In short
American retirees usually use Greece's financially independent person (FIP) permit: €3,500 a month from pensions, investments or savings (+20% for a spouse, +15% per child), private health insurance and a registered lease or property; no work in Greece. You first get a national D visa (€180) at the Greek consulate for your US state, then apply for a 3-year renewable permit in Greece (€1,000 + €16). Separately, if you receive a foreign pension and move your tax residence to Greece, all your foreign income can be taxed at a flat 7% for up to 15 years — apply by 31 March. US citizens still owe US tax. Long-term residence follows after 5 years and citizenship after 7.
Retiring in Greece: key facts
Last verified 28 September 2026| Financially independent person (FIP) | €3,500 a month (€42,000 a year), +20% for a spouse and +15% per child; no work in Greece# Source: TaxLaw Greece: residence permit for financially independent persons (Feb 2026) |
|---|---|
| FIP: permit | National D visa from a Greek consulate first; permit for 3 years, renewable for 3 years# Source: TaxLaw Greece: residence permit for financially independent persons (Feb 2026) |
| FIP: fees | D visa €180; permit €1,000 plus €16 for the card; €150 per adult family member# Source: TaxLaw Greece: residence permit for financially independent persons (Feb 2026) |
| 7% regime for pensioners | If you receive a foreign pension, all your foreign income can be taxed at a flat 7% for up to 15 years; not tax resident in Greece in 5 of the previous 6 years; apply by 31 March# Source: Income Tax Code art. 5B: 7% regime for foreign pensioners · PwC Tax Summaries: Greece — individual tax incentives |
| US tax | US citizens stay taxable in the US on worldwide income; Greek tax can be credited, but the 7% regime does not lower your US tax# Source: IRS: US citizens and resident aliens abroad |
| Tax residence | More than 183 days in Greece in any 12-month period# Source: Income Tax Code art. 4: tax residence |
| Income tax | 9% to 44% (top rate above €60,000)# Source: PwC Tax Summaries: Greece — personal income tax |
| €100 | €100,000 a year on all foreign income (+€20,000 per family member) for up to 15 years; needs €500,000 invested in Greece# Source: Income Tax Code art. 5A: €100,000 flat tax for new residents · PwC Tax Summaries: Greece — individual tax incentives |
| Healthcare | Public cover (EOPYY) comes through Greek social-security (EFKA) contributions; FIP and golden visa holders need private insurance# Source: Argophilia: optional health insurance for third-country pensioners · TaxLaw Greece: residence permit for financially independent persons (Feb 2026) |
| Tax number (AFM) | Free; non-residents can apply online with a myAADE video call — before you move# Source: AADE: tax number (AFM) for non-residents · AADE: tax guide for non-residents (Jul 2025) |
| Long-term residence | After 5 years; absences of at most 6 months in a row and 10 months in total; Greek language and civics, income and insurance needed# Source: AIDA (ECRE): long-term residence in Greece |
| Citizenship | 7 years of legal, continuous residence (usually after long-term residence; 12 years on other permits); PEGP exam (B1 Greek + civics, €150); fee €550; dual citizenship allowed# Source: Mitos (gov.gr): naturalisation of foreign nationals · gov.gr: PEGP naturalisation knowledge exam · US Department of State: dual nationality |
Not American?
Canadians, Australians, Brits and other non-EU citizens: the same rules apply
The FIP permit works the same for all non-EU citizens, so Canadians, Australians, New Zealanders and Brits apply as described on this page. Only a few points differ:
- Canada
- Australia
- New Zealand
- United Kingdom
- Japan
- South Korea
- + other visa-free countries
| Where to apply | At the Greek consulate for your country (and region) of residence. |
|---|---|
| The 7% regime | It needs a move from a country that exchanges tax information with Greece — the US qualifies, as do most treaty countries. |
| Home-country tax | US citizens stay taxable in the US on worldwide income, so the 7% rate lowers Greek tax but not US tax; most other retirees are taxed only where they live. |
| Documents from abroad | Need an apostille; the US, Canada (since 11 Jan 2024), the UK, Australia and NZ issue them.Source: HCCH: Apostille Convention status table |
At a Glance
Retiring in Greece in Numbers
Why Greece
Why Retire in Greece?
Greece combines a mild climate, low rents and a relaxed pace with full EU and Schengen membership. For pensioners, the 7% regime replaces Greek income tax rates of up to 44% with a flat 7% on all foreign income.
Mediterranean Living at Accessible Cost
Athens · Thessaloniki · Crete · Corfu · Peloponnese
A central 1-bedroom in Athens costs about €665 a month, and Thessaloniki and Crete are cheaper still. The permit card lets you travel in the Schengen area for up to 90 days in any 180.
D Visa → FIP Permit → Long-Term Residence → Citizenship
D visa · 3-year permit · 5 years · 7 years
Get a national D visa at the Greek consulate, apply for the FIP permit in Greece, renew every 3 years, apply for long-term residence after 5 years and for citizenship after 7. The 7% tax is a separate request to the tax authority.
