Family Reunification in Greece
2 documented routes of this kind in Greece, each with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.
Family Reunification (Category O)
Residence permit allowing legally residing third-country nationals (or Greek/EU citizen family members) to sponsor spouse, children, and dependents.
- Processing time
- Typically several months
- Language requirement
- None for the permit
- Permanent residence
- Counts toward 5-year EU long-term residence
- Citizenship
- 7 years lawful residence; 3 years for spouses of Greek citizens with a common child
Requirements
- Sponsor is a legally residing third-country national, or a Greek/EU citizen family member
- Proof of family relationship (marriage/birth certificates, translated + apostilled)
- Proof of sponsor's sufficient income and adequate accommodation
- Health insurance
- Family-reunification Type D visa
Required Documents
- Sponsor's valid residence permit required
- Proof of family relationship (marriage/birth certificates, translated + apostilled) required
- Proof of sponsor's sufficient income and adequate accommodation required
- Health insurance required
- Family member's passport with family-reunification Type D visa required
- Photos required
Official fees
- Family reunification permit fee (cited for related categories) 150 EUR
- Electronic card 16 EUR
- Administrative-treatment/appeal fee (some procedures) 50 EUR
Process Steps
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1
Sponsor initiates
Sponsor (legally resident) initiates the reunification application.
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2
Obtain Type D visa
Family member obtains the family-reunification Type D visa abroad.
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3
Enter and file permit
Family member enters Greece; residence permit application filed and biometrics taken.
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4
Permit issued
Family permit issued with validity matching the sponsor's permit.
Official Sources
EU/EEA/Swiss Citizens and Their Family Members (Category N)
Free-movement registration for EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and residence cards for their third-country family members.
- Validity
- Third-country family member residence card: 5 years; permanent residence card after 5 years
- Language requirement
- None for registration/residence card
- Permanent residence
- Permanent residence after 5 years
- Citizenship
- 7 years lawful residence (general rule)
Requirements
- Proof of EU/EEA/Swiss nationality (sponsor)
- Proof of family relationship for third-country members
- Proof of sufficient resources / health insurance (for non-workers)
Required Documents
- Proof of EU/EEA/Swiss nationality (sponsor) required
- Proof of family relationship for third-country members required
- Proof of sufficient resources / health insurance (for non-workers)
- Passport required
- Photos required
Process Steps
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1
Register residence
EU/EEA/Swiss nationals register residence and obtain a registration certificate.
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2
Family member residence card
Third-country family members apply for a 5-year residence card.
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3
Permanent residence
After 5 years, obtain a document certifying permanent residence (or permanent residence card for family members).