Before reading this article, it is assumed you already have a Greek permit. If you don’t have a work and/or residence permit for Greece and would like to know how to get one, please read the #1 post for Americans and non-EU citizens, which is “How Americans/non-EU citizens can get a permit to move, live and work in Greece.” It is a current and comprehensive article not found anywhere else, based on official documentation and 12 years of real-life experience from people who hold permits.

FAQ only contains information about permits that is unsuitable for a complete article. It is not an invitation or excuse to ignore the policy detailed in “Comments, Questions and Contacting Me.” Thank you.

* Article last updated March 15, 2010

How can I get residence/residency in Greece?

You must legally live or work here in Greece full time.

Can I write a letter requesting residence for five or 10 years?

No, it doesn’t work that way. Read “How American/non-EU citizens can get a permit to live and work in Greece.” You must have compelling reasons to be here and earn that right.

Can I get a residence permit for Greece before I arrive?

No, because you must be inside the country and submit your papers in person.

When does my work and/or residence permit for Greece expire?

Look at your permit and read the expiration date.

Will I get a notification to renew my work and/or residence permit?

No. This is Greece; it’s your responsibility to keep track of your own affairs.

Can I change jobs under my current work permit?

Yes, if the initial year has passed. With regards to IKA, you need to take the new work contract and notify them of this change within 8 days of hiring. With regards to the work permit, you submit all of your paperwork with the new contract and ergoti bebaiosi from your new employer at the time of its renewal.

An English-language newspaper in Athens reports it is impossible, but their article was written by someone who does not have a permit and is notorious for not doing proper research. It’s true that some people are denied, but many I know (including myself) have changed jobs successfully and had no problem.

Can I change fields or industry under my current work permit?

Depends. You can submit the new contract and bebaiosi from your new employer at time of renewal with no problem at the municipality’s dimos or police station’s allodapon department.

However, OAED (Manpower Employment) and/or the Ministry at a higher level has a right to decline renewal should they determine there are limited vacancies and sufficient Greek/EU candidates to perform this work. Authorities may ask you to provide evidence of a university degree (recognized by DOATAP if foreign), significant experience or skills in this area of work. If you are classified as an “Υπάλληλος Γραφείου” (office worker), they may not care. Authorities may also request proof from your new employer that you are uniquely qualified, and (s)he could not otherwise find a Greek/EU citizen to fill the position. At this point, your new employer has the option to let you go should (s)he not want to provide documentation or fight to keep you and give them what they want.

And even after that, OAED or the interior ministry can still refuse to renew it.

If the permit expires without being renewed for whatever reason, you must leave Greece and start from nothing again should you decide to come back and find another job.

When should I renew my residence and/or work permit?

At least 60 days in advance of your permit’s expiration (it says this in nearly all of my articles). If you plan to be outside Greece for business or pleasure during the renewal period, renew earlier and tell them why if they try to turn you away.

What if I still only have my bebaiosi (blue certificate with photo), the permit hasn’t been issued yet, and it’s time to renew it?

You renew with your bebaiosi (blue certificate with photo).

When does my bebaiosi expire?

Look at the date your bebaiosi was issued and count one year from then.

What if I don’t renew on time?

You will be fined one-third the application fee or up to 300 euros if you renew anytime past the expiration date (also stated in this site’s articles), or you may be denied the opportunity to renew if you are not the spouse or child of a Greek or EU citizen.

Sometimes you can get around it by hiring a lawyer or using connections, but be prepared to pay handsomely. I don’t recommend it.

If I lose my job or can’t find another to renew my work permit, how long can I remain in Greece after the permit expires?

According to Article 73 of the immigration law 3386/2005, there is no grace period. You are expected to leave Greece before the permit expires or you will be fined 600 euros for a period of 1-29 days past expiration and 1200 euros for 30 or more days past the permit’s expiration.

Minors are not expected to pay a fine.

How do I renew it?

Usually the same procedure as when you got it the first time.

What if I don’t remember?

If the appropriate article is not available on this site, call or visit the municipality “dimos” office and find out. If you live in a smaller town or an island, the local police will have an immigration division. It will be a good learning experience and perhaps give you a better appreciation for what information is provided free on this website.

Be proactive, pay attention and take some notes. That’s how this site was created — I paid attention and then used my free time to write it out for everyone. It’s not rocket science, and I’m not a lawyer or paid employee of the Greek state. It is a starting point and helpful assistance gained from real-life experience.

