🇬🇷Visa options for Greece
Greece offers 32 visa types across 7 categories — from skilled-worker and study visas to family, Golden Visa investment routes, Digital Nomad, and permanent-residency pathways. Law 5275/2026 (February 2026) introduced 4 brand-new categories. 24 lead to PR; 29 don't require a job offer. Here's every Greece visa tracked by VisaMatch.
32permit types
7categories
24PR pathways
29no job needed
Check which Greece visas you qualify for →
Visa categories in Greece
All Greece visa types
Work (9)
Employment / Work Residence Permit Standard Employment
For non-EU nationals with a job offer from a Greek employer. Requires labour market test approval. Min salary EUR 880/month. Initial 2-year permit; 3-year renewals.
EU Blue Card Highly Qualified
For highly qualified professionals with a degree or 5 years' experience. Min salary EUR 31,919/year (1.6× average). Updated to 3-year validity under Law 5275/2026.
Tech Visa (Z.13A) StartupNEW 2026
Fast-track 12-month entry visa for professionals employed by Elevate Greece-registered startups. Immediate work authorization. Converts to EU Blue Card.
Talent Visa (Z.15) Job SearchNEW 2026
12-month job-search visa for Master's, PhD, or Postdoc holders from internationally ranked universities. No initial work rights; converts to work permit upon employment.
Specialized Technical Personnel Visa (Z.13) Project TransferNEW 2026
For technical specialists transferred from a third-country company to a Greek company for major projects (value >EUR 10M). 12-month duration; convertible to EU Blue Card.
Seasonal Work Visa / Residence Permit (E-6) Seasonal
For agriculture, tourism, and hospitality workers. Extended to 9 months/year under Law 5275/2026. Quota: 94,240 positions in 2026. Employer-sponsored.
Self-Employment / Independent Activity Residence Permit Self-Employed
For non-EU nationals establishing their own business or practising a liberal profession in Greece. Requires viable business plan and proof of financial resources.
Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Visa Corporate Transfer
For managers, specialists, and trainees transferred from a third-country entity to a Greek branch of the same multinational group.
Working Holiday Visa Working Holiday
For young people aged 18–31 from bilateral agreement countries: Australia (500 places), Canada, New Zealand, South Korea, Japan, and others. Up to 12 months.
Special (10)
Golden Visa – Real Estate Investment Investment
5-year renewable permit for real estate investment. EUR 800K (Attica, Mykonos, Santorini, Thessaloniki); EUR 400K (other regions); EUR 250K (converted/heritage). No minimum stay required.
Golden Visa – Investment Fund Units Investment
5-year renewable permit for investment in qualifying Greek mutual or alternative investment funds. Minimum EUR 350,000.
Golden Visa – Fixed-Term Bank Deposit Investment
5-year renewable permit for a fixed-term Greek bank deposit of at least EUR 500,000 with automatic renewal requirement.
Golden Visa – Government Bonds / Securities Investment
5-year renewable permit for Greek government bonds (EUR 500K+) or listed shares/corporate bonds (EUR 800K+) with 3+ years remaining maturity.
Golden Visa – Startup Investment Investment
5-year renewable permit for EUR 250K investment in Elevate Greece-registered startup. Max 33% ownership; must create 2+ jobs in year one.
Digital Nomad Visa / Residence Permit Remote Work
For remote workers earning income from outside Greece. Min EUR 3,500/month net (single); EUR 4,200 with spouse. 50% income tax reduction for 7 years. Must apply offshore under Law 5275/2026.
Financially Independent Person (FIP) Visa Retirement / Passive Income
For retirees and passive income recipients. Requires EUR 2,000+/month from abroad, or EUR 24,000 bank balance. 7% flat tax on foreign pension income for up to 15 years. No local work permitted.
Volunteer Visa / Residence Permit Volunteer
For non-EU nationals participating in recognized volunteer programs in Greece. Requires sponsorship from an approved Greek organization.
Religious / Cultural Purpose Residence Permit Religious / Cultural
For non-EU clergy, religious workers, or cultural exchange participants residing in Greece for religious ministry or cultural program participation.
Artist / Creative Worker Residence Permit Arts
For non-EU artists, performers, musicians, tour guides, or creative professionals working in Greece through engagement with Greek entities.
