Living in Greece

This guide sets out essential information for British citizens about moving to or living in Greece. Read about how the consulate in Athens, our vice consulates in Corfu, Crete, Rhodes and honorary vice consulate in Zakynthos can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should obtainget definitive information from the Greek authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date:

• sign up for email alerts
• follow the British Embassy inAthens Greece on Facebook and Twitter
• join the Facebook page for Brits in Greece

If you were living in Greece before 1 January 2021

Some parts of this guide only apply if you werehave been living in Greece since before 1 January 2021. TheseYou areshould indicatedread withthese sub-headings.in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.

You should also read our Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Coronavirus

YouFollow should follow the advice of the Greek government and your local authority. You canshould also read ourthe Greece travel advice.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Greece, seeread our coronavirus travel advice.

Visas and residency

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

Check the entry requirements for Greece.

You should also read:

• the Greek Embassy in London’s guidance on national visas
• the Greek government’s guidance on residence permits for real estate owners in Greece

Visas and residency if you were living in Greece before 1 January 2021

If you have lived in Greece since before 1 January 2021, you and your family members have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

All UK nationals resident in Greece before 1 January 2021 should get the new biometric residence document.document The(Engrafo deadlineDiamonis for18 getting(4) theΣΑ newΈγγραφο documentΔιαμονής). hasIt beenshows extended,that butyou nohave daterights yetunder the Withdrawal Agreement. The Greek government has beennot confirmedyet byset a deadline for getting the Greekdocument, Government.

Thisbut deadlineconfirmed that it will be indicativeindicative. whichThis means that your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement will not be affected if you do not meet the deadline. However, we strongly recommend that you getrequest the biometricEngrafo residenceDiamonis document18 as(4). soonIt asalso possible.shows your right to enter Greece and exempts you from the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and visa requirements.

Read the Greek Ministerial Decision on residence documents (in Greek) and the related announcement from the Hellenic Police (including a series of Q&As).

To request the document:

• if you live in Attica and Thessaloniki regions, visit your nearest Hellenic Police station that has an Aliens Department
• if you live elsewhere, visit your nearest General Regional Police Directorate that has an Aliens Department
• non-EU family members should visit their nearest Directorate for Aliens and Migration of the Decentralized Administrations

If you have been legally resident in Greece for:

• over 5 years: you will be eligible for permanent residency and a 10-year renewableresidence residency document which you should renew when it expires
• less than 5 years: you will be eligible for a document withvalid for 5 yearsyears. validityAfter 5 years, when you renew it, you will get a 10-year residence document.

ToRead request the document:

• ifHellenic youpolice’s liveguidance inon Atticahow andto Thessalonikirenew regions, visit your nearestresidence Hellenicdocument.

  The PoliceGreek stationauthorities thatwill hasonly anaccept Aliensyour Department

• application if you liveinclude elsewhere,all visitthe yourdocuments nearestthat Generalthey Regionalrequest. PoliceWhen Directorateyour thatapplication hasis anaccepted, Aliensyou Department
• non-EUwill familybe membersgiven shoulda visittemporary theircertificate. nearestYou Directoratecan foruse Aliensthis anduntil Migrationyou ofreceive theyour Decentralizedbiometric Administrations

residence document.

You should also read the Greek government’s website for UK nationals living in Greece and submit any questions inusing the contact form.

If provided.your mobility is impaired, for example you are bedridden, hospitalised, in a nursing home or care facility, you do not need to request the biometric residence document in person. You can authorise a family member or lawyer to apply on your behalf. You can also ask a police officer to collect your application and supporting documents, and take your biometric data (fingerprints). You will need a medical certificate to confirm that your mobility is impaired. If you lack mental capacity, your representative will need to provide a medical certificate confirming your condition.

If you have problems with your request for a biometric residence document, contact the Department of Citizenship, Homogeneous and European Union Citizens of Aliens Division of the Hellenic Police Headquarters.

If you need further information on how to secure your residency, you may find useful the EuroBrits Greece guidance on residency.

