GreecePermanent residence

Long-term resident status in Greece

EU long-term resident status allows a third-country national who has lived lawfully in Greece to move freely within the Union. Family members of a Greek citizen who have lived with them in the country are granted a separate residence permit. The move to the national residence permit of the corresponding category happens automatically, without collecting new documents.

Source: Υπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου (migration.gov.gr)

Who can obtain the status

Long-term resident status is available to foreigners who have completed a certain period of residence in Greece and to family members of Greek citizens.

Third-country national

Five years of lawful continuous residence in Greece
Proof of income at the set threshold
Knowledge of Greek at level A2
Basic knowledge of Greek history and culture

Family member of a Greek citizen

Five years of living together in Greece
A valid family link with a Greek citizen
Proof of a common household in the country
Health insurance in place

Beneficiary of international protection

Five years of lawful and continuous residence in Greece
Refugee status or temporary protection
Demonstration of integration into society
Compliance with the income requirements

When the programme is not a fit

Third-country nationals who have lived in Greece for less than five years

A residence visa, a tourist visa or a work visa; the move to long-term status once the five-year period is reached

EU citizens and their family members

An EU residence card, governed by separate legislation on the mobility of citizens of the Union

Foreigners with no proven source of income

A sponsor's visa, a sum of accumulated funds, or the move once the income threshold is reached

No knowledge of Greek at level A2

Greek language courses, requalification, or sitting the PEGP examination again

Documents to gather

The main documents proving that the requirements for long-term resident status are met.

A valid passport or identity document
A visa or residence permit giving access to Greece
An income certificate for the past year (tax return, statement from the employer, pension documents)
A certificate of knowledge of Greek at level A2 (the PEGP examination or an accredited centre)
A certificate of basic knowledge of Greek history and culture
A document showing that health insurance is in force
Colour photographs (4x6 cm format, recent)
Documents on living together (where applicable to family members)

How the process runs

The procedure for obtaining long-term resident status involves several stages, from checking the grounds to issuing the documents.

1
Checking the residence conditions
not fixed
The competent authority checks that there have been five years of lawful continuous residence in Greece. For third-country nationals the continuity of registration is checked; for family members of Greek citizens, living together; for beneficiaries of international protection, the dates on which the status was granted and renewed.
2
Proof of income
not fixed
Compliance with the annual minimum wage is checked; for each additional family member a further 10 per cent is required. Income may be proved by a tax return, statements from the employer, pension documents or evidence of ownership of property. When the status is renewed no income check is required.
3
Sitting the language and culture examinations
usually within a month of filing
You sit the state examination in knowledge of Greek at level A2. At the same time you sit a separate examination on the basics of Greek history and culture. Both examinations may be re-sat. The examinations are held by state bodies separately from the application procedure.
4
Examination of the application and checking of the documents
from 30 to 60 days
The competent authority checks that the documents are complete, that the conditions are met and what the examination results are. Where necessary, further certificates are requested. The absence of access to the labour market on a residence permit of another category is no obstacle to obtaining M1 status.
5
Issue of the national type M1 residence permit
not fixed
After a positive decision the national type M1 residence permit is issued for five years. The document confirms long-term resident status and gives the right to mobility within the EU under art. 98 of the Migration Code.
6
Move to a type M2 residence permit after ten years
automatic transition
After ten years of continuous residence in Greece the national M1 residence permit passes automatically into M2 (permanent status). No new documents are collected; the applicant hands in the old card and receives a new one without the conditions being examined again. M2 status gives the right to full permanent residence.

Who you can bring with you

Family members of a long-term resident receive a separate residence permit in accordance with the conditions laid down.

Spouse or registered partner

A separate residence permit (under art. 99 of the Code); the family link and living together have to be proved; it is valid for the period of validity of the main resident's permit

Children under 21 or dependent children

A separate residence permit; proof of financial dependence is required; the period of validity coincides with the period of stay of the guardian

Dependent parents or guardians

A residence permit is granted where there are documents on financial and material dependence; it is subject to a separate check by the authorities

Trips, renewal and the grace period

M1 status gives mobility within the EU: with it you move to another country of the Union (art. 98 of the Migration Code). A separate residence permit is provided for family members of a long-term resident (art. 99).

The national type M1 residence permit is renewed for five years without a further income check. Renewal requires proof of continuous residence in Greece. No Greek language examination is required. The application is filed before the document expires; the applicant may be in Greece or abroad at the time of filing. M1 passes automatically into M2 (permanent residence permit) after ten years of lawful residence.

What comes next: permanent residence and citizenship

Route to permanent residence

EU long-term resident status (type M1) is granted after five (5) years of lawful residence where the conditions on income and integration are met. For those granted international protection the ministry states the same period — five (5) years of lawful and continuous residence.

Route to citizenship

Long-term resident status is on the list of titles with which you apply for naturalisation after 7 years of lawful residence. Before applying you sit the PEGP examination: Greek at level B1 plus the geography, history, culture and political institutions of Greece.

Frequently asked questions about Long-term resident status

Can a foreigner holding a residence permit without access to the labour market obtain long-term resident status?

Yes. Holding a residence permit that does not give access to work (for example an investor's residence permit or a relative's residence permit) is no obstacle to obtaining M1 status. The main conditions are five years of lawful continuous residence and compliance with the income requirements, which may be met from other sources (a pension, savings, support from the family with documentary evidence).

How long is the national type M1 long-term resident permit valid?

The national type M1 residence permit is issued for five years. Once ten years of lawful residence in Greece have been reached, the status is automatically upgraded to M2 (permanent resident), also for five years, and may then be renewed for five-year periods without being re-applied for.

What benefits does long-term resident status give for movement around the EU?

M1 EU long-term resident status (under art. 98 of the Migration Code) gives the right to mobility within the European Union: the resident may move to another EU country for a short or a long stay. On moving to another EU country the long-term resident remains protected by European legislation on resident status.

Does the Greek language examination have to be re-sat when M1 status is renewed?

No. The examination in Greek at level A2 and in knowledge of Greek history and culture is sat once, when long-term resident status is obtained. When the M1 residence permit is renewed for five years no examinations are required, and there is no further check of the income conditions. All that is required is proof of continuous residence in Greece.

Can a long-term resident apply for naturalisation (Greek citizenship)?

Yes. Long-term resident status is on the list of titles on the basis of which a foreigner may apply for naturalisation after seven years of lawful residence in Greece. Before applying for naturalisation you have to sit the PEGP examination: Greek at level B1 (higher than for M1) as well as knowledge of the geography, history, culture and political institutions of Greece. After naturalisation you receive a Greek passport.

What income conditions apply to family members of a long-term resident?

For family members of a Greek citizen receiving a separate residence permit, the same income conditions apply as for the main long-term resident (the annual minimum wage plus 10 per cent for each additional family member). The income may, however, be joint — the combined income of all the family members living together in Greece.

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: 7 August 2026.