FIP Requirements
Greece FIP Permit: Requirements
| Document | What is required |
|---|---|
| Valid passport | Valid for your planned stay, with copies of all pages. |
| Proof of income €3,500+/month | Pensions, Social Security, dividends, rent or other legal income of at least €3,500 a month (+20% for a spouse, +15% per child). Savings covering the permit period — about €126,000 for 3 years for a single person — are usually accepted. |
| Health insurance | Private insurance covering hospital and medical care in Greece for the whole permit. Check the policy terms carefully. |
| Accommodation | A lease registered with the Greek tax authority, or a property deed. Holiday rentals and unregistered leases are not accepted. |
| Criminal record | FBI record check, apostilled, with a certified Greek translation. |
| Tax number (AFM) | Free; non-residents can get it online with a myAADE video call before they arrive. |
| Fees | D visa €180; permit €1,000 plus €16 for the card; €150 per adult family member (minors exempt). |
Income set by joint ministerial decision 225679/2024 under the Migration Code. Source: TaxLaw Greece: FIP permit · AADE: AFM for non-residents
The FIP permit and the 7% regime are two separate applications to two different authorities — and the tax deadline does not wait for your permit.
Step by Step
The FIP Application Process
Months 1–2 — documents
Order the FBI check (about 48 hours online) and the apostille (weeks). Get your AFM online, buy compliant health insurance, sign and register a lease, and collect income statements. Have everything translated into Greek by a certified translator.
Month 2–3 — national D visa
Apply at the Greek consulate that covers your US state — the Embassy in Washington or a consulate general such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles or San Francisco. The fee is €180.
After arrival — FIP permit
File the permit application on the Ministry of Migration platform before your D visa expires and give biometrics. Under the 2026 law the decision is due within 90 days of a complete file (+30 days). The certificate of application keeps your stay legal meanwhile.
By 31 March — the 7% tax request
File the 7% request with the tax authority (AADE) by 31 March of the first tax year you want it for. It does not depend on your permit decision — waiting can cost you a year.
What You Gain
Life in Greece as a FIP Resident
The 7% flat tax
If you receive a foreign pension and move your tax residence to Greece, all your foreign income — pension, dividends, interest, rent and gains — can be taxed at a flat 7% for up to 15 years. You must not have been Greek tax resident in 5 of the previous 6 years. Greek-source income is taxed normally, and foreign tax cannot be credited against the 7%.
Live where you like in Greece
The permit has no fixed minimum number of days, but it is meant for people who actually live in Greece. Long absences — more than 6 months in a row or 10 months in total over 5 years — break the count for long-term residence.
Healthcare
Public cover (EOPYY) is linked to Greek social-security contributions, so most retirees keep private insurance. Premiums for people over 60 are much higher than for younger adults — get quotes early.
Family and citizenship
Your spouse and children under 18 can join you on the same income (+20% / +15%). After 5 years you can apply for long-term residence, and after 7 years of continuous residence for citizenship with the PEGP exam (B1 Greek and civics). Dual citizenship is allowed.
Key Considerations
What to Know Before You Apply
The 7% regime is not automatic
You must apply to AADE by 31 March of the tax year, and pay the 7% tax in one sum by the end of July. Ask a Greek accountant whether your IRA or 401(k) withdrawals count as a pension.
The 7% does not lower your US tax
US citizens are taxed by the US on worldwide income. The 7% replaces Greek progressive rates of up to 44%; the US then taxes the same income, with a credit for the Greek 7%. FBAR and FATCA reporting continue.
Income proof
Show regular income — pension or Social Security statements, dividends, rent — or savings that cover the whole permit period. Translations must be certified.
Use a Greek immigration lawyer
A lawyer who files FIP cases regularly knows each office's practice. Directories like LocalVouch can help you find one.
Wealthier retirees have another option
The €100,000 flat tax covers all foreign income for up to 15 years (+€20,000 per family member), but needs €500,000 invested in Greece and 7 of the previous 8 years outside Greek tax residence.
Greece's FIP permit is right for you if
- You have at least €3,500 a month from pensions, Social Security or investments — or savings to cover the permit.
- You will not work in Greece.
- You plan to live in Greece for most of the year.
- You receive a foreign pension and want to use the 7% regime — and have planned your US taxes.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum income for Greece's FIP permit in 2026?
€3,500 a month (€42,000 a year) for a single applicant, +20% for a spouse and +15% per child. It was raised from €2,000 by a 2024 ministerial decision. Savings that cover the permit period are usually accepted too.
Do I have to spend 183 days a year in Greece on the FIP permit?
The permit rules set no 183-day minimum. The permit is for people who live in Greece, and spending more than 183 days there makes you a Greek tax resident. Long absences can break the count toward long-term residence.
Does the 7% flat tax apply to all my foreign income?
Yes, if you receive a foreign pension and move your tax residence to Greece — pension, dividends, interest, rent and gains from abroad are all taxed at 7% for up to 15 years. Greek-source income is taxed normally.
Can I combine the FIP permit with the 7% regime?
Yes. They are separate applications — the permit with the Ministry of Migration and the 7% request with AADE by 31 March.
Can my adult children join me on the FIP permit?
No. Only your spouse and unmarried children under 18 can be included.
Greece
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