Before reading this FAQ, it is assumed you have already read the #1 post for Americans and non-EU citizens, which is “How Americans/non-EU citizens can move, live and work in Greece.” If you have not, stop and read it now.

FAQ only contains information about permits that is unsuitable for a complete article. It is NOT an invitation or excuse to ignore the policy detailed in “Comments, Questions and Contacting Me.” If you have not read the policy, please take the time to read it now.

How can I get residence in Greece?

You must live or work here legally.

When does my work and/or residence permit for Greece expire?

Look at your permit and read the expiration date.

Will I get a notification to renew my work and/or residence permit?

No. This is Greece; it’s your responsibility to keep track of your own affairs.

Can I change jobs under my current work permit?

Yes. With regards to IKA, you need to take the new work contract and notify them of this change within 8 days of hiring. With regards to the work permit, you submit all of your paperwork with the new contract and bebaiosi from your new employer at the time of its renewal.

Can I change fields or industry under my current work permit?

Depends. You can submit the new contract and bebaiosi from your new employer at time of renewal with no problem at the municipality’s dimos or police station’s allodapon department.

However, OAED (Manpower Employment) and/or the Ministry at a higher level has a right to decline renewal should they determine there are sufficient Greek/EU candidates to perform this work and/or limited vacancies. Authorities may ask you to provide evidence of a university degree, significant experience or skills in this area of work. If you are classified as an “Υπάλληλος Γραφείου” (office worker), they may not care.

Authorities may also request proof from your new employer that you are uniquely qualified, and (s)he could not otherwise find a Greek/EU citizen to fill the position. At this point, your new employer has the option to let you go should (s)he not want to provide documentation or fight to keep you and give them what they want.

And even after that, OAED or the Interior or Labor Ministry can still refuse to renew it.

If the permit expires without being renewed for whatever reason, you must leave Greece and start from nothing again should you decide to come back and find another job.

When should I renew my residence and/or work permit?

At least 60 days in advance of your permit’s expiration (it says this in nearly all of my articles). If you plan to be outside Greece for business or pleasure during the renewal period, renew earlier and tell them why if they try to turn you away.

What if I still only have my bebaiosi, the permit hasn’t been issued yet, and it’s time to renew it?

You renew with your bebaiosi.

When does my bebaiosi expire?

Look at the date your bebaiosi was issued and count one year from then.

What if I don’t renew on time?

You will be fined one-third the application fee or up to 300 euros if you renew anytime past the expiration date (also stated in this site’s articles), or you may be denied the opportunity to renew if you are not the spouse or child of a Greek or EU citizen.

Sometimes you can get around it by hiring a lawyer or using connections, but be prepared to pay handsomely. I don’t recommend it.

If I lose my job or can’t find another to renew my work permit, how long can I remain in Greece after the permit expires?

According to Article 73 of the immigration law 3386/2005, there is no grace period. You are expected to leave Greece before the permit expires or you will be fined 600 euros for a period of 1-29 days past expiration and 1200 euros for 30 or more days past the permit’s expiration.

Minors are not expected to pay a fine.

How do I renew it?

Usually the same procedure as when you got it the first time.

What if I don’t remember?

If the appropriate article is not available on this site, call or visit the municipality “dimos” office and find out. It will be a good learning experience and perhaps give you a better appreciation for what information is on this site.

Be proactive, pay attention and take some notes. That’s how this site was created — I paid attention and then used my free time to write it out for everyone. It’s not rocket science, and I’m not a lawyer or paid employee of the Greek state. It is a starting point and helpful assistance.

Can I apply online for a permit for Greece?

No, because they want to see you in person and examine that all of your documents are originals. If you’re not even in the Greece, you cannot apply at all.

Does part-time work qualify me for a work permit?

No.

Why not?

