Retirement Visa in Greece
Our lawyers can help with the Retirement Visa process in Greece.
Contact Us
To request a free consultation case, please provide us with your contact details below and we will contact you via email or phone.
What is the Greek Retirement Visa?
Greece does not have any specific retirement visa, but there’s a few options that can fit individuals who want to retire in Greece. If you are able to purchase a property of more than 250,000€ ($271,000), and in some cases more than 500,000€ ($543,000) (depending on the location you purchase the property), then we recommend you the Golden Visa. Click here to know more about the Greek Golden Visa.
However, if you don’t want to purchase a property, but you have passive income to support yourself, then the best option is the Finantial Independent Person (FIP) Visa. Let’s learn more about this retirement option.
The FIP Residency Program addresses citizens of non-EU countries who want to reside and retire in Greece, and have sufficient passive income to support themselves, in the form of a stable annual income (2,000€ monthly passive income, or have at least €48,000 savings in the bank account) to cover their living expenses during their stay.
The FIP residency permit is issued for a period of 2 years. It can be extended, on the condition that the holder of the residency permit maintains his/ her income.
The candidate becomes eligible for permanent residency in Greece after five years of temporary residency, and after seven years (and subject to integration in Greece, which involves, among other things, proficiency in Greek), the applicant becomes qualified to apply for citizenship.
Applicants must be physically present in Greece for at least half the year (183 days) to maintain their residency status, at which point they also become tax residents.
How to obtain a FIP Retirement Visa?
The main applicant is required to provide evidence of a guaranteed monthly passive income, such as the balance of his bank accounts, dividend checks, retirement annuities, etc. The main applicant must have a minimum monthly passive income of €2,000, or at least €48,000 in bank account savings.
Salary income does not apply for this Visa, however, Greece also has the Digital Nomad Visa for those remote workers or freelancers that want to live in Greece working remotely.
Also, if you apply with your family, you will also need:
- An additional €400 per month for a spouse.
- An additional €300 per month for each new dependent.
Benefits of the FIP Visa
Although this program has very rigorous requirements, the advantages of having a Greek residence are quite extraordinary. Having a FIP Retirement Visa for Greece has the following advantages:
- It grants you entry into the EU (Schengen area).
- You can apply for the same permit for your spouse or partner, minor children or of legal age, whom -financially depend on you, including also dependants in the ascending line.
- No Investment or donation required, just a monthly passive income.
- Lower costs of living, Safety and Security, Warm climate.
- Citizenship is available after 7 years.
- Right to stay in Greece without having to work.
We offer a wide range of services for investors at Lexidy. Our skilled and committed team has years of experience in legal counsel, management, real estate, conveyancing, new visas, immigration challenges, residence, and investment opportunities for investors with a global perspective.
If you are thinking to apply for the FIP Retirement Visa in Greece, contact us for a free consultation of your case and our expert lawyers will help you with anything you need!
1. Collect the documents
You will need to collect the paperwork to support the application. This includes marriage and birth certificates if your family is joining you, as well as proof that you can support your lifestyle. These documents may need to be certified and officially translated.
2. Apply at the Greek Embassy or Consulate
The applicant must apply for Visa D by appearing in person at their Greek Consulate in their home country or where they legally reside. Visa D is a long-term visa and is the first permit needed to get a retirement visa. You will be interviewed by the immigration officials during this step.
3. Move to Greece
Once the application is approved, you will be granted a visa that allows you to travel to Greece. It usually takes 10 days to get a Greek visa. The entry visa is valid for one year.
4. Apply for Residence Permit Card
Once you have the entry visa and have entered Greece, you must apply for a Residence Permit with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. To get the Residence Permit, you will need to provide some biometric data. Your submission will be confirmed with a “blue certificate”, which allows you to travel to and from Greece. The residence permit is usually approved within two months.
Some clients struggle with the language barrier, so Lexidy’s immigration attorneys can accompany you to the appointment.
The process to renew the visa is relatively simple. The main requirements are:
- continuing to be able to support your lifestyle
- maintaining private healthcare insurance
- and residing in Greece for at least six months annually
The permit is renewed for two-year periods and you can work with our immigration attorneys to maintain your status.
Contact Us
To request a free consultation case, please provide us with your contact details below and we will contact you via email or phone.
How can a lawyer help me with the FIP Retirement Visa in Greece?
Our lawyers can speed up the procedure to apply for FIP Retirement Visa or residence permits. We have detailed information about the process and the legal jurisdictions that work fastest.
Also, we can complete the forms for you and review the paperwork to see if it meets the requirements for this investor visa.
Lexidy’s immigration attorneys will assess the quality of your investment property. They will ensure that your investment is the right one for your Greek residency.
Our partnerships with health insurance companies, juror translators or international schools will make your first experience in Greece even more enjoyable. We offer full assistance in Greek, English, Portuguese, Spanish, French or Italian.
What Our Clients Are Saying
Our law firm has helped numerous clients successfully apply for a FIP Retirement Visa and start their new lives in Greece.
Frequently Asked Questions
As in order to get the FIP Retirement Visa you will have to reside in Greece for at least 183 days, you will become tax resident in Greece, which means you will have to pay taxes here. Contact us now and our lawyers can help you with the exact taxes you will have to pay depending on your case.
No, this visa grants you the right to reside in Greece without having to work, as you will be able to mantain yourself with the passive income. Actually, it is the opposite, you will not be able to work with this Visa.
Your partner or children can apply with you. You must show that you can financially support them. You will need to provide extra paperwork such as marriage or birth certificates.
Unmarried partners who can prove a long-term relationship can also apply as dependants.
Yes, however, you will have to prove economic dependence and single status. Your children must also be enrolled at a university or academy.
Yes, you will have to be phisically in Greece for at least 6 months (183 days) each year.
As everything, it has the pros but also some inconvenients, like:
- The money used is not invested. Therefore, it produces no return. Bank interest rates are practically zero or close to zero. Unlike the Golden Visa investment where the property generates income and a potential reselling profit (current annual price increase in the real estate market is ~12%), this investment will not produce any return.
- The two-year funds for the whole family must be deposited in advance in the Greek banking system
- The residents should physically reside in Greece in order to hold the residency permit.
It’s not required, but it’s always recommended to consult a professional. At Lexidy we can help you will all the process of getting the FIP Visa in Greece.
Our Team
For us, Lexidy is a way of life and what excites us the most is to be able to deliver the happiness and satisfaction of a successful immigration process. We want to help you achieve your goals and dreams, whether it’s residence in Greece or simply an investment.