You’ll need a residency permit to stay in Greece longer than 90 days. A lot of individuals in Greece are nervous at the mere thought of dealing with bureaucracy or paperwork. Getting residence in Greece, like most other things here, can be time-consuming. Having patience is the most important factor.
Stick with us, and you will find out how to get a residence permit in Greece.
Kinds of permits
There are different types of residence permits in Greece. However, the most popular are long-term visa (also known as D visa) and the Greek Golden visa, which is issued via investment.
Long-term residence permit in Greece
Depending on your primary reason for a long-term stay in Greece, you may qualify for one of three different kinds of Greece National Visas.
Visa for family reunification in Greece
You must apply for a family reunification visa if you want to go to Greece to reunite with loved ones. The only people who may apply are the Greek resident’s spouse and any minor children. The creation of a family bond, via marriage or adoption, is also a basis for granting this visa.
Greece Employment Permit
If you would want to work in Greece, you will need to apply for and get an employment visa, unless you are a citizen of:
- The European Union Member Countries
- Iceland
- Liechtenstein
- Norway
- Switzerland
This type of visa category comprises business owners, coaches, creators, clergy of recognized religions, journalists, educators, highly skilled workers, temporary workers, fishers, tour guides, real estate investors, etc.
Greece Student Visa
A Study visa is required for any travel that involves formal or informal schooling. Volunteers, researchers, students, trainees, scholars, recruits, etc. often apply for this kind of visa.
Also, there is one more type of permit — a residence permit in Greece for financially independent persons. To obtain a residence permit in Greece as a financially independent person, a citizen of a foreign nation must qualify for a long-term VISA (D) at the Greek Consulate nearest their place of residence and provide evidence that he or she can support themselves in Greece without engaging in paid work or other economically productive activities. Family members of this individual are welcome to accompany them, but they must apply for a visa to stay in Greece for an extended period at the appropriate Greek consulate office.
After entering Greece with a visa of type D, you will be asked to contact the National Authority for Aliens and Immigrants to get a Greek residence permit for non-EU citizens. Economically independent persons get a residence permit for two years and are eligible for a renewable residence visa every three years.
Residence permit in Greece by investment
The Greece Golden Visa Program is widely regarded as the most cost-effective Greece investment residence permit. If your application is approved, you and your family will be able to visit the Schengen Area of Europe without a visa in as little as two months.
Any of the following investments will get you the Golden Visa for Greece:
- Get a house that’s worth at least €250,000.
- Get into a long-term contract with a hotel or other tourist attraction for at least ten years.
- Make a minimum equity investment of €400,000 in a Greek firm.
- Put €400,000 into bonds issued by the Greek government.
- Put €400,000 into bonds or REIT shares.
- Put €400,000 into a Greek bank.
- Put €800,000 (around $1 million) into business or government bonds.
In terms of benefits a Golden visa may provide you with, an expert from Immigrant Invest, Elena Ruda, is suggesting the following:
- Family members, such as a spouse, (unmarried) minor children, and either your or your spouse’s parents who are financially dependent on you, may be added to the visa. Your kid may apply for a Golden Visa with you if they are a full-time student and are above the age of 21 but under the age of 24.
- Your whole family may visit the Schengen Area without a visa.
- Renewing a Greek resident permit does not require continuous residency in the country.
- As a homeowner, you have the option of renting out your home.
- After seven years of continuous residency in Greece, an individual is eligible to petition for citizenship. As Greece is a member of the European Union, you would be able to freely trade inside the EU and visit over 100 countries without a visa.
- Education and healthcare in Greece are available to you.