Because anything less than full-time work means you are not entitled to IKA. Since continuous medical coverage is a requirement for non-EU citizens to hold a work permit, you would then either:
a) Declare yourself a self-employed entrepreneur* at the eforia, pay TEBE (TEVE), issue receipts, pay FPA on a quarterly basis and secure a work permit this way (which can also be denied),
OR
b) Become illegal.

* Also note that immigrants wishing to change their professional status from employee to self-employed must wait a minimum of 3 years. And self-employed immigrants must keep their same business for 2 years before being allowed to change their line or scope of work.

Can I pay my own IKA?

Yes, but you are only allowed to purchase up to 20 percent of required 150 ensima of IKA for the year. The other 80 percent must be earned through an employer or acquired by paying your own TEVE.

When will my permit be ready?

Authorities and municipalities claim that it should only take 60-90 days, however there is no set time. If you are the spouse or child of a Greek/EU citizen, it will take longer because the initial permit will only be issued after you attend and pass an interview at the Perifeira, which takes a minimum of 90 days for them to set an appointment, then send a registered invitation letter.

Over 10 years, I’ve consistently waited up to a year and past the expiration date. The quickest I’ve ever been issued one is 6 months.

Is there anything I can do to speed up the processing of my permit?

LOL. No.

Will they notify me when it’s ready?

No. Again, this is Greece, and it’s your responsibility to check in person. Calling them very rarely gets results; most often, you will be told they cannot give out information over the phone and you must stop by.

What if there’s a problem with my work and/or residence permit?

Since it is your responsibility to check on your permit, they should be giving you a status. If there is an issue, the Ministry will send the letter to the municipality’s “dimos” or police station allodapon department; it is rare that you will be personally notified by phone or letter. If there is a letter, it usually arrives late at your home, and you have no recourse because it was your job to check on the permit in person.

Once I have my permit, is everything OK?

The municipality or Ministry has the right to review and revoke permits for any reason at any time, unless you hold the permanent EU-wide residence/work permit; and this is unlikely since Greece has only issued one as of December 2007. i.e., “Greece’s one and only long-term resident.” And less than a dozen by April 2008, even though an estimated 250,000 qualify.

Does Greece grant permits to gay/lesbian non-EU partners of Greek/EU citizens?

No. It doesn’t matter if you were married in another country or not. Only man-woman partnerships are recognized.

There is an EU directive that says all EU member states must not discriminate based on sexual orientation, but Greece will likely be taken to the EU High Court of Justice before anything is done…and even then, Greece will delay it as long as possible. It is still not granting long-term EU-wide permits to people who earned that right, even though it’s been in effect since December 2005.

I’m a male of Greek origin over 18, but I do not have Greek citizenship. Can I get a residence/work permit as the non-EU spouse of my Greek/EU wife?

I’m a female of Greek origin, but don’t have Greek citizenship. Can I get a residence/work permit as the non-EU spouse of my Greek/EU husband?

No. The residence/work permit granted to non-EU spouses and children (under 21) of Greek/EU citizens is only for pure non-EU citizens of no Greek origin.

Why?

Because you (male or female) are of Greek origin and have the inherent right to claim citizenship, whether you want it or not, which entitles you to work/reside in Greece and the entire EU. This is a privilege.

If you’re a male between the age of 19-45, you’re obviously trying to avoid mandatory military obligations, and the Greek state does not tolerate draft dodgers. If you think they won’t catch you, think again; even connections will not help you. The residence/work permit application asks the birthplace of your parents. Should you get around that, either the eforia will flush you out or the Ministry of Interior and Labor will examine your application, request birth certificates from whomever they wish and delve into your background. It doesn’t matter if you are registered in the oikogeneiaki merida or not, whether you hold a Greek passport or Greek ID or not. You are breaking the law.

If you’re a female of Greek origin, there is no reason why you shouldn’t stake a claim to citizenship at any age. Trying to get a permit as the non-EU spouse or child or a Greek or EU citizen is pointless if you are of Greek origin, and you’ll be denied if you try.

