Visa Types — Greece

Major Visa Categories for Immigrating to Greece

*Note: Greece is a Schengen Area member and EU country. Visa fees are typically denominated in EUR. Requirements and fees below reflect general patterns as of recent years — always verify current details with the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a Greek consulate/embassy, or official government portals (gov.gr) before applying, as policies and fees change frequently.*

Golden Visa (Investment Residence Permit)

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA nationals seeking Greek residency through real estate investment or other qualifying investments, without requiring them to live in Greece full-time.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Real estate investment threshold varies by location:
• €800,000 in Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and other high-demand areas (as of updated 2024 rules)
• €400,000 in most other regions of Greece
• €250,000 for specific cases (e.g., converting commercial property to residential, or certain listed heritage buildings) — subject to change
• Alternative investment routes: capital contribution to Greek companies, government bonds (€500,000+), or bank deposits (varies)
• Clean criminal record
• Health insurance coverage
• No minimum stay requirement to maintain the visa, but must not become a tax resident unintentionally unless desired

Processing time: 2–6 months (can vary significantly based on property transaction complexity and administrative backlog)

Cost:

• Investment: €250,000–€800,000+ (~$270,000–$865,000 USD) depending on category
• Application/administrative fees: approximately €2,000 per applicant (~$2,160 USD)
• Legal, notary, and due diligence fees: typically €3,000–€10,000+ (~$3,240–$10,800 USD) additional
• Residence permit card fee: ~€16 (~$17 USD)

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National (D) Visa — Long-Stay Visa

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA nationals planning to stay in Greece longer than 90 days for purposes such as work, study, family reunification, or retirement (this is the entry visa; a residence permit follows).

Key eligibility requirements:

• Valid passport (valid for at least 3 months beyond intended stay)
• Proof of purpose of stay (job offer, university admission, marriage certificate, etc.)
• Proof of sufficient financial means
• Health/travel insurance
• Clean criminal record certificate
• Completed national visa application form
• Passport-sized photos

Processing time: 15–90 days, depending on visa subtype and consulate workload

Cost:

• Standard D visa fee: approximately €180 (~$195 USD)
• Fees may vary slightly by consulate and subcategory

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Work Visa / Employment Residence Permit

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA nationals with a confirmed job offer or employment contract in Greece.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Valid job offer from a Greek employer
• Employer must typically demonstrate the position couldn't be filled by an EU/EEA candidate (labor market test), unless the role falls under exempted categories (e.g., specialized skills)
• Work permit approval from Greek Ministry of Labor (employer-initiated process)
• Valid employment contract
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record

Processing time: 3–6 months (includes employer-side permit approval and consular visa issuance)

Cost:

• Visa application fee: ~€180 (~$195 USD)
• Residence permit fee: €150–€300 (~$160–$325 USD), varies by permit type and duration
• Additional employer-side administrative costs vary

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Digital Nomad Visa

Who it's for: Remote workers and freelancers employed by non-Greek companies or clients who wish to live in Greece while working remotely.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of remote employment or freelance contracts with companies/clients outside Greece
• Minimum monthly income requirement: approximately €3,500 net (~$3,780 USD); amount may increase for accompanying spouse (+20%) and each child (+15%)
• Health insurance coverage
• Clean criminal record
• Proof of accommodation in Greece

Processing time: 4–8 weeks for initial visa; residence permit renewal processed separately

Cost:

• Visa application fee: ~€75 (~$81 USD)
• Residence permit fee (if converting to 2-year permit): ~€150–€200 (~$160–$215 USD)

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Student Visa

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA nationals accepted into a Greek higher education institution or recognized study program.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Acceptance letter from accredited Greek university or institution
• Proof of sufficient financial means to cover tuition and living expenses (amounts vary by institution, generally €600–€1,000/month, ~$650–$1,080 USD)
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record (for longer programs)
• Proof of accommodation

Processing time: 4–8 weeks

Cost:

• Visa fee: ~€180 (~$195 USD)
• Residence permit fee (for stays beyond visa validity): ~€150 (~$160 USD)

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Family Reunification Visa

Who it's for: Family members (spouses, minor children, sometimes dependent parents) of Greek citizens or legally residing non-EU nationals in Greece.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of family relationship (marriage/birth certificates, apostilled and translated)
• Sponsor must demonstrate sufficient income and adequate housing
• Health insurance for applicant
• Clean criminal record
• Sponsor must typically hold valid residence permit for at least 1–2 years (for non-EU sponsors)

Processing time: 3–6 months, sometimes longer due to document verification

Cost:

• Visa fee: ~€180 (~$195 USD) per applicant
• Residence permit fee: ~€150 (~$160 USD) per family member

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Retirement / Financially Independent Persons Visa

Who it's for: Non-EU/EEA retirees or individuals with stable passive income who wish to reside in Greece without working.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Proof of stable passive income (pension, investments, etc.) — commonly cited minimum around €2,000/month (~$2,160 USD), though figures vary by source and may not be officially fixed
• Health insurance covering Greece
• Clean criminal record
• Proof of accommodation
• Must not engage in local employment

Processing time: 2–4 months

Cost:

• Visa fee: ~€180 (~$195 USD)
• Residence permit fee: ~€150–€300 (~$160–$325 USD)

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EU Blue Card

Who it's for: Highly skilled non-EU/EEA workers with a university degree or equivalent professional experience and a qualifying job offer in Greece.

Key eligibility requirements:

• Higher education degree (minimum 3-year program) or 5+ years of relevant professional experience in certain fields
• Employment contract with minimum salary threshold — generally at least 1.5x the average gross annual salary in Greece (exact figure updated annually, roughly €30,000–€40,000/year, ~$32,400–$43,200 USD)
• Health insurance
• Clean criminal record

Processing time: 2–4 months

Cost:

• Visa fee: ~€180 (~$195 USD)
• Blue Card residence permit fee: ~€150–€300 (~$160–$325 USD)

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Important Verification Notes

• Currency conversion: USD figures use an approximate rate of €1 = $1.08; actual conversion rates fluctuate daily.
• Fee changes: Greek immigration fees and investment thresholds (especially for the Golden Visa) have changed multiple times in recent years due to housing market policy adjustments — confirm current thresholds before proceeding.
• Official sources: Verify all information with:
• Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs (mfa.gr)
• Greek Ministry of Migration and Asylum (migration.gov.gr)
• Your local Greek embassy/consulate
• Official government portal (gov.gr)
• Legal counsel: Given the complexity and frequent regulatory changes (particularly for Golden Visa investment tiers), consulting a Greek immigration attorney is strongly recommended.

More about immigrating to Greece