Greece offers several residence programmes for people who want to live in the country without working there. In this guide we explain the Greece Financially Independent Person (FIP) visa, also known as the Greek passive income or retirement visa.
Summary
The Greece FIP (passive income) visa is designed for retirees and people who live on passive income such as rent or dividends. The main applicant needs a net passive income of at least €3,500 per month. The first residence permit is valid for 3 years and can be renewed; a spouse or partner and children under 18 can be included. FIP holders cannot work in Greece. The national visa is applied for at the Greek consulate in your country of residence, and the residence permit is then issued in Greece.
What Is the Greece FIP (Passive Income) Visa?
The Greece FIP visa is a residence programme for non-EU citizens who can prove that they can support themselves without working, such as retirees and people living on passive income.
When the programme was launched, its official name was the “Residence Permit for Financially Independent Persons” (Άδεια διαμονής για οικονομικά ανεξάρτητα άτομα). Under Article 163(8) of the current Migration Code, Law 5038/2023, it is officially called the “Residence Permit for Third-Country Nationals with Sufficient Resources” (Άδεια διαμονής σε πολίτες τρίτων χωρών με επαρκείς πόρους). In practice it is still widely known as the Greek FIP visa or passive income visa.
The first FIP residence permit is valid for 3 years (it used to be 2 years). As long as the conditions are still met, it can be renewed for further 3-year periods.
FIP holders do not have the right to work in Greece. They cannot work for a Greek employer, part-time or full-time, and they confirm this with a signed declaration when they apply.
Greece FIP Visa Requirements
Under the Migration Code, Law 5038/2023 (type I.8 – persons with sufficient resources), the main requirements are:
- Income: a regular passive income of at least €3,500 per month (€42,000 per year) for the main applicant. The income must come from passive sources in any country, such as pensions, rental income, investment returns or company dividends.
- Family: the income requirement increases by 20% (€700 per month) for a spouse or registered partner and by 15% (€525 per month) for each unmarried child under 18.
- No work in Greece: you cannot run a business or work for an employer in Greece.
- Time in Greece: to keep and renew the permit, you should spend more than half of the year (over 183 days) in Greece.
When children turn 18, they can no longer renew their permit as dependants; if they continue their education in Greece, they can switch to a student residence permit.
How to Apply and Which Documents You Need
The FIP (type I.8) application has two stages: one in your country of residence and one in Greece.
- National D visa: once your documents are ready, you book an appointment for a type D national visa at the Greek consulate responsible for your place of residence. A short interview is held when you submit the file, and the visa is usually issued within 1 to 3 months.
- Tax number: you obtain a Greek tax number (AFM), usually through a lawyer.
- Residence permit: after entering Greece with your visa, you apply for the type I.8 residence permit through the Ministry of Migration and Asylum’s online platform.
- Certificate of application: while your file is processed, you receive a temporary certificate (veveosi) that lets you stay in Greece legally.
- Biometrics and card: your biometric data is taken at your appointment and your residence card is then issued.
The documents usually required are:
- Proof of income (bank statements, tax returns, pension award letters, etc.)
- Proof of accommodation in Greece (lease or title deed)
- Medical certificate signed by a doctor
- Criminal record certificate
- Health insurance valid in Greece (preferably for the full permit period)
- Signed declaration that you will not work in Greece
- Application form
- Passport
- Biometric photos
- Civil status documents (birth and marriage certificates)
All foreign documents must be apostilled and officially translated into Greek. Because the file must be complete, we recommend working with a lawyer.
Greece FIP Visa Costs
Average costs for a Greece FIP application are:
- Government fee (main applicant): €1,000
- Government fee per family member: €150
- Residence card (per person): €16
- National D visa fee: €180
- Health insurance: varies with age and cover
- Legal fees: €1,000 to €4,000
For a family of four, total application costs are on average between €3,394 and €6,394, excluding insurance.
FIP vs Digital Nomad Visa vs Golden Visa
The FIP visa is for people with passive income of at least €3,500 per month, while the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is for people who earn at least €3,500 per month by working remotely for clients or employers outside Greece. The Greece Golden Visa grants residence in exchange for a property investment. For a renewable 5-year residence permit without an income requirement and without having to live in Greece, the Golden Visa is the best fit. Contact us if you would like help choosing the right route.
Related guides: Greek Healthcare System: AMKA, ESY and Private Insurance
Frequently Asked Questions
A spouse or registered partner and unmarried children under 18.
It is for people with a regular passive income of at least €3,500 per month, such as retirees and people living on rental income or dividends.
No. There is no Greek language requirement for the FIP application.
With a Greek residence card you can travel to the other Schengen countries without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The card does not give you the right to live or work in other countries.
The first residence permit is valid for 3 years and can be renewed for further 3-year periods as long as the conditions are met.
You apply for the national D visa at the Greek consulate responsible for your place of residence. After arriving in Greece, you apply for the residence permit through the Ministry of Migration and Asylum.
Contact Our Experts
Have a question about your application? Get in touch with our team.
