practical matters
- Photocopy of a valid passport or a recognized travel document.
- Proof of legal residence, such as Visa D1.1, entry stamp in your passport upon arrival in Greece, or a valid residence permit.
- Officially translated birth certificate for minors of foreign nationality.
- Solemn declaration by a Greek citizen agreeing to act as your tax representative. This declaration must bear the original signature, certified by any authority, a Citizens Service Center, or issued from gov.gr.
- Solemn declaration containing your personal information (name, surname, father’s and mother’s name, date and place of birth, current address, and email) with your original signature, certified by any authority or a Citizens Service Center, to appoint a Greek citizen as your tax representative in Greece. A notarized document is also accepted.
- Marriage/civil partnership certificate if applicable.
- An application form.
- Application by the interested party:
- Submit your application through the digital portal myAADE (myaade.gov.gr) / TIN number (AFM) & Key Number.
- Choose the method of identification, either via video call to the myAADElive service or by physical presence with an appointment at the Tax Office.
- The TIN number (AFM) and the Key Number will be sent by email to the address provided.
- Application by a tax representative:
- The representative submits the application using their own codes on the digital portal myAADE / TIN number (AFM) & Key Number.
- After confirmation of application details and authorization (in the case of authorized representation) by an AADE employee, a TIN number (AFM) and Key Code are issued. The data (TIN number (AFM), passwords, and Key Number) are sent:
- To the concerned person’s email address in an encrypted file as indicated in the application.
- To the tax representative’s email address, provided consent is given, in an encrypted file via the myAADE “Contact Details” application.
The listed documents are necessary:
- A solemn declaration stating that you are not obligated to submit a tax return, along with a certified original signature obtained from any authority or Citizens Service Center. Additionally, a tax registration number certificate from the tax office is required.
- Valid passport.
- Visa from your country of origin.
- Confirmation of ownership of the mobile phone account (confirming the number belongs to you).
- For non-residents of Greece: A certificate issued by the competent public authorities of your home country, demonstrating your residency status, main residence address, and contact telephone number.
- Certificate of enrollment or studies obtained from your school (unless you already possess an academic ID).
Regarding mobile telephony, Greece employs the same GSM system as most EU countries, Asia, and Australia. It’s important to note that the USA and Japan use a cellular phone system that is incompatible with Europe’s.
You can visit any mobile service provider store such as ‘Germanos (“Γερμανός”)’, ‘Cosmote’, or ‘Vodafone’ with your passport and request a SIM Card for your cellular phone, along with confirmation that the number belongs to you.
Alternatively, you can submit a request at https://www.vodafonecu.gr/ela-sto-cu/online/#/student/true or https://www.whatsup.gr/panellinies
In addition to a residential address, you will require a Greek mobile phone number solely to confirm the card’s shipment.
The cost typically starts at 10 euros, and the SIM card will be sent to you via postal service.
You are entitled to receive an academic ID for the duration of your program.
Regarding meals, international students can access four restaurants (Center-Lykavetou, Zografou within the School of Philosophy area, Goudi within the Medical area, and Dafni-TEFAA). Using your student ID, you will be charged 3 euros for lunch and dinner.
Students at the schools in Zografou have access to the gym, swimming pool, medical services, first aid premises located on the Zografou Campus, and the student counseling office.
You have access to all the services offered by the University Club.
At 15 Ippokratous Str. (Leschi), you will find the following medical specialties: Ophthalmologist (4th floor), Dentist, Pathologist, Psychiatrist, and Psychologists (1st floor) available from 8:00-14:00. In the Student Center, located on the ground floor of the 1st FEPA building (Oulof Palme 12, Panepistimioupoli, Ilisia), there is a Psychiatrist and Psychologists available from 9:00-14:00.
You have the opportunity to undergo examinations at the “Andreas Syngros” Hospital after consulting the Secretariat of the Health Service at the University Club.
residence permit-work-travel
- (*) Photocopy of valid passport or travel document recognized by our country.
- (*) Valid student visa type D.
- (*) Administrative fee of 150 euros (issued online from e-paravolo– by choosing for Public Authority: Ministry of Migration Policy-Deposit Fee for Residence Permit and under code 2107). Not required if you are a scholarship holder.
- Health insurance certificate. Not required if covered by the Scholarship.
If you have an insurance policy from your country of origin, you can submit it officially translated as long as it provides the required coverages.
It is possible to search the gov.gr services for certified translators who are included in the Registry of Certified Translators of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at the link: https://metafraseis.services.gov.gr/ - (*) Certificate of enrolment and receipt of fee payment or letter of approval from the university (if applicable).
- (*) Proof of financial means. Evidence proving that you have sufficient resources (including the scholarship), i.e. 400 euros per month as a minimum & a statement that this amount will be renewed. The proof of financial means could be a deposit account, a bank transfer, proof of scholarship or proof of salary in case you work part-time (when renewing your residence permit).
- Proof of parental or other legal guardian consent if you’re under 18.
- Certification of the relevant educational institution for the total study time of the specific program.