MovingAppeals to Greeceprocess

CheckIf your biometric residence document application is refused, the entryrefusal requirementsletter forwill Greece.explain how you can appeal. You must appeal within 20 days of the refusal decision. You will be given a Certificate of Legal Residence (Ειδική Βεβαίωση Νόμιμης Διαμονής). This shows that you continue to have full Withdrawal Agreement rights until there is a final decision on your appeal.

The Director of the relevant Aliens Division will make a decision within 30 days. If your appeal is refused, you can make a further appeal to the Administrative courts. You shouldcan alsocontinue read:to stay in Greece until you get a decision on this appeal.

• If your appeals are refused, you may be able to apply for the Greekrelevant Embassypermit inunder London’sthe guidancerules onfor third country nationals. A third country national visas

• is someone who does not have EU, EEA or Swiss nationality.

  Family members

  Your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in Greece at any time in the Greekfuture. government’sRead guidancemore information on residencewho permitsthis forapplies realto estatein ownersthe Living in GreeceEurope guidance

.

Nationals of certain non-EU countries may need a visa before travel. The Greek authorities should issue family reunion visas free of charge.

Passports and travel

Coronavirus travel restrictions may affect travel to and from Greece.

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

Check the Greece travel advice for passport validity requirements.

Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area. If you have citizenship of an EU /or European Free Trade AreaAssociation (EFTA),(EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Greece using your EU /or EFTA country passport.

If you stay in Greece with a Greek residence permitdocument or long stay visa, this time does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.

If you visit other Schengen area countries outside Greece, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.

Different rules apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

If you were living in Greece before 1 January 2021

When you travel, especiallyin withinaddition theto Schengenyour area,valid youpassport, should carry withyour you:residence document:

• yourregistration Registration certificate “Veveosi‘Veveosi Engrafis - Βεβαίωση Εγγραφής”Εγγραφής’ or
• yourpermanent Permanentresidence Residencecertificate Certificate‘Engrafo “Engrafo Monimis Diamonis - Έγγραφο Μόνιμης Διαμονής”Διαμονής’ if you had registered before 1 January 2021 or
• your 18 (4) WA residence document “Engrafo‘Engrafo Diamonis 18 (4) WA - ‘ΈγγραφοΈγγραφο διαμονής 18 (4) ΣΑ”,ΣΑ’, issued under the Withdrawal Agreement

This is in addition to your valid passport.

You must proactively show your residence document, or other evidence of residence status, if you are asked to show your passport at border control. Other evidence may be your tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020. If you have applied for, but not yet received, your residence document, carryshow your certificate of registration.

If you cannot prove that you are resident in Greece, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the SchengenEU. area,Your and your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in the country or countries where you live or work. If a passport is stamped, the stamp is considered null and void when you can show evidence of lawful residence.

If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you can enter and exit Greece with your valid UK passport. You do not need any extraadditional monthsvalidity on yourthe passport tobeyond enterthe ordates exiton EUwhich countries.you are travelling.

Healthcare

Read our guidance on healthcare in Greece and make sure you are correctly registered for your circumstances.

Read the Greek government guidance on EHICs and S1s:.

• EOPYY

  Travel guideinsurance is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas

• check.

  If theyou relevantdo EOPYYnot notificationhave forany serviceshealthcare providedinsurance, fromyou 1can Januaryget 2021medical totreatments UKor nationalsdiagnostic andtests familyfrom memberspublic hospitals and holdersprimary ofhealthcare EHIC,centres. CRARead UKthe Greek Ministerial Decision on uninsured citizens’ access to medical treatments and S1diagnostic UKtests.

If you’re(in leavingGreek). theYou UKwill withalso only be able to get prescription medicine thatfrom containshospital apharmacies controlledor drug,pharmacies checkregistered with the embassyEOPYY abouthealthcare thefund rules(in Greek). 

COVID-19 vaccination

If you live in Greece and are over 60 years old, you must be vaccinated for COVID-19. If you are not vaccinated, you will need to pay €100 each month.

Read the countryGreek you’relegislation goingon fines (in Greek) to beforecheck if you travelare considered unvaccinated. The rules, exemptions and NaTHNaCfines guidancedepend on travellingyour withpersonal medicines.circumstances.

