GreeceFinancially independent residence permit

Financially independent residence permit in Greece

The programme is intended for foreigners able to support themselves on passive income or accumulated funds without taking employment in Greece. A stable, documented income from sources outside Greece is required: pensions, dividends, income from letting property or substantial savings. The visa gives the right to live in Greece, spending at least six months a year there, but it does not allow you to work. After five years of residence a route to permanent status opens up, and then to citizenship.

Visa term

Temporary status with renewal

Processing time

A few weeks to months

Work

No right to work in Greece

Residence

Actual residence for renewal

Source: migration.gov.gr — residence permit for financially independent persons

Who obtains the status and how

The residence permit for economically independent people is issued on the basis of steady passive income. There are two main routes: by income or by savings. Both require proof of the origin of the funds and of their stability.

By passive income

Pensioners with income from pension payments
Investors living on dividends and interest
Landlords (income from foreign property)

By savings

People with savings covering 24 months of residence
Families with joint savings
Those who prefer to put up a lump sum instead of proving income

When the programme is not a fit

You need to work actively in Greece or receive a salary

The Digital Nomad Visa or a work visa (which requires an employer as sponsor)

You have no steady income, only irregular earnings

A tourist visa or a work visa with a contract

You would like to invest in property and obtain residence

The Golden Visa (EUR 250,000-800,000 depending on the region; no residence requirement)

What it costs

Monthly passive income (a single applicant)In force since 2023 under Law 5038/2023; previously EUR 2,000 was required	3 500 EUR
Monthly passive income (with a spouse)The main income plus 20% for the spouse	4 200 EUR
Savings instead of income (a single applicant, for 24 months)The equivalent of EUR 3,500 a month x 24 months; an alternative for those without a stable income	126 000 EUR
Savings instead of income (with a spouse, for 24 months)EUR 4,200 a month x 24 months	151 200 EUR
Supplement for each child (per month)15% of the base rate; applied to income when a child under 21 is included	+525 EUR
Total government feesThe sum of the mandatory rows in the table. “Supplement for each child (per month)” adds 525 EUR; the “Savings instead of income (a single applicant, for 24 months)” branch replaces the “Monthly passive income (a single applicant)” line — 130 200 EUR; the “Savings instead of income (with a spouse, for 24 months)” branch replaces the “Monthly passive income (with a spouse)” line — 154 700 EUR. Charges with no official price list are in the list below.	7,700–8 225 EUR

Paid separately

Active salary, business income, services on Greek territory — Not permitted; a Digital Nomad or a work visa is required
Employment with a Greek company — Prohibited under the terms of the FIP; a breach may lead to the visa being cancelled

Documents to gather

The set of original and certified documents is filed first with the Greek consulate together with the Type D visa application, and then, on registration in Greece, with the local immigration authorities.

Passport (valid for at least 3-6 months beyond the intended return)
Criminal record certificate (obtained in the country of residence; no more than 6 months old)
Medical certificate on your state of health (may be issued either by a doctor in your country or in Greece)
Evidence of passive income or savings: bank statements for the last 3-6 months, dividend certificates, leases of foreign property, pension documents
A contract or document on accommodation in Greece (a lease, ownership or a letter of invitation from the owner)
A health insurance policy (private; it must be valid in Greece)
Passport-size photographs (usually 2-4, 4x6 cm format)
The Type D visa application form (completed at the consulate)

How the process runs

The process consists of stages in the country of origin and then in Greece. It usually takes 3-6 months from filing the documents to receiving the permit.

1
Preparing and collecting the documents
2-4 weeks
Collect all the necessary documents, including the criminal record certificate, the medical certificate and bank statements. If the documents are in a local language, a notarised translation into English or Greek is required.
2
Filing the application with the Greek consulate
1-2 days
Visit the Greek consulate in your country of residence with the full package of documents. Complete the Type D visa application form. The consulate may require an interview in person.
3
Consular processing
4-8 weeks (usually 10 days to 6 weeks)
The consulate checks the documents and may request additional certificates or explanations. Processing may be quick (10 days) or take up to 8 weeks depending on the consulate and its workload.
4
Receiving the Type D visa
1-3 days after approval
If the decision is positive, the consulate issues a Type D visa in your passport. The visa allows you to enter Greece in order to obtain the residence permit.
5
Entering Greece and registering
Within 30 days of entry
Enter Greece and within 30 days apply to the local immigration office (ICP — Immigration Control Post) or file the application online through the e-services at migration.gov.gr.
6
Filing the residence permit application
1-2 days (in person or online)
File the application for a residence permit (άδεια διαμονής) with the local immigration office together with the originals or certified copies of the documents. Pay the required fees.
7
Biometrics and interview (if required)
1-2 weeks
The immigration service may invite you to give biometric data (fingerprints, photograph). The officer may ask questions about your income and living arrangements.
8
Examination and decision
2-8 weeks after the biometrics
The immigration service checks the financial documents, the origin of the funds and the living arrangements. There may be a request for clarification. The decision is taken on the results of the check.
9
Receiving the plastic permit card
1-2 weeks after approval
If the decision is positive you will receive a plastic residence permit card (άδεια διαμονής) valid for 3 years. Sometimes a paper temporary permit is issued until the card is produced.

