Greece FIP Visa (Financially Independent Person): Complete 2026 Guide
Greece’s Financially Independent Person (FIP) visa is the country’s main retirement route — it lets non-EU citizens live in Greece on passive income such as pensions, Social Security, dividends and rent, with no work in Greece permitted. The bar is €3,500/month (about $3,800) for a single applicant, or a €126,000 fixed deposit as an alternative. The permit now runs 3 years, and foreign pensioners can elect a famous 7% flat tax on all foreign income for 15 years. This guide covers who qualifies, the deposit route, the application, costs, tax, and the path to an EU passport.
Who Qualifies for Greece’s FIP Visa?
The Financially Independent Person visa (in Greek, the residence permit for those with sufficient resources) is open to any non-EU/EEA/Swiss national who can support themselves in Greece from income earned outside the country, without working locally. It is the standard route for retirees and the financially independent. The headline number is firmer than Italy’s: a Joint Ministerial Decision under Law 5038/2023 raised the minimum from €2,000 to €3,500/month in 2024, so this is a published statutory floor, not a consulate’s guess.
| Condition | Requirement (2026) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Income — single applicant | €3,500/mo (≈€42,000/yr) | Statutory minimum (Law 5038/2023). About $3,800/mo USD or £2,970/mo GBP — use the current rate. |
| + Spouse / partner | +20% (≈+€700/mo) | Couple total ≈€4,200/mo (≈€50,400/yr). |
| + Each dependent child | +15% (≈+€525/mo) | Couple + 1 child ≈€4,725/mo. |
| Deposit alternative | ≈€126,000 fixed deposit | Covers the 3-year permit (≈€3,500 × 36). Accepted instead of monthly income — the money stays yours. |
| Income type | Passive & from outside Greece | Pension, Social Security, dividends, rental income, investment income. No work in Greece — employment or self-employment voids the visa. |
| Health insurance | ≥€30,000 coverage | Private policy valid in Greece + repatriation. FIP holders are excluded from public AMKA unless they work. |
| Criminal record | Clean record | FBI (US) or ACRO (UK) certificate + apostille + official Greek translation. |
The FIP visa is purely for the self-supporting. It forbids local employment and self-employment — your income must come from outside Greece (pensions, investments, rent, dividends). If you intend to work remotely for foreign employers or clients, the visa you want is Greece’s Digital Nomad visa, which uses the same €3,500/month bar but is designed for active remote income. The FIP is the route that leads most naturally toward permanent residency and citizenship.
Which Income Sources Count?
The income must be passive and earned outside Greece. Greece is more flexible than Italy on how you prove it: alongside recurring income, a large fixed deposit of about €126,000 qualifies on its own — a genuine alternative that savings-rich, pension-light applicants use.
| Counts toward the FIP bar | Does NOT count |
|---|---|
| State / private pension & US Social Security | Salary or wages from a Greek employer |
| Dividends & investment-fund income | Self-employment or business income in Greece |
| Rental income from property | Remote work for a foreign company — needs the Digital Nomad visa |
| Annuities, royalties & trust distributions | One-off gifts or irregular, unprovable income |
| A ~€126,000 fixed deposit (alternative to income) | — |
You do not need both a full €3,500/mo income and the €126,000 deposit — either satisfies the test. In practice many applicants show a pension plus dividends plus a savings buffer to give a consulate confidence. The standard proof is pension/Social Security award letters, dividend and rental statements, recent tax returns, and 6–12 months of bank statements.
Unlike Italy’s Elective Residence Visa, Greece’s FIP minimum is set in a Joint Ministerial Decision under Law 5038/2023 (raised from €2,000 to €3,500/month in 2024), so you know the exact floor. Consulates still want confidence the income is stable and will continue, so show more than the bare minimum where you can, and keep your documents current. Last verified: July 2026.
FIP vs Digital Nomad Visa — Which Do You Need?
