Permanent Residence in Greece

One documented route of this kind in Greece, with its conditions, documents, official government fees and process.

Permanent / Long-Term Residence (Category M)

EU long-term resident permit after 5 years lawful residence, plus a transitional 10-year permit for pre-2006 permit holders.

Validity: EU long-term resident: 5 years renewable; Ten-Year permit: 10 years
Language requirement: B1 Greek plus knowledge of Greek history/culture (EU long-term resident track)
Citizenship: 7 years lawful residence

EU long-term resident: 5 years continuous lawful residence
Stable sufficient income and full health insurance
B1 Greek language certification + Greek history/culture knowledge
Absences not exceeding 6 consecutive months / 10 months total over the 5 years
Ten-Year permit (transitional): held a valid residence permit on 01/01/2006; 10 years lawful residence within the last 12 years

Proof of 5 years lawful residence (prior permits) [EU long-term track] required
Tax returns / proof of stable income required
Full health insurance required
B1 Greek language certification + history/culture proof [EU long-term track] required
Certified photocopy of all passport pages covering the last permit's validity [Ten-Year track] required
Current residence permit required
EFKA insurance-capacity printout OR private insurance policy [Ten-Year track] required
Certificate documenting 10 years legal residence in the last 12 years [Ten-Year track] required
Tax clearance note or submitted tax return copy required
Four color photos (40x60 mm, white background, digital JPEG 2000 on CD) [Ten-Year track] required

1

Verify eligibility

Confirm 5 years lawful residence (EU long-term) or 01/01/2006 permit + 10/12 years residence (Ten-Year transitional track).
2

Gather documents

Assemble income proof, health insurance, language certification (EU track), and residence history.
3

File application

File the application with the competent Decentralized Administration office and attend biometrics.
4

Card issued

Permit issued (5 years EU long-term, or 10 years transitional).