The FIP visa in Greece is destined for financially independent individuals who can provide sufficient and satisfactory proof of their resources. Obtaining a Greek FIP visa is possible for high-net-worth individuals, as well as pensioners who have high incomes (not to be confused with the retirement visa).
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What options do you have if you do not meet the FIP visa requirements in Greece?
Foreigners who would like to apply for a Greece financially independent visa can do so with the assistance of our immigration lawyer in Greece.
Relocating to the beautiful Mediterranean country is possible under several types of residence permits for long-term stays. If you do not qualify for the FIP visa in Greece but are still interested in your options, reach out to our local team for more information about moving to Greece.
What documents are required to obtain a FIP visa in Greece?
If you want to apply for a FIB visa in Greece, then you must present:
- a valid passport;
- the official national visa application form;
- photographs in accordance with consular requirements (biometric passport/visa photos, used for immigration files).
Greek diplomatic authorities may also request proof of domicile or residence in the country where the application is submitted.
Proof of sufficient financial resources is required, through bank statements, pension, rental income, or other legal sources. The documents must show that the applicant can support themselves without working in Greece. As a rule, private medical insurance valid in Greece is also required.
Who can apply for a financially independent visa for Greece?
Third-country nationals who are able to prove that they are financially independent may apply for the FIP visain Greece, on the basis of the fact that resources can be proven through a pension from abroad, a bank account, or other own financial means, with proven legal origin; the assessment can be monthly or annual, depending on the type of income.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Who is the visa available for? | Non-EU citizens |
What are the main conditions? | Being able to show that the applicant has sufficient minimum income, relative to the living expenses in the country. |
Who can join the FIP visa holder? | The spouse and/or children. Conditions apply to family members who join. |
| Does the accompanying family need to observe any conditions? | The other individuals need to apply for and be granted a residence permit. |
| What is the sponsor for the FIP visa? | For joining family members, the foreign FIP visa holder will act as the Sponsor. |
| What is the role of the Sponsor? | Provide the minimum income needed to sustain oneself, as well as the accompanying family members in Greece. |
| Where does one apply for a FIP visa? | At the Greek Embassy or Consulate in the country of residence. |
| What are the FIP visa specific documents? | Proof of sufficient and lawful income derived from non-Greek sources. |
| What are the general documents needed for this visa type? | Passport, criminal record, health certificate, travel insurance. Others may apply on a case-by-case basis. |
| What other conditions need to be fulfilled? | The applicant may also be subjected to an interview. |
| Visa fees (approx.) | EUR 180 for the national long-stay visa type D (or as updated by the authorities from time to time). |
| Is the visa fee refundable? (Yes/No) | No |
| FIP visa duration | 2 years |
| FIP visa renewal | Renewable after the initial period |
| Can the visa holder work in Greece (Yes/No) | No |
The following financial conditions apply for the FIP visa in Greece:
- The applicant must provide evidence of sufficient means of subsistence at a fixed amount of 3,500 EUR per month, increased by 20% for the spouse and by 15% for each child according to the European Commission.
- When the applicant is joined by family members, he/she will provide proof of an amount increased by 20% when joined by the spouse;
- If joined by children, the FIP visa holder will be subject to a monthly minimum amount 15% higher than the original per child.
A qualifying foreign national will apply for the FIP visa for Greece before arrival in the country, at the Greek Consulate or Embassy in his or her country of origin.
Our Greek immigration specialists can answer any specific questions you may have before you start your application. This is useful in order to ensure compliance with the current provisions, and at the same time to ensure a straightforward application, with no unnecessary delays.
The Greece financially independent visa is applied for under the provisions of Law 5038/2023, art. 163 para. 8, for “third-country nationals with sufficient resources/persons with sufficient means of subsistence”, permit type I.8., along with several other Ministerial decisions and orders. Our immigration lawyer in Greece can give you detailed information about the legal provisions, as well as other ministerial decisions and changes that apply and may prove relevant to your situation.
How long is the residence permit for financially independent people in Greece valid?
After entering Greece with the appropriate visa, the applicant submits the application for a residence permit. The category is intended for third-country nationals who have sufficient resources to reside in Greece.
The FIP visa in Greece is granted for 2 years upon initial issuance. It can be renewed for successive periods of up to 3 years if the applicant continues to meet the requirements regarding sufficient financial resources, medical insurance, and compliance with the conditions of residence.
Can you include family members in an FIP visa application for Greece?
Yes, the main applicant can include his/her family members if he/she proves the family relationship, have additional financial resources, and present the necessary documents regarding health insurance and civil status.
The minimum financial threshold increases when family members accompany the main applicant. Currently, the amount increases by 20% for the spouse and 15% for each eligible child.
Marriage or birth certificates may require an apostille, official translation, and legalization, depending on the issuing country. The exact requirements vary from consulate to consulate.
We invite you to watch a short video about this type of visa:
Is it possible to work in Greece if you have a FIP visa or residence permit as a financially independent person?
The permit for persons with sufficient financial resources is designed for those who support themselves from their own income and are not dependent on the Greek labor market. For this reason, the holder cannot carry out paid employment or self-employed economic activity in Greece.
The same principle applies to family members included in this category of residence, unless otherwise provided by law. The status is one of residence based on financial self-sufficiency, not on employment.
If you apply for such a permit, then it is necessary that your income comes from legal external sources, such as pensions, rents, dividends, savings, or investments.
Therefore, if your main intention is to work in Greece, there are other types of visaand permit more suitable for such a situation, such as a work visa for employees, a permit for self-employment, an EU Blue Card for qualified specialists, or a visa for digital nomads, depending on the applicant’s situation.
How long does it take to process a FIP visa for Greece, and when should the application be submitted?
The application for a FIP visa in Greece is normally submitted to the Greek consulate or embassy in the applicant’s country of residence. The file must be fully prepared, as missing documents may delay the processing of the application.
Processing times vary depending on the consulate, the volume of applications, and the complexity of the personal situation. For this reason, the authorities do not always indicate a single deadline applicable to all applications.
It is recommended to submit the application several months before the planned date of relocation. The applicant should take into account the time required for apostille, official translations, and an appointment at the consulate.
Therefore, if you are interested in obtaining a FIP visa in Greece, please reach out to our team of legal experts.
What are the advantages of the financially independent visa for Greece?
Foreigners who qualify for the minimum regular monthly income can relocate to Greece in a straightforward manner when they apply for this type of visa.
The following family members can join a third-country national who has obtained a Greek FIP visa:
- the spouse;
- the holder’s (sponsor’s) children under 18 years of age with his or her current spouse;
- the adopted children under the age of 18;
- the children of the sponsor or the sponsor’s current spouse, and the spouse’s adopted children, provided that the custody of the children is legally determined.
It is important to note that the family members who will be joining the sponsor (the holder of the FIP visa) will not be a burden on the national welfare system.
If you want to know more about the visa for financially independent individuals, our Greek immigration specialists can answer your questions. Contact us for more details.