Greece’s FIP and Digital Nomad visas share the same €3,500/month bar, which causes endless confusion. The difference is the type of income — and whether you are allowed to work at all.
| FIP (Financially Independent) | Digital Nomad | |
|---|---|---|
| Income type | Passive: pension, dividends, rent, annuity | Active remote: employee or freelancer for non-Greek clients |
| Min income (2026) | €3,500/mo Retirees | €3,500/mo net Remote workers |
| Can I work? | ❌ No work in Greece at all | ✅ Remote work only, for non-Greek clients/employers |
| €126,000 deposit accepted? | ✅ Yes — alternative to income | ❌ No — needs proof of active income |
| Permit & validity | 3-year residence permit, renewable | Up to 2-year residence permit |
| Best for | Retirees, pensioners, passive-income earners | Remote employees, freelancers, the self-employed |
You must apply for the national (Type D) visa at the Greek consulate covering your legal residence and be approved before you enter Greece — you cannot convert from a tourist stay. This has always been true for the FIP, and since Law 5275/2026 (effective 5 February 2026) it is now also mandatory for the Digital Nomad visa, which previously allowed in-country applications. For the full US relocation picture — banking, housing, cost of living — see our guide to moving to Greece from the US.
How to Apply for Greece’s FIP Visa: 7-Step Process
The FIP is a two-stage process: you apply for a national (Type D) visa at your home consulate, enter Greece, then convert it to a 3-year residence permit. The whole national-visa approval happens before you move, and the criminal-record certificate is the long pole to start first.
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1Confirm you qualify — on income or the €126,000 deposit
Before spending on apostilles, confirm one of these:
- €3,500/mo passive income (single) — +20% for a spouse (≈€4,200), +15% per child
- or a fixed bank deposit of ≈€126,000 covering the 3-year permit
- Your income is genuinely passive — pension, Social Security, dividends, rent — and earned outside Greece
- You are prepared not to work in Greece (remote work needs the Digital Nomad visa)
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2Order your criminal background certificate — start this first
The background check has the longest lead time of any document. Start it before everything else.
Your country Certificate needed Lead time (incl. apostille) United States FBI Identity History Summary + apostille (US Dept of State) Allow 60–90 days United Kingdom ACRO Police Certificate + apostille (FCDO) Allow 30–45 days 💡 Note: Every foreign document needs an apostille and an official Greek translation (by the Greek consulate, a Greek lawyer, or a certified translator). Budget time for both. -
3Buy private health insurance — at least €30,000 coverage
Every Greek long-stay visa requires private health insurance for the application. For the FIP it is not just for the visa — you keep it for the whole time you live in Greece:
- Cover at least €30,000 for medical care plus repatriation
- Valid throughout Greece for the visa period
⚠️ Public healthcare (AMKA) is generally closed to you. The public ESY system runs through an AMKA number, which usually requires that you work and contribute in Greece. Non-working FIP holders are excluded and rely on private cover — the good news is it is cheap by US standards, often €50–150/month. -
4Assemble and translate your financial proof
The financial file is the heart of an FIP application. Gather:
Document What it proves Pension / SSA / dividend / rental certificates €3,500/mo passive income — the source and amount of each stream €126,000 deposit certificate (if using the deposit route) A bank letter confirming the fixed deposit 6–12 months of bank statements The income actually arrives / the deposit is held Recent tax returns Corroborate that your declared income is real and recurring 💡 US applicants: an SSA benefit-verification letter is the key proof of Social Security income. Have US or UK documents apostilled and translated into Greek. Our Visa Cover Letter Generator includes a template for passive-income applications. -
5Apply for the national (Type D) visa at the Greek consulate
Book an appointment at the Greek consulate covering your legal residence and submit the national long-stay (Type D) visa application in person, with all originals, translations, and a cover letter explaining why you are moving to Greece and how you support yourself. The national visa fee is about €180 and a decision usually takes around 10 working days. Do not book non-refundable flights until the visa is in your passport.
Apply from the right district. You must use the Greek consulate assigned to where you legally live — out-of-district applications are refused. You cannot switch to the FIP from a tourist stay inside Greece. -
6Enter Greece and file the residence-permit application
Your Type D visa lets you enter Greece; it is not the residence permit. After arrival, submit the FIP residence-permit application to the immigration authority (the Decentralised Administration / Ministry of Migration & Asylum). You pay the €1,000 government fee (plus €16 for the permit card), give biometrics, and receive a blue receipt (bebaiosi) that proves legal stay while the card is produced.
Dependents: a spouse or child pays an extra €150 government fee each (plus €16 per card). Renewals carry the same €1,000 fee. -
7Collect your 3-year card — then set up tax, healthcare & driving
The physical FIP residence-permit card is issued in about 3 months. Then get yourself set up:
- AFM (Greek tax number) — needed for a lease, a bank account, and utilities.
- 7% flat-tax election — if you are a foreign pensioner, apply to AADE by 31 March of the year you want the regime to start.
- Healthcare — keep private insurance; AMKA is generally closed to non-working FIP holders.
