In this case, the period of residence is not relevant. Click here to see full Cookies Table. investor permit, permit for dependent work, as an EU blue card holder, other special residency permits) for third country nationals, as provided by Greek law. Back then, if you had a visa you had to renew it every three months, so Brits would go to Turkey to get their passport stamped and then return to Greece for another three months. Therefore, holders of a Greek permanent residence permit, called the ‘Greek Golden Visa’, are permitted to travel freely throughout the European Union. These offices are basically Citizen’s Advice Bureaus. What this means If we don’t apply for the new biometric permit by June 2021, we won’t acquire any rights under the Withdrawal Agreement and our status will revert to non-EU national. Third country nationals, being subject to Chapters A and B of this Article and legally residing in the country, are not obliged to leave Greek territory in order to apply for a residence permit. The duration of validity of the residence permit is for five years and is subject to renewal for an equal period each time, provided the implementation of the investment or its operation is continued after its completion. In order for non-EU citizens to qualify for a Greek visa and residence permit* to retire or otherwise live in Greece without working for an employer in Greece, these basic requirements must be fulfilled: — A total of 2,000 euros/month in proven, consistent income; or at least 24,000 euros in a bank account. 2. The Directorate for Migration Policy of the Ministry of Migration Policy is responsible for the examination of the application and the decision on the issue or the renewal of the residence permit for the realization of investment activity. In all other cases of joint ownership, the right of residence is granted only if the   joint ownership rate of each joint owner is worth 250,000 euro. To get a work permit you have to visit the local aliens and immigration department in Attica and the city of Thessaloniki. Greek residence permits have a validity of five years for individuals who do not apply for permanent residence status. Remove Cookies Article , Expert Blog , Lifestyle Whether you’re moving to Greece before or after the Brexit transition period ends, you’ll need to apply for Greek residency. (e) has concluded  a time sharing agreement pursuant to the provisions of Law 1652/1986 "Time sharing agreement and related issues" (Government Gazette 1, no 167), which is in force. 11 operating in Greece”. Modernizing the services to foreigners living and working in Greece, the Ministry also announced the digitization of appointments with authorities as well as the authenticity of electronic residence permits via mobile phones. A five-year residence permit can be converted to a permanent residence permit after five years, provided the permitted periods of absence are not exceeded. Residence / Registration Certificate Periods of absence from the country shall not disrupt the renewal of the residence permit. 4. 1. Our writer in Greece has been through the process and explains the niceties. The entrance and residence of third country nationals is permitted in Greece, for the purpose of making investments that will have a positive impact on national development and economy. If you have done the preparatory work before you leave the UK, you will not have so many bureaucratic headaches when you get to Greece. Greece Property Guides Capital contribution, amounting to at least four hundred thousand (400,000) euros, to a Real Estate Investment Company (REIC) under article 21 of Law 2778/1999 (OJHR A-295), whose object is to invest exclusively in Greece, for the acquisition of stock in an increase of its capital stock. 24 (Official Government Gazette Α΄ 84) to a beneficiary’s bank account held in a payment service provider, as defined by Law 4537/2018 article 4 par. The competent departments of the Ministries of Development and Competitiveness shall notify, in writing or by e-mail, the Directorate for Migration Policy of the Ministry of Interior, about any change in the evolution of implementation of the investment activity. The residence permit granted to the above non-EU/EEA citizens does not entitle them to work in Greece. 8. They can help with numerous queries relating to residency permits, renewal of documents and so on. All EU citizens and permanent residents enjoy full rights and privileges as EU citizens, including the right to establish residency, buy property, open a business and work in Greece. Please download here a Brief Guide to Residence Permits for real estate owners in Greece, edited by Enterprise Greece, in the following languages:English, Greek, Chinese, Russian, Arabic and Turkish . When I first moved to Greece in the late 1970s, Greece wasn’t in the EU. Driving licence rules will stay the same until 31 December 2020. "The resale of the real estate property during the period of validity of the residence permit, to another third-country national shall provide the right to the granting of residence permit to the new buyer with simultaneous withdrawal of the vendor's residence permit.". It became a member state in 1981. In the case of jointly owned property, worth 250,00… Greece Residence Permit (Golden Visa) The property market in Greece is beginning its recovery following the Euro Crisis and this has opened up many exciting investment opportunities. 