Greece FIP Visa (Financially Independent Person): 2026 Guide

The Greece FIP visa (Financially Independent Person permit), often called Greece’s retirement visa, lets non-EU citizens live in Greece on passive income from abroad, such as a pension. You need at least €3,500 a month for the main applicant, plus 20% for a spouse (€4,200 a month for a couple) and 15% for each child (€525 a month), or a bank deposit of €126,000 to cover the three-year permit. You can’t work in Greece on it, and you need to spend at least six months a year in Greece to renew it. You first get a Type D visa from a Greek consulate, then apply for the FIP residence permit in Greece. Once your application is filed, you receive a temporary residence permit in roughly 30 to 40 days, and the full FIP permit is issued after that.

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The Financial Independent Person’s Visa (FIP) remains one of the most attractive residency options for retirees from non-EU countries who can demonstrate sufficient passive income. This residency permit not only allows holders to reside in Greece but also grants them the freedom to travel across all Schengen countries. However, to maintain the permit, residents must spend a minimum of six months per year in Greece.

In this article, we’ll outline the updated requirements and processes for obtaining an FIP Visa in 2026, so you have all the information you need before you apply.

Updated Requirements in 2026

The latest and most significant updates to the FIP Visa program aimed to streamline the process and extend benefits for applicants:

• Validity Extension: The FIP Visa is now valid for three years, compared to the previous two years.
• Financial Requirements: Applicants must demonstrate a deposit of €126,000 to sustain their expenses for the subsequent three years. Alternatively, a passive income of €3,500 per month (via pensions, investments, or dividends) supported by bank statements, may be provided as evidence. Please note that for spouses, a 20% increment must be added to the original amount, and 15% per child.

Application Process

Before applying for the FIP residence permit, you must first obtain a Type “D” Visa from a Greek Consulate or Embassy in your current country of residence. Our guide to the national D visa covers what the consulate asks for at that stage. Here’s what the application asks for:

Required Documents

1. Type “D” Visa: A prerequisite for the FIP application.
2. Passport: A scanned copy of your valid passport.
3. Photographs: Four recent colored passport-sized photos.
4. Health Insurance: A private health insurance plan covering basic healthcare in Greece. Request a certificate from your insurer specifying the coverage area and minimum amounts.
5. Proof of Funds:
   • Stable annual income sufficient to cover living expenses (€3,500 per month for a single applicant, plus 20% for a spouse and 15% for each child).
   • Evidence can include pension statements, bank account balances, social security pension (apostilled), lease contracts, or other legal proofs.
   • For the full three-year residency, a bank deposit of at least €126,000 is recommended as the safest proof of income.

Family Member Applications

Family members accompanying the main applicant must provide additional documentation:

• Certificate from an insurance carrier for medical and pharmaceutical care coverage.
• Official documents proving family relationships, such as a family status certificate.
• Copy of the sponsor’s residence permit or their FIP application, if submitted simultaneously.

What counts as passive income for the Greece FIP visa?

Passive income means pensions, rental income, dividends and annuities – money that arrives without you working for it. A 401(k) drawdown counts. A consulting contract does not, and that distinction catches more applicants than any other part of the file.

The income has to be documented, not merely present. Pension award letters, bank statements and tax returns do the work here. If you have no regular income, the alternative is the €126,000 bank deposit described above.

Can you work on a Greece FIP visa?

No. The permit grants no right to dependent employment or any form of independent economic activity in Greece, and the restriction covers your spouse and any family members on the same permit. "Financially independent" is a condition of the permit, not a description of your lifestyle: you live on income from abroad, you don’t earn income here.

If you plan to do any paid work in Greece, including remote work for a foreign employer in some circumstances, the FIP visa is the wrong permit. Look at the digital nomad visa or the self-employment routes instead. Buying property is allowed; you just can’t use the purchase to qualify.

Do you have to live in Greece 183 days a year on the FIP visa?

