5B Foreign Pensioner Registration Service in Greece

Greece offers a special tax scheme, known as ‘5B’, for retired people who move there and receive a pension from another country. Under it, all income from abroad is taxed at a flat rate of 7%.

Who it is for

Retirees, for example from the UK, US, EU or Canada, who want to live in Greece and pay less tax on their pension and other foreign income.

The main conditions

• The person receives a pension from abroad. It can come from a state social security body, a government, a work pension fund or a private insurance company.
• They have not been a Greek tax resident for 5 of the 6 years before applying.
• They are moving from a country that has an agreement with Greece to share tax information.
• There is no minimum time to spend in Greece, but daily life (home, bills and so on) should show they really live there.

What the scheme offers

• A flat 7% tax on all income from abroad, not only the pension.
• Official status as a Greek tax resident, with a certificate.
• The benefit lasts up to 15 years.
• Tax already paid in another country can be taken off the Greek bill.

How the process works

• The pension and residence papers are checked.
• Help with Greek tax registration and the residence certificate.
• The application goes to the tax office by 31 March.
• A decision usually comes within 60 days.
• Each year a tax return is filed, and the 7% tax is paid in July of the following year.