- Driving licence — US and UK licences can be exchanged without a test after 6 months’ residence.
✅ From visa to an EU passportThe FIP card is valid 3 years, then renews. After 5 years of continuous legal residence you qualify for an EU long-term residence permit, and after 7 years for Greek citizenship (B1 Greek + citizenship/integration test). Greece permits dual citizenship — no renunciation required — and a Greek passport is an EU passport.
Documents Required for Greece’s FIP Visa
Consulates reject incomplete applications. The criminal background certificate has the longest lead time — start it at least 3 months before your target date. Proof of €3,500/mo passive income (or the €126,000 deposit) and a €30,000 health policy are the most scrutinised items. Tick off each one as you confirm it — your progress saves to this browser.
Greek consulates require an official Greek translation (by the consulate, a Greek lawyer, or a certified translator) for documents not in Greek — income certificates, bank statements, the criminal-record certificate. The original usually needs an apostille first. Budget €30–80 per document and 1–2 weeks lead time.
Total Cost Breakdown
Costs fall into two stages: the national visa at the consulate, then the residence permit in Greece. The big-ticket government item is the €1,000 residence-permit fee; the rest is health insurance, translations, and optional professional help.
| Item | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Consulate Stage | ||
| National (Type D) visa fee | ~€180 | Per applicant. Charged in your local currency. Decided in ~10 working days. |
| Residence-Permit Stage (in Greece) | ||
| FIP residence-permit government fee | €1,000 | Main applicant. Paid on filing in Greece; renewals carry the same fee. |
| Permit card (each person) | €16 | Electronic residence-permit card issuance. |
| Each dependent (spouse / child) | +€150 (+€16 card) | Reduced government fee for family members added to the application. |
| Document Preparation | ||
| Criminal record certificate + apostille | $18–40 / £10–20 + apostille | FBI Identity History Summary (US) or ACRO Certificate (UK). Apostille: ~$20–80 US / ~£30–60 UK (FCDO). |
| Official Greek translations | €30–80 per document | Required for documents not in Greek. Most applicants need 3–6 translated documents. Allow 1–2 weeks. |
| Private health insurance (annual) | €600–1,800/yr | Cover ≥€30,000 + repatriation. Often €50–150/mo — kept for the whole time you live in Greece. |
| Immigration lawyer / agency (optional) | €1,500–3,000 | Often used to assemble the financial file, translations, and the in-Greece permit filing. Many applicants do it themselves. |
| Total estimate (single applicant) | ~€1,900–3,500+ | The €1,000 permit fee plus insurance, translations, and any professional help are the bulk of the cost. |
Taxes on Greece’s FIP Visa — and the 7% Flat Tax
Living in Greece more than 183 days a year makes you a Greek tax resident, taxed on your worldwide income. For most FIP holders that is the standard progressive scale — but foreign pensioners can instead elect a flat 7% on all foreign income. Here is how both work.
Foreign pensioners who transfer their tax residence to Greece can elect a flat 7% substitute tax on ALL foreign-source income — pension, dividends, rent, capital gains — for up to 15 years. To qualify you must not have been a Greek tax resident for 5 of the previous 6 years, and you must come from a country with a double-taxation or administrative-cooperation agreement with Greece (the US and UK both qualify). You apply to the tax authority (AADE) by 31 March of the year you want it to start, submit supporting documents by 31 May, and pay the 7% in a single instalment by the last working day of July each year.
The FIP requires genuine residence (at least 6 months a year), so you will pass 183 days and become a Greek tax resident, taxed on worldwide income — pensions, dividends, capital gains, rent. The 7% regime is an election open only to foreign pensioners; everyone else pays the standard progressive rates below (or the €100,000/yr non-dom flat tax, aimed at high-net-worth investors).
Standard Income Tax Rates on Worldwide Income (2026)
If you do not elect the 7% regime, you pay Greece’s progressive income tax. A January 2026 reform cut the middle brackets by 2 points and lifted the top-rate threshold from €40,000 to €60,000.
| Annual Taxable Income (EUR) | 2026 Rate |
|---|---|
| Up to €10,000 | 9% |
| €10,000 – €20,000 | 20% |
| €20,000 – €30,000 | 26% |
| €30,000 – €40,000 | 34% |
| €40,000 – €60,000 | 39% |
| Over €60,000 | 44% |
Rates are national income tax on the general scale (pensions and employment). Dividends are taxed at a separate 5% and interest at 15%. A special solidarity contribution has been suspended. Figures per the AADE / PwC 2026 tax summary — confirm your specific position with a Greek accountant.
