Greece - Self-employed worker

Visa

You must apply for a visa at embassy or consulate in your country of origin.

Residence permit

When you arrive in Greece and before your visa expires, you must apply for a residence permit for the purpose of investment activities. You must submit your application to the Ministry for Migration Policy.

• To carry out independent economic activities, you must have sufficient financial resources in a recognised bank account, a business plan and prove that the envisaged activities will contribute to Greek economy;
• For investment activities, you must provide a business plan in Greek which will need to be approved by the Ministry for Migration Policy after a recommendation of the Ministry of Economics.

You must also provide:

• a certificate of application to a competent state insurance entity for hospitalisation and medical treatment;
• a health certificate stating that you do not suffer from any condition which could constitute a threat to public health.

Residence permits for the purpose of independent economic activities are granted for two years. Residence permits for the purpose of investment activities are granted for three years.

They can each be renewed for the same period of time.

You cannot change your activity but you can extend the activity.

You can change the purpose of your activity two years after entry into Greece, and at any time after your permit has been renewed, provided that you can prove that you have discontinued the original activity.

If you have resided in Greece continuously and legally for ten years and are over 21 years you may obtain a ten-year residence permit, renewable for periods of ten years, provided that your continuous stay in the country has not been interrupted for two consecutive years.

You must submit your application, generally to the authority that issued your previous residence permit, and meet all necessary conditions. On submission of your application, the competent authorities will issue you with a certificate which will be valid for one year. If your application is still pending after one year, a new certificate will be issued and you will be informed of the reasons for the delay. Your application must be accompanied by:

• a copy of your passport;
• the residence permits which prove duration of stay;
• photos;
• a fee;
• a certificate of full medical insurance; and
• proof that you fulfilled your tax and insurance obligations, if required under your previous residence permit.

With a ten-year residence permit, you can immediately access the labour market for any type of job. You can change employers or types of job at any time. Unemployment does not affect the validity of your permit.

Appeals against reasoned decisions may be submitted to an administrative court. Further appeals can be introduced before the Council of State.

If you have resided in Greece lawfully and continuously for five years before submitting your application, you can apply for a long-term residence permit.

You will still be able to apply for this status if you were absent from Greece for less than six consecutive months and/or 10 months during this five-year period.

You must submit your application, generally to the authority that issued your previous residence permit, and meet all necessary conditions. On submission of your application, the competent authorities will issue you with a certificate which will be valid for one year. If your application is still pending after one year, a new certificate will be issued and you will be informed of the reasons for the delay. Certificates proving that an application for a residence permit has been submitted and is pending will be valid until 30 September 2012.

You must prove:

• sufficient financial resources covering living expenses for you and your family;
• health insurance;
• adequate accommodation; and
• sufficient knowledge of the Greek language, history and civilisation.

Long-term resident status is granted for five years and is renewable for periods of five years.

Your application must be accompanied by:

• Your passport, previous residence permits, photographs and the fee;
• An official document proving an annual income equal to 8,500 EUR, increased by 15% for every family member;
• A certificate of full medical insurance;
• A certified Deed of Purchase of house or rent agreement for a house (where applicable);
• Evidence of sufficient knowledge of Greek language, history and civilisation.

A long-term residence permit provides access to paid or unpaid work. You can change employers or types of job at any time. Unemployment does not affect the validity of your permit.