You are here: Immigration policy / Basic information of Residence Permits
The term residence permit (definitive residence permit) refers to any kind of certification issued by the competent Greek authorities. Depending on the category of residence permit one holds - -with what it provides each time- he/she is permitted to stay legally in Greece. (According to Article 1, paragraph 1, indent 16 of the Law 4251/2014)
The types of residence permits, as well as the sub-types of permits are the following (according to article 7, paragraph 2 of the Law 4251/2014): A) Residence permit for work purposes
- Α1. Employees with dependent employment relationship - provision of services - provision of work
Α2. Special purpose employees
Α3. Investment activity
Α4. Highly qualified employment – “EU Blue Card”
- Β1. Seasonal work
Β2. Fishermen
Β3. Members of art ensembles
Β4. Third-country nationals transferred from a company established in a Member State of the European Union or the European Economic Area in order to provide services
Β5. Third-country nationals transferred from a company established in a third-country in order to provide services
Β6. Leaders of organised tourism groups
Β7. Third-country university students participating in internship programmes.
- C1. Humanitarian Reasons
C2. Exceptional Reasons
C3. Public Interest
C4. Other Reasons
- D1. Studies
D2. Voluntary Work
D3. Research
D4. Vocational Training
- F1. Family members of third country national
F2. Family members of a Greek citizen or expatriate
F3. Independent residence permit for a family member
of third country national or expatriate
F4. Personal right of residence for family members of a Greek citizen
- G1. Long term residence permit
G2. Second generation residence permit
G3. Ten year residence permit
Applications for residence permits are filed to the appropriate Aliens and Migration Directorate of the Decentralised Administration of the place of residence of the applicant or to the appropriate Directorate of Migration Policy of the Ministry of Interior. (In accordance with Article 8, paragraph 2, subparagraph a' of the Law 4251/2014). Information about the Decentralised Administrations throughout Greece can be found in the following websites.
Browse information about: Decentralised Administrations The responsibility for receiving applications for issuing and renewing residence permits of third country nationals and granting the relevant documentation for the Municipalities in Attica falls to the four Aliens and Migration Directorates of the Decentralized Administration of Attica.- a) Aliens and Migration Directorate of the City of Athens, with jurisdiction over the residents of the Municipality of Athens,
- Address: 2 Salaminas St. & Petrou Ralli St., Athens, Postal Code: 118 55
Call Centre: 210-34.03.300
- b) Aliens and Migration Directorate of Central Sector and Western Attica, with jurisdiction over the residents of the following Municipalities i) Central Sector: Filadelfias- Chalcedon, Galatsi, Zografou, Kaisariani, Vyronas, Ilioupoli, Dafni- Ymitos, ii) Western Sector: Aigaleo, Peristeri, Petroupoli, Chaidari, Agia Varvara, Ilion, Agioi Anargyroi - Kamatero and iii) West Attica: Aspropyrgos, Elefsina (M. Elefsina - M. Magoulas), Mandra - Idyllia (M. Mandra -M. Vilia -M. Oinoi - M. Erythra), Megara (M. Megara - M. New Peramos), Fylis (M. Ano Liosia - M. Fylis -M. Zefiri).
- Address: 2 Salaminas St. & Petrou Ralli St., Athens, Postal Code: 118 55
Call Centre: 210-34.03.300
- c) Aliens and Migration Directorate of Northern and Eastern Attica with jurisdiction over the residents of the following Municipalities, i) North Sector: Penteli, Kifisia-Nea Erithrea, Metamorphosi, Lykovrysi-Pefki, Marousi, Filothei-Psychico, Papagou-Holargos, Heraklion, Nea Ionia, Vrilissia, Agia Paraskevi, Chalandri and ii) Eastern Attica: Oropos, Marathonas, Rafina-Pikermi, Dionysos, Acharnes, Pallini, Paiania, Spata-Artemida, Koropi, Markopoulo Mesogaias, Lavrio, Saronikos, Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni.
- Address: 19 Psarrou St., Pallini, Postal Code: 153 51
Call Centre: 210-66.04.90
- d) Aliens and Migration Directorate of Southern Sector, Piraeus and Islands with jurisdiction over the residents of the following Municipalities, i) Southern Sector: Glyfada, Elliniko-Argyroupoli, Alimos, Nea Smyrni, Moschato-Tavros, Kallithea, Palaio Faliro, Agios Dimitrios and ii) Piraeus & Islands: Piraeus, Keratsini-Drapetsona, Nikaia-Renti, Korydallos, Perama, Salamina, Aigina-Agistri, Trizina-Methana, Poros, Hydra, Spetses.
