How to get or renew your Residence Permit in Greece – A guide for EU, Non-EU & UK expats living in Greece

What you need to know in order to obtain the new biometric residence permit for living in Greece!

Expats living in Greece who already have residence permits (beige or blue) will now be required to apply for the new biometric format from 01/01/2021 – 30/06/2021.
We have gathered all the necessary information below to help you find your way through the process.

This guide consists of the following sections:

1. Residence Permits for EU nationals living in Greece
2. Residence Permits for Non-EU nationals living in Greece
3. Residence Permits for UK Citizens living in Greece after Brexit
4. How to Obtain the Residence Permit – Registration Certificate
5. How we as insuranceline, can help you

General Information

As of January 2021, the Hellenic Administration requires now electronic, biometric residence permits for EU and non-EU nationals living in Greece. This permits also act as identity cards. Within 30 days of receiving a residence permit application, the Greek authorities will arrange for an appointment with the applicant to register their biometric data (photo and fingerprints) which are recorded on the card’s electronic chip. This card will also act as a work permit id showing whether the holder has the right to work in Greece.

The former beige residence permit will been replaced with the new biometric permit that will be valid for 5 years. You will need to re-submit all of your paperwork again in order to obtain the new 5-year biometric permit.

The former blue residence permit will been replaced with the new biometric permit that will be valid for 10 years. You will not need to re-submit your paperwork again unless your blue permit was issued more than 5 years ago. In this case you need to provide proof (airline tickets, rental contracts, etc) that you have been absent from Greece for more than 5 continuous years.

The application for a residence permit, either first-time permit or extension should be accompanied by a letter certifying that the applicant is covered for outpatient medical expenses, hospitalization, medical evacuation/repatriation, and medical care related to accidents for at least one year from the start date of the permit.

We can prepare your health insurance certificate in 24 hours.

We offer residence permit insurance plans at competitive prices. Find here more information on our Residence Permit Health Insurance plans. Additionally you can check our prices and apply for your insurance in minutes!

1. Residence Permits for EU nationals living in Greece

EU nationals are entitled to reside in Greece for 3 months without a residence permit; the only condition is that they must be in possession of a valid ID card or passport.

EU citizens may remain for longer than 3 months if:

  • they are employed or self-employed in Greece;
  • they are students or are in vocational training or are unemployed, provided they have sufficient funds and health insurance;
  • they are family members, regardless of nationality.

EU nationals that plan to stay for longer than 3 months, they have to register and obtain a Certificate of Registration or Residence Certificate (Βεβαίωση Eγγραφής Πολιτών Ευρωπαϊκης Ενοσης / Veveosi Egrafis Politon Evropaikis Enoseis) at the nearest police station or Aliens Office (at police stations with a foreigners department) within 90 days of arriving in Greece.

The Certificate of Registration has unlimited validity. You need to present your passport or identity card, four passport photographs, proof of accommodation (e.g. title deeds or rental contract), proof you have sufficient income (e.g. bank statements or certificate from the employer) and proof of health insurance cover (EU Health Card – or a private health insurance policy).

After five years of continuous residence or the marriage to a Greek national, a Permanent Residence Certificate (Eγγραφο Πιστοποίησης Μόνιμης Διαμονής Πολίτη Ε.Ε / Egrafo Pistopoisis Monimis Diamonis Politi Evropaikis Enoseis) can be applied for.

Residence of third country citizens who are family members of EU citizens

Third-country nationals who are family members of an EU citizen must submit an application for a residence document within 3 months of arrival. The application is submitted to the immigration authority of their place of residence. The applicant must produce an ID card or valid travel document.

For more information visit the Hellenic Ministry of Migration Residence Permits website.
Find below more details of the steps required to apply and obtain your residence permit.

2. Residence Permits for Non-EU nationals living in Greece

Non-EU citizens may enter and remain in Greece for up to 3 months. Always check with your Embassy regarding visa restrictions, residence and work permits. Passports of non EU Nationals must be valid for at least three months after the period of intended stay.

Residence permits for non-EEA nationals are difficult to obtain unless you are married to someone of Greek origin. First you have to obtain a long-stay visa from the Greek embassy or consulate in your country of origin in order to stay for longer than 90 days Greece.

