Living in Greece

Attend a citizen outreach meeting

The British Embassy regularly holds events across Greece for UK nationals. Attend one of our citizen outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in Greece after Brexit.

You can also:

• read Living in the EU: prepare for Brexit
• visit the Greek government’s website about Brexit
• read Livingthe Greek legislative provisions if there’s a no-deal Brexit (articles 123 - 128, in Greek)
• read the EU:Greek preparegovernment’s forstatement on the protection of citizens’ rights after Brexit regarding the protection of citizens’ rights after Brexit

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Greece.

You must register as a resident in Greece if you want to stay for more than 3 months. Read registration certificate (Veveosi Engrafis) – permanent residence requirements.

Visas and residency after Brexit

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.

If you are resident in Greece before the end of the implementation period on 31 December 2020 you will be able to stay.

After Brexit, you may need to change your registration document for a new resident card. If you are already registered as a resident in Greece, or you register before 31 December 2020, your residence documents will be considered as temporary national residence permits.

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Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Greece.

Passports and travel after Brexit

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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.

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Healthcare

You must register for healthcare as a resident in Greece, as well as registering, where necessary, with a health insurer.

Read the NHS guidance on who is able to access healthcare in Greece and how to register.

If you are resident in Greece, you must not use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK to access healthcare in Greece.

When you travel from Greece for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:

• the EHIC covers treatment that is medically necessary until your planned return home
• an EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance
• for more information read our travel advice pages and advice on foreign travel insurance

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.

If you are a student, read the NHS guidance on healthcare and studying abroad.

You can also find an English-speaking doctor in Greece.

You must check your prescriptions are legal in Greece.

Healthcare after Brexit

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You should read the NHS guidance on healthcare in Greece asand youhow doit now,may providedchange after Brexit.

The UK has offered to continue paying the country you remainlive resident.in for your healthcare in the event of no deal, just as it does now. The government has proposed maintaining current healthcare cooperation with Greece for S1 form holders until the end of December 2020. If there’s no deal, and there is no arrangement with Greece to continue reciprocal healthcare, those receiving coverage through the S1 form will not be covered.

Your EHIC may not be valid if there’s no deal. The UK has offered to maintain the EHIC scheme if there’s no deal, however this is reliant on Greece continuing to accept UK EHICs.

Working in Greece

See working in another EU country.

You may need to apply for:

• a UK criminal records check
• a Greek criminal records check, via the Penal Records Department of the Ministry of Justice or your local Citizens Service Centre (KEP) (in Greek)

Once you have a job, you can get a social insurance number (AMKA) through your local Citizens Service Centre (KEP) (in Greek).

Working in Greece after Brexit

YourRead guidance on providing services after Brexit if you’re planning to start a business, provide a service, or do a job in a regulated profession after Brexit.

If there is a deal, your right to work will stay the same,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 remainhave residenta invalid Greece.registration certificate.

Money and tax

The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Greece to prevent income being taxed in both countries.

Read the guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• paying income tax in Greece

You must 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.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Greece. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Greece.

National Insurance

Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

If you are employed or self-employed in the EU or EEA and you have a UK-issued A1/E101 form, you will remain subject to UK legislation until the end date on the form.

If the end date on your form is after 31 October 2019, you should contact the relevant EU, EEA or Swiss authority to confirm whether you need to start paying social security contributions in that country after 31 October, as well as UK National Insurance contributions.

Find out more about social security contributions after a no-deal Brexit.

Money and tax after Brexit

If there’s no 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.

Brexit will not change existing double-taxationdouble taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Greece. Send your questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.

Pensions

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming the UK State Pension in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

If you retire to Greece, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension - contact the International Pension Centre to claim
• your pension from your local EOPYY (in Greek) office, if you have worked in Greece
• pensions from working abroad, if you have worked in other EU countries

Life certificates for UK Statestate Pensionspensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

Pensions after Brexit

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If youthere areis livinga indeal Greeceand by 31 December 2020, you will be able to count future social security contributions towards meeting the qualifying conditions for your UK State Pension.

If 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.

Benefits

There will be no changes before 31 December 2020 to the rules on claiming UK benefits in the EU, EEA or Switzerland as a result of the UK leaving the EU.

You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Greece.

• read our guidance on claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad
• use our tool to check which UK benefits you might be able to get while you’re abroad

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 may be eligible to claim some Greek social security benefits. Read guidance 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.

Benefits after Brexit

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Ifand 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’s no deal, read our guidance on benefits and pensions.

Driving in Greece

If you are a resident in Greece you shouldmust exchange your UK licence for a Greek driving licence (in Greek).Greek), as your licence may no longer be valid after Brexit. You can still use your Greek licence in the UK for short visits or exchange it for a UK licence without taking a test if you return to live in the UK.exchange.

Read guidance on:

• driving licence renewal and exchange
• what you need to drive abroad
• driving rules in Greece

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Greece

Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

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:

• cars (owned and used privately)
• pleasure craft
• motorcycles
• mobile caravans

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).

Driving after Brexit

DrivingIf there is a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same untilduring 31the Decemberimplementation 2020.period.

Read our guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit.

Voting

You may be able to vote in some UK elections.

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

If you’re resident in Greece, you can vote in local municipal and European parliamentary elections.

Voting after Brexit

After Brexit, youUK nationals will no longer be eligible to vote in local and European Parliament elections.

Births, deaths and getting married

If your child is born in Greece, you will need to register the birth abroad.

If someone dies in Greece:

• read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
• read bereavement information for Greece
• find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Greece

Find out how you can get married abroad.

Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Greece.

Pets

CurrentYou petwill 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 staychange.

Read guidance on pet travel to Europe after Brexit.

While the sameUK untilis 31still Decembera 2020.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 you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.

Read guidance on returning your cat, dog or ferret to the UK.

For moving pet travelhorses and other equines read guidance on export horses and ponies: special rules.

Emergencies

You can dial the European emergency number 112 or:

• 100 for police
• 199 for fire brigade
• 166 for emergency medical service
• 108 for coast guard
• 197 for emergency social assistance

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.

Other useful information

• travel advice for Greece
• English-speaking lawyers in Greece
• English-speaking translators and interpreters in Greece
• notary services in Greece
• Citizens Service Centre (KEP) (in Greek)
• ERMIS website (a Greek government website with central information and e-services)

Returning to the UK

Read our guidance on:

• access to benefits and services in the UK if there’s no deal
• bringing your family to the UK
• access to higher education, 19+ further education and apprenticeship funding
• importing vehicles back to the UK
• bringing your pet back to the UK
• checking your tax status after returning to the UK

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.

Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

Disclaimer

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.