Residence route
EU, EEA and Swiss nationals
No permit, no visa. Free movement applies — but the paperwork still does.
- Permit duration
- Not applicable — no permit is issued
- Headline requirement
- None for the right of residence itself.
- Where you apply
- Local authority registration in Greece, after arrival
Last verified 12 September 2026 · 1 day ago · checked by spec-import Every figure on this page was checked against its source on this date.
Governing authority: Ministry of Migration and Asylum
Free movement removes the visa, not the bureaucracy
If you hold EU, EEA or Swiss nationality you do not need a visa and you do not need a residence permit. You can arrive, live and work without asking anyone. Registration with the local authorities becomes advisable once your residence passes three months.
What free movement does not do is exempt you from the Greek administrative system. Nothing here works without an AFM tax number and an AMKA social security number: no bank account, no lease, no employment contract, no utility connection, no mobile contract, no doctor.
One useful difference in your favour
EU citizens do not need to present a residence permit to obtain an AMKA. Non-EU nationals do, which means they must complete the immigration process first. For you the sequence is shorter: get the AFM, then the AMKA, then everything else.
If you hold a UK passport
This page is not for you. UK nationals are third-country nationals now. Those resident in Greece before the end of 2020 were handled through a dedicated platform under the Withdrawal Agreement; new arrivals use the standard routes, most commonly FIP or Digital Nomad.
Tax does not follow nationality
Free movement has no effect on where you pay tax. Passing the day threshold in Greece in a calendar year makes you a Greek tax resident, taxed on worldwide income, exactly as it would for anyone else. EU citizens moving from another member state are caught by this as often as anyone.
At a glance
In one line: No permit, no visa. Free movement applies — but the paperwork still does. It runs for not applicable — no permit is issued, and work rights are yes.
| Who it is for | Citizens of EU and EEA states and Switzerland moving to Greece. |
|---|---|
| Financial requirement | None for the right of residence itself. |
| Initial duration | Not applicable — no permit is issued |
| Renewal | Not applicable |
| Can you work? | Yes. You may work or be self-employed in Greece without any permit. |
| Family included? | Yes. Non-EU family members have their own route with different formalities. |
| Minimum days in Greece | None, though registration is advisable after three months of residence |
| Route to permanent residence | Permanent residence rights accrue under free movement rules |
| Where you apply | Local authority registration in Greece, after arrival |
Step by step
Times below are realistic rather than optimistic, and they assume your documents are already in order. The slowest part is usually waiting for a consulate appointment.
-
Arrive in Greece
Where Greece Typically Immediate
No visa and no permit is required.
-
Obtain an AFM at a tax office
Where DOY (tax office) Typically Same day once you have an appointment
Required for a lease, a bank account, utilities and employment.
-
Obtain an AMKA
Where KEP, KEM or e-EFKA office Typically Same day, generally no appointment needed
EU citizens do not need to present a residence permit to get an AMKA. Non-EU nationals do.
-
Register with the local authorities after three months
Where Local authority Typically Same day
Advisable once residence passes three months.
Document checklist
These are the documents the EU, EEA and Swiss nationals route asks for. Two columns matter more than people expect: an apostille is a certificate that proves a foreign public document is genuine, and a certified translation must be produced by a translator Greek authorities accept. Both take weeks, and both are the usual reason an application is sent back.
| Document | Apostille | Certified Greek translation |
|---|---|---|
| National ID card or passport | Not required | Not required |
| Proof of a Greek address | Not required | Not required |
What it costs in total
Government fees are the smallest part of the bill. Translation, apostilles, insurance and legal help usually cost more than the permit itself, and they are the costs people forget to budget for.
We do not yet have published fee figures for this route that we are willing to stand behind. Rather than estimate, we have left this table empty until we can confirm them.
Budget separately for apostilles and certified translations of every document marked in the checklist above, and for private health insurance where the route requires it.
Who this is wrong for
We are not selling this permit, so we can tell you when it is a bad fit. If any of these describes you, this route will not work and you should look elsewhere before you spend money on it.
- You hold UK nationality. The UK left the EU and UK nationals are now third-country nationals; new arrivals use the standard routes.
- You expected free movement to remove the paperwork. It does not — nothing in Greece works without an AFM and an AMKA.
- You are a non-EU family member of an EU citizen. Your route has different formalities and is not covered here.
What this does to your tax
Free movement has no effect on tax. Spending 183 days or more in Greece makes you a Greek tax resident, taxed on worldwide income, exactly as for anyone else.
The trigger that catches people is time, not intention. Spending Days in Greece that trigger tax residency 183 days or more in a calendar year makes you a Greek tax resident regardless of the other tests. Residents are taxed on worldwide income.183 days — source and verification date
Read how Greek tax residency is decided and the 2026 income tax scale.
Questions people actually ask
Do I have to register anywhere?
Registration with the local authorities is advisable after three months of residence. It is not the same thing as a residence permit, which you do not need and cannot obtain.
Can I work immediately?
Yes, employment and self-employment are both open to you without any permit. What you need before you can actually be paid is an AFM and an AMKA.
Can I use my national ID card instead of a passport?
For entry and for most Greek administration, yes. Some services will still ask for a passport, so travelling with both is simpler.
What about my driving licence?
EU licences are valid in Greece. You do not need to exchange one to drive, though exchanging it becomes relevant if you need a Greek-issued document for other purposes or when your licence expires.
Can I bring my non-EU spouse?
Yes, but through a different route with its own formalities, which this page does not cover. Take advice on it rather than assuming your own free movement extends automatically.
Will I get healthcare?
For a temporary stay, the European Health Insurance Card covers medically necessary state-provided care. For residence, obtain the AMKA and register with EFKA, after which you use the public system as any resident does.