2. Ask where you should go to apply for a residence certificate or permanent residence permit at your nearest KEP office. Registered in England No. 2. The residence permits, being granted pursuant to the paragraphs 1 and 4 of this Article, do not establish the right of access to any form of employment. Greek residence permit gives you the opportunity to travel around the world and to forget about the problems with visas and standard conditions of visiting the Schengen countries. Purchase of shares, corporate bonds, or Greek Treasury bonds, which are listed for trading or traded in regulated markets or multilateral trading facilities operating in Greece, of an acquisition value of at least eight hundred thousand (800,000) euro. In the case of jointly owned property, worth 250,000 euro, the right of residence is granted only if the owners of the property are spouses with indivisible shares in the property. Before you can apply for a work permit, you need a job so that your employer can be contacted. On the motion of the Directorate of Foreign Investments of the Ministry of Economy and Development, concerning the characterization of the investment and the feasibility of   granting residence permit, the entry and residence of third-country nationals may be permitted in Greece for the implementation and operation of the investment. Before reading this article, it is assumed you already have a Greek permit that entitles you to live here. Purchase of shares of an acquisition value of at least four hundred thousand (400,000) euros in a mutual fund, which has been established in Greece or another country and whose object is to invest exclusively in shares, corporate bonds or Greek Treasury bonds that are listed for trading or traded in regulated markets or multilateral trading facilities operating in Greece. Firstly, you have the working visa, which can be converted to a work permit and a residence certificate at the same time once you actually arrive in Greece. In 2013, the Greek government passed a new law which gives non-EU nationals and their family members a residence permit when buying property with a value of €250,000 or more. You can get documents translated in the UK before you leave, so birth and marriage certificates can be translated and notarised in the UK. To apply for a Greece Residence Permit complete the steps listed below. Residence / Registration Certificate in Greece EU nationals have the right to live and work in Greece without a work permit, however EU nationals staying longer than 3 months are required to obtain a Registration or Residence Certificate. 3. Purchase of shares or stock of an acquisition value of at least four hundred thousand (400,000) euro in an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF), which has been established in Greece or another Member State of the European Union and whose object is to invest exclusively in real estate in Greece, provided it is included, upon its request, in the list compiled by the Foreign Funds Directorate of the Ministry of Development and Investment in cooperation with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission. The above permit may be renewed for an equal duration, each time, provided that   the real estate property remains in the ownership and possession of the third-country national or the agreements of paragraph 1 of this remain in force and all other requirements, provided by law, are fulfilled. Change Cookie Consent If you have a holiday home in Greece, then you will likely be fine with a tourism visa, which allows you to stay for 90 days in every 180-day period. Getting residency in Greece is a great feeling! This decision can be reversed. When you apply for a residency permit you should take as many documents as you can with you. II. You may be looking to invest in a Holiday Home, wishing to Retire in Greece or looking for Greece Residence Permit, we have the expertise to help you make the most from your investment. 2. This residence permit allows foreigners to reside on the territory of Greece and to travel freely throughout the Schengen area, but does not provide the right to work. This would then be switched to … 1, in the Joint Ministerial Decision. Greek bureaucracy can be infuriating, so be prepared for long waits and further visits to government offices. 5. This sounds mad, but I know this because of my own experience. You can find the guidelines on how to renew your Residence Permit in English here. Greece is one of the sunniest countries in Europe and offers a modern and high-quality lifestyle. Depending on the amount and the characteristics of the investment, up to ten third country nationals may enter and reside in the country, including the investors, for the implementation and operation of the investment. The residence permit validity is extended to 10 years for individuals who apply for permanent residence status. Another popular option is the so-called ‘golden visa’, which provides a residency permit, renewable for up to five years, in return for purchase of real estate at €250,000 or more. Residence document holders will then be invited by the Ministry for Migration Policy, at the end of 2020, to change their documents to the new biometric residence permits. As lots of Residence Permits expired in 2017, the Greek Asylum Service asked permit holders to renew them through an online procedure. 1. The entrance and residence of third country nationals is permitted in Greece, for the purpose of making an intangible investment in Greece in specific forms of securities or a bank deposit exceeding the value of €400,000, either as individuals or through legal entities. 