Greece spouse visa for family of Greek citizens

The Residence Card for family members of Greek citizens (type O.3) is issued to third-country nationals who are family members of a Greek and enter Greece with a uniform or limited territorial visa. Spouses and civil partners are the main group. It also covers parents of minor Greek nationals living in Greece, however the children acquired Greek nationality, and the minor siblings of those children.

The marriage certificate must be issued by a Greek authority. If you married outside Greece, the Greek spouse first registers the marriage with the Special Registry Office, which then issues the certificate. A recent family status certificate of the Greek citizen is also required. Civil partners show the registration certificate plus family status certificates of both partners.

You also prove legal presence in Greece, normally with the Schengen visa or entry stamp; holders of another EU state's residence permit must apply within three months of entering Greece.

The Attica checklist asks for a certified copy of your passport, proof of legal residence, the Greek marriage certificate and family status certificate, and a certified copy of the Greek spouse's identity card. For health cover you either print your insurance record from e-EFKA showing your AMKA, AMA and tax number (AFM), or submit a private policy. For the card you add four recent 40x60 mm colour photos on a white background, also on CD in JPEG 2000, and a translated birth certificate if the passport lacks the place of birth in Latin letters.

If your nationality needs a visa, the spouse of a Greek first applies for a Schengen visa at the Greek mission responsible for their place of residence, showing the marriage and the Greek spouse’s ID. After entry you apply in Greece, at the Aliens and Migration Directorate of the Decentralised Administration where you live, and pay only the EUR 16 card fee. Keep the proof of submission until the card is issued.

The card is valid for five years, even if that runs beyond a child's 21st birthday. If it expires before the child turns 21 and the five years needed for the ten-year permit are not yet complete, it is renewed for one more five-year period. After five years of continuous lawful residence with the Greek family member you can move to the ten-year M.2 permit, which later converts into long-term resident status.

The Ministry of Migration and Asylum call centre (213 212 8400) and the Decentralised Administration of your place of residence answer questions on documents and appointments; the Attica administration's line is +30 213 2035 600.