Greece’s Financially Independent Person (FIP) residence route is designed for qualifying third-country nationals who have sufficient independent financial resources to support themselves in Greece without relying on local employment. It can be relevant to retirees as well as other financially independent individuals who want to establish residence in Greece.
The FIP route is separate from Greece’s Golden Visa, which is based on qualifying investment, and the Digital Nomad route, which is designed for qualifying remote workers. Another important clarification from our legal experts at Global Citizen Solution is that it is also separate from Greek tax residence, especially for those who are interested in the 7% flat tax regime, because holding a residence permit does not, by itself, determine whether you are a Greek tax resident.
This guide will take you through the application process, financial requirements, threshold, supporting documents and more..
Greece FIP Visa: Key takeaways
FIP Visa Greece 2026
The Greece Financially Independent Person (FIP) Visa is a long-term residency program for non-EU/EEA nationals, including retirees and financially independent individuals, who want to live in Greece without working for a Greek employer.
Under Law 5038/2023, applicants must have a stable passive income from sources outside Greece, such as pensions, rental income, dividends, or investments.
The minimum requirement is €3,500 per month for a single applicant, increasing by 20% for a spouse and 15% for each dependent child. If you choose to prove your financial means with a lump sum bank deposit instead of a monthly income, you must show at least €126,000 in personal savings to cover the full 3-year residence permit.
Successful applicants receive a three-year renewable residence permit, which also allows visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area. To renew the permit, applicants need to continue meeting the financial requirements and spend at least 183 days per calendar year in Greece.
Who the FIP Route Fits
The FIP route is primarily relevant to third-country nationals who want to live in Greece and can support themselves without relying on local employment.
It may be appropriate for:
- Retirees: People whose living costs can be covered by pension income or other independent resources.
- Financially independent individuals: Applicants with sufficient recurring or other qualifying financial resources who do not need to take up employment in Greece.
- Families: Applicants who want to establish residence with eligible family members, subject to the applicable family-reunification and financial requirements.
Benefits of the Greece FIP Visa
- Potential tax benefits: If you transfer your tax residency to Greece and meet the eligibility requirements, you may qualify for a 50% reduction in income tax for up to seven years under a special flat tax regime, subject to registration and approval by the Greek tax authorities.
- Schengen travel: The visa allows you to travel freely throughout the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within any 180-day period, making it easy to explore multiple European destinations.
- Long-term residency option: The initial Digital Nomad Visa is valid for 12 months. Eligible applicants can then apply for a renewable two-year residence permit, provided they continue to meet the program’s requirements, including the minimum income threshold.
- Family inclusion: You can include your spouse or partner and dependent children in your application. The required minimum monthly income increases by 20% for a spouse and 15% for each dependent child.
- Reliable digital infrastructure: Whether you choose a big city or one of Greece’s many islands, you’ll benefit from expanding digital infrastructure, including high-speed internet and 5G connectivity in many regions, which makes it easier to work remotely.
Greek FIP Visa Requirements in 2026
To qualify for Greece’s Financially Independent Person (FIP) route, applicants must be non-EU/EEA nationals who can demonstrate sufficient independent financial resources to live in Greece without relying on employment or business activity in the country. Applicants must also have appropriate health insurance and provide the required personal, financial and supporting documents.
1. Non-EU/EEA nationality
The FIP route is intended for third-country nationals, meaning applicants who are not citizens of the European Union, European Economic Area or Switzerland. EU/EEA citizens do not need this residence route because they have separate rights to live in Greece.
2. Minimum financial requirement
The main applicant must demonstrate at least €3,500 in net monthly financial resources. This is the core financial requirement for the FIP route and is intended to show that the applicant can support themselves in Greece without relying on local employment.
The required amount increases when family members are included. The threshold increases by 20% for a spouse and 15% for each dependent child.
Applicants who meet the financial requirement through savings rather than regular monthly income must demonstrate sufficient funds €126,000 in savings for three years.
The savings amount increases when family members are included. Based on the applicable 20% increase for a spouse and 15% increase for each dependent child, the three-year amounts are:
| Applicant | Minimum monthly resources |
|---|---|
| Main applicant | €3,500 |
| Main applicant + spouse | €4,200 |
| Main applicant + 1 child | €4,725 |
| Main applicant + spouse + 1 child | €5,250 |
| Main applicant + spouse + 2 children | €5,775 |
4. Source of financial resources
The FIP route is intended for financially independent individuals. This makes it particularly relevant to retirees receiving pensions, as well as applicants with other stable and independent sources of income.
Depending on the applicant’s circumstances, financial evidence can include pension income, savings or other qualifying resources. Applicants should be able to document the source, amount and availability of the financial resources they are relying on.
5. No Greek employment or business activity
The FIP route is not an employment-based residence permit. Applicants must demonstrate that they can support themselves independently rather than relying on a Greek salary or local business activity.
If an applicant’s purpose is to work remotely for an employer or clients outside Greece, the Greece Digital Nomad route is a separate residence option with its own requirements.
6. Health Insurance
Applicants must have appropriate health insurance covering their stay in Greece. Proof of insurance forms part of the application and must meet the requirements applicable to the FIP route.
8. Criminal-Record Documentation
Applicants may be required to provide criminal-record documentation as part of the application. Documents issued outside Greece may need to be apostilled or legalised and translated into Greek, depending on the document and the requirements of the authority processing the application.
9. Family Members
A spouse and eligible dependent children may be included under the applicable family provisions. Including family members increases the amount of financial resources the applicant must demonstrate.
