Greece : Visa and immigration

Do I need a visa or work permit?

Nationals of most of the European Economic Area (EAA), which includes European Union (EU) countries and Norway and Iceland, have the right to live and work in Greece without restriction and without a work permit. They, and their families and immediate dependants, have the same rights as Greek nationals in terms of pay, working conditions, access to housing, vocational training, social security and trade union membership.

Passports must be valid for the intended period of stay in Greece. British passports holders are permitted to stay in Greece until the last day their passport is valid.

However, citizens of the new EU accession countries, Bulgaria and Romania, still need work permits. If you are from one of these countries and want to work in Greece you should contact the Greek Embassy in your home country for more information.

Citizens of non-EU counries may need a visa and/or a work permit.

How do I get a visa?

British and most other EU/EEA passport holders do not require a visa.

If you are from a non-EU country you should apply in person in the Greek Embassy in the country where you are for a National Visa. Forms are not available online.

You will need the following documents:

• your passport;
• if you are currently in the UK, and wish to return: a UK residence permit valid for at least three months longer than the expiry date of the visa you are applying for;
• two recent passport-size photographs;
• a criminal record check certificate issued by the authorities in your country of residence;
• a health certificate stating you do not suffer from any contagious diseases that are a threat to public health according to the International Health Organization.

You are advised to ask your contacts in Greece, such as a potential employer, to send appropriate documents or letters before you go for your visa interview at the Greek Consulate.

You may wish to take advice from your ministry of foreign affairs, or from your own embassy if you are not in your home country, about whether there are any issues you should take into account when considering visiting or working in Greece.

How do I apply for permanent residency?

If you wish to work but know that you will be in Greece for three months or less, you need only register with the local police within eight days of your arrival.

If you intend to stay for more than three months, you should apply for a residence permit within three months of your arrival, either at your local police station (astynomia) if you are living outside Athens, or at any Aliens Department Office (grafeio tmimatos allodapon) if you are living in Athens.