The EU citizen registration certificate, in Greek βεβαίωση εγγραφής πολίτη ΕΕ (vevaiosi engrafis), also searched as the EU registration certificate, the certificate of residence for EU nationals or the EU citizen registration card, is the document that citizens of EU and EEA countries and Switzerland obtain when they settle in Greece for more than a short stay. Some older lists and lawyer pages call this service “EU Residency Certificate (for EU Citizens)”. Two things it is not: it is not Greek citizenship, and it is not the άδεια διαμονής, the residence permit that non-EU citizens need. EU citizens have a right to live in Greece; the certificate records that they have exercised it, and in Greece it is issued by the police, not by the migration ministry.
EU, EEA and Swiss citizens who take a job or start an activity in Greece, retirees and others living on their own means, students, and EU citizens who are themselves family members of another EU citizen. Non-EU spouses and children of an EU citizen receive a different document, the family member's residence card, through the same police service. UK nationals follow a separate route after Brexit and are not covered here.
The application is made in person at the Aliens Department of the Hellenic Police in Attica and Thessaloniki, or at the security or police department that handles foreigners elsewhere; there is no online filing. The file depends on the category: workers show the contract or the registered self-employed activity; economically inactive people show sufficient resources and full health insurance valid in Greece; students show enrolment, insurance and means. Everyone brings a passport or identity card, proof of address and photographs. The certificate is usually issued on the spot and does not expire by itself; after a continuous period of legal residence set by law the holder can ask the same service for the permanent residence document (έγγραφο πιστοποίησης μόνιμης διαμονής).
A lawyer identifies the right category and assembles the file the local police expect, obtains the AFM and registers the lease beforehand, accompanies or represents the applicant where the service allows, deals with a refusal or a demand for more evidence, and later prepares the permanent residence document and, for those who want it, the step to Greek citizenship.
Registration is a legal duty for EU citizens who stay beyond the short-stay period, and banks, employers and the tax office ask for it in practice.
No. A residence permit is for non-EU citizens and has conditions and an expiry; the registration certificate only records an EU citizen's residence.
Not this document; the spouse applies for the residence card of a family member of an EU citizen, which depends on the EU citizen being registered.
It is not dated to expire, but it is updated when circumstances change, and after enough years of residence it is replaced by the permanent residence document.
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Lawyer · Thessaloniki, Greece
Lawyer · Thessaloniki, Greece
Lawyer · Corfu, Greece
Lawyer · Mytilene, Greece
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She replied extremely fast to my first inquiry, quickly arranged a meeting to go over the details, and answered all my questions. Reaching her by phone or text was easy, she was punctual, and she was fun and personable to talk to as well, with perfect English. After I had struggled for months to get this done on my own, she sorted everything out for me in record time. Anyone trying to navigate Greek bureaucracy should hire her, and I would recommend her.
She is simply fantastic, and I can recommend her services highly. She guided me through the entire process, which ended successfully, and she was always available and easy to communicate with.
In applying for my Spanish green card, the lawyer was very efficient and professional, and she reassured me again and again whenever I had doubts about the process. I am a foreigner who speaks little of the language, and she was easy to deal with in English. She submitted every form on time, so my part was little more than trusting her experience and guidance. I am more than happy with the results.
The service was very good, with timely responses throughout. The lawyer was accurate and knowledgeable. I would recommend her to anyone and would use her again.
I got what I needed in Spain without problems, with excellent assistance.
My experience is excellent. Using a lawyer who speaks fluent English, I am confident that I am compliant with Spanish law. We have an open and honest relationship, and I trust that the lawyer is always acting in my best interest.
The lawyer gave an excellent service. She and her team responded very quickly to what we needed and got us past every difficulty that arose, with great professionalism. I was completely satisfied with the result. I would warmly recommend her to friends and colleagues.
The support was excellent, thank you.
Her English was impeccable and she answered every email very quickly. Our Spanish residency application came at a very difficult moment, when Covid travel restrictions applied, and I wrote to her countless times in a panic that we would never finish it. She stayed patient, knowledgeable, reassuring and informative throughout. When we met at the Immigration Centre she was friendly yet professional. I cannot judge the value for money, as I had no idea what this process should cost.
She was fantastic all the way through my application for Spanish residency. Whenever I had a question she was just a phone call or a WhatsApp message away, and she did more than I expected to keep everything running smoothly. I was completely satisfied with the result. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a solicitor.
I was extremely pleased with the whole service.
Excellent, professional work from the lawyer and his team, and I am completely satisfied. I valued his careful eye for detail and would warmly recommend him.