- Address: 5 Agiou Dionysiou St., PIRAEUS, Postal Code: 185 45
Call centre: 210- 41.41.600
If you have internet access, type your surname and your passport number in order to enter the system via the web address: http://pf.emigrants.ypes.gr/pf and keep track of the status of your application. In this way you will avoid unnecessary visits to the Aliens and Migration Directorates leading to hassle, overcrowding and queues. If you do not have internet access ask the aforementioned competent authorities.
The validity of the initial residence permit is for two years and the duration of each renewal is three years. (According to Article 7, paragraph 5 of the Law 4251/2014 and subject to the specific provisions of the same Code)
More Questions
It depends! Any residence permit states whether access to the labour market is permitted. (According to Article 7, paragraph 3 of the Law 4251/2014 and subject to the specific provisions of the same Code)
Yes! The submission of applications for issuing the initial residence permit, the submission of additional supporting documents, and the reception of the residence permit or the negative decision or other documents from your file, can be done either by you in the competent authority, or by a lawyer representing you, or a first degree relative, i.e. your spouses, your parents, and your adult children. (In accordance to article 8. par.2, subparagraph b’ of the Law 4251/2014)
Below you will find codified the necessary supporting documents for residence permit applications according to the Law 4251/2014 (the most common cases in the Decentralised Administration of Attica)
Two year duration
- 2 photos
- Passport Copy (1st page and last blank page)
- 300€ Administrative Fee for 2 years (You get if from the Citizens Service Centre (KEP) and pay at the bank)
- AMA Registration Certification ή or health card by a public body in effect (in any case you should have your AFM, AMKA and AMA numbers with you)
- Notice of tax assessment
- Residence lease printed out from taxisnet
- Renewal for 3 years
- 2 photos
- Passport Copy (1st page and last blank page)
- 450€ Administrative Fee for 3 years (You get if from the Citizens Service Centre (KEP) and pay at the bank)
- Insurance eligibility printed out from the website of IKA (www.ika.gr) using your AFM, AMKA, AMA and a copy of your health card
- Notice of tax assessment
- 2 photos
- Passport Copy (1st page and last blank page)
- 900€ Administrative Fee for 10 years (You get if from the Citizens Service Centre (KEP) and pay at the bank)
- Insurance eligibility printed out from the website of IKA (www.ika.gr) using your AFM, AMKA, AMA and a copy of your health card
- Notice of tax assessment
- Copies of previous residence permits proving 10 years of legal residence in Greece during the course of the past 12 years
Children born in Greece – for 5 years
- 2 photos
- Passport copy (1st page and last blank page)
- 300€ second generation Administrative Fee (You get if from the Citizens Service Centre (KEP) and pay at the bank)
- Health card by public insurance body or insurance contract by private body
- Birth certificate
Schools – for 5 years
- 2 photos
- Passport copy(1st page and last blank page)
- 300€ second generation Administrative Fee (You get if from the Citizens Service Centre (KEP) and pay at the bank)
- Health card by public insurance body or insurance contract by private body
- School certificate (Elementary, High school) of minimum 6 years of successful attendance
For 5 years
- 2 photos
- Copy of the passports of the last 5 years, all the pages
- 400€ Long term stay Administrative Fee (You get if from the Citizens Service Centre (KEP) and pay at the bank)
- Copy of purchase contract or residence lease printed out from taxisnet
- Notice of Tax Assessment 6,900€ only the last notice (+10% for the total of protected members)
- Health card or notice by insurance body similar to that of the previous residence permit + one of the following documents
- Documentation of 12-year legal stay in Greece or
- Certificate of Attainment in Greek, B1 Level and above from the Greek Language Centre or the General Secretariat for Lifelong Learning, A2 level + History or
- Graduation title of at least the compulsory education from a Greek school or
- Graduation Title for High Schools of other countries that belong to the Greek educational system or
- Permanent residence card of family member
5 years duration
- 4 photos
- Passport copy (1st page)
- Health card by public insurance body or insurance contract by private body
- Copy of the Greek citizen’s National Identity Card
- Copy of wedding certificate or family status certificate
- Copy of Document certifying legal residence in Greece
- Notice of tax assessment
- Residence lease printed out from taxisnet
- 4 photos
- Copy of the last permit
- Copy of all the pages of the passports of the last 5 years
- Health card in effect or private insurance contract in effect
