GreeceFamily

Greece family reunification visa

Family reunification with a third-country national resident in Greece (category O.1)

In short

Third-country nationals living legally in Greece can bring their spouse and minor children. The sponsor files an online approval request with the Decentralised Administration; after police and consular opinions, the consulate issues national visas and the family members apply for permits in Greece. Income must reach the annual minimum wage plus increments for each family member.

Apply on Ministry of Migration and Asylum – electronic applications checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Validity
Family permits run for the same period as the sponsor’s permit.
Processing time
Police (public order) and consular (family link) opinions are due within 90 days, extendable by 30 in exceptional cases; then the approval is issued.
Work
Family members have access to employment and to education and vocational training under the conditions of their permit.
Family
Spouse aged over 18 and unmarried minor children of the sponsor or spouse; only one spouse is recognised.
Path to permanent residence
After five years of residence family members can obtain an autonomous permit or long-term resident status if they meet the conditions.
Where to apply
Approval requested in Greece by the sponsor; national visas issued by the Greek mission where the family lives; permits applied for in Greece.

Categories outside this procedure

Families of EU Blue Card holders (E.1), intra-corporate transferees (E.2), E.3 special-purpose workers, digital nomads, investors, researchers and holders of the sufficient-resources permit do not need the reunification approval: relatives apply directly under their own rules.

Sponsor requirements

According to the EU Immigration Portal, the sponsor must have resided lawfully in Greece for the last two years. Income must be at least the annual minimum wage, increased by 20% for the spouse and 15% for each child; the Ministry bases the calculation on the net annual income of a minimum-wage earner. The sponsor also proves adequate housing and full health cover for every family member.

Three stages

First, the sponsor submits the reunification request electronically to the one-stop service of the Decentralised Administration where they live, signing the standard information form through gov.gr. The police give an opinion on public order and the consulate checks the family relationship within 90 days. Once approved, the family members apply for national visas at the Greek mission and, after entry, for residence permits in Greece.

  1. The sponsor checks two years of lawful residence, income, housing and insurance.
  2. The sponsor files the reunification request online with the Decentralised Administration and signs the form through gov.gr.
  3. Police and consular opinions are given within 90 days; the approval is issued.
  4. Family members apply for national visas at the Greek mission in their country.
  5. After arrival, each family member applies for a residence permit before the visa expires.

Forms

Renewal and own permit

At renewal each family member reapplies, showing that the family link and the tax and insurance position continue. After five years of lawful continuous residence, family members can request their own long-term permit if they meet the income, insurance and integration conditions.

Refusal

Reasoned decisions can be challenged before the issuing authority or the administrative court.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Sponsor’s valid residence permit and passport copies of all family members.

Money

  • Sponsor’s income proof reaching the annual minimum wage plus 20% for the spouse and 15% per child.

Family

  • Civil-status documents proving marriage or parentage, recent, officially certified (for example apostilled) and translated.

Insurance

  • Proof of full health cover for all family members.

Other

  • Proof of adequate accommodation in Greece for all family members.

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Family

  • For children of a previous marriage: custody decision or the other parent’s consent.

Frequently asked questions

Can I bring my parents?

The general rules cover the spouse and minor children. Some categories, such as investors, have wider family definitions; check the rules of the sponsor’s permit.

Are unmarried partners covered?

The EU Immigration Portal describes reunification for spouses aged over 18; ask the Decentralised Administration about registered partnerships.

My spouse is Greek. Is this the right page?

No. Family members of Greek citizens follow a separate route with a five-year residence card; see the spouse page.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Greece

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the whole Schengen area.
  • Investor visa Validity: Five years, renewable for the same period while the investment continues or operates.

Study and training

Work

  • Work visa Maximum stay: Long stay; the visa is converted into the residence permit.
  • EU Blue Card Maximum stay: Long stay; the card allows residence and work in Greece.
  • Intra-company transfer visa Maximum stay: Total transfer period across the EU: up to 3 years for managers and specialists, 1 year for trainees.
  • Seasonal work visa Maximum stay: Up to nine months of residence and work in any 12-month period on the E.6 permit; leave Greece for the remaining three months.
  • Digital nomad visa Maximum stay: Visa for up to 12 months; residence permit afterwards.

Family

  • Spouse and partner visa Validity: Five years; renewed for another five years where needed for the children’s situation.

Residence

  • Golden visa and residence by investment Maximum stay: Permanent residence right while the investment is held; the card is renewed every five years.
  • Retirement visa Validity: Under the Migration Code initial permits are, as a rule, issued for three years and renewed for the same period; the exact validity is printed on the permit.
  • Permanent residence Validity: M.1: five years, renewable for five years. M.2: ten years, then automatic conversion to M.1 if absences were limited.

Protection

Greece visa guide