All the Different Greek Visas Explained
OTHER TYPES OF LONGTERM STAY VISAS GREECE OFFERS
What is a Greek Visa?
A Greek visa is an official document or stamp issued by the Greek government that allows a foreign national to enter, stay, or travel through Greece legally for a specific period of time and purpose. Depending on the reason for travel, the length of stay, and nationality, different types of Greek visas may be applied for and issued.
A Greek visa is a great way to be able to stay in Greece over the 90 day period you are allowed with a US passport.
Greek Dual Citizenship put together this guide getting a Greek visa to help you understand your options.
1. The Schengen Visa (Type C)
What is the Schengen Visa?
The Schengen visa is a short-stay visa that allows you to travel freely within the Schengen Zone for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. That means you can hop over to neighboring countries without additional paperwork—which turns a Greek vacation into a European odyssey.
What are the Schengen Area countries?
Check out all the places your Schengen Visa from Greece gives you the freedom to stay in:
- Austria
- Belgium
- Croatia
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Netherlands
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
Visa Requirements for Greece
Your Schengen Visa Greece has its own requirements, but they are fairly straightforward:
- Application Form (obviously)
- Valid Passport (has to be valid for at least 3 months past your departure date)
- Photographs (these need to be passport-sized)
- Itinerary (this should include wher eyou are staying)
- Proof of Financial Means (just shows you won’t need additional resources while you re here)
- Travel Insurance (policy must cover at least €30,000 in medical expenses and repatriation to your home country if you die)
How to Apply
Submit your application to the Greek consulate or embassy in your country. Processing times can vary, so it’s wise to apply well before your trip.
2. The Greece Golden Visa
The Greek Golden Visa is a residency-by-investment program designed for non-EU citizens who wish to obtain a residence permit in Greece by making a qualifying investment. The most common investment option is in real estate, where an individual must invest a minimum of €250,000 in Greek property.
This program is popular due to its relatively low investment threshold compared to similar programs in other EU countries.
The Greek Golden Visa is a very detailed visa for specific groups of people. Please see this page to learn all about the key features of the Greek Golden Visa.
3. Greece Retirement Visa
Dreaming of retiring amidst olive groves and ancient ruins? The Greece retirement visa might be your pathway to a new chapter in life. It’s official name is the Financially Independent Person Visa—basically a way to live in the country as long as you don’t work. If you’re really retired, that shouldn’t be a problem.
Who Is It For?
The retirement visa is designed for non-EU citizens who want to spend their golden years in Greece, a sunny paradise filled with exciting things to do and great places to luxuriate. Oh, plus the cost of living is very low compared to many other places in the EU and the US.
That combination makes it ideal if you have enough resources so you don’t need to work while living in Greece. All the while, you get to enjoy the Mediterranean climate, rich culture, and relaxed pace of life.
(Note: There are similar options on the Iberian peninsula, namely Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa and Portugal’s D7 Visa. You might consider these, too.)
Requirements
- Stable Income: Demonstrate a sufficient and regular income, such as a pension, that equals at least €2,000 per month. You’ll need €400 more a month if you have a spouse, and the number goes up 15% for each dependent that will be with you.
- Health Insurance: Obtain private health insurance valid in Greece. That way you won’t need to drain public resources while you’re there.
- Be from a non-EU country: You can’t be a citizen of an EU member state.
- Have a Clean Criminal Record: This one is self-explanatory, isn’t it?
How to Apply
Want to apply? As with any visa, you’ll submit an application to the Greek consulate or embassy in your country. Contact us if you need any help. [link to Contact]
Other Visa Options
Student Visa
Going to university in Greece gives you very reliable access to a high-quality visa. Documentation is straightforward: a valid passport, letter of acceptance from a Greek school, and evidence that you can financially support yourself (usually from scholarships or student loans).
Work Visa
Work visas mean you can legally stay and earn money in Greece, and they will almost always be managed through your employer.
Family Reunification Visa
If you have family members (especially a spouse) who are Greek citizens or permanent residents, the family reunification visa lets you to join them. Required documents include: passport, proof of family relationship, your Greek family member’s residency permit, evidence of financial stability, and proof of medical insurance coverage.
The 7-Year Law in Greece: Visa Leading to Citizenship
What Is the 7-Year Law?
This rule makes you eligible for citizenship and its many benefits [link to Benefits] after legally residing there for seven continuous years.
Requirements
- Continuous Residence: 7 years without significant interruptions.
- Language Proficiency: Knowledge of the Greek language as proven by an official exam.
- Civic Understanding: Show an understanding of Greek history and culture. Like language proficiency, this one is proven through an official exam.
The New 3-Year Law in Greece
What Is the New 3-Year Law?
This relatively recent regulation lets certain non-EU citizens apply for long-term residence permits after just three years of legal residence.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What types of visas does Greece offer?
Greece offers several visas which have specific purposes and time periods:
- Schengen Visa: For short-term stays up to 90 days with access to all 25 European countries that are in the Schengen Zone.
- Retirement Visa: For non-EU citizens wishing to retire in Greece.
- Student Visa: For those enrolled in Greek universities.
- Work Visa: Allows you to work with a Greek employer.
- Family Reunification Visa: For joining family members legally residing in Greece.
Each visa has specific requirements tailored to different purposes and durations of stay.
What is the 7-year law in Greece?
The 7-year law allows non-EU citizens who have legally and continuously resided in Greece for seven years to apply for Greek citizenship.
What is the new 3-year law in Greece?
The new 3-year law enables certain non-EU citizens, such as investors, highly skilled workers, and entrepreneurs, to apply for long-term residence permits after three years of legal residence.
This page was last updated by Marco Permunian
Contact Us
Contact us at (213) 636-8022 to start your free eligibility assessment and to learn more about the Greek Golden Visa Program.
