Financially Independent Person Visa Greece: Income, Proof and Rules
The FIP permit suits retirees and people living on pensions, rents or dividends. What income counts, why you cannot take a job and how the three-year permit is renewed.
Greece’s financially independent person (FIP) permit lets non-EU citizens live in Greece on passive income of at least €3,500 a month for one person, as of November 2026. A spouse adds 20% and each child 15%. You apply for a national D visa at a Greek consulate, then for a three-year residence permit in Greece. The permit does not allow any work in Greece.
The permit is often called the Greek retirement visa, but age does not matter. What matters is that the money arrives every month without you working for it in Greece.
How much income do you need for the FIP permit?
The income must be regular, stable and enough to live on without Greek welfare. The amounts below are the ones most widely reported from Law 5038/2023 and the related ministerial decision, as of November 2026.
| Household | Monthly income | Yearly equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| Single applicant | €3,500 | €42,000 |
| Applicant and spouse | €4,200 | €50,400 |
| Applicant, spouse and one child | €4,725 | €56,700 |
| Applicant, spouse and two children | €5,250 | €63,000 |
Older guides still quote €2,000 a month. That figure was raised in 2023, so ignore any checklist that uses it. The consulate has the final word on the amount and on how it is calculated.
What proof of income is accepted?
Consulates look for income that keeps coming. Common proof includes:
- Pension statements from a state or private pension fund.
- Rental income, with leases and bank entries showing the rent arriving.
- Dividends or interest, with statements from the company or bank.
- Bank statements for the last 12 months showing the money arriving.
Some applicants also show savings. Whether a lump sum in a bank account can replace monthly income is decided case by case, so ask the consulate before you rely on it. Every foreign document needs an apostille and a certified translation into Greek.
Can you work on a financially independent person permit?
No. The FIP permit gives no access to the Greek labour market, including work for Greek companies and self-employment in Greece. Remote work for foreign employers is a separate route: if your income comes from active work, look at the Greek digital nomad visa instead.
How do you apply?
- Apply for a national D visa at the Greek consulate for your place of residence, with proof of income, health insurance, criminal record certificate and proof of accommodation.
- Enter Greece on the D visa.
- Get an AFM tax number and a registered lease or property deed for your address.
- File for the residence permit with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum before the visa expires, pay the electronic fee and the €16 card fee, and give fingerprints when called.
- Keep the certificate of application; it proves your legal stay while the permit is processed.
The Ministry’s page on residence permits for financially independent persons lists the circulars that apply. The fee amount changes from time to time, so take it from the consulate or the Ministry’s checklist on the day you file.
Is health insurance required?
Yes. Each applicant needs health insurance valid in Greece for the length of the permit. Because FIP holders do not work in Greece, they are not insured through EOPYY by default, so private cover is the usual choice. Our guide to private health insurance in Greece shows what plans cover.
How do renewals work?
The first permit lasts three years and is renewed for three years at a time while you still meet the income rule. At renewal you show the same type of proof again. Sources also report that the authorities check you have actually lived in Greece; plan to spend most of the year here.
Under the 2026 immigration law, renewals must be filed within two months before expiry. A late filing is accepted up to three months after expiry with a fine of €100 per month. After five years of legal residence, you can apply for EU long-term resident status if you meet its conditions.
Who usually chooses the FIP permit?
The permit fits three groups. Retirees from the US, UK, Canada and Australia use it because a state or company pension is the easiest income to prove. Property and investment earners use it when rent or dividends from abroad cover the threshold. A third group is remote earners who do not fit the digital nomad rules, for example people whose income comes from their own investments rather than from an employer or clients.
Compared with the golden visa, the FIP permit needs no large purchase, but it ties you to a monthly income test at every renewal and expects you to live in Greece. Compared with the digital nomad permit, it lasts longer at the start (three years against one plus two) but rules out any work. Our overview of Greek residence permit types sets the routes side by side.
Bottom line
Count your income after any tax your home country withholds, because the consulate looks at what actually arrives in your account. If you will live in Greece more than 183 days a year, you will likely be a Greek tax resident, so look at the 7% regime for foreign pensioners before you move. For complex cases, check with a licensed lawyer or accountant.
FAQ
Is there an age limit for the FIP permit?
No. Any adult with enough passive income can apply. It is popular with retirees because pensions are easy to prove.
Can my adult children join me on my FIP permit?
The permit covers a spouse and dependent children, usually up to age 21. Adult children over that age need their own permit.
Can I switch from FIP to the golden visa later?
Yes, if you buy a qualifying property. You file a new application under the investment route, and the golden visa rules then apply.
