Asylum / refugee status in Greece
The programme grants international protection to people persecuted in their country of origin or unable to return because of the threat of serious harm. It covers refugee status and subsidiary protection. An applicant may file the application on arrival in Greece. The procedure is free of charge; once the application has been registered, social benefits and the right to work are granted.
Source: migration.gov.gr — application for international protection (asylum)
Who may apply and how to do it
An asylum application may be filed by any third-country national or stateless person who is on Greek territory and fears persecution.
Refugees and forcibly displaced people
- People fleeing conflicts, wars and persecution
- People whose life or safety is in danger in their country of origin
- Families that need to be reunited in Greece
People applying from where they are
- Those who arrived by sea on the islands or the mainland
- Those who arrived across the land borders
- Those who have been on Greek territory for more than 30 days
People applying through a representative
- Those taking advice from a lawyer or a human rights organisation
- Those who need an interpreter in their own language
- Those requesting special procedures (minors, people with disabilities)
When the programme is not a fit
EU citizens and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland
The right of free residence and work in the EU without separate procedures
People who already hold recognised protection status in another EU state
The Dublin III procedure: transfer to the responsible state (usually the first country of entry into the EU)
People with a final negative decision who have exhausted their appeals
Forced return to the country of origin if the refusal is final
People who have committed serious crimes or acts of terrorism
Exclusion from international protection and possible criminal prosecution
What it costs
| Filing the asylum applicationThe procedure is entirely free of charge for the applicant | 0 EUR |
|---|---|
| Issue of the international protection applicant's cardThe card is issued free of charge when the application is registered | 0 EUR |
| Issue of the residence permit (on a positive decision)The permit is issued free of charge to refugees and beneficiaries of subsidiary protection | 0 EUR |
| Interpreter services at every stageAn interpreter is provided free of charge by the migration authorities | 0 EUR |
| Renewal of the residence permit (fine for late renewal)The fine applies per person where the application is filed later than 30 days before expiry | +100 EUR |
| Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Renewal of the residence permit (fine for late renewal)” adds 100 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below. | 0–100 EUR |
Paid separately
- Court fees on appeal — Examination of the appeal by an independent committee is entirely free of charge
- Medical examinations on registration — Any necessary medical checks are carried out free of charge by the health authorities
Documents to gather
The minimum package of documents at registration; the full package is put together after the interview.
- Passport, identity card or other travel document (original)
- Birth certificate (to confirm identity and family ties)
- Marriage certificate (where applicable, to prove the status of a spouse)
- Birth certificates of children (where applicable, for family reunification)
- Documents confirming persecution or danger (medical reports, police reports, letters from NGOs, court judgments against the persecutors)
- Documents on family members in the country of origin or in third countries (for reunification)
- Medical certificates on chronic illnesses or injuries (where applicable)
- Certificates of employment, education or qualifications (if available)
How the process runs
Examination of an asylum application consists of the following main stages.
- 1
Registration at a reception and identification centre
up to 25 daysThe applicant stays at the reception centre, provides personal details and information about the family, and undergoes biometric identification (fingerprints for people over 14). They receive an international protection applicant's card, valid from 30 days to 1 year. At this stage accommodation, food, medical care and information about the procedure are provided.
- 2
Obtaining the right to work
60 days after registrationOnce the applicant's card has been issued and 60 days have passed, the applicant obtains the right to work officially in Greece. Registration in the PAAYPA system (a temporary insurance number for foreigners) may also be required.
- 3
Filing the full written application
at the same time as registration or shortly afterwardsThe applicant files a detailed statement of the reasons for requesting international protection and information about the persecution or danger in question. The statement may be given orally with an interpreter or in writing.
- 4
The interview
during the examination periodAn officer of the Asylum Service holds an interview covering the circumstances of arrival in Greece, the reasons for leaving the country of origin and the reasons for not returning. An interpreter is present (free of charge), and the applicant may bring a lawyer or other advisers (at their own expense). The interview is recorded, and a copy of the recording or the transcript is provided on request.
- 5
The decision
from 20 days to 6 monthsThe Asylum Service takes a positive or negative decision on international protection. The decision may grant refugee status or subsidiary protection. The applicant receives written notice of the decision and of the reasons (if it is a refusal).
- 6
Receiving the residence permit
after a positive decisionOn a positive decision the applicant may obtain a permanent residence permit at the Passport Office. For refugee status the permit is valid for 3 years. For subsidiary protection it is 1 year. The original passport and an entry visa for Greece are required.
- 7
Registration in the social security system (AMKA)
within a month of receiving the permitThe beneficiary has to register in the AMKA system (the Greek health system) in order to obtain full access to medical services and social security on equal terms with Greek citizens.
- 8
Appeal (in the event of refusal)
within the period stated in the decision (usually 15 days to 3 months)If the decision is negative the applicant may lodge an appeal with the Appeals Authority. It is examined by an independent committee on the basis of the documents. An interview on appeal is not usually required. If the appeal is also dismissed, an application may be made to the administrative court within 30 days.
Who you can bring with you
Beneficiaries of international protection may apply to be reunited with their family under certain conditions.
Spouse (officially married)
Minor children (under 18)
Adult children with a disability
Other family members (in exceptional cases)
Trips, renewal and the grace period
Actual residence for most of the year
The residence permit of a beneficiary of international protection has to be renewed before it expires. For refugee status the permit is valid for 3 years and is renewed for an equal period (a further 3 years). For subsidiary protection the permit is initially valid for 1 year and is then renewed every 2 years. The renewal application has to be filed no later than 30 days before expiry. Where renewal is late (after the set period) a fine of EUR 100 per person applies. Renewal is carried out through the Passport Office by producing the original passport and the document showing that the permit has expired.
How it differs from the routes next to it
The comparison is built from the official terms of the routes themselves — the source links sit on their own pages.
| Asylum / refugee status | Investment residence permit | Financially independent residence permit | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Visa term | Protection status: a residence permit usually for 3 years, with renewal | A residence permit for 5 years, renewed while the investment is retained | Temporary status with renewal |
| Work | The right to work once the application has been registered | No right to work as an employee; free residence and Schengen travel | No right to work in Greece |
| Residence | Actual residence for most of the year | No mandatory minimum number of days to keep the residence permit | Actual residence for renewal |
What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship
Route to permanent residence
Permanent residence (EU long-term residence) after 5 years
Route to citizenship
Citizenship after 10 years, with Greek and a test
Frequently asked questions about Asylum / refugee status
When will I be able to start working after filing an asylum application?
For how long is the residence permit issued after a positive decision?
Which documents do I need when filing an asylum application?
What happens if my asylum application is refused?
What rights do I have while my application is being examined?
Other ways to move to Greece
- Golden VisaInvestment residence permit
- Financially Independent PersonFinancially independent residence permit
- Residence permit for employmentResidence permit
- Residence permit for studyResidence permit
- Residence permit for family reunificationResidence permit
- Permanent residence — long-term resident statusPermanent residence
- Second-generation residence permitResidence permit
- Greek citizenship by naturalisationCitizenship
Every route in one list — migration programmes: Greece.
The terms and the amounts are checked against official sources — the link sits under each section.Last checked on: 8 August 2026.