Positive Decision
If you are granted refugee status, you can obtain a residence permit, valid for three (3) years, renewable for an equal duration, and, as a beneficiary, you can obtain a travel document (TDV), if you wish to, that allows you to visit other EU countries for a total period of up to 90 days every 6 months.
The residence permit for beneficiaries of subsidiary protection is granted for a period of one (1) year and is then renewed every two (2) years. In the case of subsidiary protection, the Greek authorities will provide you a travel document, upon your request, only if you are objectively unable to obtain a travel document from the authorities of your country of origin.
Beneficiaries of refugee and subsidiary protection status have the right to full access to the labour market, to public education at all levels, and to vocational training programmes. You can also take up a profession and engage in activities as a self-employed person, by opening your own business and have access to social welfare and health care benefits under the same conditions as Greek citizens.
To change your Temporary Insurance and Health Care Number (PAAYPA) to an AMKA, you must apply to the competent AMKA service (e-EFKA office or KEP) within one (1) month from reception of your residence permit.
If you are granted refugee status, you can apply for family reunification with members of your close family (spouse, minor children, disabled adult children) who are in your country of origin or in another third country, under certain conditions.
As a beneficiary of international protection (refugee status or subsidiary protection), you can apply for Greek citizenship via naturalization. For information on the procedure and conditions regarding the acquisition of Greek citizenship, please contact the competent office of the General Secretariat of Citizenship of the Ministry of Interior.
As a recognized refugee you can follow social integration programmes set up by the relevant services.
According to Greek law, your status may be revoked or not renewed in cases expressly provided for by law. For example, when your refugee status ceases because, for example, you have regained the protection of your country of nationality or acquired the nationality of another country, your refugee status is not renewed or is revoked. Also, if you have falsified or forged documents or data, if you have endangered the national security of the country, if you have committed a serious crime or if there was a reason to exclude you from international protection, then your refugee or subsidiary protection status will not be renewed or will be revoked.
Rights of beneficiaries of International Protection
Rights of beneficiaries of International Protection in 20 languages
Obligations of beneficiaries of international protection
During your stay in Greece, you have the following obligations:
- You must report to the competent Regional Asylum Office or Asylum Unit any change in your residential address and telephone number. The declaration can also be made electronically through the relevant website of the Ministry (see here).
- You should report the theft, damage, destruction or loss of your residence permit or your travel document to the competent Regional Asylum Office or Asylum Unit. In case of theft or loss of the documents issued by the Asylum Service, you will be issued with a certificate that you are a beneficiary of international protection, which will include the number of your residence permit or travel document (see here). With this you should immediately report a loss or theft to the nearest police authority. Once you have received a certified copy of this statement, you should present it to the Asylum Service and ask for a replacement of your residence permit or for the issuance of a new travel document.
- You should declare to the competent Regional Asylum Office or Asylum Unit any change in your civil status, i.e. the conclusion or dissolution or annulment of a marriage or cohabitation agreement or the birth of a child or the act of recognition of a child, by presenting the relevant original documents. The declaration can also be made electronically through the relevant website of the Ministry (see here).
- In the event of the death of a member of your family or of a person close to you, you must inform the competent Regional Asylum Office or Asylum Unit by submitting the relevant document. The status update can also be done electronically here Then, you should hand over to the competent Regional Asylum Office or Asylum Unit the residence permit and the Greek travel document of your family member or relative, regardless of whether it is still valid or not.
- You must declare to the competent Regional Asylum Office or Asylum Unit any change in your citizenship by presenting the relevant original document. The declaration can also be made electronically through the relevant website of the Ministry (see here).
- You must hand over to the competent Regional Asylum Office or Asylum Unit the residence permit and the Greek travel document you have in your possession in the event of their revocation or in the event of acquiring Greek citizenship.
- • In order to renew your residence permit, you must apply no later than thirty (30) calendar days before the expiration of your residence permit at the Asylum Unit for Beneficiaries of International Protection. In the event of a late and unexcused renewal application, a fine of one hundred (100) euros per person is imposed. To invoke reasons for late submission of your residence permit renewal application, you can attach relevant documents (e.g. medical documents) when sending the renewal application. For the renewal process see here.
- For the issuance of the Social Security Registration Number (AMKA), you must appear at a KEP (see here) within thirty (30) days from the date of receipt of your residence permit (ADET).
- You have obligation to enroll your minor children in Greece in a public or private school from the age of 4 at the corresponding compulsory school level. Failure to register is punishable by law. For information on the school registration process see here.