Who you can bring with you

Families may be included in a single application, and the financial requirements rise in proportion to the number of members. Children must be minors or financially dependent.

Lawful spouse / partner

Included in the application with an increase in the monthly income of 20% (EUR 700 extra) or the equivalent in savings (EUR 25,200 extra over 24 months). They must have their own passport and go through the same checks.

Children under 21

Financially dependent children may be included; each child requires a supplement of 15% to the main applicant's income (EUR 525 a month) or the equivalent in savings (EUR 12,600 over 24 months). Birth documents and proof of financial dependence are required.

Adult children (21+)

As a rule they are not included in the FIP programme. They may file separate applications as independent applicants if they meet the income requirements.

Parents or other relatives

The FIP programme has no separate category for older dependants. They have to file their own applications or consider other visa categories (family reunification through an EU citizen and so on).

Renewal and the grace period

The residence permit is valid for 3 years and may be renewed for a further three-year period if the conditions are met. Renewal requires fresh proof of passive income or of savings (up-to-date bank statements for the last 3-6 months), evidence of residence in Greece of at least 183 days in the calendar year and a valid health insurance policy. The renewal application may usually be filed during the last 6 months of validity of the current permit. After 5 years of continuous residence it is possible to apply for EU long-term resident status, which has a more favourable legal regime.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

The route goes through long-term residence

Route to citizenship

Citizenship through ordinary naturalisation

Frequently asked questions about Financially independent residence permit

Which sources of passive income are accepted? Can an employer in another country pay me for remote work?

Accepted are: pensions, dividends, income from letting property, interest, royalties. Remote work (where you work for an employer outside Greece) is usually not recognised as passive income and may mean that a Digital Nomad Visa is needed instead of the FIP. The Greek authorities stress that the income must be genuinely passive, that is, not dependent on your active labour.

How is the origin of the funds and savings checked?

The immigration service requires bank statements, certificates from banks and financial institutions, ownership documents or leases, and pension statements. When you submit bank statements they must clearly show where the income comes from. If the source of the income is not clear enough or raises suspicions of money laundering, additional explanations or certificates from the tax authorities or banks may be requested.

What happens if I work in Greece while holding an FIP visa?

Working in Greece (even part-time) is a breach of the conditions of the visa. If illegal employment is discovered it may lead to the permit being cancelled, to fines and to a ban on return. If you want to work you need a different visa: the Digital Nomad Visa (for remote work), a work visa through an employer, or a visa for self-employed people.

How strictly are the 183 days of residence a year checked?

The 183-day requirement is checked when the permit is renewed on the basis of migration records (entries and exits) and may be compared with airport records. Continuous presence is not required, but systematic absence may lead to renewal being refused. The Greek authorities keep a register of entries and exits; when a renewal application is filed they check whether you have been outside the country for a long period without a break.

Can I move to another type of visa after obtaining the FIP (for example to the Golden Visa)?

Yes, after obtaining the FIP permit you may apply for another category if you meet its requirements. For example, if you have accumulated funds you may apply for the Golden Visa (investor) without losing your current permit. Each visa has its own examination procedure, and the decision on the change is taken by the Greek immigration service.

What tax regime applies to foreign pensioners on the FIP?

If you receive a foreign pension and become a Greek tax resident (spending more than 183 days a year in the country), you may be entitled to a special tax regime: a 7% flat tax on foreign pension income for up to 15 years. This is a preferential regime applied to pensions from abroad, but income earned in Greece is taxed at the standard rates. Consult a tax adviser about your particular situation.

How do I find out the exact amount of savings I have to show?

The savings must cover 24 months of living at the current level of income. So EUR 3,500 a month x 24 = EUR 84,000 as a minimum, but the immigration service applies a factor of 1.5, giving EUR 126,000 for a single applicant. For a family the formula is: (main income + supplements for family members) x 24 months. The exact amount can be checked with the Greek consulate or by contacting the immigration office.

Other ways to move to Greece

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.