ARTICLES
Residence permit in Greece type I4 for medical care or medically assisted reproduction (IVF)
The new residence permit category I.4 (Article 163(4) of Law 5038/2023) allows third-country nationals to reside in Greece for the purpose of receiving medical care and treatment. These services also include medically assisted reproduction (IVF). This is a residence permit granted for a specific therapeutic purpose and does not constitute a general residence or employment permit.
Beneficiaries and Procedure
Residence permit category I.4 concerns third-country nationals entering Greece for the purpose of receiving medical or nursing care. Such care includes, inter alia, medically assisted reproduction services (IVF).
The residence permit is granted by decision of the competent Secretary of the Decentralised Administration, following the issuance of the corresponding national entry (type-D) visa and the admission of the third-country national into Greek territory.
The residence permit is valid for one year and may be renewed for a total period of up to four years, provided that the relevant requirements continue to be met (i.e. the recipient continues to receive the relevant healthcare services).
This particular residence permit category does not confer the right to undertake dependent employment or pursue independent economic activity. Furthermore, the holder is required to reside in Greece for a period of at least six (6) months within each twelve (12)-month period, in accordance with the applicable general provisions of Law 5038/2023. Failure to comply with this requirement shall result in the non-renewal of the residence permit.
Moreover, a change in the purpose of residence is not permitted and, upon completion of the treatment, the third-country national is required to leave Greek territory.
National Entry Visa for Category I.4
The third-country national shall submit the following documents to the competent Greek Consular Authority:
a) A certificate of acceptance for hospitalisation or treatment issued by a healthcare institution in Greece, specifying the estimated duration and cost of hospitalisation or treatment, the arrangements for payment of the relevant expenses and, in the case of an adult, whether or not an accompanying person is required during their stay in Greece.
In cases involving admission for the provision of medically assisted reproduction services, the aforementioned certificate shall be issued by one of the duly licensed/certified medically assisted reproduction centres referred to above. It shall include, on the one hand, the Centre’s undertaking to provide the relevant services and, on the other hand, confirmation that the costs of the services to be provided have been duly arranged, to the extent required under the internal operating regulations of the Centre/Medical Unit, in order for the Centre to accept responsibility for providing healthcare services to the third-country national.
b) Insurance coverage for hospitalisation expenses and medical and pharmaceutical care.
It is noted that an insurance policy issued in the country of origin of the third-country national may also be submitted, provided that it expressly covers the individual in Greece. In the absence of sufficient insurance coverage for hospitalisation expenses and medical and pharmaceutical care, evidence of sufficient financial resources to personally cover all such expenses may be accepted.
c) Proof of sufficient financial resources to cover the living expenses of the applicant and their accompanying person(s) for the duration of their stay in Greece, as determined under Article 1(1)(h) of Joint Ministerial Decision No. 225679/17.9.2026 (Government Gazette, Series II, No. 5223).
It is noted that, with regard to proof of sufficient financial resources by third-country nationals wishing to enter and reside in Greece in order to receive medical, nursing and palliative care, as well as by their accompanying person(s), pursuant to Article 163(4)(a) and (b) of Law 5038/2023, the minimum required amount is set at six hundred and fifty euros (€650) per month, excluding the costs of medical, nursing or palliative care. The assessment of sufficient financial resources and the amount thereof shall be carried out on an individual basis and may be substantiated by any appropriate means of evidence.
d) Consular fee for the national entry visa, amounting to one hundred and eighty euros (€180).
e) The general supporting documents required under the Ministerial Decision issued pursuant to the authorisation provided for in Article 176(8) of Law 5038/2023 (see relevant document referred to above).
Initial Grant of Residence Permit Category I.4
The third-country national shall submit an electronic application through the online services of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum to the competent One-Stop Service of the Decentralised Administration of their place of residence, accompanied by the following documents:
a) A certified copy of their passport or other travel document recognised by Greece, bearing the required national entry visa of category I.4 (VISA D).
b) A certificate of acceptance for hospitalisation or treatment issued by a healthcare institution in Greece, specifying the estimated duration and cost of hospitalisation or treatment, the arrangements for payment of the relevant expenses and, in the case of an adult, whether or not an accompanying person is required during their stay in Greece.
