Original document : https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-greece
Change description : 2019-09-03 17:44:00: Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating. [Brexit]
Showing diff : 2019-04-15 12:26:30 +00:00..2019-09-03 16:52:50 +00:00
Guidance
Official information for UK nationals moving to orand living in Greece,Greece need to know, including guidance on Brexit,The UK leaves the EU, residency, passports, healthcare and driving.
This page tells you what to do ahead of Brexit. It will be updated if anything changes, including if a deal is agreed.
You should:
To keep up to date onwith Brexitinformation about the UK leaving the EU:
CheckYou may want to check the entry requirements for Greece.
You must register as a resident in Greece if you want to stay for more than 3 months. ReadSee registration certificate (Veveosi Engrafis) – permanent residence requirements.
Read the Greek government’s website (in Greek) about the UK leaving the EU, for citizens and businesses. Check the rights of UK nationals living in and traveling to Greece after the UK leaves the EU and submit any questions in the contact form provided.
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You can apply for or renew your British passport from Greece. If you cannot get a passport in time for your trip, you may need to get an emergency travel document or ‘emergency passport’.
If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, new travel rules will apply. You should have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).
If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.
CheckYou should check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.
If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, UK nationals will not need visas for short stays elsewhere in the EU. You will be able to stay up to 90 days in another EU,EU EEA or EFTA country, within a 180 day period. You mustshould retain evidence of travel (e.g. train and plane tickets)tickets), in case these are requested by national authorities. If you hold a residence permit from an EU,EU EEAMember orState, EFTA country, you will be able to transit through other EU,EU EEAMember orStates EFTA countries to reach your country of residence. We will update this guidance as more information becomes available.
If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, nothing will change until the end of the2020. implementation period. In this time you can continue to travel freely in the Schengen area with your UK passport. What happens after the2020 implementation period will form the next part of negotiations.
You mustshould registerensure you are properly registered for healthcare as a resident in Greece, as well as registering, where necessary, with a health insurer.
Read You can read the NHS guidance on who is able to access healthcare in Greece and how to register.
If you are resident in Greece, you mustshould not usebe using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK to access healthcare in Greece.
When
If you live in Greece and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.
ReadYou can read the NHS guidance on healthcare and studying abroad.
You can also find an English-speaking doctor in Greece.
You mustshould check your prescriptions are legal in Greece.
If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal, your current rights on access to healthcare in Greece will remain the same until the31 endDecember of2020, the implementation period, as long as you remain a resident in Greece.
If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, your access to healthcare may change. If you are a permanent or temporary resident you mustshould review the status of your healthcare cover.
The UK has proposed maintaining current healthcare cooperation with Greece for S1 form holders until the end of December 2020. If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, and there is no arrangement with Greece to continue reciprocal healthcare, those receiving coverage through the S1 form will not be covered.
You mustshould take action now to confirm your residency status and decide howwhat steps you willneed to take to ensure access to healthcare if there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal. UK nationals will be able to return to UK for treatment.
Your EHIC may not be valid ifin there’sthe noevent the UK leaves the EU without a deal. The UK has offered to maintain the EHIC scheme ifshould there’sthe noUK leave the EU without a deal, however this is reliant on Greece continuing to accept UK EHICs.
ReadYou should read the NHS guidance on healthcare in Greece and how it may change after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU.
See working in another EU country.
You may need to apply for:
Once you have a job, you can get a social insurance number (AMKA) through your local Citizens Service Centre (KEP) (in Greek).
Read the guidanceUK onleaves providingthe servicesEU
If after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU, further guidance can be found here.
If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal, your right to work will stay the same until the end of the implementation period.
If there’s no deal, Greek legislation states that if you are already resident in Greece or arrive before 31 December 2020, you will still have access to the labour market, as long as you have a valid registration certificate.
The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Greece to prevent income being taxed in both countries.
ReadYou should read the guidance on:
You mustwill have to register for a tax identification number (AFM – pronounced aa-fee-mee) – read further guidance in the Greek government ERMIS website (in Greek), with central information and e-services. Once you have an AFM number, it is compulsory to submit a yearly tax return.
YouWe shouldrecommend you get professional advice on paying tax in Greece. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Greece.
FindYou outmay ifbe youable canto pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.
If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, it may become more expensive to use your UK bank card in the EU. Read more about using a bank card, insurance or other financial service in the EU.
BrexitThe UK leaving the EU will not change existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Greece. SendYou yourshould direct individual taxpayer questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.
You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.
If you retire to Greece, you can claim:
If you get a ‘life certificate’ fromform in the UKpost, Pension Service, you needmust tofill respondit asin soon as possiblepromptly. Yourotherwise your payments may be suspended if you don’t.suspended.