Yes, at renewal. The permit runs for three years, and to renew it you have to show at least 183 days per calendar year in Greece. If you want to split your year between Greece and home, the Golden Visa, which has no minimum stay, is usually the better fit.

How long does the Greece FIP visa take?

A standard temporary residence permit takes roughly 30 to 40 days once the application is properly filed. The Type D visa from your home consulate comes first and has its own queue, and appointment availability varies by country and season, so start gathering documents before you book anything.

Refusal Rates and Considerations

The refusal rate for FIP Visas remains relatively high due to stringent financial requirements. For example, salaries are often deemed less secure than pensions, and applicants must ensure their funds are clearly documented. A three-year fund must be deposited in advance into a bank account for greater security. Additionally, FIP Visa holders cannot work or run a business in Greece.

Benefits of the FIP Visa

Despite the strict requirements in the application process, which some may find challenging, the FIP Visa offers several advantages, including:

• Freedom of movement across Schengen countries.
• Long-term residency in Greece, renewable for three years at a time if you keep meeting the conditions.
• Access to Greece’s rich culture, affordable cost of living, and scenic landscapes.

Tax is a separate question from the permit. Retirees who move their tax residency to Greece may qualify for the 7% flat tax on foreign pension income, which is applied for separately.

Next Steps

Securing Greek residency requires thorough preparation and a clear understanding of the visa options available. If you’re considering the FIP Visa or other alternatives, explore our detailed guides on our blog to weigh the pros and cons of each.

Our guide to retiring in Greece covers the same ground from a retiree’s point of view, including which permit suits which type of income.

Why Choose My Greek Expat Journey?

We are an Athens-based relocation service. We handle Greek residency permits, tax registration and the paperwork around them, and you work with a vetted network of accountants and lawyers instead of finding your own. Fees are quoted up front as a package, and we tell you what each step actually involves before you commit. Consultations are remote, so you can start before you arrive.

FAQs

What is the Financial Independent Person's (FIP) Visa in Greece?

The Financial Independent Person's Visa (FIP) is a residency permit for retirees and non-EU citizens who can demonstrate sufficient passive income. It allows holders to reside in Greece and travel freely across all Schengen countries. To maintain the permit, residents must spend a minimum of six months per year in Greece.

What are the financial requirements for the FIP Visa in 2026?

Applicants must demonstrate a bank deposit of €126,000 to cover expenses for the three-year validity period, or a passive monthly income of €3,500 via pensions, investments, or dividends, supported by bank statements. For spouses, a 20% increment must be added to the original amount, and 15% per child.

How do I apply for the FIP Visa in Greece?

Before applying for the FIP residence permit, you must first obtain a Type D Visa from a Greek Consulate or Embassy in your country of residence. Required documents include a valid passport, four recent passport-sized photos, private health insurance covering basic healthcare in Greece, and proof of funds such as pension statements, bank balances, or lease contracts.

Can family members be included in a FIP Visa application?

Yes, family members accompanying the main applicant must provide additional documentation, including a certificate from an insurance carrier for medical and pharmaceutical coverage, official documents proving family relationships such as a family status certificate, and a copy of the sponsor's residence permit or their FIP application if submitted simultaneously.

What are the benefits and limitations of the FIP Visa?

The FIP Visa offers freedom of movement across Schengen countries, long-term residency in Greece, renewable for three years at a time, and access to Greece's affordable cost of living. However, FIP Visa holders cannot work or run a business in Greece, and the refusal rate remains relatively high due to stringent financial documentation requirements.

Get a Straight Answer on Your Own Case

Every relocation turns on the details, and the wrong permit or tax status can cost you months. Before you file anything, book a free 15-minute discovery call and we will go through your situation and tell you plainly what you need, what it costs and how long it takes.

Written by Chloe Mason, founder of My Greek Expat Journey. Chloe has lived in seven countries and has personally guided 300+ people through Greek residency, tax, property and bureaucracy. More articles by Chloe.