Residency permits

I saw on line Greek news yesterday an article saying that all EU and non EU people living here in Greece will very soon have to obtain a Biometric residents permit which will also serve as an official ID card,they will call us in for a formal meeting and take finger prints etc.. once we apply,the cost will be 16 euro.Im unable to find on line any further information as to where we apply,how?It said that people with existing permits do not need to apply until their permit gets close to running out.If anyone knows any more on this perhaps they can let us know.It is in fact an EU law from some years back that Greece didnt comply with,Germany has it in place,Of course with the Brexit UK people will not be Europeans and we all await our fate when living outside of the UK now.

If you can't find any details, have you thought of getting in touch with the British Embassy?

Hello,yes thats a good idea,they will surely know exactly what the score is.I see you are in Austria,lucky you,well organised beautiful country,my husband would be jealous,he would love to leave from Greece,he is Greek but he is so utterly tired to the bone of this place,he has a job but hates the way thats run by Greeks,thanks for your reply.

Hi concertina,

After a quick research, you apply at the local branch of DEI in Chania.

Adhesive labels in passports and all other kinds of paperwork relating to foreign nationals living in Greece are to be scrapped and replaced by a new, electronic residence permit that will also double up as an identity card.

There are currently 557,476 third-country nationals living in Greece legally and, according to a circular issued by the Migration Policy Ministry on Wednesday, they will soon be able to apply for a meeting with authorities to go through the necessary process for obtaining their permits.

Within 30 days of receiving the application, Greek authorities will have to set a date for the meeting, during which their biometric data (user's photo and fingerprints) will be recorded so it can be entered on the card's electronic chip. The chip can also store electronic proof of identity and a qualified electronic signature.

The card will also show whether the holder has the right to work in Greece.

All European member-states are obliged to introduce the electronic residence permit based on a regulation first passed in 2002 and then updated in 2008. The aim is to design a uniform residence permit for the EU. Several other countries, such as Germany which rolled out its residence cards in September 2011, have already completed the process.

According to the ministry's circular, the cost of obtaining the residence permit will be 16 euros. Any foreigners living in Greece who already have residence permits will not have to update to the new format until their current documentation expires.



More in depth information can be found here.

I hope this is of use to you.

Yes, I am lucky to be in Austria, lived here now for just over 8 years. I have truly made it my home now even with Brexit looming, I can't see myself moving. But I am not going to worry about that till the time comes. Will take over 2 years to sort it out so lots of time yet.

Regards

Simon