Retirement visa (Financially independent person permit)Retirement visa (Financially independent person permit)
Eligibility quiz
Do you have the equivalent of at least €3,500 a month in income after deductions, savings or other assets, plus extra for a spouse or children coming with you?
Benefits
Benefits for youBenefits for you
Live in Greece
You can live anywhere in Greece while your permit is valid.
It lasts for one year and can be renewed each year if you still meet the conditions.
Visit Schengen countries
With your residence card and a valid passport, you can make short visits to other Schengen countries, generally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
How to apply
From outside GreeceFrom outside Greece
Find your consulate
Find the Greek embassy or consulate responsible for the place where you are legally living.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Greek consulate covers your city for a financially independent person national visa?”
Download the visa form
Download the national long-stay visa application form for your financially independent person application.
Download the formFill in the form
Complete and sign the form, choosing the purpose that matches residence with independent financial means. Attach a recent colour photograph that meets the form's requirements.
Get form helpSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I fill in the Greek national visa application form for a financially independent person?”
Gather your documents
Prepare the required documents for your visa and residence permit applications.
See required documentsBook an appointment
Use your consulate's appointment procedure if it requires an appointment.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment at the Greek consulate in your city for a financially independent person national visa?”
Apply at the consulate
Go to the consulate in person with your completed form and required documents, and answer questions about your planned stay. Pay the national visa fee at the consulate.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “How do I submit a Greek financially independent person national visa application at the consulate in your city?”
Wait for your visa
Wait for the consulate's decision on your national visa and respond to any requests for more information or documents.
See visa wait timesSearches DuckDuckGo for “How long does a Greek financially independent person national visa decision take?”
Enter Greece
Once your national visa is issued, enter Greece while it is valid. You must apply for your residence permit after you arrive and before your visa expires.
See entry informationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I enter Greece with a financially independent person national visa?”
Once in GreeceOnce in Greece
Find your residence office
Find the one-stop residence permit office responsible for your address in Greece. You will select this office in your online application.
Searches DuckDuckGo for “Which Greek residence permit office covers your city for a financially independent person residence permit?”
Fill in your application
Create an account on the online migration services portal and complete an initial residence permit application for a financially independent person. Enter your address, select your residence office and upload your completed application and required documents.
Start your applicationPay the fee online
Pay the residence permit fee using the payment instructions provided in the online system. Keep the payment proof.
Pay the feeSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I pay the Greek financially independent person residence permit fee online?”
Submit your application
Submit your residence permit application through the portal before your national visa expires. The system will email you a receipt and a submission certificate showing that you can stay while your application is being considered.
Submit your applicationAttend your appointment
Attend any appointment your residence office gives you for fingerprints, identity or document checks, or other required steps.
Find appointment detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I attend a Greek financially independent person residence permit biometrics appointment?”
Wait for the decision
Follow your application through the online file-status service and respond to any requests from your residence office. When your permit is approved, use the ready-permits service to see when your card is ready.
Check your applicationSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I check the status of my Greek financially independent person residence permit application?”
Book card collection
Book an appointment through the Ministry's online appointment service to collect your residence card if an appointment is required.
Book card collectionSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I book an appointment to collect my Greek financially independent person residence permit card?”
Collect your card
Collect your residence card from your residence office when it is ready. It lets you live in Greece as a financially independent person, without working or being self-employed there.
Find collection detailsSearches DuckDuckGo for “How do I collect my Greek financially independent person residence permit card?”
Documents needed
Required to applyRequired to apply
Proof of funds
Submit bank account evidence, a pension statement or other documents showing your own income or savings and where the money came from. They should show the amount, the period it covers and whose money it is. You must show at least €3,500 a month after tax, with more if a spouse or children accompany you.
Proof of insurance
Provide evidence of your health insurance. For a residence permit, it must be comprehensive and cover healthcare in Greece.
Copy of your passport
Bring your valid passport or travel document and copies of the relevant pages. For a visa application, include the identity pages and copies of any earlier visas.
Recent photographs
Provide recent photographs of yourself. For a visa application, attach a recent colour photograph that meets international passport photo standards to your form.
Application form
For a visa, submit the completed and signed national visa application form. For a residence permit, submit your completed application through the online application portal.
Copy of your visa *
Submit a copy of your valid national visa. This is the visa you used to enter Greece for your initial residence application.
* Only if you apply for a residence permit after entering Greece with a national visa.
Proof of accommodation *
Provide evidence of where you will stay in Greece. Check what your consulate accepts.
* Only if you apply at a consulate.
May need translationPolice certificate *
Get your criminal-record certificate from the office that issues it. Check your consulate's requirements for the certificate.
* Only if you apply at a consulate and it asks for one.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationLawyer's authorisation *
Give your lawyer written authorisation to submit your application. Your signature on it must be certified.
* Only if a lawyer submits your residence permit application for you.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationMedical documents *
Provide the health documents your consulate asks for. Check its requirements before obtaining them.
* Only if you apply at a consulate and it asks for them.
May need translationMay need apostille/legalisationConsiderations
Things to think aboutThings to think about
Permit renewal
You can request renewal from two months before your permit expires.
Late requests may be accepted up to one month after expiry under the late-filing rules, but can bring a penalty.
Resources and insurance
You must keep a valid passport, full health insurance and lawful resources of at least €3,500 a month.
The amount rises by 20% for an accompanying spouse and 15% for each accompanying child.
You must provide evidence of resources and insurance when renewing.
Work in Greece
You cannot take a job, freelance or run a business in Greece under this permit.
You need a different residence status that allows work to do so.
Permit can end
Your permit ends when it expires unless it is validly renewed, and your family's permits can end with it.
It can also be taken away if you no longer meet its conditions or used false or misleading information or documents.
Public policy, security, health or other legal grounds for withdrawal or removal can also affect it.
Discuss
Online communitiesOnline communities
Expats Greece Community
English Facebook group for people living in Greece interested in Greek visas
Join on FacebookMoving to Greece “the original”
English Facebook group for people living in Greece interested in Greek visas
Join on FacebookPeloponnese Living
English Facebook group for people interested in Greek visas and local life
Join on FacebookConsultation
Talk to a professionalTalk to a professional
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