If You’re a US Citizen
- Form 1040: US citizens and Green Card holders file a US return every year, wherever they live.
- FBAR (FinCEN 114): required if your foreign accounts together exceed $10,000 at any point in the year; add Form 8938 (FATCA) if thresholds are met.
- US Social Security: under the US–Greece treaty, US Social Security is taxable only in the US — Greece does not tax it. A US–Greece totalization agreement (1994) also prevents double social-security contributions.
- Foreign Tax Credit (Form 1116) is your main tool: Greek tax paid offsets your US liability. Note the FEIE will not help FIP income (it only covers earned income, and FIP income is passive). Model the 7% regime carefully — a very low Greek rate can leave residual US tax to pay.
If You’re a UK Citizen
- Tell HMRC you’ve left: file form P85; the UK–Greece double-tax treaty then decides what each country taxes.
- Pensions: under the treaty, UK State and most private/workplace pensions become taxable in Greece. UK government-service pensions stay UK-taxed.
- ISAs lose their shelter: Greece does not recognise the ISA wrapper — interest, dividends and gains are taxable in Greece. Under the 7% regime, all foreign income is taxed at 7% instead.
Worldwide taxation, the 7% election, and the interaction with your home-country treaty depend on your asset mix. Engage an accountant qualified in Greek tax law and an adviser in your home country before your first Greek tax year — especially if you plan to elect the 7% regime, which must be claimed to AADE by 31 March.
After You Arrive: Permit, Healthcare, and Residency
Your Type D visa lets you enter Greece — the residence permit is issued after arrival. Complete these steps to become a settled resident, then keep genuine residence to protect renewals and build toward permanent residency.
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1File the residence-permit application and give biometrics
Submit the FIP residence-permit application to the immigration authority, pay the €1,000 fee (+€16 card), and attend your biometrics appointment. You receive a blue receipt (bebaiosi) that proves legal stay; the physical 3-year card follows in about 3 months.
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2Get your AFM (tax number) and register the 7% election if eligible
Obtain your AFM (Greek tax number) — you need it for a lease, a bank account and utilities. If you are a foreign pensioner, apply to AADE by 31 March to lock in the 7% flat-tax regime for that year. Engage a Greek accountant for your first return.
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3Sort your healthcare — keep private insurance
The public ESY system runs through an AMKA number, which generally requires that you work and contribute in Greece. As a non-working FIP holder you are usually excluded from AMKA and rely on private insurance the whole time you live in Greece. Care quality in Athens and Thessaloniki is high, and private cover is inexpensive (~€50–150/month).
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4Exchange your driving licence — no test for US or UK
After 6 months of residence you can exchange a US or UK driving licence for a Greek one with no theory or road test. You need the licence, an official translation, and medical certificates from two doctors; the fee is about €108–198 and it takes ~45 days. Greece drives on the right. You cannot hold both licences.
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5Keep 6 months a year in Greece — then renew
To keep and renew the FIP permit you must spend at least six months per year physically in Greece and still meet the income/deposit test. Renew before the card expires. Long absences and a lapsed income proof put your renewal — and your clock to permanent residency — at risk.
Residency and Citizenship Path
| Milestone | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Initial permit | Valid 3 years. Issued after biometrics at the immigration authority. |
| Renewals | Renewed on continued €3,500/mo income (or deposit) + ≥6 months/yr residence. |
| Permanent residency (EU long-term) | After 5 years of continuous legal residence on a qualifying permit. |
| Greek citizenship | After 7 years of legal residence. Requires a B1 Greek language exam + a citizenship/integration test. |
Greece permits dual citizenship, and so does the United States, so US and UK nationals who naturalise do not have to renounce. A Greek passport is an EU passport — the right to live and work anywhere in the EU. If living in Greece full-time does not suit you but you want EU residency, Greece’s Golden Visa (property investment) has no minimum-stay requirement, though it is a slower route to naturalisation.
Frequently Asked Questions
The FIP visa requires stable passive income of at least €3,500 per month (about €42,000/year) for a single applicant, raised from €2,000/month by a Joint Ministerial Decision under Law 5038/2023 that took effect in 2024. Add 20% for a spouse (~€700/mo) and 15% per dependent child (~€525/mo). As an alternative to monthly income, you can show a fixed bank deposit of about €126,000 covering the three-year permit. Unlike Italy’s Elective Residence Visa, this is a published statutory minimum, not a soft consular figure.