The UK government will uprate your UK state pension for the fiscal year 2019/2020 in any scenario.
The UK government will continue to pay athe UK State Pension to those eligible in the EU after Brexit.the Your UK Stateleaves Pensionthe willEU. beIf upratedthe inUK Aprilleaves 2020,the 2021EU andwithout 2022a ifdeal, you livecan inread the EU, EEA or Switzerland.
Read our guidance on pensions if there’s no deal.
If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal and you work and pay social security contributions in Greece, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Greek pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the end of the implementation period.
You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Greece. You should:
ManyIf you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks, many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.you.
You may be eligible to claim some Greek social security benefits. ReadPlease guidanceread further information on Greek social security benefits.
You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.
The UK government will continue to pay the UK State Pension, child benefits, and disability benefits to those eligible in the EU after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU.
If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal and you work and pay social security contributions in Greece, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Greek contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the end of the implementation period.
If there’sthe noUK leaves the EU without a deal, you can read our guidance on benefits and pensions in a no deal scenario.
If you are a resident in Greece you mustshould exchange your UK licence for a Greek driving licence (in Greek), as your licence may no longer be valid after Brexit.the UK leaves the EU. You can still use your Greek licence in the UK for short visits or exchange.exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.
ReadFor information on driving in Greece, read the guidance on:
Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.
ReadYou can read the European Union’s guidance on car registration and taxes in Greece. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.
If you’ve been resident in an EU country for at least 2 years before moving to Greece, you’re exempt from VAT and registration for:
You must appear in person at the nearest Customs Authority to request exemption from paying registration and VAT within 1 month of arriving in Greece. You’ll then be given special Greek registration plates.
Your vehicle must also pass a test at a Vehicle Technical Control Centre (KTEO).
If therethe isUK leaves the EU with a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same during the implementation period.
ReadPlease read our guidance on driving in the EU after Brexitthe UK leaves the EU.
You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:
If you’re resident in Greece, you can vote in local municipal and European parliamentary elections.
AfterOnce Brexit,the UK leaves the EU, UK nationals will no longer be eligible to vote in local and European Parliament elections. We are pursuing bilateral arrangements with individual Member States to secure the right to vote for UK nationals living in the EU, and EU citizens in the UK.
If your child is born in Greece, you will need to register the birth abroad.
If someone dies in Greece:Greece you can:
Find out how you can get married abroad.
Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Greece.
YouWhen the UK leaves the EU, you will still be able to travel to and from the UK with a cat, dog or ferret when the UK leaves the EU, but the rules will change.
Read You can read guidance on pet travel to Europe after Brexit.
While the UK is still a Member State you’ll be able to travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current EU pet passport.
If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time youyou’ll musthave to visit your vet to get a pet passport.
Read guidance on returning your cat, dog or ferret to the UK.
For moving pet horses and other equines read guidance on export horses and ponies: special rules.
You can dial the European emergency number 112 or:
Read further information on emergency numbers in Greece.
If you need urgent help (you are the victim of crime, have been arrested or are affected by a crisis abroad), contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.
ReadYou should read our guidance on:
Tell the UK and Greek authorities that you are returning to the UK permanently.
Contact the International Pension Centre to move your pension to the UK.
If you get healthcare in Greece through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.
Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Greek authorities. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
2024-12-05 10:46
Added information on how to prove you have parental responsibility for a child to Greek authorities.
2024-10-18 14:47
Added information and downloadable letters about watersport diplomas and pleasure craft operator certificates.Added information to get an HMRC letter for tax purposes.
2024-06-18 08:22
The Visas and residency section has been updated to include information on the EU Entry/Exit System that will be introduced in Autumn 2024.
2022-03-11 08:00
Important information in the Working in Greece, and National insurance sections if you work in Greece, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.
2022-02-17 11:29
Guidance reviewed and updated with new information, including in the visas and residency, and healthcare sections.
2021-12-22 19:21
There are now no restrictions on driving in Greece for residents with valid UK or Gibraltar driving licences
2021-09-24 17:40
Visas and residency section updated: If you need support with your residency application, contact the relevant UK Nationals Support Fund organisation before 31 October 2021
2021-02-19 11:18
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.
2020-09-17 14:41
Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK Nationals Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
2020-09-09 13:03
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
2020-05-06 15:03
Healthcare section updated to include details on how to use the new online platform for ordering prescriptions.
2020-01-23 15:33
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
2019-09-23 17:32
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
2019-09-03 17:44
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
2019-04-15 13:06
EU Exit update: updates on 'Passports and Travel', 'Pensions' and 'Returning to the UK' sections
2019-04-09 16:17
EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections