Patricia Casaburi The FIP Visa Greece (Financially Independent Person Visa) is a residency option for retirees and financially independent individuals who want to live in Greece without needing employment. To qualify, applicants must demonstrate they have enough financial resources, such as savings or passive income, to support themselves while living in the country.
The Greece FIP Visa is perfect for those who want to enjoy Greece’s Mediterranean lifestyle, whether you’re a retiree eager to explore the country’s rich history or a digital nomad looking for a long-term residence. It provides a great opportunity to make Greece your home without needing employment.
This guide will cover everything you need to know about the Greece FIP residency permit, from the eligibility criteria, application process, minimum income requirements, and more.
What is the FIP visa in Greece?
The Greece Financially Independent Person (FIP) Visa is a residency visa for non-EU nationals who can prove they have enough financial resources to support themselves without needing to work in Greece. Applicants must demonstrate that their income comes from passive sources, such as savings, investments, or other forms of passive income, to cover their living expenses in the country. The visa is granted for one year and can be renewed as long as the applicant continues to meet the financial requirements. The FIP residency permit is ideal for retirees or individuals with passive income who wish to live in Greece without the need for local employment.
Benefits of the Greece FIP Visa
No investment requirements: Unlike many residency programs, the Greece FIP Visa doesn’t require investing in real estate or making a significant financial investment in the country.- Freedom to travel: Obtaining a residency visa for Greece allows you to travel across the EU easily. You can enjoy freedom of movement throughout the Schengen Area.
- Family inclusion: While there are financial requirements, you can bring family along. The FIP Greece Visa extends residency rights to dependent children and spouses.
- Stunning Mediterranean lifestyle: Residing in Greece is the ultimate adventure for those who want endless sunshine. With stunning coastlines, a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle, and fascinating history, Greece is the epitome of Mediterranean living.
- No language proficiency: Unlike many EU Golden Visa programs, the Greece FIP Visa requirements do not include a language proficiency test.
- Flexibility: While the Greece FIP residency program is predominantly for retirees, there is no maximum age limit. Anyone over 18 can apply, making it a fantastic choice for all financially independent people. So, whether you’re a remote worker with enough savings or looking to spend your golden years soaking up the sun, the FIP visa program may be the ideal option.
- Path to permanent residency and citizenship: The FIP Greece Visa can lead to permanent residency after five years of legal residence and, after seven years, potentially Greek citizenship if residency requirements are met.
No investment requirements: Unlike many residency programs, the Greece FIP Visa doesn’t require investing in real estate or making a significant financial investment in the country.Greek FIP Visa Requirements
To apply for the Greece FIP Visa, you must meet the following criteria:
- Non-EU/EEA citizen: The visa is only available to non-EU/EEA citizens.
- Sufficient income requirements: Applicants must demonstrate a stable annual income of at least €3,500 per month, plus an additional 20% for a spouse and 15% per dependent child. Alternatively, enough savings to last for the duration of the three-year visa (€72,000 in savings for the main applicant, €86,400 for a married couple, or €112,000 for a family of four).
- Proof of income sources: Income sources cannot be from salary or business income. The most popular options include pension, dividends, long-term rental income, fixed-rate savings, or other non-employment sources. It must be enough to cover living expenses for the duration of the stay in Greece.
- Health insurance: Applicants must have comprehensive private health insurance covering their stay in Greece.
- Clean criminal record: A police clearance certificate is required to demonstrate good character.
- Greek residency requirements: Applicants must spend at least 183 days within the country to maintain their residence status.
Read our Greece Golden Visa Guide
FIP Visa Greece Required Documents
You will need the following documents for your FIP Visa application:
- A valid passport.
- Passport photographs.
- Proof of funds: This can include bank account balances, pension statements, social security pension etc.
- Proof of accommodation for the full duration of your stay in Greece.
- Proof of private health insurance coverage.
- Certificate of good health.
- Clean criminal record certificate.