When you arrive in Greece you will have to apply for a residence permit (Άδεια Παραμονής / Adia Paramonis) at the nearest Police station or Aliens Office within two months.

For more information check the Hellenic Republic – Ministry of Migration – Immigration to Greece website.
Find below more details of the steps required to apply and obtain your residence permit.

3. Residence Permits for UK Citizens living in Greece after Brexit

From 1 January 2021, there will be new rules for UK nationals and family members, either UK or third country nationals, living in Greece and the EU. These rules will apply to two categories of UK nationals and family members:

  • those not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, who did not exercise free movement rights prior to the end of the transition period and move to the EU for residency, study or work after the end of the transition period
     
  • those covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, who exercised free movement rights and lived in the EU prior to the end of the transition period (31 December 2020)

Please note that UK applicants will need to obtain a Type D entry visa before departure from the UK. Contact the Greek embassy in London for more up to date information.

Also please note that after the end of the transition period British citizens will be allowed to visit any EU country for tourist or business purposes, visa-free, for 90 days within an 180-day period. For longer periods of stay it is required to apply for a national visa and/or residence permit, depending on the purpose of stay.

3.1. UK nationals and family members not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement

If you are a UK national and you are not resident in Greece prior to the end of the Brexit transition period (you don’t fall under the personal scope of the Withdrawal Agreement), but wish to live in Greece after 1 January 2021, you need to follow the relevant rules and procedures of the Greek Immigration Code regarding  third country nationals wishing to reside in Greece (see Law 4251/2014) or the free movement legislation (see PD 106/2007).

Under these rules you may be eligible for a specific residence permit (e.g. 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. Even though entry requirements may be different, you will have options to stay in the country for more than 3 months.

You may find relevant information on the Ministry for Migration and Asylum website as well as the Enterprise Greece (Residence Permits – Enterprise Greece – The Official Investment and Promotion Agency of the Greek State) website.

3.2. UK nationals and family members covered by the Withdrawal Agreement

UK nationals who exercised their right to reside in Greece in accordance with Union law before the end of the Brexit transition period and continue to reside here thereafter, fall under the personal scope of and are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you are a UK national and you and your family members are already resident in Greece and wish to remain after the end of the transition, you are covered by the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement for as long as you remain resident in Greece.

3.2.1 Application process for the new residence documents required by the Withdrawal Agreement

The application process for UK nationals and their family members to acquire the new residence document required by the Withdrawal Agreement in Greece will begin on 1st of January 2021 and will provisionally end on 30 June 2021.

Beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement are UK nationals and family members who have exercised free movement rights in Greece prior to the end of the transition period and continue thereafter, either whether they are holders of residence documents, as per Directive 2004/38/EC or not. Ιn specific cases, family members of UK nationals, who have not exercised free movement rights in Greece prior to the end of the transition period are also covered by the Withdrawal Agreement (Article 10 WA).

Τo facilitate proof of residence status under the Withdrawal Agreement, UK nationals and family members are encouraged to obtain the new residence document (biometric card).

On 19 October 2020 the Ministry of Citizen Protection and the Ministry of Migration and Asylum published a Joint Ministerial Decision (Official Gazette Issue B’ 4610/2020) that defines the process to be followed by those UK nationals and family members (UΚ and third country nationals) resident in Greece, who wish to remain in Greece after Brexit and wish to acquire new residence documents.

You can find the residence permit application procedure here.

You can also check the Hellenic Police website, the Ministry for Migration and Asylum website and the Ministry of Migration ResidencePermits website for relevant information (in English).

If you need further assistance you can contact The AIRE Centre which helps UK nationals and their family members who moved to Greece before 1 January 2021 to apply for the new biometric residence permits.

Find below more details of the steps required to apply and obtain your residence pemit.

4. How to Obtain the Residence Permit - Registration Certificate

STEP 1: Contact the nearest police station or Aliens Office in the district that you live to confirm all the prerequisites for your application. You will be required to book an appointment with them for your application.

Please be aware that some residence permit issuing authorities in Greece may require 100% insurance coverage (although 80% is required by the law) in order to issue your permit. Make sure you confirm their requirements before applying for the required insurance.

STEP 2: Apply for your residence permit at the nearest police station or Aliens Office in the district that you live.

