Brexit: Living in Greece

Visas and residency

Check the entry requirements for Greece.

You must register as a resident in Greece if you want to stay for more than 3 months. Read registration certificate (Veveosi Engrafis) – permanent residence requirements.

Visas and residency after Brexit

Read the Greek government’s website (in Greek) about the UK leaving the EU, for citizens and businesses. Check the rights of UK nationals living in and traveling to Greece after the UK leaves the EU and submit any questions in the contact form provided.

After Brexit, you may need to change your registration document for a new resident card. If you are already registered as a resident in Greece, or you register before 31 December 2020, your residence documents will be considered as temporary national residence permits.

All residence documents will expire on 31 December 2020 and will be replaced by biometric residence permits. Residence document holders will be invited to exchange their document for a new biometric permit by the Ministry for Migration Policy at the end of 2020. Read the Greek government’s Brexit website for more information.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Greece.

Passports and travel after Brexit

If the UK leaves the EU without a deal, new travel rules will apply. You should have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland).

If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. You’ll need to renew your passport before travelling if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

If there’s no deal, UK nationals will not need visas for short stays elsewhere in the EU. You will be able to stay up to 90 days in another EU, EEA or EFTA country, within a 180 day period. You must retain evidence of travel (e.g. train and plane tickets) in case these are requested by national authorities. If you hold a residence permit from an EU, EEA or EFTA country, you will be able to transit through other EU, EEA or EFTA countries to reach your country of residence. We will update this guidance as more information becomes available.

If the UK leaves the EU with a deal, nothing will change until the end of the implementation period. In this time you can continue to travel freely in the Schengen area with your UK passport. What happens after the implementation period will form the next part of negotiations.

Healthcare

You must register for healthcare as a resident in Greece, as well as registering, where necessary, with a health insurer.

Read the NHS guidance on who is able to access healthcare in Greece and how to register.

If you are resident in Greece, you must not use a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from the UK to access healthcare in Greece.

When you travel from Greece for a temporary stay in another European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland, you can use an EHIC to access state-provided healthcare in that country. During that short stay:

• the EHIC covers treatment that is medically necessary until your planned return home
• an EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance
• for more information read the travel advice pages and advice on foreign travel insurance

If you live in Greece and receive an exportable UK pension, contribution-based Employment Support Allowance or another exportable benefit, you may currently be entitled to state healthcare paid for by the UK. You will need to apply for a certificate of entitlement known as an S1 certificate.

Read the NHS guidance on healthcare and studying abroad.

You can also find an English-speaking doctor in Greece.

You must check your prescriptions are legal in Greece.

Healthcare after Brexit

If there is a deal, your current rights on access to healthcare in Greece will remain the same until the end of the implementation period, as long as you remain a resident in Greece.

If there’s no deal, your access to healthcare may change. If you are a permanent or temporary resident you must review the status of your healthcare cover.

The UK has proposed maintaining current healthcare cooperation with Greece for S1 form holders until the end of December 2020. If there’s no deal, and there is no arrangement with Greece to continue reciprocal healthcare, those receiving coverage through the S1 form will not be covered.

You must take action now to confirm your residency status and decide how you will access to healthcare if there’s no deal. UK nationals will be able to return to UK for treatment.

Your EHIC may not be valid if there’s no deal. The UK has offered to maintain the EHIC scheme if there’s no deal, however this is reliant on Greece continuing to accept UK EHICs.

Read the NHS guidance on healthcare in Greece and how it may change after Brexit.

Working in Greece

See working in another EU country.

You may need to apply for:

• a UK criminal records check
• a Greek criminal records check, via the Penal Records Department of the Ministry of Justice or your local Citizens Service Centre (KEP) (in Greek)

Once you have a job, you can get a social insurance number (AMKA) through your local Citizens Service Centre (KEP) (in Greek).

Working in Greece after Brexit

Read guidance on providing services after Brexit if you’re planning to start a business, provide a service, or do a job in a regulated profession after Brexit.

If there is a deal, your right to work will stay the same until the end of the implementation period.

If there’s no deal, Greek legislation states that if you are already resident in Greece or arrive before 31 December 2020, you will still have access to the labour market, as long as you have a valid registration certificate.

Money and tax

The UK has a double-taxation agreement with Greece to prevent income being taxed in both countries.

Read the guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad
• tax on your UK income if you live abroad
• paying income tax in Greece

You must register for a tax identification number (AFM – pronounced aa-fee-mee) – read further guidance in the Greek government ERMIS website (in Greek), with central information and e-services. Once you have an AFM number, it is compulsory to submit a yearly tax return.

You should get professional advice on paying tax in Greece. Find an English-speaking lawyer in Greece.

National Insurance

Find out if you can pay National Insurance while abroad in order to protect your State Pension and entitlement to other benefits and allowances.

