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Browse our 1 legal question about Immigration in Greece and the lawyer answers, or ask your own questions for free.
In order to apply for Greek citizenship, a lot of prerequisites should be met. First of all, the type of residence permit you are holding needs to be checked, and also your absences from Greece should not be very long....
Read full answerBrowse our 1 legal article about Immigration in Greece written by expert lawyers.
Acharnes is a municipality in the Attica region near Athens. Immigration matters for residents of Acharnes are governed by national Greek and European law, and handled through regional offices located in the Athens area. Key aspects of immigration law that affect people living in Acharnes include rules on entry and residence for third-country nationals, work permits, family reunification, student permits, asylum procedures and pathways to long-term residence and citizenship. Administrative steps - such as submitting applications, registering with authorities and attending interviews - are usually carried out at municipal service centers, regional migration offices or police immigration units serving the Athens area.
Immigration processes often involve detailed documentation, tight deadlines and technical legal requirements. A qualified immigration lawyer can help in many common situations:
- Preparing and checking application files for residence permits, work permits or family reunification to avoid refusals for missing or incorrect documents.
- Representing you at interviews or before migration services, police immigration units or administrative courts.
- Filing appeals against negative decisions and guiding you through administrative and judicial remedies.
- Advising on complex cases such as criminal records, previous expulsions, irregular entry or overstays, and how these affect eligibility for permits.
- Assisting refugees and asylum seekers with claim preparation, evidence, and representation during hearings.
- Helping employers and businesses with work permit sponsorship, compliance and audits.
Working with a local lawyer familiar with the Athens region and practical procedures can reduce delays and increase the chance of a successful outcome.
Key legal points that are particularly relevant in Acharnes and the wider Attica area include:
- National legal framework - Greek immigration is primarily governed by the national Immigration Code and related laws and ministerial decisions. A central reference is the national law that regulates entry, residence and social integration of third-country nationals. These laws implement European directives and Schengen rules.
- Residence permit types - Common permits include short-term visas, residence permits for work, seasonal work, employment by a Greek employer, family reunification, studies, long-term EU resident status and permits for humanitarian or subsidiary protection.
- Asylum and international protection - Asylum applications are handled by the national Asylum Service and related bodies. International protection procedures follow Greek and EU standards, including registration, interviews and appeal rights.
- Detention and deportation - Administrative detention and deportation procedures are regulated by law. Decisions can be appealed, and legal advice is critical in urgent circumstances.
- Integration and documentation - Many formal processes require a Greek tax identification number, and for access to work or benefits you may need a social security number. Foreign civil documents often need translation and legalization - either an apostille for Hague Convention countries or consular legalization for others.
- Administrative remedies - If a migration authority denies an application, there are administrative appeal routes and the possibility of judicial review before administrative courts. Time limits for appeals are strict, so prompt legal advice is important.
Most residence permit applications are submitted to the regional migration office or police immigration unit that serves the Athens area. Start by checking which office has jurisdiction over Acharnes and collect the required documents - passport, biometric photos, proof of purpose of stay, proof of financial means, and translations/legalizations if needed. Many applicants use a citizen service center for initial information, but legal advice is helpful to ensure the application is complete.
Whether you can work during a pending application depends on the type of application and the certificate you receive when you apply. Some applicants are issued a temporary certificate that proves legal stay while authorities process the file. Work authorization rules vary, so check the permit type and consult a lawyer or the regional migration office before starting employment.
Family reunification allows certain family members of a legal resident to join them in Greece. Eligible relatives commonly include spouses, minor children and dependent adult children in certain circumstances. The sponsor must usually prove stable residence, adequate housing and sufficient income. Applications require marriage or birth certificates properly legalized and translated. Processing times and exact conditions depend on the sponsor's permit type and nationality of the family member.
Asylum claims are registered with the national Asylum Service. Applicants undergo registration interviews, provide personal and factual information, and may receive temporary documentation while the claim is examined. Asylum procedures are complex and often involve multiple interviews and the possibility of appeal if a claim is rejected. Legal assistance and interpretation are important to present evidence and explain persecution or risk.
If an application is refused or an existing permit is revoked, the decision should explain the reasons and the available remedies. Most negative decisions can be appealed administratively or challenged before the administrative courts within strict time limits. You should consult a lawyer immediately to prepare an appeal and to check for interim measures that can prevent removal while the appeal is pending.
Long-term EU resident status typically requires continuous legal residence for five years and meeting other conditions such as stable income and integration criteria. Naturalization as a Greek citizen is a separate process with its own residency, language and integration requirements - often several years of legal residence plus evidence of social and economic ties to Greece. Timelines vary widely and specific eligibility rules depend on individual circumstances.
Yes. Birth certificates, marriage certificates, diplomas and police records issued abroad are usually required to be translated into Greek and legalized. For countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention, an apostille is normally accepted. For other countries, consular legalization may be needed. Certified Greek translations are typically required for official use.
Overstaying can result in fines, administrative removal orders, bans on reentry and difficulty obtaining future visas or permits. It may also complicate applications for regularization or asylum. If you have overstayed, contact a lawyer promptly to explore any possible regularization routes, humanitarian options or defenses against removal.
There are non-governmental organizations and legal aid providers in the Athens region that offer help to migrants and asylum seekers. Municipal social services and citizen service centers can point you to local support. For complex matters or appeals, a licensed immigration lawyer is often necessary, but NGOs and community groups can provide initial guidance and referrals.
Bring passports and ID documents for you and relevant family members, copies of visas and permits, any written decisions from authorities, birth and marriage certificates, proof of address and income, employment contracts, school records if applicable, police records if required and any correspondence with migration authorities. If you have documents in another language, bring originals and any available translations. A lawyer will tell you which additional documents are needed for your specific case.
The following types of bodies and organizations can be useful when you need information or assistance:
- Ministry of Migration and Asylum - national authority responsible for migration and asylum policy.
- Asylum Service - handles registration and examination of asylum claims.
- Regional migration or immigration offices and police immigration units that serve the Athens area.
- Citizen Service Centers - local municipal offices that provide administrative information and guidance on required forms and procedures.
- Non-governmental organizations that provide legal support, language assistance and social services - examples in the Athens region include refugee assistance and legal aid groups.
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees - provides information and support related to refugees and asylum in Greece.
- Local municipal social services in Acharnes - can help with integration services and local support programs.
If you need legal assistance with immigration matters in Acharnes, follow these practical steps:
- Gather your documents - passports, permits, certificates, contracts and any official correspondence. Make copies and organize originals for review.
- Check jurisdiction - find which regional migration office or police immigration unit covers Acharnes so you know where to submit applications or attend appointments.
- Seek initial guidance - contact a citizen service center or local NGO for basic information and referrals.
- Consult a qualified immigration lawyer - choose a lawyer licensed in Greece with experience in immigration and asylum law and with knowledge of Athens-area procedures. Ask about fees, services and timelines before you hire the lawyer.
- Prepare translations and legalizations - arrange certified Greek translations and the required legalization or apostille for foreign documents as advised by your lawyer.
- Meet deadlines - pay careful attention to application deadlines and appeal time limits. If you receive a negative decision, act quickly to preserve your right to appeal.
- Keep records - save all receipts, appointment confirmations, correspondence and copies of every document you submit. These records are important when proving legal steps and deadlines.
Remember that immigration law is complex and changes often. This guide is informational and not a substitute for personalized legal advice. For a reliable assessment of your situation, consult a licensed immigration lawyer in the Athens area who can provide tailored advice and representation.
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