Typically you will be required to present the following documents:

  1. Passport
  2. 4 passport type photos
  3. Proof of address (a document containing the applicants name and address e.g. photocopy of the house lease, public utility bill (DEH, OTE, EYDAP) or statement from Tax Office (Tax Return)
  4. Proof of medical coverage (Public coverage e.g. EOPYY or Private Health Insurance)
  5. Proof that you have sufficient resources to support yourself e.g. proof of a pension or Greek bank account statement Or declaration stamped and signed by an employer if employed.

Applying for a Permanent Residence Certificate (after 5 years of residence)
The application should be made at the nearest police station or Aliens Office in the district that you live, and typically you will be required to present the following documents:

  1. Passport
  2. 4 passport type photos
  3. Previous Registration Certificate
  4. Proof of address (a document containing the applicants name and address e.g. photocopy of the house lease, public utility bill (DEH, OTE, EYDAP) or statement from Tax Office (Tax Return)

IMPORTANT: You will receive a receipt (including your case number) from the Passport Office for the documents you submitted. You should not lose this receipt as you will need to provide it to the Regional Asylum Office or Asylum Unit when you pick up our residence permit.

STEP 3: Pick up your physical residence permit.

You have to pick up your residence permit form the Regional Asylum Office or Asylum Unit that has the same geographical jurisdiction as the Passport Office you submitted your application. For example, if you submitted an application at the Passport Office of Samos you have to pick up your residence permit from the Regional Asylum Office of Samos, even if in the meantime you have left Samos and now live somewhere else.

In order to check whether your residence permit is ready you have to search the recent announcements in Residence Permits that are ready using your case number.

You have to pick up your residence permit at the time and date as specified in the announcement that contains your case number.

You have to go to the Regional Asylum Office or Asylum Unit to pick up your residence permit in person. You can not send someone else on your behalf.

When you pick up your residence permit you have to bring with you the following:

  • The receipt you received from the Passport Office for the documents you submitted.
  • Your International Protection Applicant’s card with the stamp “Residence Permit is Pending,” that you have to give to the Regional Asylum Office when you receive your residence permit.

For up to date information and the steps required to obtain your Residence Permit also visit the Hellenic Ministry of Migration Residence Permits website.

5. How we, as insuranceline, can help you:

Please feel free to contact us in case you need assistance in the process of getting your residence permit in Greece.

As you have read above the application for a residence permit, either first-time permit or extension should be accompanied by a letter certifying that the applicant is covered for outpatient medical expenses, hospitalization, medical evacuation/repatriation, and medical care related to accidents for at least one year from the start date of the permit.

We can prepare your health insurance certificate in 24 hours. We offer residence permit insurance plans at competitive prices. Find here for more information on our Residence Permit Health Insurance plans. Also check here for Prices and Apply for your insurance in minutes!

We also offer comprehensive Health Insurance Plans for those who need full health coverage in their country of residence, and their country of nationality with a single insurance policy! Moreover, we can provide you with Global Health Insurance options. Get Insured quickly without the need to visit doctors. Get more information on Health Insurance and a get Quote here.

6. References

Residence Permit Insurance Greece Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

Foreigners who want to stay in Greece for a period over 90 days need a Residence Permit issued by Greek authorities in Greece. The application should be made within the first 2 months after arriving in Greece, although it is highly recommended to be fulfilled immediately on arrival in case of common bureaucratic delays.

 

The application for a residence permit, either first-time permit or extension should be accompanied by a letter certifying that the applicant is covered for outpatient medical expenses, hospitalization, medical evacuation/repatriation, and medical care related to accidents for at least one year from the start date of the visa.

 

This letter is issued as soon as a special health insurance plan for residence permit applicant is purchased.

The health insurance coverage required includes the following:

  • Hospitalization (minimum coverage: €10,000/year)
  • Outpatient care / Medical Expenses (minimum coverage: €1,500/year)
  • Accidents (minimum coverage: €15,000/year)
  • Emergency evacuation/repatriation of remains
  • A statement that the coverage is valid in Greece (or “worldwide” or “in the Schengen Zone”).

The required coverage for hospitalization and for outpatient care is low because the authorities stipulate that the insurance company will cover 80% of a bill. The new law (December 2014) does not include a deductible requirement but insurance policies requiring patients to pay more than 20% of a charge will not be acceptable. Please be aware that some residence permit issuing authorities in Greece may require 100% insurance coverage (although 80% is required by the law) in order to issue your permit. Please make sure you confirm their requirements before applying for the required insurance.

