Emigration to Greece: how can Ukrainians move in 2025?

Moving to Greece opens up many opportunities for Ukrainians and attracts them with its warm climate, rich culture and modern prospects. Find out more about emigration to Greece, how to apply for a visa, obtain a residence permit and citizenship, as well as other important nuances

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Emigration to Greece attracts many Ukrainians due to its warm climate, rich cultural heritage and opportunities for work or business. In 2025, the procedure for moving to this Mediterranean country requires many steps and legal awareness.

How to obtain a visa and what documents are required, as well as legal ways to move to Greece in 2025 and all the important nuances, are described in the article below.

How to get to Ukraine from Greece - read here.

Do Ukrainians need a visa to Greece?

No, Ukrainians do not need a visa to enter Greece. As part of the visa-free regime, you can stay in the country for up to 90 days during each half of the year. For convenient control of the number of days used, we recommend using a special calculator available on the official website of the European Union.

Emigration to Greece for Ukrainians: types of visas

For Ukrainians planning a long-term stay in Greece, it is necessary to apply for an appropriate visa. Depending on the purpose of the trip, there are several main types of visas:

1. National visa (type D). This visa is issued to those who plan to stay in Greece for more than 90 days. Main subcategories:

- Work visa - for employees who have received an official invitation from a Greek employer.

- Student visa - for studying in higher education institutions or participating in educational programmes.

- Family reunification - for persons who want to join family members residing in Greece.

- Business visa - for entrepreneurs or investors who plan to conduct business in the country.

2. Schengen visa (type C). This visa is required if you plan to visit Greece for short-term purposes that do not fall under the visa-free regime (for example, official events, participation in seminars, etc.).

3. Tourist visa. In cases where Ukrainians need to visit Greece but have already used the allowed days of visa-free travel, a tourist visa can be issued.

4. Visa for seasonal workers. This type of visa is designed for short-term official employment in the agricultural or tourism sector.

For more information about the digital nomad visa in Greece, please follow the link.

What documents are required for a visa to Greece?

To apply for a visa to Greece, Ukrainians need to prepare a package of documents that depends on the type of visa. However, the basic set usually includes the following documents:

- A completed visa application form. The application form must be filled out in English or Greek. It can be obtained at the consulate or downloaded from the official website.

- International passport. The passport must be valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure from Greece and must contain at least two blank pages for the visa.

- Two 35×45 mm colour photographs taken no earlier than 6 months before the application.

- Health insurance. A policy with coverage of at least EUR 30,000, valid throughout the Schengen area.

- Proof of financial solvency. Bank statement for the last 3 months, income statement or other documents confirming the ability to support yourself during your stay in Greece.

- Ticket booking. Copies of airline tickets or other confirmation of the transport route (round trip).

- Confirmation of the place of residence. Hotel reservation, rental agreement or invitation from an individual (if you plan to stay with friends or relatives).

- Documents confirming the purpose of the trip (confirmation of booking a tour or travel plan, employment contract and work permit, letter of enrolment in an educational institution, etc.)

- Receipt of payment of the visa fee.

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Greece for Ukrainians: stages of preparation and obtaining a visa

Obtaining a visa to Greece for Ukrainians involves several stages that you need to go through to get the right document for a legal stay in the country:

1. Determining the type of visa. First, you need to clearly define the purpose of the trip (tourism, work, study, business) and choose the type of visa accordingly.

2. Preparation of documents. Collect all the necessary documents in accordance with the chosen type of visa.

3. Filling in the application form. Fill in the visa application form in English or Greek. The form can be downloaded from the official website of the consulate or obtained at the visa centre.

4. Make an appointment to submit documents. Make an appointment to submit documents through the visa centre or directly at the Greek consulate. This can be done online through special services.

5. Submission of documents. On the appointed day, submit your documents to the visa application centre or consulate. Make sure that your package contains all the necessary copies and originals. Also pay the visa fee and undergo a biometric scan (if this is your first visa to the Schengen area).

6. Waiting for the decision. After submitting the application, you need to wait for its consideration. This usually takes 10 to 30 days, but the process can be delayed depending on the type of visa and purpose of the trip.

