Family Reunification
Bring your spouse and children to live with you in Greece.
Cost, processing time and complexity are VisaPath's general guidance, not official figures, and vary by applicant and current rules.
Who it's for
About this route
Greece's family reunification route lets a non-EU national who already holds a valid Greek residence permit sponsor close family members to join them and live in Greece. Built on the EU Family Reunification framework, it commonly covers a legal spouse and minor children, with the family member's permit usually tied to the sponsor's status. It is potentially suitable for expats and long-term residents who want to keep their household together rather than for investors seeking a standalone residency program.
Who it's for
- Non-EU residents already holding a valid Greek residence permit who want their spouse to join them
- Parents who need to bring minor children to settle in Greece
- Expats on work, study, or Golden Visa permits planning to consolidate their household
- Families who prefer a relationship-based route rather than a new investment program
- Long-term residents building toward permanent residence and, eventually, citizenship as a family
Benefits
- Family members can live legally in Greece and access local services such as schooling for children
- Residence in Greece offers visa-free movement within the Schengen Area, subject to current rules
- Family permits are typically renewable alongside the sponsor's permit
- Time spent on the permit may count toward EU long-term residence after a qualifying period of continuous legal stay
- Over time, family members may build a path toward permanent residence and, eventually, naturalization, subject to separate requirements
- Keeps the household together under one legal residence framework
Requirements
- A sponsor who is a non-EU national legally residing in Greece on a valid residence permit (a prior period of lawful residence is commonly expected before sponsoring)
- Proof of a qualifying family relationship, such as legal marriage or parentage of minor children
- Evidence of stable and sufficient income to support the family without relying on public assistance, scaled to family size
- Suitable accommodation in Greece considered adequate for the family
- Health insurance coverage for the joining family members
- Clean documentation, including valid passports and, in many cases, police clearance for adult applicants
Documents commonly requested
- Valid passports for each joining family member
- Marriage certificate, birth certificates, or other proof of the family relationship
- Sponsor's valid Greek residence permit and proof of lawful residence
- Evidence of income and financial means (employment, tax, or bank documentation)
- Proof of adequate accommodation in Greece
- Health insurance covering the family members
- Police clearance certificates for adult applicants and recent photographs, where required
How to apply
- 1
Confirm the sponsor's residence status and gather proof of the family relationship, income, housing, and insurance
- 2
The family member applies for a Type D national visa for family reunification at the Greek consulate in their home country
- 3
Submit certified, translated, and where required legalized civil documents (marriage, birth certificates)
- 4
After the visa is issued, the family member travels to Greece
- 5
Apply for the family residence permit at the competent migration authority and complete biometrics
- 6
Receive a residence card, generally aligned with the sponsor's permit validity, and renew as needed
Good to know
- Income, residence-period, and documentation thresholds change and vary by family size and permit type, so confirm current figures with official sources or a professional review
- Unmarried or informal partners are commonly not covered; eligibility usually centers on legal marriage and minor children
- Civil documents typically require certified translation and legalization (apostille), which can add time
- The family permit is generally dependent on the sponsor's status, so changes such as relationship breakdown or loss of the sponsor's permit may affect renewal
- Processing times vary and can take several months, so plan travel and document validity accordingly
Common questions
Start your application
Tell us your situation and our team will confirm the route and handle the paperwork.
Esta ferramenta fornece uma estimativa geral de correspondência de rotas com base nas informações que você inseriu. Não é aconselhamento jurídico, tributário, financeiro ou de imigração. Não garante elegibilidade, aprovação, emissão de visto, aprovação de residência, cidadania, abertura de conta bancária ou qualquer resultado por parte de órgãos governamentais. Recomenda-se uma avaliação profissional.