Retiring in Greece: the visa situation
As of our last check, Greece offers a dedicated retirement route: the Financially Independent Person (FIP) national long-stay visa and residence permit.
The income requirement is on the high side, so check carefully that your income clears it. Minimum passive income of about EUR 3,500 per month for a single applicant, plus roughly 20% (EUR 700) for a spouse and 15% (EUR 525) per dependent child. Over USD 3,000 per month, so a high band.
For US and UK retirees this is the Greek national path, not EU freedom of movement. Enter on a long-stay visa valid up to 12 months, then obtain a temporary residence permit valid three years and renewable. Income must be passive (pension, rental, dividends); the permit does not grant labour market access. Path to permanent residency after five years.
Verified against globalcitizensolutions.com, last checked 2026-07-03.
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Financially Independent Person (FIP) national long-stay visa and residence permit
Minimum passive income of about EUR 3,500 per month for a single applicant, plus roughly 20% (EUR 700) for a spouse and 15% (EUR 525) per dependent child. Over USD 3,000 per month, so a high band.
For US and UK retirees this is the Greek national path, not EU freedom of movement. Enter on a long-stay visa valid up to 12 months, then obtain a temporary residence permit valid three years and renewable. Income must be passive (pension, rental, dividends); the permit does not grant labour market access. Path to permanent residency after five years.
Before you act on this
Visa rules, income thresholds and processing practice change, sometimes with little notice. This page reflects what we could verify on the dates shown, nothing more. Always confirm the current requirements with the official immigration authority or a licensed immigration adviser before making plans, and treat the linked source as the authority, not us.
See how Greece scores overall
The visa is one of six axes. RetireScore 73/100, ranked 21 of 40 countries on the default weights.