A residence permit in Greece for financially independent persons is a convenient program to live in Greece, but not be tied to the country. This category of residence permit allows you to move freely throughout the European Union and applies to all family members. In this article, we talk about all the necessary conditions and nuances of this process.
Advantages of the FIP
- Suitable applicants. This permit is tailored for individuals with a stable income in their home country who don't intend to work in Greece.
- Validity and extension. Initially granted for 2 years, with the option of multiple 3-year extensions.
- Primary requirement. Applicants must demonstrate financial independence at a rate of €2000 per month, the amount increases by 20% and another 15% for each child.
- Freedom of movement. FIP holders enjoy unrestricted travel within the Schengen area.
- Family members. Spouses, children under 21, and parents of both partners are eligible for this permit.
- Accommodation flexibility. Holders can choose to reside permanently in Greece or not stay in the country at all while retaining their status.
- Tax status choice. Holders have the flexibility to decide whether to become Greek tax residents, though it's not obligatory.
- Path to citizenship. Citizenship becomes possible after residing in Greece for 7 years, spending more than 183 days annually in the country.
Prerequisites
For this type of residence permit, there are several mandatory but simple conditions.
- The applicant must be over 18 years of age at the time of application
- The applicant has no criminal record
- Verified source of income
- Housing rental agreement for 1 year
Other types of residence permits were described in more detail in the previous article.
Steps to obtain a FIP permit
The whole process can be divided into several steps.
1. Begin by gathering all necessary documents proving financial independence, such as tax returns, rental income records, business participation evidence, and employment certificates. This typically takes around two weeks.
2. Apply for a category D visa through the Greek consulate in your home country. Provide details of your income and its sources. Visa processing usually takes about two weeks.
3. Obtain an AFM tax number in Greece. This step also takes approximately two weeks.
4. Open a bank account in a Greek bank and transfer the required funds. This process typically takes about two weeks.
5. Submit your documents to the Department of Migration Affairs for a residence permit. You'll need to appear in person for fingerprinting. Upon application, you'll receive a temporary blue certificate allowing you to stay in Greece until your permit is issued.
6. Upon completion of the previous steps, you'll be granted a 2-year residence permit, enabling residence in Greece and travel within the Schengen area.
Advantages of cooperation with Greece Invest
To be confident in choosing the type of residence permit that suits you, we recommend contacting Greece Invest specialists. The company has been operating on the Greek market for over 20 years and offers comprehensive services for those who want to live in Greece, as well as invest in an apartment or house by the sea.
In addition, Aktis Group works for your holiday, offering villas for rent and sale, a reliable service for renting cars and yachts in Greece, as well as all kinds of guides and useful articles for your Greek stories.