1, may be accompanied by the members of their families who are granted a residence permit for family reunification,  expiring simultaneously with the residence permit of the sponsors. Residence permits to investors/real estate owners - Top 10 countries, Source: Ministry οf Migration and Asylum General Secretariat for Immigration Policy, Residence permits to investors/real estate owners per year, Source: Ministry οf Migration and AsylumGeneral Secretariat for Immigration Policy, Residence permits to investors/real estate owners and their families per year. The Greece Buying Guide takes you through each stage of the property buying process.The guide will help you to: We handle your data with care and only ever as outlined in our Privacy Policy. Long-term EU-wide residence/work permit In addition, Greece is a member of the EU Schengen visa zone. All foreigners moving to Greece with a visa that is valid for a year or longer need to apply for a Greek residence permit. © Copyright 2021 Property Guides. The Greek residence permit will allow you visa-free travel to any Schengen country. However, if you’re looking for residency, there are a number of visa options available to you. The above third-country nationals, by way of derogation from the provisions of Article 70, par. Spouses b. the other spouse or partner with whom a third-country national has a cohabitation agreement in Greece c. The direct unmarried descendants of the spouses, who are under the age of 21 d. the direct unmarried descendants of the supporter or of the other spouse/partner , provided that their custody has been legally entrusted to the sponsor (for his/her children) and to the other partner (for his/her children), under 21 years of age e. the direct relatives of the spouses in the ascending line. A much-delayed law that eliminates the residence permit requirement for non-Greek, European Union citizens living and working in Greece has finally come into force. All Rights Reserved.Property Guides names, logos, and brands are wholly owned by The Overseas Guides Company Limited. Greece introduces new residence permits for EU and non-EU nationals living in the country. The above are granted, by decision of the Minister for the Interior, a ten-year residence permit, which is renewed for ten years, provided the same requirements are met. By decision of the Secretary General of the Decentralized Administration, residence permit for five years, subject to renewal, is granted to a third country national who: (a) has legally entered the country with any type of visa or legally resides in the country, even if the type of residence permit that he possesses, does not permit change of purpose. These should include bank statements so that you can prove that you are financially secure. I have always found the staff helpful and knowledgeable at these offices. We offer a full list of services on all stages of the process and ensure your application for Greek residency will be successful. COPYRIGHT © 2020 ENTERPRISE GREECE - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED, Industrial, Consumer & Construction Product Exports. All documents in English should also be translated into Greek and notarised. The session cookie is required for authentication, preference tracking, and other necessary functions to fully engage with this website. How to renew your Residence Permit. Once in Greece, apply for a residency permit. 3. You have allowed cookies to be placed on your computer. 6. To the third-country national, to whom has been granted a visa for the realization of an investment, a residence permit shall be granted for the same reason, on procurement of the required documents. More information on this issue will follow in the Greek gov BREXIT website and the Ministry of Migration Policy website later. 2 of Law 4002/2011 (Government Gazette 1, no 180). Usually both documents are valid for five years. Residence/work permits for non-EEA nationals are very difficult to obtain for those who are not of Greek origin or not married to a Greek. Residency-Greece specializes in helping our customers obtain a residence permit in Greece through real estate investment. Obtaining a Greek permanent residence permit usually takes around two months, and the permit can be renewed every five years. greece@propertyguides.com Note: The statistical data provided correspond to/reflect the valid residence permits at the moment of their extraction from the database of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.Therefore, at any subsequent data extraction, the number of valid residence permits per month or per year may increase, given the fact that pending applications are examined by the competent services during the period between two consecutive data extraction dates and relevant new residence permits are issued, with an effective date retroactively corresponding to the date of submission of the application by the interested party. I had to apply for a visa and residence permit before leaving the UK. 2. “ The consideration is paid by a crossed bank cheque to a bank account of the beneficiary, held in a credit institution operating in Greece or with a credit transfer, as defined by Law 4537/2018 article 4, par. Το third country nationals, real estate property owners, the possibility of leasing that property is  granted. 1. Greece is a member of the EU Schengen visa zone, so when you have this Greek residency permit, which is also called Greece Golden Visa, you will be allowed to travel throughout the European Union. Citizens of third countries will be able to submit their applications for residence permit through an online platform, the Greek Migration Ministry said on Friday. This decision can be reversed. (d) has concluded an agreement for at least  a ten year lease of hotel accommodation or furnished tourist residences in tourist accommodation complexes, pursuant to Article 8 par. You can invest in business or buy real estate of any value. 