Money and tax after Brexit

If there’s no deal, it may become more expensive to use your UK bank card in the EU. Read more about using a bank card, insurance or other financial service in the EU.

Brexit will not change existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Greece. Send your questions about double taxation to the relevant tax authority.

Pensions

You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

If you retire to Greece, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension – contact the International Pension Centre to claim
• your pension from your local EOPYY (in Greek) office, if you have worked in Greece
• pensions from working abroad, if you have worked in other EU countries

Life certificates for UK state pensions

If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

Pensions after Brexit

The UK government will continue to pay a State Pension to those eligible in the EU after Brexit. Your UK State Pension will be uprated in April 2020, 2021 and 2022 if you live in the EU, EEA or Switzerland.

Read the guidance on pensions if there’s no deal.

If there is a deal and you work and pay social security contributions in Greece, you will still be able to add your UK social security contributions towards your Greek pension. This will happen even if you claim your pension after the end of the implementation period.

Benefits

You may still be able to claim some UK benefits like child and disability benefits if you live in Greece.

• read the guidance on claiming benefits if you live, move or travel abroad
• use the tool to check which UK benefits you might be able to get while you’re abroad

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

You may be eligible to claim some Greek social security benefits. Read guidance on Greek social security benefits.

You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

Benefits after Brexit

The UK government will continue to pay the UK State Pension, child benefits, and disability benefits to those eligible in the EU after Brexit.

If there is a deal and you work and pay social security contributions in Greece, your UK social security contributions will be taken into account when applying for Greek contributions-based benefits. This will happen even if you claim contributions-based benefits after the end of the implementation period.

If there’s no deal, read the guidance on benefits and pensions.

Driving in Greece

If you are a resident in Greece you must exchange your UK licence for a Greek driving licence (in Greek), as your licence may no longer be valid after Brexit. You can still use your Greek licence in the UK for short visits or exchange.

Read guidance on:

• driving licence renewal and exchange
• what you need to drive abroad
• driving rules in Greece

Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Greece

Read the guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

Read the European Union’s guidance on car registration and taxes in Greece. You may be exempt from some of these taxes. If so you will need certificates of exemption.

If you’ve been resident in an EU country for at least 2 years before moving to Greece, you’re exempt from VAT and registration for:

• cars (owned and used privately)
• pleasure craft
• motorcycles
• mobile caravans

You must appear in person at the nearest Customs Authority to request exemption from paying registration and VAT within 1 month of arriving in Greece. You’ll then be given special Greek registration plates.

Your vehicle must also pass a test at a Vehicle Technical Control Centre (KTEO).

Driving after Brexit

If there is a deal, driving licence rules will stay the same during the implementation period.

Read the guidance on driving in the EU after Brexit.

Voting

You may be able to vote in some UK elections.

• check if you are able to vote
• register as an overseas voter if you would like to vote

If you’re resident in Greece, you can vote in local municipal and European parliamentary elections.

Voting after Brexit

After Brexit, UK nationals will no longer be eligible to vote in local and European Parliament elections.

Births, deaths and getting married

If your child is born in Greece, you will need to register the birth abroad.

If someone dies in Greece:

• read the guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
• read bereavement information for Greece
• find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Greece

Find out how you can get married abroad.

Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Greece.

Pets

You will still be able to travel to and from the UK with a cat, dog or ferret when the UK leaves the EU, but the rules will change.

Read guidance on pet travel to Europe after Brexit.

While the UK is still a Member State you’ll be able to travel with your pet to the EU under the current pet travel rules using your current EU pet passport.

If you’re travelling with your pet for the first time you must visit your vet to get a pet passport.

Read guidance on returning your cat, dog or ferret to the UK.

For moving pet horses and other equines read guidance on export horses and ponies: special rules.

Emergencies

You can dial the European emergency number 112 or:

• 100 for police
• 199 for fire brigade
• 166 for emergency medical service
• 108 for coast guard
• 197 for emergency social assistance

Read further information on emergency numbers in Greece.

If you need urgent help (you are the victim of crime, have been arrested or are affected by a crisis abroad), contact your nearest British embassy or consulate.

Other useful information

• travel advice for Greece
• English-speaking lawyers in Greece
• English-speaking translators and interpreters in Greece
• notary services in Greece
• Citizens Service Centre (KEP) (in Greek)
• ERMIS website (a Greek government website with central information and e-services)

Returning to the UK

Read the guidance on:

• access to benefits and services in the UK if there’s no deal
• bringing your family to the UK
• access to higher education, 19+ further education and apprenticeship funding
• importing vehicles back to the UK
• bringing your pet back to the UK
• checking your tax status after returning to the UK

Tell the UK and Greek authorities that you are returning to the UK permanently.

Contact the International Pension Centre to move your pension to the UK.

If you get healthcare in Greece through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

Disclaimer

Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Greek authorities.

Source: gov.uk