If you’re an EEA national and plan to stay in Greece for longer than 90 days but not work, you require a residence permit and should apply for this as soon as possible at the nearest police station or Aliens’ Bureau.
You need to present your passport, four photographs, proof of accommodation (e.g. a rental contract or title deeds), proof you have sufficient income (e.g. bank statements) and proof of health insurance cover (EU Health Card – which has replaced Form E-111 and E-121 – or a private health insurance policy). The government is expected to abolish residence permit regulations for EEA retirees sometime during 2005, therefore you should check with the local police after your arrival.
EEA nationals with employment in Greece must apply for a residence permit after 90 days at the nearest police station or Aliens’ Bureau. You need to present your passport plus two photocopies, four photographs, and, if you’re employed, a completed employment application and employer’s declaration (offer of employment), both of which are obtainable from the nearest Department of Employment.
If you’re self-employed, you need to present confirmation from the tax authorities that you plan to set up in business and provide a certificate from the local court stating that your business has been legally recognised and declared. If your employment involves food preparation or working with children, you must also present a health certificate.
Applications for residence permits, valid for five years, currently takes at least one month, although the current government (as part of its campaign to reduce bureaucracy) has pledged to simplify the procedure and process residence permits for EEA nationals within ten days by June 2005.
Residence permits for non-EEA nationals are difficult to obtain unless you’re married to a Greek or someone of Greek origin. You should obtain a residence visa from the Greek embassy or consulate in your country of origin and when you arrive in Greece apply for a residence permit at the nearest Aliens’ Bureau within two months.
Immigration lawyers recommend that you apply as soon as you arrive so that if the permit is delayed you don’t have to leave the country because your visa has expired. You need to present your visa, passport plus a copy, two photographs, a certificate of medical insurance, a health certificate from a state hospital (see below), proof of a local address (title deeds or rental contract) and proof that you can support yourself financially. The initial residence permit is valid for one year, after which it may be renewed for five to ten years.
EEA nationals in certain jobs (e.g. food preparation or childcare) and all non-EEA nationals applying for a residence permit must obtain a health certificate from a state hospital. The certificate is issued after you have passed several medical examinations including a chest x-ray (TB), blood tests (hepatitis B and C, and HIV), a psychiatric evaluation and drug tracing. Note that you must pay for all examinations.
 Blinklist |
 Bloglines |
 Del.icio.us |
 Digg |
 Diigo |
 Facebook |
 Furl |
 Google |
 Ma.gnolia |
 Mr.Wong |
 Netvouz |
 Simply |
 Spurl |
 StumbleUpon |
 Technorati |
 Yahoo |
