Greece FIP visa requirements
Greece's financially independent person (FIP) permit needs €3,500 a month after tax, plus 20% for a spouse and 15% per child, private health insurance and no work in Greece.
What the law asks for, what the government charges, and how the application runs. Checked against Greece's official sources on Oct 8, 2026.
- Minimum income
- €3,500/mo (about $3,910) Net income from a foreign pension, a bank account or other own means of legal origin, plus 20% for a spouse and 15% for each child. Migration Code; Decision 225679/2024. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Residency
- Three-year permit, renewed for 3 years Migration Code; Decision 225679/2024. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
- Government fees
- €1,196 (about $1,340) National visa fee and Residence permit fee (electronic fee) and Residence card printing fee. Decision 95391/2024; Migration Code. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Who qualifies for the FIP visa
Retirees from outside the EU move to Greece on the financially independent person (FIP) permit: a residence permit for people who live on a foreign pension, savings or other means of legal origin and do not work in Greece in any form.
You need €3,500 (about $3,910) a month: net income from a foreign pension, a bank account or other own means of legal origin, plus 20% for a spouse and 15% for each child.
The permit does not allow employment or any self-employed or business activity in Greece, for you or for your family; remote work for foreign clients needs the digital nomad route.
The amount is net. Regular income such as a pension, salary or dividends from abroad is assessed by the month; income from other sources, such as bank deposits, is assessed over the year.
A foreign national living legally in Greece who receives a pension from a Greek public insurance fund, of any amount, can renew without meeting the income test; the fee is then €150.
FIP visa documents
Every residence permit
- Passport valid for at least 3 months after your planned departure, with 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years
- One recent colour photo to Greek passport specifications, given in person when your fingerprints are taken
- Health insurance covering the full set of risks, from a Greek insurance fund or, where the law allows it, a private insurer
- Your home address in Greece, declared in the online application
Decision 95391/2024. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
This visa
- National (type D) visa in your passport, issued by a Greek consulate
- Proof of a steady income of at least €3,500 a month after tax: a foreign pension, a bank account or other own means of legal origin
- Private health insurance with at least €10,000 a year for hospital care, €1,500 for medical and pharmacy costs and €15,000 for permanent disability from an accident, a copayment of no more than 20% and no exclusions
Decision 95391/2024; Decision 225679/2024; Decision 133692/2024. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
FIP visa fees
| National visa fee, paid to the Greek consulate | €180 (about $200) |
| Residence permit fee (electronic fee), at first issue and at each renewal | €1,000 (about $1,120) |
| Residence card printing fee | €16 (about $20) |
Decision 95391/2024; Migration Code. Checked Oct 8, 2026. Lawyer and agency fees are not set by law; ask for a fixed written quote.
How the application runs
- Gather your proofProof of at least €3,500 a month after tax and a private health insurance policy that meets the legal minimums.
- Get a national visaApply to the Greek consulate for a type D visa; the consular fee is €180.
- Apply for the permitOnce in Greece, file the online application and pay the €1,000 permit fee.
- Give your biometricsAttend in person with your photo for fingerprints and pay the €16 card fee.
- Renew every 3 yearsShow the same income and insurance again and pay the €1,000 fee.
Spouses and children
Your spouse and children can come with you. Each receives their own permit, which ends on the same day as yours. The income needed rises by 20% for a spouse and 15% for each child, and it can be met by each family member or by the family together. No family member may work in Greece.
Migration Code; Decision 225679/2024. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Other ways to live in Greece
Digital nomad national visa
For employees, freelancers and business owners who work remotely for employers or clients outside Greece. The national visa lasts up to 12 months and needs €3,500 a month net, plus 20% for a spouse and 15% for each child; the visa fee is €75, and a residence permit can follow.
Migration Code; Decision 225679/2024. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
Investor residence permit (golden visa)
A five-year renewable residence permit for people who own property in Greece worth at least the minimum the law sets, or make another qualifying investment. The permit fee is €2,000.
Migration Code. Checked Oct 8, 2026.
FIP visa questions
How much does the Greek FIP visa cost?
The government fees are €180 for the national visa at the consulate, €1,000 for the residence permit and €16 for the card. The amounts are set in Greek law, unless a different fee applies to your nationality by reciprocity.
How much income do I need for the FIP permit?
At least €3,500 a month after tax, from a foreign pension, a bank account or other means of legal origin. A spouse adds 20% (€700) and each child 15% (€525).
Can I work in Greece on the FIP permit?
No. The permit allows no employment and no self-employed or business activity in Greece, for you or your family. Remote workers use the digital nomad visa.
Is the Greek golden visa open to Americans?
Yes. It is a five-year renewable residence permit for people from outside the EU who own property in Greece worth at least the legal minimum or make another qualifying investment. The permit fee is €2,000.
