A free PDF guide — an income from €2,000 a month
A guide to Greek residencefor living on your income
The lowest threshold in southern Europe, with a card for 2 years from the start: no investment is needed, only income from abroad and housing in the country. We set out the additions for the family and what is examined on filing.
- PDF in English
- Free of charge
- Verified on 12.08.2026
- Sent by email, WhatsApp or Telegram
Preliminary information is not a guarantee of approval. The requirements are confirmed on the date of application.
01 / The essentials first
What to know about the status before the calculation
Four things that set this category apart from the golden visa.
- The lowest threshold in southern Europe
€2,000 a month for the applicant — lower than in Spain, Italy and Portugal, at a comparable standard of living.
- A card for two years from the start
The first permit is issued for 2 years rather than one: fewer visits to the migration service and less risk at renewal.
- No investment is required
Unlike the golden visa, no property has to be bought. It is enough to evidence income from abroad and housing in the country.
- You may not work on this ground
The status is built for living on your own means. Work or business in Greece needs other grounds.
02 / Income
What income your family needs
Set out the family: a fifth is added for a spouse, and less for each child.
03 / The family
How the threshold changes with the family
The requirement is counted from the base sum for the applicant, with percentage additions.
The values were checked against the official material on 12.08.2026. Only the rows for which there is no official wording are marked separately.
| Criterion | OneA single applicant | A coupleThe applicant and a spouse |
|---|---|---|
| The income for the year | €24,000 | €28,800 |
| A month | €2,000 | €2,400 |
| The addition | the base sum | plus a fifth for the spouse |
| Children | - | plus 15% for each |
| Investment | not required | not required |
| The card | 2 years | 2 years |
| Work in Greece | prohibited | prohibited to both |
- The income for the year
- €24,000
- €28,800
- A month
- €2,000
- €2,400
- The addition
- the base sum
- plus a fifth for the spouse
- Children
- -
- plus 15% for each
- Investment
- not required
- not required
- The card
- 2 years
- 2 years
- Work in Greece
- prohibited
- prohibited to both
The source of the income has to be outside Greece — that is the fundamental condition of the category.
04 / The country
What the country looks like
Briefly about the country and about what sets the terms of the status.
- The essentials firstThe key facts of the programme: what decides the matter.
- A comparisonThe thresholds and the terms of the programme in one table.
- How the work runsThe process step by step — from the check to the documents.
- The analysisWhat is checked before the status is granted.
- The limitsWhat affects the timings, the costs and keeping the status.
- Your teamWho runs the case and what each specialist answers for.
05 / The order of work
How the process runs
First the D visa at the consulate, then the card application in Greece itself.
- The income is checked
We look at the sources and the regularity: the income has to come from outside Greece.
- Housing in Greece
A lease or property of your own: the address is needed both for the visa and for the card.
- The national D visa
Filed at the consulate: income, housing, insurance, a certificate of no criminal record, a medical certificate.
- Entry and the card application
After the entry the residence application is filed and biometrics are given.
- The blue certificate
Until the card is issued the status is evidenced by a certificate that lets you stay in the country.
- The card and its renewal
A card for 2 years, renewed while the income holds. The whole process takes 2-4 months.
07 / The check
What is examined in the application
The income and its source, the housing, the insurance and the family’s documents.
- Income from abroad
Statements and certificates for 6-12 months: what is evidenced is the regularity and the foreign source.
- Housing
A lease registered with the tax authority, or a title deed.
- Insurance
A policy covering medical costs in Greece for the whole life of the status.
- The family’s documents
Marriage and birth certificates, apostilled and translated into Greek.
Until the card is issued the status is evidenced by a certificate: with it you may lawfully stay in the country.
08 / The limits
What to take into account in advance
Five limits that bear on the status and on tax.
You may not workNeither employment nor business in the country
A breach is a ground for refusing to renew the status.
The income must come from outsideA Greek source will not do
The money has to come from outside the country: that is the key condition of the category.
You are expected to live thereA status for living in the country
A long absence creates a risk at renewal.
Tax residenceAfter 183 days
Greece taxes the worldwide income of its residents; there are separate regimes for pensioners.
The timings moveThe load on the migration service
The card can take longer than usual to issue; until then the status rests on the certificate.
09 / Your team
Who runs your case
The work is led by specialists who deal with the Greek consulates and the migration service.
The editorial record
The material was prepared and checked by
- First published
- 12 August 2026
- Last updated
- 12 August 2026
The official sources
- Law 4251/2014, the migration codeThe Government of Greece · checked 12.08.2026The basis of the category for financially independent people and the requirements on income.
- The Ministry of Migration and AsylumΥπουργείο Μετανάστευσης και Ασύλου · checked 12.08.2026How to file, the set of documents and the renewal of the residence permit.
- Consular information on the national D visaThe Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Greece · checked 12.08.2026The requirements for a visa to enter for the purpose of residence.
10 / Common questions
Questions about Greek residence on income
How much income is needed?
€2,000 a month for the applicant — €24,000 a year. A fifth is added for a spouse and 15% for each child.
Do I have to buy property?
No. Rented housing is enough; no investment is required in this category.
Where does the income have to come from?
From outside Greece: a pension, rent, dividends, interest. A Greek source will not do.
May I work?
No, on this ground employment and business in Greece are not permitted.
How long is the card issued for?
For 2 years, renewed while the income holds.
What about the family?
A spouse and minor children receive the status together with the applicant.
When does permanent residence open?
EU long-term resident status after 5 years of lawful residence.
How long does the process take?
2-4 months from the visa application to the card application; the issue of the card itself depends on the load on the service.
Free of charge
Take the guide and the income calculation
We will send the PDF with the requirements and a preliminary calculation for your family.
- The income thresholds with the additions for the family
- The requirements on the source of the money
- The order of things from the D visa to the residence card
- What is examined at renewal