- Proof of scholarship if this is the case (a certificate from the competent institution for granting the scholarship, as well as for the duration of the program and the scholarship granted).
- Solemn declaration asking to be granted a residence permit for studies, equal to the maximum duration of the program of studies you have enrolled in.
- Proof of address of residency for territorial jurisdiction:
• RENTAL OF FLAT: Proof of submission of the tenancy agreement by the landlord with the acceptance of the tenant.
• ACCOMMODATION IN A PRIVATELY OWNED FLAT: Declaration of real estate data (E9) of the current year.
• BEING HOSTED: Proof of submission of the tenancy agreement by the landlord with the acceptance of the tenant (the person who is hosting you) or Declaration of real estate data (E9) of the current year of the person hosting you in a privately owned flat and documents proving that this property is your permanent residency such as utility bills, certification of the telecommunication company, all kinds of public authority documents.
Records with (*) are mandatory for the submission of the online application. In order to obtain the residence permit for studies, a personal interview may be required at the Immigration Office of the area of residence as well as the submission of biometric data and the presentation of additional supporting documents. - Documents required for issuing the card:
- (a) Four (4) passport-size pictures and in digital format on an optical storage disc (CD).
- (b) Administrative fee of 16 euros (https://www1.gsis.gr/sgsisapps/eparavolo/public/welcome.htm?langId=2/code 2119).
- (c) An official public document of the country of birth or origin officially certified and translated clearly showing the place of birth. In the translation, the place of birth should ALSO be written in Latin characters (Provided only if the city of birth is not printed in the passport in Latin characters).
- Proof of scholarship (if applicable) – a certificate from the competent institution for granting the scholarship, including the duration of the program and the scholarship granted.
All supporting documents can be found at https://bit.ly/3PLZSkv
The student residence permit is typically valid for one year. If your study program duration is less than a year, the permit will align with your program’s duration.
If you hold a scholarship or engage in exchange programs under transnational agreements, the residence permit duration matches the program or scholarship duration.
You have the option to request a permit equal to your maximum study duration. In such cases, you’ll need an additional certificate from your educational institution specifying the total duration of your studies.
To renew your student residence permit, submit an application at least two months before it expires to the competent department of the Directorate of Decentralized Administration in your residence area.
The renewal period cannot exceed the standard study period plus four and a half semesters for postgraduate students or Ph.D. candidates, as outlined in the faculty’s indicative study program.
Renewal requests must be made through the online application portal: https://applications.migration.gov.gr/metanasteusi/.
The insurance policy submitted with the application for a residence permit or its extension (based on Ministerial Decision no. 53821/2014/21.10.2014) must offer the following benefits:
- Hospital care coverage in a Public Hospital: €10,000 per year with a 20% participation by the insured.
- Insurance for Permanent Total and Partial Disability due to an accident: €15,000 per year with a 20% participation of the insured.
- Medical expenses due to illness or accident: €1,500 per year with a 20% participation of the insured.
The contract should explicitly state that the insurance covers the amounts stipulated by law/ministerial decision. It must also expressly mention coverage for any incidents occurring in the EU, specifically in Greece.
If you possess an insurance policy from your country of origin, you can submit it officially translated, provided it offers the aforementioned coverages. Certified translators listed in the Registry of Certified Translators of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs can be found at this link: https://metafraseis.services.gov.gr/. The cost of translating a contract ranges from €30-40.
Alternatively, students without such insurance coverage are advised to arrange a Greek health insurance contract with an insurance company.
You are permitted to work part-time only outside of study hours. The minimum working hours should not be less than fifteen (15) hours per week or their equivalent in days or months per year.
Under these circumstances, you will be subject to labor law provisions, including obligations such as paying social security contributions, submitting tax returns, etc.
You can renew your residence permit for postgraduate studies or a doctoral degree. The duration of this permit is extended by half the total duration of your School’s indicative study program.
If you intend to seek employment or establish a business after completing your degree, you can apply for a one-year residence permit for this purpose.
To apply for a residence permit for job-seeking or entrepreneurship, you must submit the necessary supporting documents at least thirty (30) days before your student residence permit expires. If these documents are unavailable by the permit’s expiration, you have an additional two (2) months to submit them.
After at least three (3) months from receiving the residence permit for work or business establishment, you must demonstrate to the competent agency that you have a realistic chance of securing employment or starting a business, aligning with the level of studies you have completed.
- Being married to a Greek citizen or a citizen of a European Union member state.
- Being recognized as a political refugee or meeting the conditions for recognition as a refugee or stateless person.
- Previously being accepted in Greece for family reunification reasons and subsequently changing your residence permit to a student residence permit.
Your family members can enter Greece with a tourist visa, similar to any other foreigner, which typically lasts up to three months.
Nevertheless, if you are in Greece under a residence permit for the acquisition of a medical specialty, certified by a special certificate from a nursing institution, your family members can apply for an individual residence permit. This permit expires concurrently with yours. The same provision applies if you are participating in research programs or have arrived for scientific research purposes.
Your residence permit remains unaffected by temporary absences that do not exceed six months per year.