- Copy of the Greek citizen’s National Identity Card
- Recent family status certificate
- 4 photos
- Passport copy + last permit
- Insurance eligibility printed out from the website of IKA (www.ika.gr) using your AFM, AMKA, AMA or a private insurance contract
- Copy of the Greek citizen’s National Identity Card
- Copy of wedding certificate
- Birth certificate of the Greek citizen or family status certificate that proves family relationship
- Proof of material dependence from the Greek citizen or the spouse. Solemn declaration that he/she was financially supported by the Greek citizen or the spouse + Notice of Tax Assessment of the Greek citizen
- 4 photos
- Passport copy (1st page and last blank page)
- Insurance eligibility printed out from the website of IKA (www.ika.gr) using your AFM, AMKA, AMA or a private insurance contract
- Copy of the Greek citizen’s National Identity Card
- Copy of wedding certificate
- Birth certificate of the Greek citizen or family status certificate that proves family relationship
- Proof of material dependence from the Greek
- 4 photos
- Copy of all the pages of the passports of the last 5 years
- Insurance eligibility printed out from the website of IKA (www.ika.gr) using your AFM, AMKA, AMA or a private insurance contract
- Copy of the Greek citizen’s National Identity Card
- Solemn Declaration of Greek citizen that the family status is unaltered
- 4 photos
- Copy of the 1st page of the Passport
- Health card in effect or private insurance contract
- Certified copy of wedding certificate, translated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
- Certified copy of the registration certificate of the European citizen or copy of the permanent residence card of the European citizen
- Last notice of tax assessment
- Residence lease printed out from taxisnet
- 2 photos
- Passport Copy (1st page and last blank page)
- Insurance eligibility printed out from the website of IKA (www.ika.gr) using your AFM, AMKA, AMA and a copy of your health card
- 450 € Administrative Fee for 3 years (You get if from the Citizens Service Centre (KEP) and pay at the bank)
- Notice of tax assessment
- 2 photos
- Passport copy (1st page and last blank page)
- Insurance eligibility printed out from the website of IKA (www.ika.gr) using your AFM, AMKA, AMA or a private insurance contract
- Notice of tax assessment (FOR THE EXISTENCE OF SUFFICIENT RESOURCES)
- Divorce Decision where the marriage lasted a minimum of 3 years of which one in Greece or death certificate or court order for custody to the third country national.
- 2 Photos
- Passport copy+ TYPE D VISA (STUDIES)
- 150€ Administrative Fee for one year (UNLESS THE DURATION OF THE STUDIES EXCEEDS 1 YEAR, THEN THE RESPECTIVE FEE IS CHOSEN)
- Health card of the educational institution or a private insurance contract
- Registration certificate from the educational institution or certificate of acceptance for enrollment
- Copy of bank account where it is evident that the interested party has sufficient funds to cover his living and studies expenses (BASED ON THE LAW 4251 400€ /MONTH ARE REQUIRED)
- In case the interested party is under 18 years of age parent consent is required
INITIAL ISSUE
- 3 photos
- Passport copy
- Copy of negative decision
- Copy of suspension decision or temporary suspension order from an administrative court
- 150€ Administrative Fee for 1 year (You get if from the Citizens Service Centre (KEP) and pay at the bank)
- Residence lease printed out from taxisnet
- 3 photos
- Passport copy
- Copy of negative decision
- Copy of previous special certificate
- 150€ Administrative Fee for 1 year (You get if from the Citizens Service Centre (KEP) and pay at the bank)
- Residence lease printed out from taxisnet
- 3 photos
- Passport copy (1st page + last blank page)
- Health card in effect or private insurance contract
- Family status certificate that proves the parental or sibling relationship with the Greek citizen
- Residence lease printed out from taxisnet
A. Third-country nationals entering or residing legally in Greece for one of the reasons of the Law 4251/2014 and applying for issue or renewal of residence permit, the type of which provides the possibility of private insurance, are required to submit at the date of the submission of the relevant request the following:
- a) Insurance contracts concluded abroad provided that they clearly state that they cover the interested party for as long as they reside in Greece or
b) Insurance contracts concluded in Greece.
- INSURANCE OF PERMANENT TOTAL OR PARTIAL DISABILITY FROM AN ACCIDENT. THE HEIGHT OF COVERED BENEFITS SHOULD AT LEAST AMOUNT TO 15,000 EUROS ANNUALLY WITH AT MOST 20% PARTICIPATION OF THE INSURED.
- MEDICAL EXPENSES DUE TO SICKNESS OR ACCIDENT. THE HEIGHT OF COVERED BENEFITS WILL BE AT LEAST 15,000 EUROS ANNUALLY WITH AT MOST 20% PARTICIPATION OF THE INSURED.
- EXTENDED HOSPITAL CARE. THE HEIGHT OF COVERED BENEFITS WILL BE AT LEAST 10,000 EUROS.