5. U.S. citizens married to European citizens may apply for a Greek residency permit. To apply for the new permit you must have registered as an EU citizen resident in Greece by 31/12/2020. Residence permit in Greece for financially independent persons In the residence permit of third-country nationals referred to in paragraph 1 of this Article, it shall be stated “Residence permit for investment activity "and in the" Remarks " the professional status of the holder shall be referenced. 1. (c) has the full ownership, possession and peaceful enjoyment of real estate property in Greece via a legal entity, whose shares  are fully owned by him. GREECE PERMANENT RESIDENCY: Methods of Investment for Permanent residence permit : - Investment in real estate by 250,000 Euros. Family members shall mean: a. 1. For help in all aspects of buying or moving to Greece, including residency, click the link for. Namely, these were the beige residence permit and the blue residence permit. Now, many years later, you will instead have a range of visas available, and you apply for a residence permit when you are in Greece rather than before you leave your own country. Bring with you the documents you collected to apply for your National visa in your country, original or copies. Could this new scheme make Greece your retirement destination? You’ll be able to enter 26 countries without a visa and stay for 90 days within every half-a-year. Until the end of December 2019, individuals recognised as refugees or beneficiaries of international protection were granted a 3-year residence permit, which could be renewed, after a decision of the Head of the Regional Asylum Office. 4. Moreover, it allows the granting of residence permits to third country nationals and to members of their families, who purchase real estate property in Greece, the value of which exceeds € 250,000. Whether you’re moving to Greece before or after the Brexit transition period ends, you’ll need to apply for Greek residency. By using our website, you agree that we can place these types of cookies on your device. Capital contribution, amounting to at least four hundred thousand (400,000) euros, to a Venture Capital Company (VCC) under article 5 of Law 2367/1995 (OJHR A-261) for the acquisition of stock, or capital contribution to a Venture Capital Fund (VCF) under article 7 of Law 2992/2002 (OJHR A-54) for the acquisition of stock, provided that the object of the said Alternative Investment Funds (AIF) is to invest exclusively in companies headquartered or established in Greece. The name of the session cookie is randomly generated. At Greece is Home we make sure that whether you are looking to visit Greece, or looking for Property Investment opportunities, we make you feel at home and provide you with a memorable experience. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. If you get as much paperwork and photocopying done as you can before leaving the UK, it will help. Greek residence in 2 months; No need of having to live permanently in Greece The above third-country nationals, by way of derogation from the provisions of Article 70, par. Applicants do not have to be in Greece to apply for a residence permit. Reconsider Cookies Take lots of photocopies so that you don’t take originals with you unnecessarily. If you are a resident in Greece you should exchange your UK licence for a Greek driving licence.You can still use your Greek licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK. The application and the required documents, as specified by the Joint Ministerial Decision, referred to in paragraph 12 of Article 136, are submitted to the Greek Consular Authority of the area of residence of the interested persons, which, within one month, forwards them to the Directorate of Foreign Investments of the Ministry of Economy and Development.The above Directorate, within a month, examines the application and forwards the relevant motion to the competent Consular Authority in order for the required national visas to be issued. You have declined cookies. Purchase of Greek Treasury bonds, with an acquisition value of at least four hundred thousand (400,000) euros and a residual duration, at the time of purchase, at least three (3) years, through a credit institution established in Greece, which is also their custodian. Please download here a Brief Guide to Residence Permits for investment activity in Greece, edited by Enterprise Greece, in the following languages: English, Greek, Chinese, Russian, Arabic and Turkish. Adhesive labels in passports and all other kinds of paperwork relating to foreign nationals living in Greece are to be scrapped and replaced by a new, electronic residence permit that … With this option, you don’t need to find employment or anything of the like, and you can be accompanied by your spouse and close family, who may also qualify for residency through you. The residence permit for financially independent people is issued for a period of 2 years and has to be renewed every 3 years. To enter Greece, apply for a visa at the local Consulate or Embassy. By decision of the Secretary General of the Decentralized Administration,  residence permit for five years, subject to renewal,  is granted to  a third country national who: (a) has legally entered the country with any type of visa or legally resides in the country, even if the type of residence permit that he possesses, does not permit change of purpose. 6. III. Read guidance on: 1. driving licence renewal and exchange 2. what you need to drive abroad 3. driving rules in Greece - family members of the non-EU/EEA citizen. If the ownership status of the property remains unchanged the residence permit might be renewed for five years. You would apply for a beige permit upon arrival in Greece. Once separate permits, the residence permit and the work permit are now all-in-one, meaning residence permits can include the right to work. 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