Retire to Greece - Obtaining a Retirement Visa

While you cannot obtain a direct retirement visa in Greece, you can apply for the Financially Independent Person (FIP) visa, which has very advantageous conditions. Our local specialists can assist if you want to retire to Greece and decide on this visa.

Quick Facts
Who can apply	Non-EU foreign nationals who qualify as financially independent persons.
Nationality restrictions	The visa for financially independent persons is available to non-EU nationals, however, EU citizens have no restrictions on residing in Greece, including for retirement purposes.
Minimum income requirements	A minimum of EUR 3,500 net per month to which a certain percentage is added for spouses or children.
Duration of residency	3 years (renewable for 3-year periods)
Visa specific documents	Proof of financial independence
General documents	Filled-in application form, criminal record, personal documents, etc.
Place of visa application submission	Greek Embassy or Consulate in the applicant’s country of residence.
Mandatory insurance requirements	Yes
Exceptions for the insurance requirements	Not applicable
Family members can join the visa holder	The spouse and children can join; additional income is required in this case.
Visa renewal requirements	The visa and residence permit to be renewed before its expiration date, provided that the holder continues to comply with the requirements.
Renewal periods	Successive renewal periods are possible.
Permanent residency	After having lived in Greece for five consecutive years (in most cases).
Fees	Different visa issuance fees and consular fees apply.
Other options	Other options for foreign nationals include the golden visa, work visa and residence permit, or the student residence permit.

Who can retire to Greece based on the FIP visa?

The visa is available for non-EU/EEA citizens. So, as an EU citizen, you can move here stress-free.

What are the main conditions to obtain a FIP visa for retirement to Greece?

The most important condition is to meet the minimum income requirement, which can be pension, but you can also use other proof, such as income from dividend payments or rental.

Then, you must be able to support your stay in Greece without employment, as you are not allowed to work based on this visa.

What is the minimum income required to retire to Greece based on the FIP visa?

One of the following:

EUR 3,500 as an income per month;
EUR 84,000 as savings.

Can I retire in Greece based on this visa with my spouse? How about with other family members?

Yes, you can retire with your spouse and minor children.

What are the income requirements when moving to Greece with additional family members?

The minimum amount increases by 20% in the case of your spouse and 15% for each child.

What documents are required to prepare when retiring to Greece?

Here is the list of papers:

valid passport(s);
clean criminal record;
medical certificate(s);
proof of accommodation in Greece (you can rent or buy a property);
proof of income;
other documents may also be required.

Our immigration lawyer in Greece can give you more details, according to your country of origin.

We invite you to watch a video about your options:

How long does it take to obtain a FIP visa in Greece?

The usual application processing time is 4 months; however, occasionally, it can take longer.

What is the validity of the FIP visa for retirement to Greece?

3 years with the possibility of renewal until you become eligible for permanent residency in Greece.

What are the advantages of retiring to Greece?

Some of the most compelling reasons are the:

Climate: perhaps one of the top reasons why many apply for the Greece retirement visa, combined with the geography of the country (namely, its islands)
Cuisine: Greek (and Mediterranean cuisine in general) is healthy and delicious at the same time;
Lifestyle: the laid-back living, and the quality of life are two of the most important reasons why people choose to retire here;
Culture: whether you choose to retire to Greece on an island or in a large city, Greece is culturally rich and offers a unique incursion into ancient times.

Also, if you transfer your tax residence to Greece, you can benefit from a flat tax of 7% on pension income, applicable under a tax regime for foreign pensioners. This can be an attractive advantage for those who will apply for a residence permit in Greece after their retirement.

Compared to the cost of living in other large cities in Europe (such as Paris or London), moving to Greece will mean that the foreign national will enjoy lower costs, as the cost of living in Athens is lower.

How long must I live in Greece as a retiree to obtain citizenship?

Obtaining citizenship by naturalization is possible after at least 7 years.

You can contact us if you want to retire to Greece and need more details on how to proceed based on your nationality.