Residency Permit for “Financially independent Persons” (FIP)

Residency in Greece can be acquired in a number of ways. In addition to the Golden Visa policy, Greece has introduced a renewable residency permit for financially independent third-country non E.U nationals , according to article 20 of Greek Law No. 4251/2014.

By decision of the General Secretary of the Region, a two-year residence permit is granted to a third-country national provided that the third-country national has a special visa and is in possession of sufficient resources corresponding to a stable annual income to cover the living expenses, which may be renewed every three years subject to the fulfillment of the other requirements provided for in the applicable law.

The third-country nationals may be accompanied by their family members. The requirement of sufficient resources must be met either by each family member or by all family members in aggregate.

The sufficient resources must be equal to the minimum amount of two thousand (2,000) euros per month (twenty-four thousand euros per year).

In the event that the third-country national is accompanied by members of his family , this amount shall be increased by 20 % for the spouse and 15 % for each child. The total amount of the resources may be proved by a foreign pension scheme, by the bank account statement or by evidence that they are in possession in their own right of sufficient legally acquired financial means to cover the living expenses during their residence in Greece without providing salaried work or exercising any independent economic activity.

This type of residence permit does not permit the holder to have access to the labor market.

  1. The family members shall include: a) the sponsor’s spouse, provided that he/she is 18 years or older (no more than 1 spouse allowed), b) the unmarried mutual children under 18 years of age, as well as the minor (under 18 years of age) unmarried adopted children thereof c) the other children under 18 years of age of the sponsor and of his/her spouse, including adopted children, provided that the custody has been awarded either to the sponsor or to the other spouse.
  2. In the event of a polygamous marriage, neither a further spouse, nor minor children of a further spouse and the sponsor shall be authorized.

The procedure and the supporting documents required for the issuance of the relevant visa and the relevant residence permit :

First stage :Granting of a type D visa by the competent Greek Consular Authority

The person concerned must appear in person at the Greek Consular Authority in his/her country or in the country where he/she legally resides and submit the following general and specific supporting documents. This procedure shall also include an interview. The national visa granted shall be valid for a maximum period of one year.

1. supporting documents for granting the National Visa

1) Application for long-term visa and a recent colored photo of the applicant.

2) Passport with an effective term exceeding the expiry date of the visa by three months, which has at least two blank pages and was issued within the past ten years.

3) A copy of the criminal records kept by the foreign authorities. If there is a final court judgment, regardless of the penalty imposed, and with a view to verifying the relevance of the crime to issues posing a threat to public order and security, a specific statement of grounds is requested by the Consular Authority, which also takes into account individual parameters, such as the severity of the offence, the recidivism and in general, the delinquent behavior of the third-country national.

4) A health certificate from a recognized public or private body demonstrating that the third-country national does not suffer from any disease that, according to the international data, may pose risks to public health.

5) Travel insurance with an effective term of a minimum period of one year, which shall cover the expenses that may be incurred in the event of repatriation on medical grounds, for emergency medical care and/or for emergency hospitalization.

2. supporting documents For Family Status and Relationship

(B) A family status certificate (family book) issued by the local competent authorities proving the family relationship.

Documentary evidence as to the possession in their own right of sufficient legally acquired resources corresponding to a stable annual income to cover the living expenses without providing salaried work or exercising any independent economic activity. The amount of the sufficient resources is €2,000 per month (i.e. €24,000 per year) and this may be evidenced by a foreign pension scheme, a bank account statement or any other legal evidence. The above documentary evidence must prove:

  1. a) the stability of the applicant’s income,
  2. b) the minimum monthly amount of the income (€2,000)
  3. c) the legal sources of the income.

The family members – according to the documentary evidence submitted by the initial applicant, the stable annual income, which shall be equal to the minimum amount of €2,000 per month, is increased accordingly for the family members, that is, by 20% for the spouse and by 15% for each child and

– their living and health care expenses shall not burden the national welfare System; a national visa may be granted to these persons subject to a personal interview as long as they submit:

All foreign documents must be officially translated into the English language, must have a seal from the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and seal from the Greek Consular Authority.

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