7. Receiving the visa. After the decision is made, you will receive your passport with a visa stamped in it.

To ensure the successful completion of documents, it is recommended to contact qualified migration and visa lawyers. Specialists will advise you on the necessary documents, help you prepare your application and provide full legal support of the process from the beginning to the receipt of a positive decision.

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Residence permit in Greece for Ukrainians

A residence permit in Greece is a document that allows Ukrainians to legally reside in the country for a long period of time.

To obtain it, you must first apply for a long-term visa (type D) at the Greek embassy or consulate, which gives you the right to stay in the country for more than 90 days.

After arriving in Greece, you must apply for a residence permit to the local immigration authority within two months.

A residence permit can be issued for various reasons, including work, study, family reunification, as well as in cases of humanitarian or

exceptional circumstances.

To apply for a residence permit, you need to provide a passport, several photographs, proof of housing (lease agreement or property documents), a financial certificate confirming sufficient income, and health insurance.

Ukrainians who are family members of an EU citizen are required to apply for a permit within three months of arrival.

After five years of continuous residence or in the case of marriage to a Greek citizen, you can apply for a permanent residence permit, which opens up additional rights.

Read more about how to obtain a residence permit in Greece here.

How to obtain Greek citizenship?

Naturalisation is the main way for foreigners, including Ukrainians, who wish to integrate into Greek society, to obtain Greek citizenship.

This process involves fulfilling a number of conditions, such as language proficiency, political participation and economic integration.

Greece recognises dual citizenship, so Ukrainians who obtain a Greek passport do not lose their citizenship, if this is allowed by Ukrainian law.

The main requirements include being of legal age, having no convictions for serious crimes within the last 10 years and having a legal residence status in the country. Applicants must prove the required time of residence, have a valid residence permit, and submit documents such as a passport, birth certificate, income statement, copy of the social security number (AMKA) and a naturalisation application.

After submitting the application, an interview is held to assess the applicant's personal qualities.

The official application fee is EUR 700 for third-country nationals, EUR 100 for EU citizens, refugees or stateless persons. If the application is rejected, a reduced fee is available for resubmission.

The process takes approximately three years, and the final decision is issued by the Greek Ministry of the Interior. Successful naturalisation allows you to vote, run for office and obtain full-fledged Greek citizenship.

For more informationon the advantages and disadvantages of living in Greece, please follow the link.

Life in Greece for Ukrainians: employment conditions

Ukrainians who wish to work officially in Greece need to obtain a long-term visa type D, which allows them to stay in the country for more than three months and perform paid work. After obtaining such a visa, it is necessary to apply for a work and residence permit, which is usually issued for one year and depends on the specific employer, profession and place of residence.

Within 30 days of arrival in Greece, you must apply to the local municipal office or the police for a permit. To do this, you should prepare the following documents:

- Valid passport.

- Up-to-date photographs.

- Health insurance.

- Medical certificate.

- Booking of air tickets (in both directions).

- Proof of sufficient financial resources.

- Proof of accommodation (lease agreement or other document).

- A certified copy of the employment contract with a salary that meets the minimum requirements.

- Proof of qualifications and work experience (diplomas, certificates, references).

- Any relevant licences or permits (if required).

- A health certificate issued by a public hospital.

The work permit must be renewed at least 60 days before its expiry date. To do this, you must submit a completed application form, copies of documentation and a valid passport. Completing all the necessary documents and meeting the deadlines guarantees legal employment in Greece.

You can find more information about jobs in Greece for expats, promising vacancies and conditions here.

Emigration is an important step that opens up new horizons, but at the same time requires careful preparation. Visa requirements, legal nuances, preparation of documents - all this may seem complicated, especially if you have no experience. Visa and migration lawyers at Visit Ukraine will help you deal with all the issues related to your move.

Our specialists work individually with each client, helping them to choose the best solution for their situation, avoid mistakes in documents and successfully complete all stages of visa or residence permit application.

Don't waste your time! Book a consultation today and start your journey to a new life with Visit Ukraine!

Just a reminder! The year 2025 has brought important changes for all travellers planning to visit the European Union. The changes apply to both visa-free travel and tourists with Schengen visas. Read more about the new rules for entering the EU in 2025 here.

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