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Pathway

Greece Family Residence

Greece Residency
Pathway overview

At a glance

Certain close relatives can apply to join a qualifying non-EU resident in Greece. The resident must meet requirements for how long they have lived there, housing, financial support, and insurance. You also need documents proving the family relationship.

Family covered
Spouse over 18 and unmarried children under 18, including eligible adopted and stepchildren
Sponsor
Normally a qualifying resident who has lived legally in Greece for two years

Summary

Greece’s family-reunification route allows eligible relatives to join a qualifying non-EU resident after the required residence period, rather than immediately upon that resident’s arrival. Establish the sponsor's history, the spouse or child's eligibility, and the household support. Changes in the relationship or sponsor's status can affect renewal.

Could this pathway work for you?

Eligibility

The ordinary resident-family route covers a spouse aged over 18 and unmarried children under 18, including adopted children and a spouse’s children where custody and consent are established.

The sponsor normally needs two years of legal residence in Greece, a qualifying residence status, suitable housing, and adequate resources and insurance for the household.

The family must document the relationship and meet the applicable support, housing, and health-coverage requirements. Marriage and birth records from abroad may need authentication and translation before they can be accepted in Greece.

More about this route

For someone moving to Greece on a temporary permit, the practical question is when that status will allow the family to join. The ordinary prior-residence requirement can make this a later step rather than an immediate addition to the main applicant’s first move.

Check your relative's permit and time in Greece
  1. Check whether they can bring family Their status and time living in Greece must meet the rules.
  2. Show your relationship Document the eligible spouse or child-under-18 relationship.
  3. Show support for the household Provide housing, income, insurance, and any required custody or consent records.

Check when your relative's permit and residence history allow you to apply.

What This Route Allows

A family permit allows you to live with the sponsoring relative in Greece. Permission to work depends on the category and any additional employment requirements. The joining relative should have their own status documented; the sponsor’s residence card does not serve as the family member’s permission.

What This Route Is Not

The approved family category determines the rights granted. Living with a relative is not itself citizenship, and a later change in the relationship or the sponsor’s status can affect renewal.

Next Steps

The sponsor’s qualifying status and residence history are the starting point for the ordinary family application. The household then needs records of the marriage or parent-child relationship, including any required custody consent, alongside housing, income, and insurance evidence. The immigration authority can confirm when that combination permits the family to apply.

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Other routes in Greece.

Sources