What if I changed my status since the last time I renewed?

You still need to go to the same office, tell them your change of status, and they’ll tell you what documents you now need. If the article is available on this website, you can prepare in advance. If not, people have been doing it the other way for years. It’s common sense.

Can I apply online for a Greek work/residence permit?

No, because they want to see you in person and examine that all of your documents are originals. If you’re not even in the Greece, you cannot apply at all.

Does part-time work qualify me for a work permit?

No.

Why not?

Because anything less than full-time work means you are not entitled to IKA. Since continuous medical coverage is a requirement for non-EU citizens to hold a work permit, you would then either:
a) Declare yourself a self-employed entrepreneur* at the eforia, pay OAEE (formerly TEBE/TEVE), issue receipts, pay FPA on a quarterly basis and secure a work permit this way (which can also be denied),
OR
b) Become illegal.

* Also note that immigrants wishing to change their professional status from salaried employee to self-employed must wait a minimum of 3 years. And self-employed immigrants must keep their same business for 2 years before being allowed to change their line or scope of work.

Can I pay my own IKA?

Yes, but you are only allowed to purchase up to 20 percent of required 150 ensima of IKA for the year. The other 80 percent must be earned through an employer or acquired by paying your own OAEE (TEBE/TEVE).

If I get engaged to a Greek, do I get a permit to stay in Greece?

No. That’s already covered in “How non-EU citizens move, live and work in Greece.” Fiance(e)s are treated the same as single people.

If I marry a Greek, do I get citizenship so I don’t need a permit?

If you marry a Greek for citizenship, you must have several years legal residence in Greece, speak the language, pay 700 euros and wait several years to go through the naturalization process. Citizenship is not transferable. See “Greek citizenship by naturalization” for details.

But yes, if you obtain Greek citizenship or citizenship from another EU country, you would no longer need a permit.

When will my permit sticker or card be ready?

Authorities and municipalities claim that it should only take 60-90 days, but there is no set time. If you are the spouse or child of a Greek/EU citizen, there is a law that says permits will be issued sooner than 90 days, but it will likely take longer because the initial (first) permit will only be issued after you and your spouse attend and pass an interview at the Perifeira, which takes a minimum of 90 days for them to set an appointment, then send a registered invitation letter.

For more than 12 years, I’ve consistently waited up to a year and past the expiration date. The quickest I’ve been issued a Greek permit is 6 months.

Is there anything I can do to speed up the processing of my permit?

No.

Will they notify me when it’s ready?

Rarely. Again, this is Greece, and it’s your responsibility to check in person. Calling them seldom gets results; most often, you will be told they cannot give out information over the phone and you must stop by in person.

What if there’s a problem with my work and/or residence permit?

Since it is your responsibility to check on your permit, they should be giving you a status. If there is an issue, the ministry will send the letter to the municipality’s “dimos” or police station allodapon department; it is rare that you will be personally notified by phone or letter. If there is a letter, it usually arrives late at your home, and you have no recourse because it was your job to check on the permit in person.

Once I have my permit, is everything OK?

The municipality or Ministry has the right to review and revoke permits for any reason at any time, unless you hold the permanent EU-wide residence/work permit; and this is unlikely since Greece had only issued one as of December 2007, less than a dozen by April 2008 and less than 100 by June 2009, even though an estimated 250,000 people qualify.

Does Greece grant permits to gay/lesbian non-EU partners of Greek/EU citizens?

No. It doesn’t matter if you were married in another country or not. Only man-woman partnerships are recognized.

There is an EU directive that says all EU member states must not discriminate based on $exual orientation, but Greece will likely be taken to the EU High Court before anything is done…and even then, Greece will delay it as long as possible. It only started granting long-term EU-wide permits to people who earned that right in 2008, even though this directive was passed by the EU in 2003 and in effect since December 2005.

I’m a male of Greek origin over 18, but I do not have Greek citizenship. Can I get a residence/work permit as the non-EU spouse of my Greek/EU wife?

No. The residence/work permit granted to non-EU spouses and children (under 21) of Greek/EU citizens is only for pure non-EU citizens of no Greek origin.

Why?

Because you are of Greek origin and have the inherent right to claim citizenship, whether you want it or not, which entitles you to work/reside in Greece and the entire EU. This is a privilege.

