GreeceResidence

Greece retirement visa (financially independent persons)

Residence permit for persons with sufficient resources (financially independent persons, category I.8)

In short

Retirees and others who can live in Greece on their own stable income, such as a pension, rents or investments, can obtain a national visa and then the residence permit for persons with sufficient resources. The Ministry of Migration set the required level at EUR 3,500 per month.

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

Key facts

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.
Fee
€75Standard national D visa fee (EU Immigration Portal); the residence permit has its own fee.
Funds required
€3,500 per monthSufficient resources for the I.8 category set by the Ministry of Migration and Asylum (Circular 6, 2024).
Family
Family members are not subject to the family reunification approval procedure for this category and apply for their own permits.
Path to permanent residence
Five years of lawful residence opens the long-term resident route if its income, insurance and integration conditions are met.
Where to apply
In person at the Greek embassy or consulate where you legally reside, by appointment with the mission.

Who it suits

People who want to live in Greece without working and can cover their living costs from stable income: pensions, rental income, dividends or interest. It is the Greek equivalent of a retirement visa. Remote workers should use the digital nomad route instead.

Income level

The Ministry of Migration and Asylum fixed sufficient resources for this category at EUR 3,500 per month, the same level as for digital nomads. Prove it with pension statements, rental contracts and bank records showing regular payments.

Procedure

Apply for the national visa in person at the Greek mission of your residence with the general documents and the income evidence. After entry, apply online for the residence permit before the visa expires. Health cover must meet the full-insurance rules; private policies must cover the risks and benefits fixed by joint ministerial decision.

  1. Gather proof of at least EUR 3,500 monthly income and suitable health insurance.
  2. Request a national visa appointment at the competent Greek mission and attend the interview.
  3. Enter Greece and apply online for the I.8 residence permit before the visa expires.
  4. Give biometrics, collect the permit and register with the tax office for a tax number.

Forms

Renewal

Renew online within the two months before expiry, showing that your income and insurance continue and that you met your Greek tax obligations.

Documents

Required documents

Identity

  • Signed national visa application form with a recent ICAO-standard colour photo; it doubles as a solemn declaration that the data are true.
  • Passport issued within the last 10 years, valid at least 3 months after the planned departure, with at least two blank pages.

Money

  • Proof of stable income of at least EUR 3,500 per month: pension certificate, rental contracts, investment statements, bank records.

Insurance

  • Travel insurance for at least the length of the visa, covering emergency care, hospitalisation and medical repatriation.
  • Health insurance meeting the Greek full-cover rules for residence permits.

Other

  • Criminal record certificate from the country of residence; the consulate may also ask for one from the country of nationality.
  • Medical certificate on the official model (Annex II) from a recognised public or private institution, confirming no disease that threatens public health.

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Other

  • Rental contract or title deed for your home in Greece.

Frequently asked questions

Does a foreign pension count as income?

Yes, a regular pension is a stable resource; show official statements of the monthly amount converted into euro.

Can I work on this permit?

The category is designed for living on your own resources. If you want to work, apply for a permit that gives access to employment.

Is a property purchase required?

No. Owning or renting a home is enough to show where you will live; buying property is a separate route, the golden visa.

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

Residence

  • Golden visa and residence by investment Maximum stay: Permanent residence right while the investment is held; the card is renewed every five years.
  • 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