How to get a residence permit in Greece in 2023?

What does a Greek residence permit give?

Guests from Russia and other CIS countries can stay in Greece as part of a short-term Schengen visa. Property owners have the right to issue a multivisa for up to 5 years, according to which it is permissible to enter an unlimited number of times for a period of no more than 90 days in a half-year.

After the cancellation of the simplified visa regime between the Russian Federation and the EU in September 2022, a multivisa is issued to Russians who own property in Greece, as a rule, for six months or a year, and only in rare cases for 5 years, as before. A short-term visa is provided for the duration of the trip, no more.

For citizens of Ukraine, a visa to visit Greece is not needed, since there is an agreement on visa facilitation between the countries. The period of visa-free stay for Ukrainians, as well as for EU citizens, is 90 days every six months.   

In order to live freely in Greece 365 days a year, it is necessary to issue a residence permit. The resident status will give the right to free education, state medical care (if there is social insurance worth 100-130 euros per year), the purchase of a car and obtaining a local driver's license. Another significant plus is visiting the countries of the Schengen area on the same conditions as for EU citizens.

For Russians and Belarusians, a residence permit will allow them to open an account in a local bank. Without a residence permit, it is difficult to do this today.

Other preferences and restrictions depend on the type of residence permit.

Stages of obtaining a residence permit

The process of obtaining a residence permit (except for student and at the invitation of the employer) begins with the fact that you come to Greece on a tourist visa, having with you a package of necessary documents. Having received a local INN, having bought a medical insurance policy, having rented a house (if there is no apartment of your own), you apply to the migration service, after which you are entitled to the so-called "blue veveosi" ("blue certificate"). This is an interim document valid for a year, which gives you the right to legally stay in Greece while your case is being considered. As a rule, after 1-2 months, confirmation arrives that the application has been approved, and you can pick up the finished card.

Residence permit for investors or "golden visa"

Issued (as of December 2022) to: citizens of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and other countries

The Golden Visa program, which has been in effect in Greece since 2013, allows foreigners to obtain a residence permit for 5 years (with the right to extend) when buying real estate worth 250,000 euros or investing in various sectors of the economy from 400,000 euros. A residence permit is granted to three generations of the main applicant's family, including children under the age of 21 (further extension is possible until the children reach the age of 24), as well as the parents of both spouses.

It is important that holders of a "golden visa", unlike those who have received other types of residence permits, can live outside Greece without time limits, without losing their residency.

The program is in demand among wealthy foreigners from all over the world. According to statistics for the period from 2013 to 2021, Russians were among the top three in terms of the number of golden visas received in Greece, but in 2022 the situation changed. The reason is the EU sanctions imposed after the outbreak of hostilities in Ukraine. In early March, the program was frozen for citizens of Russia and Belarus. In April, the Greeks resumed the renewal of previously issued cards, as well as accepting applications from family members of investors who already have a "golden visa". However, applications from new applicants from the Russian Federation are not accepted yet, despite the fact that there is no official ban at the moment. The exception is people who have, in addition to Russian or Belarusian, a second citizenship. For example, Uzbekistan, Moldova, Kazakhstan. Armenia. They can still apply for an investor visa (if they purchased real estate with their second passport).

We emphasize that the "Golden Visa" program continues to operate. In September, the Greek authorities announced their intention to revise the minimum investment threshold for it. It is expected that in 2023 the required amount of investments in real estate will be doubled to 500,000 euros. However, according to the Greek media, the change will spread only to some regions of Athens, Thessaloniki, as well as to the most popular islands. The news of a possible renegotiation spurred demand from investors. Today, according to research, the Greek program attracts more applicants than similar programs in other countries.

Residence permit of a digital nomad

Issued (as of December 2022) to: citizens of Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and other countries

This type of long-term resident visa appeared in Greece in September 2021, but initially no one paid much attention to it, since a similar program with a lower required income was popular for a residence permit for financially independent persons.

Under the conditions of sanctions, the mentioned type of visa (as well as "golden visas") is not issued to citizens of Russia and Belarus, and Digital Nomad Visa, on the contrary, has become an effective tool for immigration to Greece.

The visa is available to digital nomads – people working remotely for foreign (non-Greek) companies or having a business outside the country. It is granted to the main applicant and his family members for 2 years with the right to extend for 2 years, then for another 2 years and then for 5 years. After this period (9 years), a resident can apply for citizenship.  

The main target group of Digital Nomad Visa are IT specialists. It is for this category of professionals that there is competition between countries, as we described in detail in our article. However, as the practice of immigration experts shows, among those receiving a digital nomad residence permit there are lawyers, online business owners, psychologists, marketers, teachers.