No. The FIP visa is for people who can support themselves from income earned outside Greece without taking a local job. It prohibits employment and self-employment inside Greece, and is designed for retirees and the financially independent. If you work remotely for employers or clients outside Greece, the visa you want is Greece’s Digital Nomad visa, which uses the same €3,500/month bar but is aimed at active remote income rather than passive income.
Yes — this is a key advantage of Greece’s FIP visa over Italy’s Elective Residence Visa. Instead of proving €3,500/month of recurring passive income, you can qualify by showing a fixed bank deposit of about €126,000 (roughly €3,500 × 36 months) that covers the three-year validity of the permit. The money remains yours. Many applicants combine sources — a pension plus dividends plus a savings buffer. Spain’s Non-Lucrative Visa is another savings-friendly route if you are short on recurring income.
Both require €3,500/month, but the income must be a different type. The FIP visa is for passive income — pensions, Social Security, dividends, rent, investments — forbids any work in Greece, and accepts a €126,000 deposit as an alternative. The Digital Nomad visa is for active remote work for employers or clients outside Greece and does not accept a lump-sum deposit. A big 2026 change: under Law 5275/2026, effective 5 February 2026, you can no longer apply for the digital-nomad permit from inside Greece as a tourist — you must apply at a consulate first. Rule of thumb: retiring on a pension or investments → FIP; working online for foreign clients → Digital Nomad.
Foreign pensioners who move their tax residence to Greece can elect a flat 7% tax on all foreign-source income — pension, dividends, rent, capital gains — for up to 15 years. To qualify you must not have been a Greek tax resident for 5 of the previous 6 years and must come from a country with a double-taxation or administrative-cooperation agreement with Greece (the United States qualifies). You apply to the tax authority (AADE) by 31 March of the year you want the regime to start, submit documents by 31 May, and pay the 7% in a single instalment by the last working day of July. It is the main reason retirees choose Greece.
Yes, if you live there. Spending more than 183 days a year in Greece makes you a Greek tax resident, taxed on your worldwide income at progressive 2026 rates of 9% up to €10,000, 20% to €20,000, 26% to €30,000, 34% to €40,000, 39% to €60,000 and 44% above €60,000. Foreign pensioners can instead elect the 7% flat tax on all foreign income for 15 years. US citizens still file a US return and use the Foreign Tax Credit; the US–Greece treaty keeps US Social Security taxable only in the US. Get advice qualified in both Greek and your home-country tax law before you move.
The FIP residence permit is now issued for three years on first grant (up from two) and is renewable. On timing: the national (Type D) visa at the consulate is usually decided in about 10 working days, and the residence-permit card is issued in Greece within roughly 3 months of your biometrics appointment. Counting document preparation — the FBI Identity History Summary (60–90 days) or UK ACRO certificate, plus apostille and official Greek translation, is the long pole — the realistic end-to-end timeline is about 3–4 months.
To keep and renew the FIP permit you must spend at least six months per year physically in Greece; long absences put your renewal at risk. This is stricter than Greece’s Golden Visa, which has no minimum-stay requirement. The residence years also count toward permanent residency after 5 years and citizenship after 7 years, so keeping genuine residence matters if the EU passport is your goal. If you want EU residency without living in Greece full-time, the Golden Visa is the route with no stay requirement.
Yes. Time on the FIP permit counts toward an EU long-term residence permit (permanent residency) after 5 years of continuous legal residence, and Greek citizenship by naturalisation after 7 years, which requires a B1-level Greek language exam plus a citizenship and integration test. Greece permits dual citizenship, and so does the United States, so US and UK nationals do not have to renounce. Greek citizenship is EU citizenship — the right to live and work anywhere in the EU. FIP holders who are not employed in Greece must keep private health insurance throughout, as public AMKA coverage is generally closed to them.
Prefer professional guidance?
A licensed Greek immigration lawyer can assemble and translate your proof of means, file the in-Greece residence-permit application, and set up your AFM and 7% flat-tax election — reducing the risk of rejection on the income and documentation tests. Many FIP applicants use one to handle the paperwork remotely.
Official sources & references
- Residencemigration.gov.gr — Greek Ministry of Migration & Asylum — residence permits (FIP / financially independent)
- Visasmfa.gr — Ministry of Foreign Affairs — national (Type D) visas via Greek consulates
- Taxaade.gr — Independent Authority for Public Revenue (AADE) — income tax & the 7% pensioner regime
- Statstaxsummaries.pwc.com — PwC — Greek personal income-tax rates (2026)