Moving to Greece: All Residency Options

Greece attracts a great number of foreigners with its warm climate, stunning natural landscapes, friendly atmosphere, and relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle. Prices for food, services, and real estate are all lower in cost compared to many other European countries, while the overall quality of life remains high. This gorgeous country offers great infrastructure, quality education, and excellent modern healthcare, available to everyone. For many, Greece is not just a vacation destination, but a place they can call home.

In this guide, we explain how you can obtain a residence permit in Greece and what you should consider before making the move.

Residency in Greece: Types of Permits & Required Documents

To legally live in Greece, you must obtain a residence permit. This allows you to reside in the country, enter and exit freely, and comes with a wide range of benefits.

There are several legal ways to obtain residency:

• Employment
• Education
• Family reunion
• Marriage
• Business
• Financial independence
• Digital nomad status
• Investment

To apply for a residence permit, you need to prepare and notarise your documents, translate them into Greek, and have them apostilled.

This is the general document list for applying for residency:

• Valid international passport
• Residence permit application
• Medical insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage
• Certificate of no criminal record
• Health certificate
• Proof of income
• Proof of property in Greece (ownership or long-term lease)
• Family status documents (marriage certificate, children’s birth certificates, etc.)
• Documents confirming reasons for staying in the country (e.g. purchase agreement for investors, employment contract for workers, acceptance letter for students)
• Two colour passport-size photos (3.5 x 4.5 cm)
• Receipt of state fee payment

Employment Visa

Foreigners can apply for residency by securing a job at a Greek company. The employer has to obtain a work permit, pay the state fee, and sign an employment contract for at least a year. The residence permit is issued for the contract duration or up to one year. Industry sectors in high-demand in Greece include tourism, finance, construction, shipping, services, and healthcare.

You may also apply for the EU Blue Card, provided you have relevant qualifications or experience. In order to do this, the salary stated in your employment contract should be at least 1.5 times the median wage in Greece. The Blue Card is valid for 1 to 4 years.

Student Visa

Foreign students enrolled in a Greek university can apply for a one-year residence permit, which can be renewed annually. You need to provide proof of enrollment and evidence of sufficient financial means—minimum €400 per month.

This permit also allows students to have part-time employment. After graduation, students have improved chances of finding employment in Greece and can continue to live in the country legally.

Top Universities in Greece:

• Aristotle University of Thessaloniki — the largest in Greece and the Balkans. Courses are primarily in Greek, but there are paid programmes in English, French, and German (starting at €3,000/year).
• National and Kapodistrian University of Athens — the oldest in Greece, founded in 1837. Its medical faculty is the most prestigious in the region.
• National Technical University of Athens — originally a royal school of arts, but now a leading technical university. Courses here are in Greek.
• University of Crete — consistently ranked among the country’s best, with a broad selection of specialisations and research centres.
• University of Patras — 3rd largest in Greece, with strong international partnerships and exchange programmes.

Family Reunion

Greek citizens or legal residents who have lived in the country for at least 2 years can apply for residence permits for their spouse and children. The sponsor must prove that their income exceeds the minimum wage (€910 per month) by 20% for each adult and 15% for each minor.

The family member’s permit cannot exceed the duration of the sponsor’s permit. If the sponsor is a Greek citizen, the initial permit lasts for 5 years and can be renewed for another 5—provided the family member resides in Greece for at least 3 of those 5 years.

Residency Through Marriage

Foreigners can apply for a residence permit through marriage with a Greek citizen. This also applies to those in a registered partnership. Greek authorities carefully review these types of applications to prevent fraudulent cases—you have to provide evidence of cohabitation and attend an interview. Applicants should have a clean criminal record or no immigration violations, and the Greek spouse should prove their financial means to support the family.

Initial residence permits are issued for a year with the possibility of renewal. Spouses of Greek citizens may apply for citizenship after 3 years (instead of the standard 7), provided they meet the minimum residence requirement and pass a language and cultural exam.

Business Visa

Foreigners can also obtain residency by starting a business in Greece. You’ll need to submit a detailed business plan, prove its economic value to Greece, and provide incorporation documents. A bank balance of at least €60,000 is required. Permits are issued for 2 years with the possibility of renewal, provided the business remains active and tax obligations are met.

Alternatively, you can open a branch of a foreign company. While there are no fixed turnover requirements, you have to pay employee salaries and social contributions regularly. To later qualify for permanent residency, the business must remain viable for at least 5 years.

Residency for Financially Independent Individuals

Financially independent individuals can apply for residency if they have a stable passive income of at least €2,000 per month. You will need to show a Greek bank statement with a balance of at least €48,000 and a registered address in Greece (via property ownership or a long-term lease). The income requirement increases by 20% for a spouse and 15% per child—meaning a family of three must show that they have €64,800 in savings.

This permit does not allow employment in Greek companies. It’s issued for 2 years and can be renewed for 3 more years.

Digital Nomad Visa

Non-EU citizens working remotely for a foreign company with a minimum monthly income of €3,500 may apply for Greece’s digital nomad visa. Applicants cannot earn their income from Greek sources. 

Long-term housing (rental or ownership) is required. Family members can be included in the application, increasing the income threshold by 20% for a spouse and 15% per child.

The initial visa is valid for a year and can be renewed for up to 3 years.

Residency-by-Investment

Greece’s Golden Visa is one of the simplest and fastest ways to gain EU residency. You can obtain a 5-year renewable residence permit within 3-6 months by purchasing real estate worth at least €250,000. In 2024, over 9,000 applications were submitted, making it one of the most popular investment residency programmes in Europe.

Benefits of Greece’s Golden Visa include: minimal requirements for the applicant, residence permits for the entire family, no language requirements, no obligation to live in Greece unless seeking permanent residency or citizenship, and only one trip to provide biometric data—the rest of the process can be done remotely.

Investment options:

• From €800,000 — properties in Athens, Attica, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Crete, Santorini, or towns/islands with over 3,100 residents
• From €400,000 — properties in all other regions of Greece

Only one property can be purchased per applicant, and has to be at least 120 sq.m. Short-term rentals are not allowed.

There are also €250,000 options available in the following two cases:

1. Converting a commercial property into residential use
2. Fully renovating an existing property

In the first case, developers must obtain permits, buy a suitable building structure, and fully upgrade it with new energy-efficient systems. The outcome should be a renovated building, typically with full interior finishes, a kitchen, and bathrooms.

In the second case, the property has to be a part of cultural heritage, in which the investor has to handle the renovation. The work must be fully completed within 5 years to qualify for permit renewal.

These options are especially common in Attica, including Athens and nearby suburbs—regions where €800,000 is the official threshold. Investors can still secure modern housing and legal residency for just €250,000 under the renovation scheme.

A Greek residence permit grants major benefits and freedoms, including visa-free travel across Europe and the Schengen Area, the ability to run a business, open bank accounts, access top-quality education, and receive excellent healthcare.

Summary

The type of residence permit you choose depends on your goals, financial situation, and personal circumstances. Greece’s Golden Visa remains the simplest option, offering the most flexibility and benefits. You can travel freely across the EU and Schengen Area, live in Greece full-time or seasonally, invest in a high-liquidity asset, and generate a stable income in euros. Most importantly, it provides a reliable Plan B for your family—offering safety, a high standard of living, and a perfect Mediterranean lifestyle to enjoy all year round.

Contact Astons for a free consultation. Our experts will evaluate your case, help you select the best option for your needs, and answer all your questions.