Greek Residence Permit for Spouses of Greek Citizens

According to Article 82 of Law 4251/2014, the non-Greek spouse or partner of a Greek citizen is entitled to apply for and receive a legal residence permit in Greece, provided they possess the following supporting documents. This permit is valid for five (5) years and grants full access to the labor market (both salaried and self-employed activities).

Required Documents For Non-EU Greek Residence Application:

1. Exact photocopy of all pages of a valid passport or travel document recognized by Greece.
2. Official public document from the country of birth or origin, officially certified and translated, clearly indicating the place of birth. The translation must include the place of birth, ALSO in Latin characters. (Required only if the city of birth is not already in Latin characters on the passport.).
3. Copy of one of the following documents certifying legal residence in Greece:
   • Entry visa (Type C).
   • Type A Certificate.
   • Special Homogeneis Identity Card (for ethnic Greeks).
   • Card of a recognized beneficiary of international protection.
   • Card of an applicant for international protection, renunciation of the application for international protection, and evidence that they have resided for at least one (1) year in Greece before the marriage or cohabitation agreement.
   • Residence permit from another Member State, provided that at the date of submission, no more than three months have passed since the date of entry.
4. Marriage certificate from a Greek authority (from the Special Civil Registry if the marriage took place abroad) and a recent Certificate of Family Status of the Greek spouse (in case of marriage).
   • OR Civil union agreement registration certificate and a recent Certificate of Family Status of the Greek partner, and a recent Certificate of Family Status of the third-country national spouse/partner, officially certified and translated (in case of a civil union agreement).
5. Certified copy of the Greek citizen’s police identity card.
6. Printout of public social security coverage (direct or indirect) from a public insurance body (EFKA, by providing: AMA – AMKA – AFM) or a private insurance policy (optional at submission).

In many cases, the competent service examining the residence permit application may call both the Greek spouse and the foreign applicant for an in-person interview, asking relevant questions to verify the existence of a genuine marital relationship between them.

Duration of Non-EU Greek Residence Application:

The Residence Card (DeltioDiamonis) has a duration of five (5) years. Continuous residence is not affected by temporary absences not exceeding a total of 6 months per year, nor by

• Longer absences for compulsory military service
• Single absence of a maximum of twelve consecutive months for serious reasons, especially pregnancy and maternity, serious illness, studies or vocational training, or placement in another member state or third country.

This specific residence permit card is renewed into a Permanent Residence Card, which has a 10-year duration, providing full access to the labor market.