If you’re a male between the age of 19-45, you’re obviously trying to avoid mandatory military obligations by going this route, and the Greek state does not tolerate draft dodgers. If you think they won’t catch you, think again; even connections will not help you. The residence/work permit application asks the birthplace of your parents. Should you get around that, either the eforia will flush you out or the Ministry of Interior and Labor will examine your application, request birth certificates from whomever they wish and delve into your background. It doesn’t matter if you are registered in the οικογενειακή μερίδα/oikogeneiaki merida or not, whether you hold a Greek passport or Greek ID or not. You are breaking the law.

If you’re a female of Greek origin, there is no reason why you shouldn’t stake a claim to citizenship at any age. Should you apply for Greek citizenship and be denied, this may be grounds to apply for a Greek permit, however only Greek authorities can make this determination.

What about my son who is under 18 and technically a non-EU citizen?

Same applies. It only matters that he is of Greek origin/descent — doesn’t matter where he was born, what citizenship he holds (even another EU citizenship), his domicile, if he’s registered in the οικογενειακή μερίδα/oikogeneiaki merida or not, in possession of ‘permanent resident abroad’ status or not.

As long as he is of Greek origin, he will at some point be drafted into the army should he reside permanently in Greece or wish to work here from the age of 19 to 45. Read, “Mandatory military obligations for Greece.” It’s all there. It will only change if the law changes.

How can I get a green card for Greece?

There’s no such thing. “Green card” is a term used by the United States to describe permanent resident status acquired by a non-American citizen. It does not apply outside the USA. Greece had a prasina karta about 10 years ago, but they disappeared as fast as they appeared. Starting in 2008, Greece started issuing permit cards, but they are still not called green cards.

If you are looking for permanent resident status in Greece, see other articles in “Residence-work permits” or use the ’search’ option in the second column.

If I get a divorce, can I keep my permit?

Spouses of Greek or EU citizens who already passed the interview and hold a permit can retain it after a divorce if the marriage lasted 3 years OR if there is solid evidence of domestic abuse no matter how long the marriage lasted.

Alternatively, you can secure a work/residence permit on your own if you have a job or can get one OR you can secure a residence permit if you have 2,000/euros per month income from outside Greece to support yourself. (See “Residence-work permits” for the appropriate article).

If my Greek/EU partner passes away, can I keep my permit?

Yes, if you held the permit and resided in Greece for a minimum of one year.

Is my Greek permit transferable?

– Transferable to another person. No.
– Transferable to another job; I already answered this question above.
– Transferable to another country. Yes, but only if you have the special long-term EU-wide permit. Otherwise, the answer is no; you must start from nothing in the new country.

What kind of work and/or residence permit do I qualify for in Greece?

There are dozens, and there’s no way I could know that — I’m a private person offering free assistance in my free time, not a paid public service. Inquire at the Greek Consulate if you are outside Greece. Inquire at the municipality “dimos” office if you are in Greece; if there is no municipality “dimos” office in your area, a police station’s allodapon department can direct you.

What are the addresses and phone numbers of the municipality’s “dimos” offices and police stations’ allodapon departments in Greece?

You can find “dimos” offices online in Greek, inquire at KEP by calling ‘1500′ or ask the mayor’s office in your municipality. You can find police stations and their allodapon division in Greece by calling ‘11888.’

How do I call ‘1500′ or ‘11888′ from outside Greece?

Common sense. If you’re outside Greece, you shouldn’t be calling these numbers. You should be calling the Greek Consulate/Embassy nearest you.

Is there a Greek government website (.gr or .gov), where I can find information on residence/work permits?

In a word, ‘no.’ Greece started KEP (Citizen service centers), but they are primarily for Greek citizens, not people who need permits. Many government websites, such as the one run by the city of Athens, are incomplete and incorrect.

Some Greek consulates and embassies have limited information on their websites; check the one nearest you. My website is popular with many because it contains information not available anywhere else, updated on a regular basis and is balanced with first-hand information, not just research and translations from Greek to English.

Do you have a question?

The ability to ask questions on this post has now been closed due to the last 10 people not following instructions.

Instructions: If you have a question, look at “Comments, Questions and Contacting Me.” Don’t be lazy and please use the “Categories” and “Search” options in the second column as I have requested many, many times. The “Find” option is also available on every Web browser under ‘Edit.’ It may sound harsh, but the other option is to close off the ability to comment and ask questions.

If you don’t see your question posted, it means the answer is already on this site. In most cases, it’s right in front of you.