Key information for moving to Greece

1/ Residence permit
2/ Vehicle registration

Key information for obtaining insurance in Greece

1/ Automobile insurance
2/ Home insurance
3/ Health insurance

Your contact
 

As a European citizen moving to Greece, you must register your presence with the foreigners’ office, located in the police office of your place of residence, within three months following your arrival in the country.  Failure to do so will result in a fine.  You must provide the following documents: valid passport or identity card, proof of income and proof of social welfare cover.

You will then receive, free of charge, a registration certificate, valid for five years.  After five years of continuous residence in Greece, you will obtain a permanent residence permit.

You must change the registration of your vehicle within one month after your arrival in Greece.

In order to register your vehicle in Greece, you must obtain, prior to your departure, a change of residence certificate (Pistopoihtiko metoikesisas) from the Greek embassy in your country of origin.

After arriving in Greece, you must go to the customs office with this document in order to make a vehicle arrival declaration (Dilossi afixis ochmatos).  If your car is second-hand (more than six months old and with more than 6,000 km upon arrival in Greece), it must undergo a technical check.  You must then obtain an anti-pollution technology certificate from the transport and communication department of your local government office. 

In order to register your vehicle and change your licence plates, you must go to your local traffic department office with these documents as well as the certificate of your vehicle purchase and an insurance certificate.  You must also pay a registration fee, which is determined by the motor size and the anti-pollution technology of your vehicle.  If your registration request is the result of a change in principal residency, you are entitled to an 80% reduction.

You must also pay an annual traffic tax, which is calculated on the basis of the motor size of your vehicle.

If you purchase a vehicle in Greece, the VAT is 18%.

Third party automobile liability insurance is compulsory in Greece.  This insurance cover is described in a written certificate, including the duration of the policy, provided by the insurance company.

In the event of an accident caused by a vehicle that is not identified, not insured, stolen or insured by a bankrupt company, you can apply for compensation from the Greek guarantee fund: the complementary insurance guarantee fund for third party automobile liability.

What are the compulsory requirements regarding home insurance in Greece?  Is it the responsibility of the renter or the landlord to take out this insurance?

If you are employed, your employer is responsible for your social security registration with the social insurance institute (Idrima Koinonikon Asphalisseon – IKA) and other sectoral bodies.

You must nevertheless go in person to an IKA office in order to obtain a health card.  You will have to provide a valid identity card or passport, a photo of each member of your family and the insurance booklet provided by your employer (DATE).

For any additional information you can contact a local or regional office of the social insurance institute (IKA).

Are there any specific dispositions or steps required for students? For retired people (bodies to contact, steps to take?).