One of the most well-liked nations in all of Europe is Greece, which borders North Macedonia and Bulgaria to the north, Albania to the northwest, and Turkey to the northeast is at Europe’s crossroads and considered the birthplace of Western civilization. At the moment, it has an estimated population of 11 420 163. Greek is the official language.
The euro is the official currency (EUR). Greece is a crucial member of the European Union and the Schengen region, which benefits its citizens in several ways. A residence permit may be obtained in Greece. A visa is necessary for brief stays of up to 90 days.
Immigration services
The Ministry of Interior (General Secretariat for Population and Social Cohesion), specifically its Departments of Migration Policy and Social Integration, is in charge of Greece’s immigration and integration policies.
Returning foreign nationals living in Greece unlawfully is the responsibility of both the Greek police and the Ministry of Public Order and Citizens Protection. The major independent organization in the nation responsible for reviewing requests for asylum and international protection is the Asylum Service. This service aids in the development of national policy. By giving the new Refugees Authority administrative support when claims for international protection are first denied, it ensures collaboration with the EU and other international organizations.
Lawful immigration
Immigrants must adhere to all legal conditions outlined by Greek law to live in Greece legitimately. The principal law governing non-EU immigrant immigration to Greece allows for entrance to the country, residence, establishment, and the expulsion of anyone discovered to be in the nation unlawfully. Various choices are available based on the goal of the visit.
Three generations of a family may now take advantage of the “visa by investment” program thanks to new regulations adopted by the Greek government. For instance, as part of the Greek Permanent Resident Programme, a real estate investment of merely EUR 250 000 will provide you with a five-year renewable residence visa. For those wishing to apply for permanent residence, there is no minimum stay requirement. Greece also participates in the EU’s Schengen visa-free travel area. Therefore, individuals who have a Greek permanent residence permit—also known as a “Greek Golden Visa”—are free to travel anywhere in the European Union.
Greek permanent residency permits typically take two months to get and are renewable every five years.
Flows of people into and out of the Schengen region
Greece is a nation that belongs to both the European Union and the Schengen region. Passport and immigration checks at internal borders have been successfully eliminated in member states of the Schengen Agreement. Travelers are free to roam around the EU’s borders without being subject to passport checks or other immigration restrictions thanks to the Schengen Agreement’s member states. At exterior borders, there are still passport checks and immigration inspections in effect. Additionally, Schengen visas granted by other Schengen states are recognized by member states. Normal immigration control procedures still apply at the external border or upon initial entry into a Schengen area member state. However, admission to any Schengen country is typically recognized as admission to the entire Schengen area, without the need for any additional passport or visa controls.
If they have permission to live in Greece or a residence card, citizens of other countries are allowed to extend their stays in the country beyond the initial 90-day limit. As a result of the stringent immigration regulations, it may be difficult to obtain a residence permit or any other immigration document that is valid for a long stay. On the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is a list of the legal justifications that can be used to request resident permits.