The Hellenic Administration from January 2021 requires now electronic, biometric residence permits for EU and non-EU nationals living in Greece. This permits also act as identity cards. Within 30 days of receiving a residence permit application, the Greek authorities will arrange for an appointment with the applicant to register their biometric data (photo and fingerprints) which are recorded on the card’s electronic chip. This card will also act as a work permit id showing whether the holder has the right to work in Greece.

Non-EEA citizens may enter and remain in Greece for up to 3 months. Always check with your Embassy regarding visa restrictions, residence and work permits. Passports of non EU Nationals must be valid for at least three months after the period of intended stay.

 

Residence permits for non-EEA nationals are difficult to obtain unless you are married to someone of Greek origin. First you have to obtain a long-stay visa from the Greek embassy or consulate in your country of origin in order to stay for longer than 90 days Greece.

 

When you arrive in Greece you will have to apply for a residence permit (Άδεια Παραμονής / Adia Paramonis) at the nearest Police station or Aliens Office within two months.

EU-EEA nationals are entitled to reside in Greece for 3 months without a residence permit; the only condition is that they must be in possession of a valid ID card or passport.

 

EU citizens may remain for longer than 3 months if:

  • they are employed or self-employed in Greece;
  • they are students or are in vocational training or are unemployed, provided they have sufficient funds and health insurance;
  • they are family members, regardless of nationality.

EU nationals that plan to stay for longer than 3 months, they have to register and obtain a Certificate of Registration or Residence Certificate (Βεβαίωση Eγγραφής Πολιτών Ευρωπαϊκης Ενοσης / Veveosi Egrafis Politon Evropaikis Enoseis) at the nearest police station or Aliens Office (at police stations with a foreigners department) within 90 days of arriving in Greece.

 

The Certificate of Registration has unlimited validity. You need to present your passport or identity card, four passport photographs, proof of accommodation (e.g. title deeds or rental contract), proof you have sufficient income (e.g. bank statements or certificate from the employer) and proof of health insurance cover (EU Health Card – or a private health insurance policy).

From 1 January 2021, there will be new rules for UK nationals and family members, either UK or third country nationals, living in Greece and the EU. These rules will apply to two categories of UK nationals and family members:

  • those not covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, who did not exercise free movement rights prior to the end of the transition period and move to the EU for residency, study or work after the end of the transition period
  • those covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, who exercised free movement rights and lived in the EU prior to the end of the transition period (31 December 2020)

If you are a UK national and you are not resident in Greece prior to the end of the Brexit transition period (you don’t fall under the personal scope of the Withdrawal Agreement), but wish to live in Greece after 1 January 2021, you need to follow the relevant rules and procedures of the Greek Immigration Code regarding third country nationals wishing to reside in Greece (see Law 4251/2014) or the free movement legislation (see PD 106/2007).

 

UK nationals who exercised their right to reside in Greece in accordance with Union law before the end of the Brexit transition period and continue to reside here thereafter, fall under the personal scope of and are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement.

 

If you are a UK national and you and your family members are already resident in Greece and wish to remain after the end of the transition, you are covered by the provisions of the Withdrawal Agreement for as long as you remain resident in Greece.

All UK nationals resident in Greece should apply for a registration certificate whatever their status.

 

The former beige residence permit will been replaced with the new biometric permit that will be valid for 5 years. You will need to re-submit all of your paperwork again in order to obtain the new 5-year biometric permit.

 

The former blue residence permit will been replaced with the new biometric permit that will be valid for 10 years. You will not need to re-submit your paperwork again unless your blue permit was issued more than 5 years ago. In this case you need to provide proof (airline tickets, rental contracts, etc) that you have been absent from Greece for more than 5 continuous years.

All UK nationals resident in Greece before 1 January 2021 should get the new biometric residence document. The deadline for getting the new document is 30 June 2021.

 

This deadline is indicative which means that your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement will not be affected if you do not meet the deadline. However, we recommend that you get it as soon as possible.

 

If you have been a legal resident in Greece for over 5 years, you will be eligible for permanent residency and a 10-year renewable residency document less than 5 years you will be eligible for a document with 5 years validity.

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