Financially Independent Persons Visa in Greece

Financially independent persons - meaning those who have sufficient income or savings without having to work - may make a successful visa application in Greece and represents a unique opportunity for individuals seeking residency without the requirement of employment or business operation within the country. 

• Individuals with a stable and sufficient annual income to cover their living expenses in Greece without needing employment.
• Those interested in enjoying the benefits of residency in a EU country, with favourable climate conditions, high safety levels, and access to the Schengen Area.

Residence permits are issued to Non-EU nationals who have sufficient resources in terms of stable annual income to meet their subsistence needs. 

• Currently, by way of joint ministerial decision the Greece retirement visa income requirement - deemed to be sufficient for the purposes of this type of residence permit - is €2000 per month for the main applicant. 
• In the event of his/her spouse joining the application, this amount is increased by 20% i.e. to €2400 per month. 
• These permits shall have a duration of two years and may be renewed for three years. 
• Please note, these residence permits shall not grant access to the labour market. 
• Applications may be accompanied by their family members to whom an individual residence permit shall be issued following a successful application, which shall expire together with the residence permit of the sponsor. 
• The requirement of sufficient resources for subsistence shall be met either by each member of the family or for all family members as a whole. In the event that the applicant is entitled to a pension from the Greek social security fund, there is no income requirement for renewal of this residence permit.

1. Document Collection: Gather necessary documents including tax returns, proof of income, and proof of funds​​.
2. Category D Visa Application: Submit an application along with the required documents to the Greek consulate in your current country of residence​​.
3. Acquire a Tax Identification Number in Greece (ΑΦΜ): Essential for financial transactions and applications within the country​​.
4. Open a Bank Account in Greece: Transfer the necessary funds to this account as part of the application process​​.
5. Residence Permit Application: Submit the application along with all required documents to the Migration Department in Greece, including a personal presence for fingerprinting​​.

• No Visa Requirement for Schengen Area: Freely travel within the Schengen countries​​.
• Family Members Included: Possibility to obtain residence permits for family members​​.
• Path to Citizenship: After seven years of legal residence, eligible to apply for Greek citizenship​​.

• Flexibility in Tax Residency: Choose whether to become a tax resident of Greece, a right not an obligation​​.
• Possibility of Citizenship: Eligibility for citizenship after seven years, provided you live in Greece for more than 183 days each year for 7 years​​.
• Comprehensive Support: Guidance through the initial stages of document collection and application submission, with emphasis on consulting legal expertise to navigate the latest legal requirements and avoid misunderstandings​​.