🇬🇷 Greece visa and immigration options

National Long-Stay (Type D) Work Visa

Requires a valid job offer or signed employment contract from a registered Greek employer, who applies for your work permit with the Greek Ministry of Migration before you apply for the Type D visa. Greek language proficiency is generally not required, though some specific roles may have exceptions.

Processing time

Usually 30-60 working days, depending on document completeness; the clock starts only once biometrics are submitted and documents are complete.

Typical costs

EUR 180 visa fee plus travel/medical insurance and document costs.

Government fees

EUR 180 — EUR 180 visa fee; additional biometrics, service charge, and courier fees may apply.

Work and study rights

Tied to the specific employer and role named on the work permit.

Family

Dependants can apply for their own permits through family reunification.

Sources reviewed: https://www.y-axis.com/visa/work/greece/

Student Visa and Residence Permit

Requires admission to a Greek educational institution, proof of sufficient financial means, and health insurance valid in Greece. Greek proficiency is generally not required for enrolment in English-taught or international programs, though some institutions may have their own requirements.

Processing time

Not independently confirmed for this build.

Typical costs

Not independently confirmed; institution tuition and living cost estimates vary widely by city.

Government fees

Fee not independently confirmed for this build; confirm current amount with the Greek consulate or your institution's international office.

Work and study rights

Limited work rights alongside full-time study are generally permitted.

Family

Dependants are not typically included on a student permit; a separate family route would apply.

Important: exact proof-of-funds figures and fees for the Greek student visa were not independently confirmed from an official source during this build — confirm directly with the consulate or your institution before planning your budget.

Sources reviewed: https://www.study-abroad.org/blog/gr-student-visa-guide/

Golden Visa (Investment Residence Permit)

Greece's Golden Visa investment thresholds are zone-dependent and have changed multiple times. As of this build: EUR 800,000 for Athens metro, Thessaloniki metro, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with 3,100+ residents; EUR 400,000 for most of the Peloponnese, Crete, smaller islands, and inland/northern Greece; and EUR 250,000 ONLY for…

Processing time

Not independently confirmed for this build; plan for several months given the property transaction and permit stages involved.

Typical costs

EUR 250,000-800,000 in required investment depending on zone, plus roughly 5-7% transaction overhead and EUR 3,000-8,000 in application/permit costs.

Government fees

EUR 2,000 — EUR 2,000 application fee for the main applicant plus about EUR 150 per adult family member (children under 18 reportedly exempt; confirm), and a EUR 16 permit card per person; total application/permit costs typically run EUR 3,000-8,000.…

Work and study rights

The Golden Visa itself does not grant the right to work in Greece; it is a residence-by-investment status.

Family

Dependants can be included for an additional EUR 1,000 application fee each; sources show some inconsistency on the exact age cutoff for dependent children (18 vs. 21) — confirm with the Migration Ministry.

Important: these investment thresholds have changed multiple times in recent years and are described differently across sources — confirm the exact current zone boundaries and thresholds directly with the Greek Ministry of Migration or Enterprise Greece before committing to a specific property, since a property just inside or outside a zone boundary can mean a EUR…

Sources reviewed: https://www.buygreece.us/blog/greece-golden-visa-2026-investment-thresholds-requirements

Family Reunification

Covers a legally recognised spouse/registered partner and unmarried children (sources vary on whether the age cutoff is 18 or 21 depending on the specific route) and, with documented dependency, dependent parents. The sponsor needs a valid Greek residence permit (unless a Greek/EU/EEA citizen) plus stable regular income assessed case by case — no single…

Processing time

Not independently confirmed for this build.

Typical costs

Roughly EUR 230-320 in estimated government fees, plus translation/legalisation (EUR 20-100/document) and first-year medical insurance (EUR 100-500).

Government fees

Estimated EUR 80-120 for the national D-visa plus EUR 150-200 for the residence permit application, per secondary sources; confirm exact current fees with the Migration Ministry.

Work and study rights

Dependants generally gain work rights once granted a residence permit.

Family

Covers spouse/registered partner, unmarried children, and documented-dependency parents.

Important: sources conflict on the exact age cutoff for eligible children — one source states under 18 for standard family reunification but under 21 for the Golden Visa route specifically. Confirm the age limit applicable to your specific route with the Migration Ministry or a licensed Greek immigration lawyer.

Sources reviewed: https://globallawexperts.com/family-reunification-process-in-greece-2026/

EU Long-Term Resident Permit

Requires 5 years of continuous legal residence in Greece immediately before applying (study/vocational training periods count only half; absences under 6 months each, totaling under 10 months, are allowed), income not lower than a minimum-wage worker's annual earnings (plus 10% per dependent) from sources other than social assistance, and full health…

Processing time

Not independently confirmed for this build.

Typical costs

Not independently confirmed; health insurance costs apply.

Government fees

Fee not independently confirmed for this build; confirm current amount with the Greek Migration Ministry.

Work and study rights

Full, unrestricted work and study rights.

Family

Dependants may apply through family reunification once you hold this status.

Sources reviewed: https://siopi-law.gr/en/eu-long-term-residence-permit-in-greece-conditions-and-procedure-for-obtaining-the-long-term-resident-status/

Greek Citizenship by Naturalization

Generally requires 7 years of legal residence (shorter periods may apply for some categories such as spouses of Greek citizens — confirm your specific track), income not lower than the annual earnings of a minimum-wage worker (increased 10% per dependent family member) from sources other than social assistance, full health insurance for you and your family…

Processing time

Not independently confirmed for this build.

Typical costs

Not independently confirmed; language testing costs apply.

Government fees

Fee not independently confirmed for this build; confirm current amount with the Greek Migration Ministry.

Work and study rights

Full rights as a Greek and EU citizen upon naturalization.

Family

Minor children may be included in a parent's application under certain conditions.

Important: the exact residency-year requirement varies meaningfully by category (standard vs. spouse of a Greek citizen vs. other routes), and this citizenship track is separate from any Golden-Visa-linked fast track — no official accelerated citizenship path tied specifically to the Golden Visa investment was confirmed in this research; a Golden Visa provides…

Sources reviewed: https://siopi-law.gr/en/eu-long-term-residence-permit-in-greece-conditions-and-procedure-for-obtaining-the-long-term-resident-status/

Visit Greece (Schengen Type C Visa)

Greece is a Schengen member, so short tourist/business visits follow the standard Schengen Type C visa (or visa-free entry for exempt nationalities) for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Processing time

Standard Schengen processing, typically up to 15 calendar days, longer if additional documents are requested.

Typical costs

EUR 90 visa fee (where a visa is required) plus travel insurance.

Government fees

EUR 90 — Standard Schengen short-stay visa fee (EUR 45 for children 6-12); exact ETIAS pre-screening launch timing for visa-exempt travellers remains unsettled and should be confirmed closer to your travel date.

Work and study rights

No work rights; business visitors are limited to activities permitted under a Schengen Type C visa.

Family

Dependants travelling together apply individually under the same visa type.

Sources reviewed: Standard Schengen visa framework