A remarkable history, versatility, hospitability, and plenty of sensational tourist attractions are the main reasons why millions of tourists visit Greece each year. And they are very well some of the reasons why many foreign nationals choose to remain in this beautiful and culturally rich country. Those who wish to move to Greece from Australia can reach out to our agents who specialize in immigration and who are able to assist during the entire relocation procedure.
Moving to Greece can be a convenient option for Australian nationals who wish to work in Europe. Whether they relocate for employment or business purposes (when they based their European company in Greece), foreign nationals will find that they have plenty of advantages in the beautiful and history-rich Mediterranean country. Our team can give you more details.
Moving to a new country does require preplanning as well as understanding the local requirements not only for visas but also for employment and taxation.
Our team of Greece immigration agents is ready to answer any questions you may have about moving to the Hellenic Republic and can provide you with more details beyond the issues mentioned in this article.
Table of Contents
Australian citizens do not need to apply for a visa to enter Greece for short-term purposes or less than 90 days. However, all those who wish to move to Greece from Australia will need to apply for a residence permit that will suit their motive for staying in the country.
| Quick Facts | |
|---|---|
| Visa requirement to enter Greece | Not for tourism purposes that do not exceed 90 days in a 6-month period. |
| Types of temporary residence permits for those who relocate from Australia to Greece | Study, employment, business, family reunification. |
| Documents for temporary residence permits | Documents attesting to the purpose of stay (university acceptance letter, employment agreement, etc.) and general documents (passport, proof of accommodation, proof of resources as needed, etc.) |
| Approximate time needed to obtain a temporary stay permit | Approximately 40 days, more in some cases. |
| Residence permits for investors in Greece | Granted to investors who own property of a certain amount, or those who make other types of investments. |
| Temporary residence permit duration | 5 years for the investor residence permit, other periods for other permits. |
| Post-arrival registration with the authorities | Yes |
| Australian permit holder can bring dependents to Greece | Spouses and other family members may be granted residency. Conditions apply. |
| Facilities for Australian nationals married to a Greek citizen | Can apply for the initial issuance of a residence permit and for citizenship after 3 years. |
| Minimum lawful stay before applying for permanent residence | 5 years |
| Minimum time in the country before applying for citizenship | 7 years |
| Naturalization requirements for those who relocate from Australia to Greece | Be a lawful long-term resident, provide proof of proper tax payments, attest the good relation to the Greeks, other requirements. |
| Dual citizenship permitted (Yes/No) | Yes |
| Australian pension in Greece | If the applicant is eligible for pension in Australia (according to his/her pension age and the conditions applicable in Australia). |
| Australian national taxation in Greece | Personal income tax rates between 9% and 44% according to income level. |
If you are interested in applying for a permit, the application will need to be submitted to the Embassy of Greece in Canberra or the Consulates General in Adelaide, Melbourne or Sydney. Our immigration lawyer in Greece can guide you during this phase and will help you prepare your application so that the Embassy or Consulate will not reject it based on incomplete documentation.
The following types of residence permits are available in order to move to Greece from Australia:
Greece and Australia have also signed a Youth Mobility Program, which entered into force in 2019, and it can be attractive to qualifying individuals who wish to move to Greece from Australia. The program is limited to 500 in terms of admissions and there is an age limit for applicants, between 18 and 31 years. Several other conditions apply for the education status as well as the means for living in the country during the duration of the program. This visa allows the holder to enter Greece and have the right to work and study in the country for a maximum period of 12 months. If you are a qualifying individual and wish to know more, please reach out to our Greece immigration specialists.
Have you been living in Greece for several years? Foreign nationals who live in the country lawfully for at least seven years can then apply for Greek citizenship if they also comply with other requirements. Our team can answer your questions base on your unique situation, the time you have spent in the country, and the purpose for which you wish to continue your stay under this status.
We invite you to watch a short video about the relocation process:
The residency by investment program in Greece provides a unique opportunity to obtain residency in Greece for the applicant and his family members (under certain conditions) following a qualifying type of investment. Most often, this is real estate in Greece.
Below, we present some of the most important issues to take into consideration about the investment scheme:
An investor or person of means with a permanent residence permit in Greece will need to observe its renewal. This type of permit is granted for five years and can be renewed for the same time under the condition that the investment remains in the permit holder’s property (i.e., the Australian national does not sell the property acquired under the golden visa).
Some of the documents required for the golden visa renewal include:
With the needed visa and residence permit being taken care of, Australians moving to Greece will still have to keep in mind that this type of relocation can be a complex one, especially when moving with family and/or children.
The language barrier and the different cultural norms will be part of the relocation experience, especially for Australians who are traveling to Europe for the first time. Discussing particular requirements can be useful as part of the pre-relocation steps, and our Greece immigration lawyer can answer your questions.
Moving overseas, such as when you move to Greece from Australia, can include the following key preparations for your new life chapter:
Our Greece immigration specialists can answer questions about each of these key relocation points and can guide you along the way as needed.
Do you wish to move to Greece from Australia? Here are some facts about the country and its population:
Australians who are considering their relocation options can also explore their options to move to the beautiful Mediterranean shores once they retire.
Australian pensioners who retire to Greece can benefit from a flat tax rate on their foreign-source income, up to a certain amount and for a limited number of years. The tax benefits, combined with the country’s beautiful islands and beaches, as well as its mild Mediterranean climate, make it an ideal location for Australians who are considering relocating to Europe.
We also assist other foreign nationals who wish to apply for a Greek residence permit. The needed documents will depend on the motives for your medium or long-term stay in the country and include general documents (such as those used to identify the applicant) and specific documents (such as those proving one’s employment or investment in the country).
Contact us for more information on Greece immigration and personalized assistance if you want to move from Australia.