What about my son who is under 18 and technically a non-EU citizen?

Same applies. It only matters that he is of Greek origin — doesn’t matter where he was born, what citizenship he holds (even another EU citizenship), his domicile, if he’s registered in the oikogeneiaki merida or not, in possession of ‘permanent resident abroad’ status or not.

As long as he is of Greek origin, he will at some point be drafted into the army should he reside permanently in Greece or wish to work here from the age of 19 to 45. Read, “Mandatory military obligations for Greece.” It’s all there. It will only change if the law changes.

How can I get a green card for Greece?

There’s no such thing. “Green card” is a term used by the United States to describe permanent resident status acquired by a non-American citizen. It does not apply outside the USA. Greece had a prasina karta about 10 years ago, but they disappeared as fast as they appeared.

If you are looking for permanent resident status in Greece, see other articles in “Residence-work permits” or use the ’search’ option in the second column.

If I get a divorce, can I keep my permit?

Spouses of Greek or EU citizens who already passed the interview and hold a permit can retain it after a divorce if the marriage lasted 3 years OR if there is solid evidence of domestic abuse no matter how long the marriage lasted.

Alternatively, you can secure a work/residence permit on your own if you have a job or can get one OR you can secure a residence permit if you have 2,000/euros per month income from outside Greece to support yourself. (See “Residence-work permits” for the appropriate article).

If my Greek/EU partner passes away, can I keep my permit?

Yes, if you held the permit and resided in Greece for a minimum of one year.

What kind of work and/or residence permit do I qualify for in Greece?

There are dozens, and there’s no way I could know that — I’m a private person offering free assistance in my free time, not a paid public service. Inquire at the Greek Consulate if you are outside Greece. Inquire at the municipality “dimos” office if you are in Greece; if there is no municipality “dimos” office in your area, a police station’s allodapon department can direct you.

What are the addresses and phone numbers of the municipality’s “dimos” offices and police stations’ allodapon departments in Greece?

You can find “dimos” offices online in Greek, inquire at KEP by calling ‘1564′ or ask the mayor’s office in your municipality. You can find police stations in Greece by calling ‘11888.’

How do I call ‘1564′ or ‘11888′ from outside Greece?

Common sense. If you’re outside Greece, you shouldn’t be calling these numbers. You should be calling the Greek Consulate.

Do you have a question?

The ability to ask questions on this post has now been closed due to the last 10 people not following instructions.

Instructions: If you have a question, look at “Comments, Questions and Contacting Me.” Don’t be lazy and please use the “Categories” and “Search” options in the second column as I have requested many, many times. The “Find” option is also available on every Web browser. It may sound harsh, but the other option is to close off the ability to comment and ask questions.

If you don’t see your question posted, it means the answer is already on this site. In most cases, it’s right in front of your face.

Article updated May 20, 2008

When asked by the World Bank, Greece reported that it only took 15 steps and 38 days to start a business. In reality, each of those 15 steps has other steps and the processing time could be 180 days or more, unless connections and bribes are used to speed the process.

This post combines the steps disclosed to the World Bank and the real-life experiences of myself and others who started businesses in the past eight years.

If you’re looking for EU and American businesses already operating in Greece, see the category “Jobs in Greece.” If you’re an American or other non-EU citizen, I highly recommend the article “How Americans/non-EU citizens can move, live and work in Greece.” Why? Because it’s vital to understand legalities of visas and permits.

Pre-screening

If you will be opening a restaurant, club or bar, it is wise to consult with the municipality’s Mayor’s office or City Hall about securing the necessary licenses before starting the steps below and renting/purchasing property. Otherwise, you risk paying costly expenses on a non-operating business.

There is normally a limited number of licenses issued per year, and you may need to be placed on a waiting list or utilize connections to avoid delays.

For non-EU citizens

In addition to the steps detailed in the table and notes in the following sections, Americans and other non-EU citizens are subject to additional terms.