YouIf your COVID-19 vaccination certificate was issued abroad, you should alsoregister readit on the Greek government’s online platform using your Taxisnet access code and your AMKA or PAMKA number, or at your nearest KEP office. If you do not register your vaccination certificate, the Greek authorities will consider you as unvaccinated.

Read the guidance on:

• finding an English-speaking doctor in Greece
• our step by step guide to accessaccessing the Greek government’s online platform for ordering prescriptions within Greece (some information in Greek)
• healthcare when travelling inwith Europemedicines
• advice on foreign travel insurance
• bringing medicine containing a controlled drug into the UK

Working in Greece

If you are planning to move to Greece and work, you may need a visa. Read the Greek government’s guidance on working in Greece as a foreign national and how to get a visa.

To apply for a job you may need to provide a UK criminal records check:.

For a Greek criminal records check you can apply through:

• Citizen’s Digital Locker - Ψηφιακή Θυρίδα Πολίτη
• your local Citizens Service Centre (KEP) (in Greek) if you have a Taxisnet access code
• any Criminal Records Unit at any Court of First Instance
• any Public Prosecutor’s Office
• Ministry of Justice, Transparency and Human Rights’ Independent Criminal Records Department

Read:

• working or providing services in Greece

• working in an EU country

• EU guidance on working in an EU country

If you were living in Greece before 1 January 2021

You have the right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement.Agreement.

If you live in Greece and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers.

Professional qualifications

You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Greece.

Read guidance on:

• recognition of professional qualifications
• how to get your qualification recognised in Greece

If you were living in Greece before 1 January 2021

If the relevant regulator in Greece officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your decision. You should get advice from the relevant regulator.

Studying in Greece

If you plan to study in Greece, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.

Contact the relevant higher education provider in Greece to check what fees you may have to pay.

Read:

• Greek government’s guide on residence permits for students
• continuing your studies in the EU
• studying in the European Union
• healthcare for students in Greece

If you were living in Greece before 1 January 2021

The studying in the European Union guidance includes specific information forif thoseyou who were already living in Greece before 1 January 2021.

Money, tax and bankingTax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Greece toso ensurethat you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

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

Read guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• paying income tax inif Greece
• EUyou guidanceget ona taxpension and customs,live including online shopping from the UKabroad 
• EUpaying guidanceincome ontax customsin including preferential originGreece
• EUEU factsheet on buying guidancegoods ononline excisefrom dutiesUK websites

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, ityou ismust compulsory to submit a yearly tax return.

National Insurance

Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Greece.

Declaring your assets

You must declare any assets held outside Greece and file an annual declaration of assets, alongside your annual tax return. There are severe penalties if you fail to file this, or if you give incorrect or incomplete information.

UK

National banking

insurance and social security contributions

WhetherNational UKInsurance-type bankscontributions(NIC) canare providecalled services‘social tosecurity customerscontributions’ living(SSC) in theGreece. EEAFind dependsout onif localyou lawsneed andto pay regulation.National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Greece.

ReadYou can request proof from HMRC of the time you’ve worked in the MoneyUK and andyour UK PensionNational Service’sInsurance MoneyHelperrecord.

Read guidance onon:

• national banking, insurance andfor financialworkers servicesfrom changesthe UK working in the EEA or Switzerland
• social security contributions for moreworkers informationcoming onto cross-borderthe banking.
  UK from the EEA or Switzerland

PensionsBenefits

UK benefits

Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Greece.

IfCheck youwhich areUK movingbenefits oryou retiringcan claim while abroad, youand musthow tellto theclaim UKthem.

Many governmentincome-related officesbenefits thatsuch dealas withPension yourCredit benefits,and pensionHousing andBenefit tax.cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Greek benefits

You may be eligible to claim some Greek social security benefits. Read ourguidance on Greek social security benefits.

Pensions

Read guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Greece.

Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Greece, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre tofor claimfurther information
• pensions if you’ve worked in other EU countries
• your pension from your local EFKA office(in Greek), if you have worked in Greece

Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

Life certificates for UK State Pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possiblepossible. -Your your payments may be suspended if you do not.

BenefitsMoney and banking

ReadWhether our guidance on entitlement to UK benefitsbanks andcan pensionsprovide whileservices youto arecustomers living in Greece.

If you are moving or retiring abroad, you must tell the UKEEA governmentdepends officeson thatlocal deallaws with your benefits, pension and tax.regulation.

CheckRead whichthe UKMoney benefits you can claim while abroad and howPension toService’s claimMoneyHelper them.

Manyguidance income-relatedon benefitspension such as Pension Credit and Housingretirement Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more thaninformation 4 weeks.

You can request proof from HMRC of the time you’ve worked in the UK and of your UK National Insurance record.

Greece benefits

You may be eligible to claim some Greek social security benefits. Read guidance on Greekcross-border social security benefits.banking.

Accommodation and buying property

Read our guidance on buying property abroad.

Driving in Greece

You cannot renew or replace your UK, Gibraltar, Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence if you live in Greece. Read the guidance on what you must do to drive legally in Greece:

• what you need to drive in the EU
• driving licence rules in Greece if you live there
• road travel in Greece

If you have a UK or Gibraltar driving licence

If you holdhave a valid UK or Gibraltar driving licence you can drive in Greece without restrictions.

Read the Greek government’s guidance for UK nationals living in Greece.

If you have a Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence

If you holdhave a Jersey, Guernsey or Isle of Man licence, you should contact the competent Greek Directorate of Transport & Communications in the area of your residence (in Greek) to find out what you must do to drive legally in Greece.

Disabled drivers

If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Greece, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority. Contact the Greek Directorate of Transport & Communications for the area where you live for information about the Greek disabled parking card (in Greek).

Read the EU guidance on the EU parking card for people with disabilities.

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Greece

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

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 appeargo in person atto 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 (MOT equivalent) at any official KTEO facilitation(Kendro station.Techniko Elengho Ohimaton – Vehicle Technical Control Centres).

Driving outside Greece with a Greek licence

You can use your Greek licence when visiting the UK. Keep up-to-date with the UK Highway Code.

If you go to live in the UK, you can exchange your Greek licence for a UK one without taking a test.

To drive in another country, in addition to your Greek licence, you may need to apply for an IDP (in Greek).

Read the EU guidance on:

• EU driving licences and insurance
• driving licence exchange and recognition in the EU

Voting

You cannot vote in national or local municipal elections in Greece or European Parliament elections.

You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

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

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships

If your child is born in Greece, you willcan also register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth abroadwith the UK authorities to apply for a British passport..   

If someone dies in Greece read our guidance on:

• what to do after someone dies abroad
• bereavement informationin for Greece
• finding English-speaking funeral directors in Greece

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

You may also need:

• need guidance on notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Greece.

Pets

If youyou’re havemoving ato petGreece passportwith issuedyour bypet, Greeceread orthe anotherguidance EUand memberensure state, you cancomply usewith itthe toregulations:

• taking travel with your pet abroad
• moving to GreatEU Britaincountries andwith elsewhereyour in the EU.
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the EU

Emergencies

YouDial can dial the European emergency number 112 in Greece for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:

• 100 for police
• 199 for fire brigade
• 166 for emergency medical service
• 108 for coast guard
• 197 for emergency social assistance
• 116 000 for missing children

Dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in Greece or in another EU country.

If your child is at risk of being, or has been, abducted, read the guidance on international parental child abduction, the EU guidance on child abduction and the EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.

The Greek government provides information on moving or settling with children abroad, and child custody and contact rights.

Read our information if you are a victim of rape or sexual assault in Greece.

If you’re the victim of a crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisiscrisis, abroad, contact the British Embassy Athens.

Returning to the UK

Check the COVID-19 travel guidance for entering the UK.

Tell the Greek and UK authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently.

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.

To move your pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre.

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

If you return to the UK permanently and meet the ordinarily resident test, you’ll be able to access NHS care without charge.

Useful information

• 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)

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.