In order to apply for residency under this program, it is necessary to prove the existence of a fairly high income level of 3,500 euros per month for the main applicant plus 20% for the spouse and 15% for each child. Thus, the amount of earnings for a family of three people should be at least 5,200 euros per month.

According to the requirements, the applicant's bank card (Russian or foreign) must have a minimum amount for a year. For one person, it is necessary to "show" the amount of 40,000 euros, for a family with a child - 60,000 euros.  

Below is a list of documents that you will need to obtain a residence permit for a digital nomad:

• Passport with a Schengen visa and a stamp on entry to Greece
An application from the applicant stating that he will reside in Greece, but does not intend to provide services to local employers.
• An employment contract with an open date or a certificate of registration of an individual entrepreneur. A recent extract from the EGRN. The salary specified in the contract with the employer must exceed the established bar. An individual entrepreneur shows a financial report on the activity.
• An extract from the applicant's bank account or accounts, on which the established amount lies and monthly income transfers are traced.
• Apostilled marriage and child birth certificates, if you come with your family
• A rental agreement or a confirmation that you are the owner of real estate in the country
• Greek INN
• Medical insurance policy for all family members (costs approximately 100 euros per person)

You will also need to pay a fee of 1,000 euros for the main applicant, 150 euros for the spouse. There is no need to pay a fee for children under 18.

Documents for a digital nomad residence permit can be submitted only in Athens. As a rule, most of the hassle is taken over by the agency, which acts by proxy from the applicant.

It is important to note that those who have received a digital nomad visa, in order not to lose their resident status, are required to stay in Greece for at least 183 days a year.

We emphasize that employment in Greece under this visa is prohibited, but passive income is allowed to receive.

Residence permit for financially independent persons

Issued (as of December 2022) to: citizens of Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Armenia and other countries

This type of long-term residence permit is designed for people with a passive income of at least 2000 euros per person plus 20% for a spouse and 15% for each of the children. Thus, the total for a family of three members should be 2,700 euros.

Applicant for a residence permitit is necessary to confirm that his account has an amount sufficient for a one-year stay (for all family members) of 24,000 euros plus 20% for a spouse and 15% for each child.

Holders of a residence permit for financially independent persons must stay in Greece for at least 180 days annually.

After the introduction of sanctions against Russia and Belarus in the spring of 2022, this program became virtually unavailable for citizens of both countries. According to our experts, it has not been officially frozen, but the Greek authorities are reluctant to accept applications and delay deadlines.

For interested parties from other countries, everything is the same.

In particular, this program, along with other ways of legalization, is actively used by Ukrainians. Citizens of Ukraine today in Greece can get a temporary residence permit or refugee status, but many want to get a residence permit for a permanent stable life in the country.

Previously, the path to obtaining a visa for financially independent people began with the issuance of a national D visa at the Greek consulate in their country. However, today this route is outdated. Again, a tourist visa is enough, which will allow you to come and solve all issues related to a residence permit.

You will need to obtain a D visa in advance for those who plan to apply for a student visa (for those who have entered a Greek university) or a work visa (for those who have an employment invitation from a local company). Residence permit and citizenship under the accelerated program are granted after marriage (including civil marriage) with a citizen of Greece. At the same time, the bride comes to the groom (or the groom to the bride) for the wedding on a regular tourist visa.             

Greek citizenship

You can become a holder of a country's passport after several years of living in the status of a resident, provided you know the language, history and culture of the country, you will need to pass a fairly difficult exam in Greek in all aspects.

Another significant point – if you are applying for citizenship, then you must stay in Greece for at least 183 days annually.

The fastest way to become a citizen is to marry a Greek. In this case, if you have a common child, the passport will be issued after 3 years of living together.

Greece recognizes dual citizenship, so you will not have to give up your own.

Summary

Greece will gladly open its arms to foreigners who are firmly on their feet. Those who have passive income or income from remote work can live here for their own pleasure, taking advantage of the benefits of this generous country, which stands at the origins of our civilization.

Russians and Belarusians today move mainly according to the program for digital nomads. Citizens of other CIS countries and Ukraine apply for a residence permit for financially independent or a "golden visa".

Greece is famous for its hospitality, which, like many things in modern Hellas, has ancient roots. It is not for nothing that the Greek language has the concept of "philoxenia", which means a friendly attitude towards strangers. New arrivals, as a rule, adapt easily, which is not least facilitated by the religious and cultural community of our countries. 

Thank you for your help in preparing the article by our experts in Greece:

Natalia Kovaleva, Sales Director of the company Real Estate Services

Natalia Tsiro Ruva, Head of the Russian-speaking DepartmentRoula Rouva Real Estate

Photos: depositphotos.com