EU Citizen Registration in Greece: Certificate, Documents and Office
The veveosi engrafis is a short police procedure, but you need the right proof for your situation: work, study, own income or family. Here is what to bring in Athens.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who stay in Greece for more than three months must register and get a registration certificate (veveosi engrafis) from the aliens department of the Hellenic Police for their area. You apply in person, by appointment, with your ID or passport, proof of address and proof of work, study or enough income. The certificate does not expire.
The certificate is not a residence permit. It confirms that you are exercising your EU right to live in Greece, and it is the paper banks, employers, EFKA and the tax office will ask for once you settle.
Who needs to register, and when?
You need the certificate if you are an EU, EEA (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) or Swiss citizen and plan to live in Greece for longer than three months. The application is due within three months of arrival, according to the Greek law that implements the EU free movement directive.
The first three months need no paperwork beyond a valid ID card or passport. Tourists and people who split the year between countries without settling in Greece do not register.
UK nationals are no longer covered. Since Brexit, British citizens who moved to Greece after 31 December 2020 follow the rules for non-EU citizens. Those who lived in Greece before that date hold residence documents under the Withdrawal Agreement, which are handled by the Ministry of Migration rather than the police.
What documents do you need for each case?
The proof depends on the reason for your stay. The table follows the checklists on the official Greek procedures register (Mitos), as of November 2026.
| Your situation | Documents besides ID or passport |
|---|---|
| Employee | Employment contract or employer’s certificate, with your EFKA registration |
| Self-employed | Proof of business registration with the tax office (start of activity) |
| Student | Enrolment certificate, health insurance and a statement that you have enough resources |
| Not working (retiree, own income) | Proof of sufficient resources and health insurance covering you in Greece |
| Family member who is also an EU citizen | Proof of the family link and the registration of the EU family member you join |
All applicants also bring recent passport photos and proof of address in Greece, such as a lease registered with AADE or a utility bill. Documents not in Greek or English may need a certified translation; ask the office in advance.
Most people also need a Greek tax number before the job, bank and lease steps. Our guide to getting an AFM in Greece explains how.
Where do you apply in Athens?
In Attica, registration certificates are issued by the police aliens services. The main Athens office has long been the Attica Aliens Directorate at Petrou Ralli 24 in Tavros, and some suburbs are served by local police aliens offices. Applications are filed in person, by the applicant, and each family member needs their own appointment.
- Find the competent office for your address through the gov.gr page on registration certificates.
- Book an appointment by the method the office uses (phone, email or online booking).
- Bring originals and photocopies of every document.
- Collect the certificate. Many offices issue it the same day if the file is complete.
Office addresses, hours and booking methods change, so confirm them with the office before you go. The certificate itself is either free or carries a small stamp charge; ask the office for the current amount.
How do you get permanent residence after five years?
After five years of continuous legal residence, EU citizens can ask the same police aliens service for a document certifying permanent residence. Short absences (up to six months a year in total) do not break continuity, and some longer absences for specific reasons such as military service, serious illness or study are also allowed.
Permanent residence removes the need to prove work or income again. You can lose it after more than two consecutive years outside Greece.
How do non-EU family members get a residence card?
A non-EU spouse, registered partner, child or dependent parent of an EU citizen living in Greece does not register with the police. They apply for a residence card of a family member of a Union citizen to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum through the Aliens and Migration directorate for their address.
- The application is due within three months of arrival.
- The EU family member must already hold their registration certificate.
- The card is usually valid for five years, or for the planned length of stay if shorter.
The family member keeps the right to work while the card is pending, on the certificate of application. After five years they can apply for a permanent residence card. For non-EU citizens without an EU family link, see Greek residence permit types.
Bottom line
Book the police appointment as soon as you have a registered lease, because the certificate unlocks the AMKA, a Greek bank account and many employer forms. Keep a scanned copy of it with your passport scan; Greek offices often ask for both together.
FAQ
Does the registration certificate expire?
No. It has no end date, though you should update your details if your address or status changes.
Is the certificate the same as a Greek ID card?
No. It confirms your residence right. Your passport or national ID card remains your identity document.
Do I need it to get an AMKA?
EU citizens are usually asked for it when applying for an AMKA social security number, along with the AFM. Requirements vary by case, so check with the KEP or e-EFKA.