The required financial resources increase by 20% for a spouse and 15% for each dependent child. Applicants should therefore calculate their applicable monthly and savings requirements based on the number of family members included in the application.
Type D Visa and Greece FIP Residence-Permit Process
Applying for the Greece FIP Visa requires applicants to show that they meet the financial independence requirements set out in Greece’s Immigration Code (Law 5038/2023). The process begins with a National Type D Visa through the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, followed by a residence permit application with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum after arrival in Greece.
Step 1: Confirm your eligibility
Before beginning the application, confirm that you meet the FIP Visa’s financial requirements. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient passive income or qualifying savings from sources outside Greece, together with comprehensive health insurance and the remaining eligibility requirements established under Law 5038/2023.
Step 2: Prepare your documentation
Gather all required supporting documents, including proof of passive income or savings, health insurance, accommodation, and a clean criminal record. Depending on where the documents were issued, certified translations or legalization may also be required.
Step 3: Submit your Type D Visa application
Submit your National Type D Visa application and supporting documents to the appropriate Greek Consulate or Embassy in your country of residence. The Greek authorities will review your financial circumstances and supporting documentation before making a decision.
Step 4: Relocate to Greece and apply for your residence permit
Once your entry visa has been approved, travel to Greece and submit your residence permit application to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum before your visa expires. Applicants are also required to complete biometric registration as part of the residence permit process.
Step 5: Receive your residence permit
Following approval, you will receive your three-year residence permit, allowing you to legally reside in Greece. The permit can be renewed every three years, provided you continue meeting the program’s financial and residency requirements.
FIP Greek Visa Validity and Renewal
Under Greece’s Immigration Code (Law 5038/2023), the Greece FIP residence permit is issued for three years and can be renewed for additional three-year periods, provided applicants continue to meet the program’s financial and residency requirements.
To renew your residence permit, you’ll need to show that you still meet the minimum passive income or savings requirements and provide updated supporting documentation.
The FIP Visa does not allow employment or self-employment in Greece. To remain eligible for renewal, applicants must also reside in Greece for at least 183 days per calendar year.
Cost of the FIP Visa Greece
The cost of applying for the Greece FIP Visa includes government fees for the entry visa and residence permit, as well as any additional administrative costs. Additional costs may include certified translations, document legalization or apostilles, private health insurance, and professional advisory fees.
| Government Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| National Type D Visa | €150–€300 |
| Residence permit | €1,000 |
| Residence card (biometrics) | €16 |
Greece’s 7% Foreign-Pension Tax Regime
Qualifying foreign pensioners who become Greek tax residents can benefit from a 7% flat tax on qualifying foreign-sourced income for up to 15 years. To qualify, applicants must not have been Greek tax residents for five of the previous six years and must transfer their tax residence from a country with which Greece has a tax-administration cooperation agreement.
The 7% regime is separate from the FIP residence permit. An FIP permit does not automatically make you a Greek tax resident or qualify you for the 7% rate. Applicants must meet the separate Greek tax-residence and foreign-pension regime requirements.
FIP Greece Visa Processing Time
Processing times are different depending on the Greek Consulate and the completeness of your application. In most cases, applicants can expect the following timeline:
Long-Term Residence and Citizenship Through the Greece FIP Visa
Long-Term Residence and Citizenship
The FIP residence permit can provide a pathway toward longer-term residence in Greece. After five years of continuous legal residence, an applicant may be eligible to apply for long-term resident status, provided they meet the additional requirements that apply to long-term residence.
For Greek citizenship, the general naturalisation route requires seven years of legal residence in Greece before an application can be made. Applicants must also meet additional naturalisation requirements, which can include Greek language proficiency, knowledge of Greek history and culture, integration into Greek society and evidence of meeting their tax and other legal obligations
Greece FIP vs Golden Visa vs Digital Nomad Visa
Greece offers several residence routes for non-EU nationals, but they are designed for very different circumstances. The table below highlights the main differences between the FIP route, Greece Golden Visa and Greece Digital Nomad Visa.
| Requirement | FIP Route | Golden Visa | Digital Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main purpose | Residence based on financial independence | Residence based on qualifying investment | Residence for qualifying remote workers |
| Minimum financial requirement | €3,500/month net for the main applicant | Investment of at least €250,000, with higher thresholds of €400,000 or €800,000 applying to certain investments and locations | €3,500/month net for the main applicant |
| Spouse | Financial threshold increases by 20% | Family members can be included under the applicable rules | Financial threshold increases by 20% |
| Dependent child | Financial threshold increases by 15% per child | Family members can be included under the applicable rules | Financial threshold increases by 15% per child |
| Savings alternative | €126,000 for the main applicant over three years, based on the €3,500 monthly requirement | Not applicable; the route is based on a qualifying investment | Not the primary qualification; applicants must demonstrate the required remote-work income |
| Residence permit validity | 3 years | 5 years, renewable while the qualifying investment is maintained | 2 years |
| Local employment | No ordinary Greek employment under the FIP route | Depends on the applicable Golden Visa rules; it is not an employment permit | Designed for remote work for employers or clients outside Greece, subject to the applicable conditions |
| Who is it best suited to? | Retirees and financially independent individuals | Applicants who want residence through investment | Remote workers employed or contracted outside Greece |
| Investment required? | No | Yes | No |
| Tax residence | Residence permit does not automatically create Greek tax residence | Residence permit does not automatically create Greek tax residence | Residence permit does not automatically create Greek tax residence |
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
