VisaPath

Financially Independent Person

Live in Greece on your passive income — a residence route for retirees and the financially independent.

Start application →Greece All routes
CostLow-Medium
ProcessingFast-Medium
ComplexityModerate

Cost, processing time and complexity are VisaPath's general guidance, not official figures, and vary by applicant and current rules.

Who it's for

Passive incomeRetirees

About this route

Greece's Financially Independent Person (FIP) visa is a residence route for non-EU nationals who can support themselves from passive income such as pensions, dividends, rental earnings, or investments, without working in Greece. It typically begins as a national (Type-D) visa and converts into a multi-year residence permit, offering a path toward long-term residence over time. It is best suited to people who genuinely intend to live in Greece rather than those seeking a purely paper-based investment program.

Who it's for

  • Retirees with a stable pension who want to settle in a Schengen country
  • Financially independent individuals living off dividends, rental income, or investments
  • Families seeking a European base where dependents can be included
  • People wanting an EU residence path that does not require a large property investment

Benefits

  • Legal residence in Greece with the right to live there long term
  • Visa-free short-stay travel across the Schengen Area while your permit is valid
  • Family members such as a spouse and dependent children can typically be included
  • No large property or capital investment required, unlike the Golden Visa
  • Renewable multi-year permit that can build toward long-term EU residence and, eventually, a potential citizenship application after several years of lawful residence (subject to integration and language requirements)

Requirements

  • Be a non-EU/EEA national who does not intend to work in Greece
  • Demonstrate sufficient, stable passive income (commonly assessed as a monthly net figure, with higher amounts typically required for a spouse and each dependent)
  • In some cases, savings held in a bank may be considered as an alternative to recurring income, subject to current rules
  • Hold valid private health insurance covering your stay in Greece
  • Have a clean criminal record and pass any required health screening
  • Provide proof of accommodation in Greece (rental or owned property)

Documents commonly requested

  • Valid passport with sufficient remaining validity
  • Proof of stable passive income (e.g., pension statements, dividend records, rental contracts, bank statements)
  • Evidence of savings where used to support the application
  • Private health insurance covering Greece
  • Criminal record certificate, suitably legalized or apostilled
  • Proof of accommodation in Greece (lease agreement or property deed)
  • Completed application forms and passport photographs as specified by the authorities

How to apply

  1. 1

    Confirm this is an initial route match for your profile and seek professional review of your income documentation

  2. 2

    Apply for a national (Type-D) visa at the Greek consulate in your country of residence

  3. 3

    Submit financial proof, health insurance, criminal record certificate, passport, and proof of accommodation

  4. 4

    Travel to Greece on the national visa once issued

  5. 5

    File your residence permit application with the local immigration authority and provide biometrics

  6. 6

    Pay the applicable fees and await issuance of your residence card

  7. 7

    Renew the permit before expiry, re-demonstrating that you continue to meet the financial conditions

Good to know

  • This permit does not allow you to work or run a business in Greece; remote workers should look at the Digital Nomad route instead
  • Financial thresholds were updated in recent years and amounts may change — always verify the current figures before applying
  • Spending substantial time in Greece (commonly cited as around 183 days per year) can make you a Greek tax resident, which may affect worldwide income; specialist tax advice is recommended
  • Special tax regimes (such as a flat-rate option for foreign pensioners) may exist but have their own conditions and are not automatic
  • Document legalization, translation, and consular processing times can add weeks or months — plan ahead and budget accordingly

Common questions

No. This route is built around financial independence, so local employment or running a Greek business is generally not permitted. If you work remotely for clients or an employer, the Digital Nomad visa is usually the more appropriate option.

Authorities typically look for stable, documented passive income such as pensions, dividends, rental earnings, or investment returns. In some cases substantial savings may be considered, but recurring income is generally preferred. A professional review of your specific situation is recommended.

The permit is renewable and time spent as a lawful resident can count toward long-term EU residence and, after several years, a potential citizenship application. Citizenship typically involves additional requirements such as language and integration tests, and is never guaranteed.

Family members such as a spouse and dependent children can typically be included, but income thresholds usually rise for each additional person. Confirm the current requirements before applying.

The Golden Visa is investment-based, usually requiring a significant property or capital investment. The FIP visa instead relies on proof of passive income and a genuine intention to live in Greece, with no large investment required.

Start your application

Tell us your situation and our team will confirm the route and handle the paperwork.

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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.