The task of the Translation Service is to validly translate public and private documents. Foreign public documents are only translated if such documents bear the Apostille stamp for countries that are parties to the Hague Convention. In all other cases, documents must be validated by the Greek consular authority in the country of origin of the document or by such country’s consular authority in Greece and then by the Validation Department of the Service Centre for Citizens and Greeks Living Abroad (KEPPA) established within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the Validation Office established within the Thessaloniki International Relations Service (Y.DI.S) (for validation of the signature of accredited personnel of foreign Diplomatic and Consular Authorities in Greece).
As regards documents issued by Albania, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Peru and Uzbekistan, countries for which Greece has expressed reservations in connection with their accession to the Hague Convention and for as long such reservations are still valid, documents can only be validated by the competent Greek Consular Authority. For states that are not parties to the Hague Convention, validation by a Greek Consular Authority is also required.
If the document is from a foreign Diplomatic or Consular Authority in Greece, it needs to be validated by the Validation Department of the Greek Foreign Ministry’s Service Centre for Citizens and Greeks Living Abroad (KEPPA) in Athens, or the Validation Office established at the International Relations Service (Y.DI.S) in Thessaloniki, except in cases where the document is exempt from validation obligations due to bilateral or multilateral agreements to which Greece is a party (e.g., London Convention).
As regards Greek public documents to be submitted to foreign authorities, it is necessary that such documents be originals or certified copies. The issuing Authority should inform persons concerned, on the basis of the applicable circulars of the Ministry of Interior, on the legal validation procedure to be followed depending on the country of final destination. In all cases, responsibility for proper validation of Greek documents that are to be sent abroad rests solely with the person requesting a translation.
More particularly, if the Greek public document is to be submitted to a country party to the Hague Convention, such document must be validated by Apostille; if the country of final destination is not party to the Hague Convention (or in case Greece has expressed reservations in connection with this country), such document must be validated by the competent Greek Public Authority (authenticity of the signature of the competent officer) and then by the Validation Department of KEPPA or the Validation Office of the Thessaloniki International Relations Service (Y.DI.S).
Public documents are the documents provided for in the Hague Convention. Opening hours for the public: 09:00-13:00 from Monday to Friday Contact Numbers 1st Department: Albanian & Eastern European languages: 210-3285743, 210-3285748, 210-3285747; 2nd Department: English, Hebrew and Chinese: 210-3285731, 210-3285737, 210-3285732; 3rd Department: Arabic & Western European languages: 210-3285723, 210-3285726, 210-3285730; 4th Department: Translations for Public Authorities: 210-3285712, 210-3285764, 210-3285760 FAX: 210-3285777
Note! The Translation Service certifies the authenticity of the translators’ signatures. Translators are solely responsible for the accuracy of the translation. Translations are stamped and stapled together with the documents submitted for translation so as to constitute a single set of documents. All persons intending to submit titles of studies, identity cards, passports or driving licenses for translation are kindly requested to do so using only certified copies of such documents.
The Translation Service offers all kinds of translation services in the following languages:
-
English
Albanian
Arabic
Bulgarian
French
German
Georgian
Hebrew
Spanish
Italian
Croatian
Moldovan
Dutch
Hungarian
Ukrainian
Polish
Portuguese
Romanian
Russian
Serbian
Swedish
Turkish
Swedish
Flemish
The cost per translation page, as well as the categories of documents, are determined as follows: Categories of documents and price per translated page
| Categories of Documents | Simple Procedure | Urgent Procedure |
| Α | 8,50 € | 12,00 € |
| Β | 9,50 € | 14,00 € |
| C | 14,00 € | 20,00 € |
| D | 15,00 € | 21,00 € |
Requests Submitted to the Correspondence Department Citizens who are unable to come to the Translation Service can send their documents for translation via ELTA Courier or a private courier company of their choice, paying the relevant fees and instructing the courier company to submit the documents to a cashier, pay the translation fees, and pick up the translated documents. When interested parties confirm that their documents are properly validated, they then may give their request, the documents and the fee for the translation to the courier, who will deliver the documents to the Translation Service and pick up the completed translation on the day designated on the relevant receipt. Bear in mind that a validation on a separate sheet of paper is considered and additional page of translation. Foreign nationals’ requests for translations should be accompanied by relevant documentation of their legal residency in Greece.
ATTENTION!Those transacting with the Translation Service on the part of a third party are asked to provide relevant legal authorization (power of attorney) when submitting and picking up documents. The mailing address is: TRANSLATION SERVICE 10 Arionos St, Psyrri 10554 ATHENS
