Immigration has transformed the city of Athens to one of the most multicultural European capitals. Athens immigration issues raise on a daily basis. Indeed, the municipal administration of the Greek capital is dealing every day with Athens immigration matters.

Law 3386/2005 regulates Athens immigration issues.  More specifically, according to Law 3386/2005, a third country national who enters the Greek territory must have a passport or other valid travel document. These documents should bear a visa, if this is required by valid international agreements, community law and national regulations. The visa is obtained by the Consulate authorities of the place of residence. A visa can be either a schengen visa or a visa for long-term residence (national visa). A national visa is issued according to the relevant statutory residence permit regulations and its duration depends in each case on the duration of the provided duration of residence.

Third country nationals, who are not obliged to have a visa are allowed to enter and reside in the Hellenic Territory up to three months or partially within six months from the date of their first entry.

A third country national who received a visa for Greece should apply for a residence permit if he/she wants to work in Greece as an employee or as a freelancer or if he/she has a husband/wife who is a Greek citizen who resides in Greece or for exceptional reasons such as victim trafficking/ humanitarian reasons. The person who legally enters Greece and applies for residence permit should hold a valid passport or other travel document recognized by international agreements; he should not be dangerous for public order, security and public health. Moreover, he should have a full health insurance and he should have the resources to cover the expenses for the return to his Country of origin. The person who applies for the issue of a residence permit in Greece should, upon his entry in the country and before the expiration of his visa, lodge an application for its granting. He should also pay a deposit as defined by article 92 of Law 3386/2005.

The competent authority for the examination of Athens immigration matters is the Service for Foreigners and Immigration of the Region that operates in the prefecture of the place of his/her accommodation or residence. The Department related to Athens Immigration matters is situated at 45 Mezonos Str, Athens, Greece.

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Athens Offices
38 Tataki Street,
Glyfada 166 75,
Athens, Greece

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