Investors: For non-EU citizens, the requirements are more stringent and costly, namely:
a) proof of 300,000 euros minimum capital;
b) the creation of at least 10 new jobs, of which 30 percent must be given to Greek citizens; and
c) an application and business proposal submitted in Greek proving that the business will “contribute to the growth of Greek economy,” which must be approved by the Ministry of Interior.

Partnering with a Greek or other EU citizen does not absolve you from these rules.

Self-employment: If you are not an investor with the intention of employing workers, but looking to be self-employed, the procedure is reduced to steps #4 and #10-15 after:
a) holding a residence permit for one year — usually one that requires you are a spouse of a Greek or other EU citizen or one secured by independent financial support from outside Greece;
b) depositing 60,000 euros in a Greek bank account; and
c) submitting an application and business proposal in Greek proving that the business will “contribute to the growth of Greek economy,” which must be approved by the Ministry of Interior.

For both investors and self-employment, rejection or approval could take up to 1 year.

Because of stringent rules, corruption and involved bureaucracy, investors of all nationalities sometimes opt for another country (see, “Who really steals jobs from Greeks?“).

New rules for employers in Greece

In February 2008, the Interior Ministry of Greece announced that new rules will apply to all employers seeking to fill positions with non-EU workers.

Specifically, a private employer will be required to show an annual income of 24,000 euros or more and companies must show a yearly profit of 60,000 euros before opening positions to non-EU workers from abroad.
Overview

Notes for each step

It is general knowledge that anyone partaking in Greek bureaucracy will need to have identification, several photocopies of various documents, passport sized photos, the ability to speak Greek and a lot of patience. Offices are located in different parts of a city and revisiting the same office (i.e. eforia/tax office) within a process is common.

Many employ an attorney or accountant to assist, though some manage well on their own as I did. Finding a patient friend with a car or hiring a taxi driver for the day is sometimes a solution to delays in public transportation, parking issues and finding a taxi on demand. I also recommend carrying spare change, an office kit (pen, pencil, liquid paper, stapler, paper clips) and a map book.

Step 1: Forms must be filled out in Greek, and you will be given a certified document when approved.

Step 2: All applicants pay €10 for certification of an attorney’s signature on the draft. A levy must be paid when a company’s capital exceeds €29,347, and the percentage depends on the bracket.
a) 1% up to € 44,020
b) 0.5% from € 44,020 to € 1,467,351
c) 0.4% from € 1,467,351 to € 2,934,702
d) 0.3% from € 2,934,702 to € 5,869,405
e) 0.2% from € 5,869,405 to € 14,673,514
f) 0.1% from € 14,673,514 to € 29,347,028
g) 0.05% from € 29,347,028 to € 58,694,057
h) 0.01% on capital exceeding € 58,694,057

Step 3: Found normally by recommendation of a lawyer, the notary public examines and certifies the articles. Fees vary widely.

Step 4: The minimum capital requirement is said to be € 18,000, which could be lower or higher depending on your citizenship as mentioned previously and the type of business being opened.

Step 5: Capital tax must be paid at the eforia within 15 days of signing the Articles of Incorporation at the notary public or a penalty will be assessed. Depending on the amount, the eforia may request that a payment check be drafted at your bank, then signed and certified by two tax officials at the eforia before going to the cashier for a receipt.

Step 6: The Lawyer’s Pension Fund in Athens is at Pireos and Sokratous Streets. * I will add other addresses as I learn them.

Step 7: The Lawyer’s Welfare Fund in Athens is at Harilaou Trikoupi and Navarinou Streets. * I will add other addresses as I learn them.

Step 8: To complete this step, you will need two copies of the Articles– one certified and one simple.

Step 9: A portion of the 272 euro fee must be paid to the eforia and another portion to the National Printing Office; both issue receipts, and these must be taken to the official Government Gazette or Fyllo Efimeridas tis Kyverniseos (FEP), which will give you a protocol number. Publication of your Articles will take place within 30-60 days.

