EU nationals have the right to live and work in Greece without a work permit


Residence Permit
(Adeia Paramonis / Adeia Dianomis)

If you are an EU citizen staying in Greece for less than three months you do not require a residence permit.

If you wish to stay longer than three months then you should obtain one from your local Crete police station.  However there are no penalties against EU Nationals who stay longer than 3 months, as in practice the authorities have no way of knowing how long you have been in the country - they do not issue visas or stamp the passport of EU Nationals when entering or leaving the country.

TheEuropa (official EU) website had published a  rule regarding the scrapping of residents  permits back in April 2006.  However a more recent look at the Europa website shows that the EU / Greece seems to have back-tracked on this, and the link to the original article has been removed from their website. According to their latest information the residence permit is still 'officially' required, although in practice it is rarely used.

Having said that, if you are permanently resident in Greece it is worth obtaining one (and is a relatively simple procedure) for the rare occasion when you may be asked to show one;  for example if changing a driving licence, buying a car or permanently importing a vehicle.

EU New Member States - No restrictions in Greece  (see Europa Text )
Greece imposes no restrictions on citizens from the other Member States of the European Union (EU) with regard to access to the labour market.

Specifically, the barriers limiting the right of entry for the purposes of paid employment of nationals from the eight new Member States were lifted as of 1 May 2006. By this decision, Greece welcomes all citizens from the Accession States (Slovenia, Slovakia, Hungary, Czech Republic, Estonia Lithuania, Latvia and Poland) by giving them equal rights of residence and employment as other EU citizens, in accordance with the principle of the free movement of workers.

Consequently, as from the abovementioned date, nationals from the eight new EU Member States will be treated by the Greek authorities, in particular with regard to paid employment, as Community nationals

To obtain a 5 year residence permit  EU citizens should apply in person at the nearest main police station with the following documents:


* Photocopy of passport
*4 to 6  passport size photographs

You may also be asked for:
* An EHIC health card or proof of private health insurance
* a bank book to show you can support yourself
or an 'Ypevthini Dilosi' (sworn statement)  signed by the applicant stating you can support yourself, or a document proving that you are receiving a pension, or a work contract.
* If you own property you may be asked for a photocopy of the deeds or building permit.


Non EU Citizens

Non-EU citizens may enter and remain in Greece for up to 3 months. Check with your Embassy regarding visa restrictions, residence and work permits.

Passports of non EU Nationals must be valid for at least three months after the period of intended stay.
Information courtesy of Carol Palioudakis www.livingincrete.net and from her book "Living in Crete. A Guide to Living, Working, Retiring & Buying Property in Crete"