A long-stay visa (D-Visa or National visa) for Greece allows non-EU/EEA citizens to stay in Greece for more than 90 days. It is the first step for obtaining a residence permit, which is required for extended stays.
Types of Long-Stay Visas
Greece issues the following types of long-stay visas, depending on the purpose of your trip:
Employment Visa
You can apply for a long-stay visa for employment if you have a job offer from a Greek employer. Greece offers employment visas for various sectors, typically for skilled labor, seasonal work, and corporate transfers.
To qualify for this visa, you must have a job that meets Greece’s minimum salary requirements. Your employer will sponsor your visa and provide necessary guarantees regarding salary, working conditions, and compliance with Greek labor laws. They must also prove that no EU citizen is available to fill the position.
Student Visa
You can apply for a student visa if you have been admitted to a recognized educational institution in Greece, such as a university, college, or vocational training program. With this visa, you can live in Greece for the duration of your studies and work part-time.
It is typically issued for one academic year and can be renewed for the duration of your study program. To qualify for the student visa, you need:
- An official admission letter from a Greek institution
- Proof of financial means to cover tuition and living expenses.
- Proficiency in Greek or English, depending on the program.
Family Reunification Visa
You can apply for a family reunification visa if you are an immediate family member of someone who is already a legal resident of Greece. Eligible family members include spouses, minor children, and (in specific cases) dependent parents.
The main requirement is that the sponsoring family member (who lives in Greece) must have a valid residence permit and sufficient financial resources to support their relatives. The sponsor must also guarantee adequate living conditions and access to healthcare for the incoming family members.
Digital Nomad Visa
Greece offers a Digital Nomad Visa for remote workers and self-employed professionals who wish to live in Greece while working for a company or clients abroad. To be eligible, you have to prove you have a steady income from remote work (at least €3,500/month, plus extra for dependents).
The visa is initially granted for one year, with the option to renew for up to two years.
Greece currently ranks 48th in the VisaGuide.World Digital Nomad Index with a score of 1.79.
Retirement Visa
If you want to retire in Greece, you can apply for a Financially Independent Individuals (FIP) Visa. This visa allows you to live in Greece as long as you can support yourself financially, in one of the following ways:
- Monthly income. You need at least €3,500/month for yourself, an additional 20% for your spouse (if applicable), and 15% for each dependent child (if applicable).
- You need at least €72,000 in savings to qualify for this visa, if you are applying yourself. Again, if you have dependents, the amount increases.
Visa Application Process
You have to apply for a Greek long-stay visa at a Greek embassy or consulate. You must submit your application along with the required documents in person. Here’s a step-by-step overview of the application process:
- Fill out the visa application form. You have to print, fill out, and sign the application form for a long-stay visa. Add it to the rest of the required documents when you submit your application.
- Schedule a visa appointment. Next, schedule an appointment at the Greek embassy or consulate in your country. See Greek missions abroad here. Depending on the workload of the embassy, it may take days or weeks until the next available appointment, so make sure to calculate that into your travel plans.
- Collect the required documents. You have to collect a list of documents to support your application. For example, you have to submit the job offer documents (if you are applying for a work visa) or the letter of university admission (if applying for a student visa).
- Attend your appointment. On the day of your appointment, you will have to:
- Submit your documents
- Pay the visa fee
- Submit your fingerprint scans
- Enter a visa interview
- Wait for the visa to process. It typically takes around two weeks for the visa to process, once you submit a completed application. However, it may take longer (up to three months), depending on the workload and the specific circumstances of your application.
- Get your passport and travel to Greece. If your application is approved, the visa will be affixed to your passport, and you can travel to Greece. Once there, you have to get a residence permit.
If you’re ready to take the next step, begin your visa application today and consult with experts to ensure a smooth and hassle-free process.
Required Documents
The required documents when applying for a long-stay visa for Greece are:
- Visa Application Form. Completed and signed.
- Passport or Travel Document. Your passport or travel document must be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure, have at least two blank pages, and have been issued within the last 10 years.
- Criminal Record Certificate. You need to provide a criminal records certificate from your country of residence, issued within the last six months. If you have lived in another country for over a year, you may need to provide a certificate from there as well.
- Medical Certificate. You must obtain a certificate from a recognized medical body confirming you do not have infectious diseases that pose a public health risk.