Greek FIP Visa Application Process
Here is the step-by-step process for applying for the Greece FIP Visa 2025:
- Step one: Gather necessary documents: Collect all required paperwork, including financial statements, proof of accommodation, and health insurance.
- Step two: Submit the FIP Visa application: The main applicant must apply at the Greek Consulate in their country of residence or origin. Applications are accepted by appointment only.
- Step three: Receive the FIP Visa: Once the application is submitted, the visa is typically issued within 10 days. The FIP Visa is valid for up to 12 months, allowing the applicant to enter Greece and begin the next steps toward residency.
- Step four: Enter Greece and apply for a residence permit: Before the visa expires, the applicant must travel to Greece and apply for a temporary residence permit at the Ministry of Immigration. This step must be completed in person, as biometric data registration is required.
- Step five: Receive proof of application: After submitting the residence permit application online, the system generates a proof of filing document. This document acts as a temporary residence permit, allowing the applicant and their family, if applicable, to remain in Greece beyond the 90-day tourist limit while waiting for the official residence permit.
- Step six: Obtain the residence permit: The temporary residence card is issued within three months of the application date. It is initially valid for three years and can be renewed if the financial requirements are maintained.
FIP Greek Visa Validity and Renewal
The FIP Greek Visa is initially issued for three years. To renew the permit, you must meet the financial requirements again and provide updated documentation to prove you still have sufficient passive income or savings to support yourself.
The visa does not allow access to the labor market, meaning you cannot work in Greece under this permit. Additionally, there is a minimum stay requirement of 183 days per calendar year in Greece to qualify for the renewal.
Cost of the FIP Visa Greece
The Greece residency permit application can cost anywhere between €150-€300 per applicant. The residence card costs an additional €16.
Tax for FIP Visa Greece
Before you make the big move to Greece, it’s important to understand how the taxes in Greece work for the FIP Visa.
Firstly, since obtaining a residence permit in Greece requires staying in the country for 183 days in the year, this automatically makes you a tax resident.
However, Greece has double-tax treaty agreements with many countries worldwide, meaning you will not be taxed twice. Luckily, the Greece Flat tax is also applicable under the FIP visa. The flat tax offers retirees a 7% tax annually on foreign pension income.
Additionally, high-net-worth individuals have an annual flat tax of €100,000 on all foreign-sourced income.
FIP Greece Visa Processing Time
The total processing time for the FIP Visa in Greece is three months. The visa is issued within 10 days, while the residence permit takes up to three months to be processed after arriving in Greece.
Greece FIP Visa Route to Permanent Residency
The Greece Financially Independent Persons (FIP) Visa is a temporary residence permit that can be renewed indefinitely as long as you continue to meet the financial and other eligibility requirements.
To become a permanent resident of Greece through this visa program, you must:
- Show proof of sufficient income
- Have a registered address in Greece through homeownership or a long-term rental agreement.
- Must reside in Greece for at least five years without staying outside the country for more than six consecutive months or a total of ten months during that period.
- Demonstrate A2-level Greek language proficiency, or if you don’t meet this requirement, the minimum residence period in Greece increases to 12 years.
Path to citizenship
You can become eligible to apply for Greek citizenship through the FIP visa program after seven years of residence in Greece. However, you must first qualify for long-term residence by living in Greece for five years on the FIP visa, then live an additional 2 years in the country to apply for citizenship.
To qualify, you must successfully pass both a written and oral exam, earning the Certificate of Adequacy of Knowledge for Naturalization, which proves you are:
- Proficient in the Greek language
- Familiar with Greek history, culture, and heritage
- Able to integrate into the Greek community
It’s important to note that citizenship is optional. If your home country doesn’t allow dual citizenship or if you choose not to pursue Greek citizenship for personal reasons, you can continue residing in Greece as a long-term resident.
