Moving to Greece would sound incredible for anyone. This country has a vibrant cultural history, good climatic conditions, scenic views everywhere, and approximately 3,000 hours of sunshine per year.
Many foreign people, including Indians, are residing in Greece. If you are an Indian who is looking to relocate to Greece, then this is for you.
As an Indian citizen, you need to apply for a visa from the embassy or consulate in India.
Indians who want to visit Greece as a tourist casually can apply for a Schengen visa and stay for 90 days every 180 days. However, if you want to stay more days or even permanently relocate, there are a few steps to follow.
Now, let’s dive into the topic and gain more information and insights on how it is possible to relocate to Greece.
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Page Contents
Why Is Greece A Good Choice For Indian Immigrants?
People from India would fall in love with the Greek culture, Greek lifestyle, and Greek cuisine once they visit this beautiful nation. Once you get your residence permit in Greece, you will enjoy the air, sea, sun, atmosphere, and soul-stirring ambiance around Greece.
Indian tourists who come here would actually feel more excited because the culture and people here are entirely different from India. Greece is also a perfect destination for couples who love to have their honeymoon or plan a date in one of the romantic restaurants here.
Further, there is a long list of nations that allows foreign nationals to buy a second passport through investment options. Greece, along with countries like Grenada, offers the best options for a second passport. A second passport in a nation like Greece would open up doors of opportunities for Indians.
The second passport is also called second citizenship by investment which is a pathway to get citizenship and get all the benefits like other citizens. You can invest a minimum of 300,000USD to get you started.
How To Travel To Greece From India
Have you ever wanted to travel to Greece from India but don’t know how it is possible? If you want to travel to Greece from India, there are a lot of details you need to think through from the best deals and prices on your plane ticket to the places to stay and wining and dining.
Greek diplomas are well received around the globe, and the quality of education in schools and universities is really on par with international standards. To apply for a student visa, you need to get a letter of guarantee from the Greek university that you want to study in.
You should state in the letter that you are enrolled as a student in the university with the total duration of your studies. Once you get this letter, you can get a national visa for a long term in category D. Your student visa will be valid for the entire duration of your study period.
Work Visa
The labor legislation from most of the European Union countries has stated strict rules to get a work visa for members not part of the Eurozone. Employers in the EU need to employ primarily only their citizens and immigrants which is a mandatory policy.
Indians should have a European blue card. This is a requirement if you want to work and reside here. To do this, A Greek employer must send you a job offer to get a work permit and work legally here.
Your employer needs to state everything like your job role, compensation, and duration of your job contract. The total duration of your work permit in Greece will be considered for issuing you a residence permit when you are looking forward to settling here.
Business Visa
You can easily move from India to Greece to start your own business venture in Greece. If you want to register a private company, you would need to allocate a startup capital to meet all the business expenses. The total capital would depend on the type of business.
All the documents have to be submitted to the consulate, which would elaborately explain your business plan. The concerned government department would consider your proposal and decide whether they can permit you to start your business in Greece.
Family Reunion Visa
This program is primarily for Indians or foreigners who have relatives living in Greece and would like to join with them there. If you have a spouse, parents, or children having a residence permit in this country, you can easily apply for a family reunion visa and move there permanently.
You would need a birth or marriage certificate in order to get a residence permit. It has to be submitted to the concerned Greek embassy or consulate. You will be informed about your residence permit status once the authorities have processed your visa application.
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Investor Visa
As mentioned, there is a program called the European citizenship by investment, also known as the second passport by investment. You need to invest at least $300,000 to get a second passport in this country as an investor. It is a one-time investment, and you can easily acquire citizenship.
You would be initially given a Greek residence permit which would be for two years, and you can extend it further to become a citizen. To extend the residence permit, you have to show the officials how their economy benefited from your investment.
Residence Permit Through Purchasing a Greek Real Estate
If you purchase real estate or property in Greek territory, it is very easy to get a residence permit. The total cost of real estate should be at least 250,000EUR and the location is up to you until it is located within the territory of Greece.
Indians or foreign citizens who are the owners of any property in Greece would automatically be granted the residence permit. The best advantage of this program is that even your family members would be granted the residence permit along with you.
Top Expat Destinations in Greece
Greece is a beautiful country with a rich history and stunning landscapes, making it an attractive destination for expats. While many areas in Greece can be appealing to expatriates, the following are some of the top expat destinations in the country:
Athens: The capital city, Athens, is a vibrant metropolis with a mix of ancient and modern elements. It offers a bustling urban life, historical sites, and a thriving expat community.
Thessaloniki: Greece’s second-largest city, Thessaloniki, is known for its diverse culture, excellent food, and a growing number of expats. It’s also home to several universities, making it attractive for students.
Crete: The largest Greek island, Crete, offers a relaxed lifestyle, beautiful beaches, and a warm climate. Chania and Heraklion are popular expat destinations on the island.
Corfu: Another Greek island, Corfu, is famous for its stunning beaches, lush landscapes, and historic charm. It attracts expats looking for a quieter, island life.
Rhodes: Located in the Dodecanese islands, Rhodes offers a mix of history, nature, and a pleasant Mediterranean climate. The town of Rhodes is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Santorini: Famous for its breathtaking sunsets and white-washed buildings, Santorini is a dream destination for many expats. It’s ideal for those seeking a tranquil island life.
Nafplio: This picturesque coastal town in the Peloponnese region is known for its Venetian architecture, charming old town, and scenic views. It’s a popular destination for retirees.
Patras: Located in the western part of Greece, Patras is a bustling port city with a growing international community. It offers a mix of city life and beautiful beaches.
Kalamata: Situated in the Peloponnese, Kalamata is known for its olive groves, Mediterranean climate, and outdoor activities. It attracts expats seeking a relaxed lifestyle.
Ioannina: Nestled by a lake and surrounded by mountains, Ioannina in Epirus offers a tranquil environment and a taste of traditional Greek culture.
I hope you liked this article where I discussed all the aspects of relocating from India to Greece. Moving to this beautiful country would be obviously on the bucket list of every avid traveler. I suppose if tourists visit Greece, they would even think about relocating here.
You can hire professional help like an immigration consultant to get your visa application processed. When these experts process your visa, you have a higher chance of your visa being granted. Also, hiring such experts doesn’t cost that much money.
Hi there, I'm Heaven. I'm an entrepreneur, blogger, and digital marketing enthusiast. When I'm not watching anime or learning something new from TikTok, I post and vlog about my incredible life experiences as a digital entrepreneur.
