We have read and also been told that Greece offers some flexibility in meeting the requirement to spend six months of the year in Greece if you have a FIP residence permit. We have been told that missing the six month requirement by a few days or even a few weeks will not affect the permit. We are hoping that is true. We would ultimately like to be in Greece full-time. But due to family needs (often unexpected) and other miscellaneous factors now we come close to missing the six month requirement and would like a bit of leeway. Thoughts?
With the visa, you don't have to leave every three months. I'm not sure if it has to be in a Greek bank or not. Eventually though, you'd probably need one in order to do some task like pay a bill they wouldn't let you do from another bank. Sounds crazy, but it happens!
In my experience, in order to pay the fee for the FIP visa once in Greece, or to renew it, you have to have a Greek bank account. The Greek immigration department does not accept credit cards or international bank transfers. It took me 2 years to open my bank account here so my lawyer very kindly fronted me the application fee.
After procuring our D visa, we fly back in 17 days to complete our FIP visa. We were just informed of a new requirement. The pension and social security documents must have apostilles. We knew apostilles were required for birth and marriage certificates but this was just added. The Greek consulate in the U. S. asked for 3 months of bank records.
What is the monthly amount for a married couple? 4200 Euro/monthly ? 20%
It would be 4200 as I understand it
Definitely get a Greek bank account if you're going to be living in Greece.
We have read and also been told that Greece offers some flexibility in meeting the requirement to spend six months of the year in Greece if you have a FIP residence permit. We have been told that missing the six month requirement by a few days or even a few weeks will not affect the permit. We are hoping that is true. We would ultimately like to be in Greece full-time. But due to family needs (often unexpected) and other miscellaneous factors now we come close to missing the six month requirement and would like a bit of leeway. Thoughts?
Does it have to be in a Greek bank? Or can you submit proof of US bank statements?
And, do you still have to leave every 3 months per the Schengen rules?
Thank you!!
With the visa, you don't have to leave every three months. I'm not sure if it has to be in a Greek bank or not. Eventually though, you'd probably need one in order to do some task like pay a bill they wouldn't let you do from another bank. Sounds crazy, but it happens!
In my experience, in order to pay the fee for the FIP visa once in Greece, or to renew it, you have to have a Greek bank account. The Greek immigration department does not accept credit cards or international bank transfers. It took me 2 years to open my bank account here so my lawyer very kindly fronted me the application fee.
But the new monthly level versus the new 72,000 Euro deposit is an either/or and not both, correct?
Yes, it is either the stipulated monthly income via a pension/social security OR the €72,000 deposit!
After procuring our D visa, we fly back in 17 days to complete our FIP visa. We were just informed of a new requirement. The pension and social security documents must have apostilles. We knew apostilles were required for birth and marriage certificates but this was just added. The Greek consulate in the U. S. asked for 3 months of bank records.