Greece Residency Alternatives
If you don’t meet the FIP Residency Visa criteria, the Greek Golden Visa program is a popular alternative. It offers residency in exchange for significant financial contributions, such as investing a minimum of €250,000 in real estate. This visa provides flexibility, visa-free travel, and the benefit of free movement within the Schengen Area, with a possible pathway to Greek citizenship after seven years.
Additionally, the Greece Digital Nomad Visa is designed for non-EU/EEA remote workers who wish to live in Greece and who have a temporary residency permit valid for 12 months. It allows digital nomads to legally reside in Greece while working for companies outside the country, providing a unique opportunity to work remotely in a Mediterranean setting.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
Frequently Asked Questions About the FIP Visa Greece
What is the FIP visa in Greece?
The Financially Independent Person (FIP) visa is a Greek residency visa designed for non-EU citizens who can support themselves without working in Greece. It allows holders to reside in Greece based on sufficient passive income or financial savings, making it an attractive option for retirees and remote income earners.
Who is eligible to apply for the Greek FIP visa?
The Greek FIP visa is an excellent option for those looking to retire or live in Greece without working for a Greek employer. It covers the primary applicant, their spouse, and dependent children under the age of 21.
What are the requirements for the financially independent person (FIP) visa in Greece?
To qualify for the FIP visa, applicants must:
- Obtain health insurance covering their stay in Greece.
- Be a non-EU citizen.
- Demonstrate a stable, passive income (such as pensions, rental income, or investments).
- Have sufficient savings or financial means to support themselves without working in Greece.
- Provide proof of accommodation (rental agreement or property ownership).
How much income is needed to qualify for the FIP visa in Greece?
Applicants must demonstrate a stable annual passive income of at least €3,500 per month, plus an additional 20% for a spouse and 15% per dependent child. Alternatively, enough savings to last for the duration of the three-year visa (€72,000 in savings for the main applicant, €86,400 for a married couple, or €112,000 for a family of four).
What documents are required for the Greece FIP visa application?
Document requirements for the FIP Visa include:
- A valid passport
- Passport photographs
- Proof of funds
- Proof of accommodation
- Proof of private health insurance coverage
- Type D Visa
- Certificate of good health
- Clean criminal record certificate
Is the Greece FIP visa renewable?
Yes! The initial residency visa is granted for two years and can be extended for a further three years.
How long does the FIP visa for Greece last?
The FIP visa itself is valid for up to 12 months. Once in Greece, the residence permit issued is valid for 2 years, with the possibility of renewal for 3 additional years.
What are the benefits of obtaining a Greece FIP visa?
- No investment requirements
- Freedom to travel within Schengen countries
- Family inclusion (spouse and dependent children)
- Stunning Mediterranean lifestyle
- No language proficiency required
- Flexibility (no maximum age limit, open to all financially independent individuals)
- Possibility of obtaining permanent residency after five years
Can I bring my family with a Greece FIP visa?
Absolutely, applicants are free to add their dependent children and spouse on their FIP visa. However, the financial requirements change for each additional applicant.
What are the tax implications for FIP visa holders in Greece?
Since holding a Greek residence permit requires staying in the country for at least 183 days per year, this automatically makes you a Greek tax resident. However, Greece has double tax treaties with many countries. Additionally, FIP visa holders may benefit from Greece’s flat tax schemes. Retirees can enjoy a 7% annual tax rate on foreign pension income, while high-net-worth individuals can opt for a €100,000 flat tax on all foreign-sourced income.
Do you need a Greek bank account for the FIP visa?
No, as of 2024, you no longer need a Greek bank account to meet the FIP visa requirements.
Does the Greece FIP Visa lead to citizenship?
The Greece FIP Visa can lead to citizenship. After living in Greece for five years, you can apply for permanent residency. Once you’ve held legal residency for a total of seven years — including time on the FIP Visa — you can apply for Greek citizenship through naturalization. You’ll need to show integration into Greek society, financial stability, and pass a Greek language and culture exam.