- Travel Health Insurance. You have to get travel health insurance covering the entire visa period. It must include medical repatriation, emergency medical care, and hospitalization.
- Proof of Visa Payment. When you apply for the visa, you will pay a visa fee. You have to add the payment receipt to the rest of the required documents.
- Any additional required documents, based on the visa.
Additional documents for Employment Visa
- Employment Contract. Provide a signed agreement with your Greek employer outlining job responsibilities and terms.
- Proof of Qualifications. Submit documents verifying your education and professional experience relevant to the position.
Additional documents for Student Visa
- Proof of Enrollment. Submit the certificate from the education institution confirming your acceptance and, if applicable, proof of tuition fee payment.
- Proof of Financial Means. You must show evidence of at least €400 per month to cover living expenses. This can be proven through a bank deposit, grant, bank transfer, or salary receipt (if working part-time when renewing the residence permit).
- Parental Consent (if under 18). If you are a minor, you must submit a signed and notarized parental consent letter for your stay in Greece.
Additional documents for Family Reunification Visa
- Proof of Family Relationship. Provide a recent family status certificate, birth certificate, or other official document translated into Greek and either Apostilled or certified by a competent Greek authority.
- Proof of Adequate Accommodation. The family member living in Greece must submit a certified rental agreement or proof of property ownership in Greece that can accommodate the family.
- Proof of Stable and Sufficient Income. The family member living in Greece must submit tax declarations or bank statements showing an annual income sufficient to support your family without relying on social assistance.
Additional documents for Digital Nomad Visa
- Solemn Declaration. You have to submit a signed declaration stating you intend to stay in Greece for remote work only, and that you will not provide services to a Greek employer.
- Proof of employment abroad. E.g., a work contract valid for the duration of your visa, proof of self-employment with clients outside Greece, or company details (if you own a business outside Greece).
Additional documents for Retirement Visa
- Proof of Financial Independence. You must show proof of a stable income of at least €3,500 per month. This can be from a pension, bank account, or proof of other financial means.
- Pension Proof (if applicable). If you are a pensioner, submit an official document from a public insurance institution confirming your pension status.
Greece Residence Permit
Once you arrive in Greece with a long-stay visa, you have to apply for a residence permit at the local municipality office or the one-stop-shops of the Aliens and Immigration of the Decentralised Authority. The two main types of residence permits for Greece are:
- Temporary Residence Permit. This is the type of residence permit you receive right after you move. It is valid for a limited period and must be renewed continuously.
- Permanent Residence Permit. You will receive this residence permit only after you have legally lived in Greece for five years, and you meet the financial and social integration requirements. This permit does not need to be renewed as often, and provides added security for your residence status in Greece.
Application Process
You have to apply for the residence permit before your long-stay visa expires. When you submit your application, you typically need to bring the same documents as when you applied for the visa. This includes:
- Work contract, if you are applying for an employment residence permit.
- Proof of enrollment, if you are applying for a student residence permit.
- Proof of family relationship, if applying for a family reunification permit.
- Proof of financial means, if applying for a digital nomad or retirement visa.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive a receipt, which acts as a temporary residence document while your official residence permit is being processed.
Each Decentralized Administration Authority has multiple offices, often located in major cities and towns within their jurisdiction.
Validity
Temporary residence permits for Greece are issued for 1 to 5 years, depending on the purpose of your stay. They can usually be renewed as long as you continue to meet the eligibility criteria. For example:
- Employment residence permits can be renewed as long as you remain employed in Greece.
- Student residence permits are renewed until graduation.
- Family reunification permits remain valid as long as the sponsor maintains legal residence in Greece.
- Digital Nomad Visas can be renewed for up to two years if income and employment criteria are met.
- Retirement (FIP) permits can be renewed as long as financial requirements are satisfied.
Permanent residence permits do not have a validity. The residence card itself has to be renewed every five years, but you do not have to apply for an extension.
Benefits of Having a Greek Residence Permit
The benefits of having a residence permit in Greece include:
- Residence in Greece without restrictions during the validity of the permit
- Free travel within the Schengen area
- Access to public health services in Greece
- Access to the public education system in Greece
- After five years of continuous residence in Greece, you are entitled to apply for permanent residence.