Step 10: To register at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry, you need:
a) Notarized copy of the Articles stamped by the eforia, the Lawyers’ Pension Fund, the Lawyers’ Welfare fund
b) certification of prior approval of company name (from Step 1)
c) an original of the Government Gazette containing the published summary of the Articles of Association (it is acceptable to file the protocol number, then replace it with the published issue)
d) * Note: My experience is that the Chamber will ask for proof of your personal AFM and official registered address at the eforia, in addition to proof of insurance, which means steps 10 and 11 should be reversed unless you have an existing policy.

Step 11: Registering with TEBE, OGA or another insurance fund (not IKA) depends on the type of business being started. Typically, you will be asked to fill out a form, provide photocopies of your identification, previous insurance coverage, proof that you are opening a business and the location (lease), and pay a deposit and the first months’ fees. A TEBE office will normally require that you deposit the money at the post office or other payment location, then bring back the receipt; I have no specific info on OGA or other types.

Step 12: The Etairia Periorismenis Efthinis (EPE) must issue approval to commence operation within 30 days of submitting the Articles of Association to the Court. The statement is filed with the eforia, along with:
a) Certified copy of the company’s official Articles
b) two original copies of the Government Gazette, in which the Articles were published
c) lease agreement or agreement for the free assignment of use of the office space, certified by the eforia
d) certificate from the Chamber of Commerce that you have registered
e) certification from the relevant social security fund that you (and your partners) have registered for insurance or have an exemption
f) photocopy of the receipt of payment of capital tax (from Step 5)
g) photocopy of your identification
h) proof of an individual’s AFM
i) authorization letter from the EPE administrator to the individual who will file taxes/docs at the eforia (owner, accountant or other)
j) completed application forms provided by the eforia

After submitting the above documents, the eforia provides the EPE with a certificate for the commencement of business operations and the AFM for your business.

Step 13: A self-inking rubber stamp (sfragida) can now be commissioned from any local shop with the company name, address, phone and AFM. It is necessary for issuing receipts, submitting tax forms and all transactions pertaining to your business at the eforia. You’ll need it immediately for Step 14.

Step 14: Purchase an accounting log and receipt books at any office or school supply store, and use the company stamp to imprint the accounting log and every single page of receipt books. Now they are ready for the eforia to punch, and a document pertaining to what was punched is issued.

Step 15: When hiring a worker, you are obligated to provide a proper work contract (Anaggelia Gnostopoihsis oron Atomikis Symbasis Ergasias) and employer certification (Bebaiosi Ergodoti), so employees can get an AFM, sign up for IKA and apply for a residence/work permit (if applicable).

Business grants

Greece does not offer grants to entrepreneurs wishing to start a business. However, there are grants available to those with an established business, should the owner wish to renovate or improve a business that contributes to the local Greek economy.

Greece vs. other countries

An article I compiled called “Doing Business in Greece vs. the EU, USA, Australia and Canada” is a straightforward comparison based on the World Bank’s Doing Business 2008 report that evaluated vital elements in setting up a business, then ranked economies according.

Other articles of interest include, “Examples of jobs and salaries in Athens” for real-life case studies of Greek and non-EU business owners.

Sources

- “World Bank slams Greece” - Athens News
- 2008 Doing Business Report from the World Bank
- “What Greece’s new immigration law says” - Athens News (from 2005, but no reforms were introduced or implemented since)
- “Creative youngsters shun bosses and go it alone” - Kathimerini ‘K’ magazine
- Official documentation I collected then translated from Greek and personal notes taken over 5 years
- Recent experiences of Greek and EU citizens
- Experiences of non-EU citizens who started businesses before the 2005 rules came into effect, including myself

Article updated March 25, 2008

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Photo from assignmentdesk.net