Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it possible to get permanent residency in Greece after approval?
The answer is: NO!
Generally, the immigration office provides applicants with a document known as the “blue paper” for immigration-related matters. This document is blue in color and is commonly referred to as the blue paper. Let’s delve into the details of the blue paper: The Greek blue paper, also known as the waiting paper, is issued by the Greek immigration office and is valid for one year. Holders of the blue paper can freely enter and exit Greece, and it is recognized at various entry points in Greece. However, it does not allow travel to other Schengen countries. The issuance date is the same as the date of submission of the immigration application and matches the issuance date of the permanent residency card.
2. What aspects do we need to pay attention to?
- If you hold the blue paper and arrive in Greece, you do not need to apply for a Greek visa; you can use the original passport and blue paper.
- You can fly directly to Greece or transfer outside the Schengen area. However, you cannot transfer in other Schengen countries.
- Holding the blue paper does not allow entry into other Schengen countries. The blue paper is a temporary document issued by Greece and is not a Schengen visa, so other Schengen countries do not recognize it for entry.
- Everyone who submits an immigration application receives the blue paper. If you need to land in Greece with the blue paper, you need to obtain the blue paper first. If you are not in a hurry to land in Greece, you can keep the blue card at the lawyer’s office until the official permanent residency card is issued. The blue paper must be returned to the immigration office before receiving the permanent residency card.
- If you use the blue paper to land in Greece, you do not need to apply for a Greek visa. You can use the original passport and blue paper.
- If you use the blue paper to land in Greece, you need to land in Greece within 6 months of receiving the blue paper.
- The main applicant does not need to collect fingerprints; other family members must wait for the main applicant to collect fingerprints before the card can be issued.
Once the blue paper is obtained, it usually means that obtaining Greek permanent residency is not far away. The next step involves the lawyer helping the applicant schedule a fingerprinting appointment. After completing this step, the applicant essentially waits for the immigration office to issue the permanent residency card. This permanent residency card is also referred to as the “pink card,” similar to the blue paper, due to the color of the card face.
The Greek permanent residency card, or pink card, is the final step for all applicants participating in the investment immigration program in Greece. With the official pink card in hand, individuals can freely travel to and from all European Union Schengen countries.
The following are examples of our successful cases:
Through the information on the card above, let’s delve into the following questions:
1. What is the validity period of the pink card?
The permanent residency card is valid for 5 years, and it needs to be renewed every five years. The renewed permanent residency card will also be valid for 5 years.
If the main applicant fails to renew their status in a timely manner, the status of all applicants will be invalidated.
If only family members (dependent applicants) fail to renew in a timely manner, their status will be invalidated, but they can apply for reunification to restore their status.
Example: The validity period of the permanent residency card for the group of applicants mentioned above is from March 11, 2020, to March 10, 2025.
Children under six years old, the initial permanent residency card is valid until the child turns 6. For minors under eighteen, the initial permanent residency card is valid until the child turns 18, and it can be renewed until the age of 24.
The validity period of the permanent residency card for all family members does not exceed that of the main applicant.
Example: If the validity period of the main applicant’s permanent residency card is until March 10, 2025, then the validity period for all family members’ permanent residency cards will not exceed March 10, 2025.
Children reaching six or eighteen years old need to enter Greece, submit relevant documents, and provide fingerprints to renew the permanent residency card. The new card’s validity period will be the same as that of the main applicant’s card.
If family members join later, regardless of when the application is submitted, the validity period cannot exceed that of the main applicant’s permanent residency card.
Example: Using the group of applicants mentioned above, if a family member applies for reunification on January 1, 2021, the validity period for the reunification applicant’s permanent residency card will be from January 1, 2021, to March 10, 2025.
The expiration date of all applicants’ permanent residency cards is the same (except for minors under six/eighteen years old). The renewal process starts 6 months before the expiration date, and all applicants need to enter Greece for renewal.
Example: For the applicants mentioned above, they can start the renewal process on September 10, 2024.
2. What are the requirements for renewal after the pink card expires?
Apply for renewal before the expiration of the permanent residency card. If applying for an extension, it can only be extended within two months after the card expires.
Hold property worth more than 250,000 euros.
Purchase Greek health insurance.
Timely and fully pay all taxes and fees during the holding period of the permanent residency card.
3. Can the pink card be used to apply for EU permanent residency?
Yes, it can be converted to EU permanent residency. The applicant needs to meet the residence requirement of living for no less than 4 years and 2 months within the last 5 years, with no single absence exceeding 10 months. Other conditions include language proficiency, tax compliance, and other requirements set by the immigration authorities.
EU permanent residency application conditions vary depending on the country of application. Continuous residence requirements in the applying country, tax compliance in the applying country, language exams, integration courses or exams, fixed residence, health insurance, etc.
4. Can you work or do business with the pink card?
You cannot work, but you can engage in business. You can open a restaurant, travel agency, short-term rental, or pursue freelance work. You can also trade stocks, do live streaming, or become an online celebrity. The Greek government encourages investors to establish companies and create job opportunities!
5. Can holders of the pink card enjoy local healthcare?
Non-Greek citizens holding a Greek permanent residency permit (pink card) can enjoy Greek healthcare benefits by paying an annual health insurance premium of approximately 300 euros per person. This allows for 100% reimbursement for public healthcare and 80% reimbursement for private healthcare.
6. Can children holding the pink card apply to attend public schools in Greece?
Yes. Minor children can apply to attend public schools in Greece and receive free education. They can also apply to attend private schools, receiving a genuine Western-style education. Generally, international schools provide education in pure English, and in addition, students can also learn a second language, such as French, German, or Greek.
7. Can children holding the pink card attend schools in other EU countries?
For secondary education, it is generally possible, but it depends on the policies of each country. France, Germany, and Nordic countries are usually more flexible. For higher education, it depends on the requirements of different universities. Public universities in EU countries typically have separate application procedures for “domestic students,” “EU students,” and “foreign students.” Ordinary Chinese students need to apply through the “foreign student” channel. However, holding long-term residency in an EU country allows application through the “EU student” channel, which is generally simpler and has significant advantages in terms of tuition and other aspects.
8. In which countries can holders of the pink card enter without a visa?
Greece is a Schengen country and an important member of the European Union. Holding a Greek permanent residency card allows for visa-free travel to the 26 Schengen countries. According to the entry regulations of Cyprus, Bulgaria, and Romania, holders of a Schengen entry permit can also freely enter and exit these three countries. Therefore, obtaining Greek residency is equivalent to obtaining the right to free travel in 29 countries.