Visitor (3)
Schengen Tourist / Visitor Visa (Type C) Tourist
For non-EU nationals visiting Greece for tourism, family visits, or leisure. Up to 90 days within any 180-day period. EUR 80 fee; EUR 50/day financial requirement.
Schengen Business Visa (Type C) Business
For business meetings, conferences, trade fairs, or negotiations. Does not permit employment. EUR 80 fee.
Airport Transit Visa (Type A) Transit
For nationals of certain third countries transiting through a Greek airport's international zone without entering the Schengen Area.
Study (3)
Student Visa & Residence Permit (University / Higher Education) Education
For non-EU nationals accepted at a recognized Greek university. EUR 400+/month living costs required. Part-time work (up to 15 hours/week) permitted. Apply for permit within 40 days of arrival.
Researcher / Scientific Research Residence Permit Research
For non-EU researchers admitted by a recognized Greek research institution under a hosting agreement. May include teaching duties.
Vocational Training / Language School Visa Training
For non-EU nationals attending recognized vocational training courses or accredited language schools in Greece for periods exceeding 90 days.
Family (2)
Family Reunification Residence Permit Family
For spouses and children (under 18) of non-EU nationals with 2+ years of lawful Greek residence. Permit duration mirrors the sponsor's permit.
Residence Permit – Spouse / Partner of Greek Citizen Family
For non-EU spouses or registered partners of Greek citizens. Grants 5-year permit with full labor market access. Citizenship eligible after 3 years of marriage and residence.
Humanitarian (3)
Refugee Status / Asylum (International Protection) Asylum
For individuals with a well-founded fear of persecution. 3-year renewable permit with full work rights. Citizenship eligible after 3 years (stateless persons).
Subsidiary Protection Status Protection
For individuals who do not qualify as refugees but face serious harm if returned to their country of origin. 3-year renewable permit.
Second Chance Residence Permit ReinstatementNEW 2026
NEW in 2026. For third-country nationals who previously lived legally in Greece for at least 5 years but subsequently lost their residence status. Apply from within Greece.
Permanent (2)
Long-Term Residence Permit (EC) Long-Term
For non-EU nationals with 5+ consecutive years of lawful residence. Requires A2 Greek language, EUR 9,960+/year income. Near-permanent status; card renewed every 5 years.
Permanent Residence Permit Permanent
For non-EU nationals with 5+ years of temporary permit. Provides unlimited right to reside and work in Greece. Card renewed every 5 years for administrative purposes only.
Frequently Asked Questions about moving to Greece
How many visa types does Greece offer?
Greece offers 32 visa types across 7 categories — covering work, study, family, investment, special (digital nomad, FIP), humanitarian, and permanent-residency pathways. In 2026, Law 5275/2026 introduced 4 brand-new categories: Tech Visa (Z.13A), Talent Visa (Z.15), Specialized Technical Personnel Visa (Z.13), and the Second Chance Residence Permit.
Can I move to Greece without a job offer?
Yes — 29 of Greece's 32 visa types don't require a pre-arranged job offer. These include the Golden Visa (5 investment routes from EUR 250K), Digital Nomad Visa (EUR 3,500/month remote income), Financially Independent Person (FIP) Visa, Talent Visa for advanced degree holders, student visas, and family-reunification pathways.
Does Greece offer a pathway to permanent residency?
Yes. 24 of Greece's 32 visa types lead — directly or indirectly — to permanent residency. After 5 years of continuous lawful residence, you can apply for the Long-Term Residence Permit (EC) or Permanent Residence Permit, subject to A2 Greek language proficiency and income requirements (EUR 9,960+/year).
What is the Greece Golden Visa and how much does it cost?
The Greece Golden Visa grants a 5-year renewable residence permit in exchange for investment. Real estate thresholds are EUR 800,000 (Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini), EUR 400,000 (other regions), or EUR 250,000 (converted commercial or heritage properties). Alternative routes include investment fund units (EUR 350K), bank deposits (EUR 500K), government bonds (EUR 500K–800K), and startup investment (EUR 250K). Government fee: EUR 2,000 + EUR 150 per family member. No minimum stay required.
How do I check my eligibility for Greece visas?
Use VisaMatch's free eligibility checker. Enter your nationality, age, occupation, income, and education, then select Greece. You'll see every Greece visa you qualify for, with links to the official government source for each.
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