EU Citizens Moving to Greece
Understand the residency rules for European Union citizens moving to Greece to live, work, study or retire...
EU/EEA citizens do not need a work or residence permit to live and work in Greece. They can enter Greece with a valid identity card or passport, regardless of the planned duration of their stay. If EU nationals intend to stay for more than 90 days, they must register at the local Department of Aliens bureau (these are found at police stations with a foreigners department) in the area of residency (Τμήμα Αλλοδαπών/ Tmima Allodapon), where a Certificate of Registration (Residence Certificate) (βεβαίωσης εγγραφής πολιτών της Ευρωπαϊκής Ένωσης/ Veveosi Egrafis Politon Evropaikis Enoseis) is issued.
The Residence/Registration Certificate has unlimited validity and is issued free of charge (according to European Union directive 2004/38/EC). A Residence Certificate is issued the day the application is made, however, the procedure may take many hours or even a full day and the Certificate may sometimes prove difficult to obtain. Greek officials may not speak fluent English so taking a Greek speaker is advised. The following documents are required (with at least two copies of each):
- Application form (available from the Aliens bureau)
- Copy of passport or identity card
- Four passport photos
- Proof of medical insurance: European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), IKA, OAEE or private health insurance
- Certificate from employer if in paid employment, or proof of sufficient financial resources
- For retirees, a certified translation of a letter from my pension provider stating the annual income
- Proof of local residence (rental agreement, property ownership documents or statement of person whose name is on the property deed if owned by someone else)
- EU nationals intending to work in Greece must have medical insurance or a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and a social insurance number (AMKA). For more information visit Angloinfo’s Greek National Administration page.