How long can you live in Greece?

If you wish to stay in Greece for longer than 90 days within a 180-day period, you should apply for a visa at Greek Embassy or Greek Consulate prior to your arrival in Greece. Visas may be issued for property owners, students, employment, athletes, coaches, etc.



The length of time you can live in Greece depends on your nationality and residency status in 2026. For EU/EEA citizens, there is no limit; you have the right to live, work, and retire in Greece indefinitely, though you must register with the local authorities after three months. For non-EU citizens (like those from the US, UK, or Canada), you can stay for up to 90 days within a 180-day period as a tourist without a visa. To stay longer, you must apply for a specific residence permit. Popular options include the "Golden Visa", which grants a five-year renewable residency in exchange for a real estate investment (the threshold for which was raised in many areas to €800,000 in 2024-2025). Another option is the Digital Nomad Visa, which allows remote workers to live in Greece for up to two years. There is also the "Financially Independent Person" (FIP) visa for those with a steady foreign income. After living in Greece legally for seven consecutive years, you may be eligible to apply for Greek citizenship, provided you meet language and cultural integration requirements, allowing you to live there for the rest of your life as a citizen.

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Legal Requirements for Permanent Residence in Greece Greece's residency program requires the application for the permanent residence permit to be filed with the The applicant must also have the following: Hold a temporary residence permit for at least five years.

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Citizens. If you wish to stay in Greece for longer than 90 days within a 180-day period, you should apply for a visa at Greek Embassy or Greek Consulate prior to your arrival in Greece. Visas may be issued for property owners, students, employment, athletes, coaches, etc.

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In Greece, fines for overstaying the 90 day visa free period run from €600 to €1,200. If you are unable to depart before your 90 day limit and wish to apply for an extension, you must contact the closest Aliens Bureau at least two weeks prior to your required departure date to apply for an extension of stay.

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The most remarkable cons of life in Greece include high bureaucracy levels, frequent strikes and demonstrations, unemployment, and underwhelming tourist traps. How expensive is Greece? The price levels in Greece are 12% below the EU average.

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It is 54% less expensive to live in Greece than living in the USA. The average cost of living for one person in Greece is $1020/month while it's $2213/month in the USA. For a family to live in Greece, the average is $2483/month vs $5003/month to live in the United States.

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What are the most popular cities for expats in Greece? Athens and Thessaloniki are popular destinations in Greece among expats. Thessaloniki is famous for its high-tech industries, while on the other hand, Athens offers rich culture, history and diversity for expats.

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As a non-EU citizen moving to Greece, you will need to get a D visa, also known as a National Visa (long-stay). This type of visa is required for all non-EU citizens that want to reside in Greece for the long term.

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Although the official language in Greece and Athens is Greek, English is also widely spoken, so you shouldn't experience any problems when visiting the city. English is very widely spoken in Greece, especially in the most touristy parts of the city.

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The parity of the euro to the dollar has positively impacted the cost of living in Greece for expats. The dollar goes further than it ever has, making every day, and especially larger purchases, more affordable. If you're considering purchasing real estate in Greece, now is an opportune time to take the plunge!

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