C- valid up to 90 days) or with a visa waiver status in our country, provided that they meet the requirements, they are also entitled to apply for this residence permit, but in this particular case they are obliged to submit additional documentation, namely a lease of residence or a property purchase contract in the Greek territory.

Residence permit for exceptional reasons
Third country citizens who reside in Greece are granted a residence permit for a period of three (3) years. The residence permit is granted if the aforementioned citizen proves with documents of definite date the actual fact of their residence in the country for at least seven (7) consecutive years, prior to the submission of the application, or if they are parent of a minor native citizen.
Requirements:
a) Be a holder of a passport.
b) The completion of a payment of three hundred (300) euros fee.
c) The absence of any reason, considering the applicant’s identity, which makes them dangerous for the public order and security.

Residence permit as family members of a Greek citizen
Third country citizens who are family members of a Greek citizen and enter Greece with an entry visa, or legally reside in Greece, are issued a “Greek Family Member Residence Permit” for a period of five years.

As family members of a Greek citizen are considered:

a) the spouse / partner regardless of nationality,
b) the direct ancestors of the Greek citizen, as well as those of the spouse, regardless of nationality, as long as they are dependent;
c) their adult children who do not have Greek citizenship, as well as the children of their spouse, either under 21 years of age, or dependent regardless of age, as well as
d) any other family member of the Greek citizen, regardless of nationality, as long as the member is maintained by them, or lives under their roof, or serious health reasons exist, which make it absolutely necessary for the Greek citizen to take personal care of the family member in question.

Residence permit for work and business

• Employees with dependent work-provision of services or work
• Special purpose workers
• Investment activity
• Employment of highly qualified specialists “Blue Card”
• Employment under intra-corporate transfer

Residence permit for study, voluntary work, research and vocational training

• Humanitarian reasons
• Special reasons
• Public interest

Residence permit for family reunification

A third country citizen who has been legally residing in Greece for two (2) years is entitled to apply, upon request, for entry and residence in the country, where their family members reside.

Requirements:

1. The maintainer must prove the family relationship with the members of their family with whom the maintainer requests reunification in Greece.

2. The maintainer must possess:

a. Accommodation able to meet the needs of themselves and their family members.
b. Stable and regular personal income, sufficient for the needs of themselves and their family.
c. Full sickness insurance, which can cover their family members.

Long-term residence permit

A third country citizen who has been residing in Greece legally and continuously for five (5) years immediately prior to the date of submission of the relevant application, may become a long-term resident by obtaining a five-year residence permit.

Requirements from the applicant:

a. They have an income sufficient for the needs of themselves and their family.

b. They have full sickness insurance, which also covers their family members.

c. They meet the conditions for integration into Greek society, namely, the applicant:

1. has sufficient knowledge of the Greek language and knowledge of elements of Greek history and culture or
2. is a holder of a permanent residence card as a member of a Greek family or
3. there is a relevant suggestion from a naturalization committee or
4. resides legally in Greece for twelve (12) years or
5. holds a Special Identity Card for Expatriates.

Second generation residence permit

Adult citizens of third countries who were born in Greece or have successfully completed six (6) grades of Greek school in Greece, before reaching the age of 23, are granted a residence permit for a period of five years, which is renewable for five years.

Financially independent individuals

A third-country citizen is able to obtain a residence permit for two years, if they have received a special entry visa and have sufficient resources (as long as the level of their stable annual income covers their living expenses), which may be renewed thereafter every two years, provided that the conditions provided by law are met each time. The aforementioned citizen may be accompanied by their family members, to whom an individual residence permit is granted as well, which expires at the same time as the residence permit of their dependant.

Board members, trustees and company staff

Third-country citizens, members of management boards, administrators, legal representatives and senior executives (general managers, directors and deputy directors) of subsidiaries and branches of foreign companies legally engaged in commercial activity in Greece may obtain a residence permit after gaining a special entry visa. The residence permit has one year duration and may be renewed every two years, provided that the conditions required by law are met each time. The aforementioned third-country citizens may also be accompanied by their family members, who are granted an individual residence permit, which expires at the same time as the residence permit of their dependant.

Strategic investors

“Strategic Investors” are defined as non-EU citizens, who make strategic investments in the national and local economy, which can have significant quantitative and qualitative results for the country. By making a strategic investment, investors are eligible to apply for a residence permit, together with their spouse (or the other party of their cohabitation agreement) and children (under 18 years of age), while enjoying the investment incentives provided by the state, such as tax breaks or grants, depending on the type of investment they make.

Specifically, “Strategic Investments” fall into the following categories:
1) “Strategic Investments 1”
2) “Strategic Investments 2”:
3) “Emblematic Investments of Extreme Significance”
4) “Rapid Licensing Strategic Investments”
5) “Automatically Integrated Strategic Investments”