According to article 163 par. 8 of Law 5038/2023, a residence permit is granted to third country nationals for two years, provided that they have received a special entry visa (type D visa from the Greek consulate of their country) and have sufficient resources, in terms of fixed annual income, to cover their living expenses for the period of their stay in Greece. This category of residence permit is valid for three years and can be renewed after this period every three years, provided that the conditions laid down by law are met.
Family members of independent persons
Nationals applying for this type of residence permit may be accompanied by their family members (spouses, children), who are granted, upon their separate application, an individual residence permit which expires at the same time as the residence permit of the sponsor. The condition of sufficient resources must be met either by each family member or cumulatively for all family members.
– The amount of ‘sufficient resources’ for subsistence
– The amount of sufficient resources is set at a minimum of two thousand (2,000) euros per month and may be adjusted by a relevant Ministerial Decision.
If the third-country national in question is accompanied by members of his/her family, this amount is increased by 20% for the spouse and 15% for each child. The amount of resources is proven by a foreign pension, a bank account or proof that they have sufficient financial means of their own, of legitimate origin, to cover their living expenses without, during their stay in Greece, providing dependent work or engaging in independent economic activity.
Required Documents
In order to apply for and obtain a residence permit for an economically independent person, you will need the following documents:
- This application is carefully completed by our law firm and signed by the applicant.
- This document is signed by the lawyer and by the applicant.
- National entry visa (Visa D).
- Electronic fee of 1000 Euro.
- Two (2) recent colour photographs in physical format, the technical specifications of which are the same as those of the passports, as applicable, and in digital format on an optical storage disc (CD) in JPEG2000 graphic format.
- Insurance policy from a private insurance company.
- Evidence that the person concerned has sufficient resources to live on a stable annual income, without being employed or self-employed in Greece
Depending on your particular situation you may be required to provide us with:
A) certificate from a Greek or foreign bank stating the amount of the bank deposit.
And/or
B) An employment contract from your country showing that your salary is more than 3500 euros per month (i.e. at least 42,000 euros per year). and C) A certificate from the tax office in your country of residence showing that you have other income in addition to your salary. Even if you have no income other than your salary, this certificate must be produced in order to prove the legal origin of your income.
And/or
C) a certificate from the tax office in your country of residence showing that you have other income in addition to your salary. Even if you have no income other than your salary, this certificate may still have to be produced on a case-by-case basis in order to prove the legal origin of your income.
If we are applying for your family members, the following documents will also be required:
A) A recent family status certificate from foreign authorities showing the family relationship.
B) A recent certificate of insurance from a private insurance company for each member of the family.
C) Two (2) recent colour photographs in physical form, the technical specifications of which are the same as those of the passports, as applicable, and in digital form on an optical storage disc (CD) in JPEG2000 graphic format for each family member.
D) An exact photocopy of all pages of the valid passport of each family member.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
All original foreign documents must be accompanied by the special stamp (apostille or have a certificate from the Greek consulate in case your country has not joined the Hague Convention (for example Georgia) from the competent foreign authority and must be officially translated into Greek by a Greek lawyer (who has sufficient knowledge of the language from and to which he translates) or by a translation agency in Greece.
Duration
The residence permit for economically independent persons is valid for three years, and is renewed every three years as often as requested, provided that the other requirements of the law continue to be met. The residence permit for family members expires or is renewed at the same time as that of the sponsor. Periods of absence from the country shall not prevent the renewal of the residence perm