If you possess a national long-stay visa valid for up to one year, you can travel to other Member States without needing a new special entry visa (VISA) for 90 days within any 180-day period, under the same conditions as a residence permit holder.
However, if you have a certificate of application for a student residence permit (known as the “blue certificate”), your travel rights are limited only to your own country.
You can partake in a portion of your studies in another EU country, even if you have been accepted for studies in a different EU member state. In Greece, you can pursue a segment of your studies for up to three hundred and sixty (360) days. In this scenario, you are not obligated to obtain the special entry permit (study VISA) required by Greek law for those intending to study in Greece.
If you have gained admission to an educational institution in an EU country and wish to continue your studies at a Greek educational institution, you will need to submit:
(a) A copy of the valid degree or certification for the studies completed in the other EU member state.
(b) A certificate outlining the study course completed, demonstrating relevance and complementarity between the two study programs.
(c) Certification from the implementing body of the respective program, showcasing your participation in a community or bilateral exchange program, or certification from the competent authorities of the EU member state where you have been admitted as a student for at least two years.
One of the requirements for naturalization is continuous residence in Greece for a total of seven years before submitting your naturalization application.
The period you spend in Greece as a student does not count towards fulfilling additional rights. Hence, the years of your studies do not contribute to the above 7-year period required for eligibility to apply for Greek citizenship through naturalization.
However, if you legally and continuously reside in Greece for the immediate five (5) years prior to submitting your application, you can obtain long-term resident status. It’s essential not to be absent for more than six consecutive months and for a total period of fewer than ten months within five years. In this scenario, the duration of residence for study or professional training is only considered as half the duration for calculation purposes.
research-doctorate in Greece
The conditions for coming to Greece for scientific research purposes in a research organization are as follows:
- The designated organization must be officially approved for this purpose in compliance with relevant legislation.
- A host contract must be signed, wherein you commit to completing your research program.
- The research organization must also commit to hosting the researcher for research activities approved by the organization’s competent bodies.
You are required to submit an application to the competent Service of the Immigration Service Directorate of the Decentralized Administration in your area to obtain the relevant residence permit.
The granted residence permit’s validity aligns with the duration specified in the host contract signed with the specific research organization. For renewal, you should submit the relevant application to the same service two months before the current permit’s expiration.
Family members can apply for a residence permit, and upon submission of the required supporting documents, they receive a permit of the same duration as yours. This also applies to family members of a researcher who comes to Greece to conduct part of their research, already possessing a relevant researcher residence permit from another EU member state.
For the renewal of your family members’ residence permits, the same conditions as your residence permit renewal apply.
The conditions for this are as follows:
(a) Your research plan must be approved by the competent body of the research organization. This includes specifying the purpose and duration of the research, confirming the availability of necessary financial resources, and assessing the researcher’s qualifications concerning the research subject.
(b) During your stay, you must possess sufficient resources, not reliant on the social welfare system, amounting to at least 900 euros per month to cover expenses.
(c) You must have insurance covering all risks as stipulated by current legislation, equivalent to coverage provided to nationals.
(d) The host contract must define your legal relationship and working conditions in compliance with applicable laws. Additionally, upon signing the host contract, the research organization must issue an individual declaration assuming financial responsibility for any costs incurred if you remain in Greece unlawfully after the contract’s termination.
If your stay here will not exceed three months, there is no need for a new residence permit in Greece, as the permit you already hold from another EU member state grants you that right. However, if your stay in Greece extends beyond three months, you will need to sign a new hosting contract with the research organization here. Simultaneously, you should obtain the corresponding residence permit for your research in Greece.
You are permitted to stay in Greece for a minimum period of twelve (12) months to seek employment or establish a business.
Upon your request, Greek authorities grant a residence permit under Regulation (EC) No. 1030/2002, contingent upon receiving confirmation from the host organization regarding the completion of your research activity. Additionally, the permit can be renewed for family reunification purposes.
You can submit this application at least thirty (30) days before the expiration of your current permit. The confirmation from the research organization regarding completion of your research activity must be submitted within ninety (90) days after the previous permit’s expiration.
After a minimum of three (3) months from the issuance of your residence permit, you must demonstrate to the competent agency a realistic prospect of employment or business establishment commensurate with your level of education.
If the criteria for extending the residence permit are no longer met, the competent service has the authority to revoke your residence permit and those of your family members.
Besides the rights extended to students from third countries, foreign researchers have additional entitlements. These include the right to teach as per the prevailing legislation, alongside equal treatment with Greek citizens, particularly concerning:
(a) Recognition of diplomas, certificates, and other professional titles. (b) Working conditions encompassing salary and termination terms. (c) Social security coverage. (d) Tax incentives. (e) Access to goods, services, and access to public services and facilities.
The supporting documents you will need for your application are the following:
- Certificate of your Tax Registration Number
- Copy of a valid passport or copy of your ID (EU citizens)
- Certificate of recruitment by the employer
You can get in touch with the New Greek Language Teaching Center and select from a range of study programs available for different durations (eight months, six months, and five weeks). These programs are accessible upon payment of the corresponding fees.
