Last Updated on February 23, 2023
UK nationals who have been legally living in Greece before December 31, 2020 when the UK withdraws from the EU may continue to live, study, and work in Greece through rights established through the Withdrawal Agreement. UK nationals who are residents of Greece by the end of the Brexit transition will be covered by the Withdrawal Agreement, and their rights will be protected if they remain a resident. UK nationals should make sure they are registered as residents.
Entry and Residency Requirements
UK nationals who are residents of Greece before December 31, 2020 can remain residents following the Brexit transition. Current residents can use their residence documents as temporary national residence permits. UK nationals must obtain a new biometric residence document between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021. Current residents can use their residence documents as temporary national residence permits.
Individuals must appear in person at a local police station to submit their biometrics data. Appointments must be scheduled in advance. Applicants who were residents of Greece before the Brexit transition may demonstrate proof of residency with their EU residence registration documentation, a lease agreement, or pay stubs. Applicants may prove their residency status with their EU residence registration and proof of application filing until their new permit is issued.
UK nationals who have been a resident of Greece for less than five years will get a residence document with a five-year validity. Individuals who have been residents of Greece for more than five years will receive a 10-year renewable residency document. They are also eligible for permanent residency. To request the residence document, UK nationals should visit their nearest General Regional Police Directorate with an Aliens Department. UK nationals in Attica and Thessaloniki should visit the closest Hellenic Police Station with an Aliens Department. Non-EU family members should visit the closest Directorate for Aliens and Migration of the Decentralized Administrations.
To request the residence document, UK nationals should visit their nearest General Regional Police Directorate with an Aliens Department. UK nationals in Attica and Thessaloniki should visit the closest Hellenic Police Station with an Aliens Department. Non-EU family members should visit the closest Directorate for Aliens and Migration of the Decentralized Administrations. They can apply for a residence permit for family members of UK nationals at a local Migration office between January 1, 2021 and June 30, 2021.
An application fee of EUR 16 applies for primary applicants and non-EU family members.
Travel is permitted in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a visa to visit family or friends; attend business meetings, sports events, or cultural events; for tourism, and for short-term study or training. Travelers should note that visits to other Schengen countries within the previous 180 days also count towards the 90-day maximum stay. Any days spent in Greece before January 1, 2021 will not count towards the 90-day limit.
Working in Greece
UK nationals who are residents of Greece as of December 31, 2020 will retain their right to work in Greece if they remain residents.
To apply for a job, UK nationals may need the following documents:
- UK criminal records check
- Greek criminal records check
The Greek criminal records check can be obtained through the Penal Records Department of the Ministry of Justice or the local Citizens Service Centre. UK nationals may obtain a social insurance number (AMKA) through their local Citizens Service Centre (KEP).
Individuals who live in Greece and commute to work in another EU/EFTA country may need a permit proving that they are a frontier worker starting in January 2021. The Home Office will provide further details when guidance is available.
Passports
A valid passport is required to enter the country through December 2020. Starting on January 1, 2021, passports must have at least a six-month validity, except for individuals transiting Greece or who fall within the scope of the Withdrawal Agreement. Individuals must renew their passport prior to traveling if they have less than six months remaining on their passport. Additional months from passports that are more than 10 years old cannot be added to the validity period.