In cases involving admission for the provision of medically assisted reproduction services, the aforementioned certificate shall be issued by one of the duly licensed/certified medically assisted reproduction centres referred to above. It shall include, on the one hand, the Centre’s undertaking to provide the relevant services and, on the other hand, confirmation that the costs of the services to be provided have been duly arranged, to the extent required under the internal operating regulations of the Centre/Medical Unit, in order for the Centre to accept responsibility for providing healthcare services to the third-country national.
c) Insurance coverage for hospitalisation expenses and medical and pharmaceutical care.
It is noted that an insurance policy issued in the country of origin of the third-country national may be submitted, provided that it expressly covers the individual in Greece. Alternatively, private health insurance may be submitted, in accordance with the coverage requirements stipulated in Joint Ministerial Decision No. 133692/2024 (Government Gazette, Series II, No. 2724). In the absence of sufficient insurance coverage for hospitalisation expenses and medical and pharmaceutical care, evidence of sufficient financial resources to personally cover all such expenses may be accepted.
d) Proof of sufficient financial resources to cover the living expenses of the applicant and their accompanying person(s) for the duration of their stay in Greece, as determined under Article 1(1)(h) of Joint Ministerial Decision No. 225679/17.9.2026 (Government Gazette, Series II, No. 5223).
It is noted that, with regard to proof of sufficient financial resources by third-country nationals wishing to enter and reside in Greece in order to receive medical, nursing and palliative care, as well as by their accompanying person(s), pursuant to Article 163(4)(a) and (b) of Law 5038/2023, the minimum required amount is set at six hundred and fifty euros (€650) per month, excluding the costs of medical, nursing or palliative care. The assessment of sufficient financial resources and the amount thereof shall be carried out on an individual basis and may be substantiated by any appropriate means of evidence.
e) An administrative fee of one hundred and fifty euros (€150) (electronic fee code 2107).
Renewal of Residence Permit Category I.4 (up to a total of four years from the date of issuance of the initial residence permit)
The third-country national shall submit an electronic application through the online services of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum to the competent One-Stop Service of the Decentralised Administration of their place of residence, accompanied by the following documents:
a) A certificate confirming the continuation of hospitalisation or treatment, issued by a healthcare institution in Greece, specifying the estimated date of completion, the arrangements for payment of hospitalisation expenses and the cost of the hospitalisation or treatment already provided.
In cases involving the provision of medically assisted reproduction services (IVF), the aforementioned certificate shall be issued by one of the duly licensed/certified medically assisted reproduction centres referred to above. It shall include information, on the one hand, regarding the healthcare services already provided in the context of medically assisted reproduction and, on the other hand, regarding the settlement of the costs of hospitalisation/treatment and the estimated time required for completion of the medically assisted reproduction services.
b) Insurance coverage for hospitalisation expenses and medical and pharmaceutical care.
It is noted that an insurance policy issued in the country of origin of the third-country national may be submitted, provided that it expressly covers the individual in Greece. Alternatively, private health insurance may be submitted, in accordance with the coverage requirements stipulated in Joint Ministerial Decision No. 133692/2024 (Government Gazette, Series II, No. 2724). In the absence of sufficient insurance coverage for hospitalisation expenses and medical and pharmaceutical care, evidence of sufficient financial resources to personally cover all such expenses may be accepted.
c) Proof of sufficient financial resources to cover the applicant’s living expenses for the duration of their stay in Greece, as determined under Article 1(1)(h) of Joint Ministerial Decision No. 225679/17.9.2026 (Government Gazette, Series II, No. 5223).
It is noted that, with regard to proof of sufficient financial resources by third-country nationals wishing to enter and reside in Greece in order to receive medical, nursing and palliative care, as well as by their accompanying person(s), pursuant to Article 163(4)(a) and (b) of Law 5038/2023, the minimum required amount is set at six hundred and fifty euros (€650) per month, excluding the costs of medical, nursing or palliative care. The assessment of sufficient financial resources and the amount thereof shall be carried out on an individual basis and may be substantiated by any appropriate means of evidence.
d) An administrative fee of one hundred and fifty euros (€150) (electronic fee code 2107).
Accompanying Spouse or Family Member
It is noted that, where a female third-country national wishing to receive services related to medically assisted reproduction is accompanied by her spouse or another family member, the above supporting documents, both for the national entry visa and for the residence permit, shall be adjusted accordingly and shall include:
a) A solemn declaration by the adult third-country national stating that the applicant is their partner or accompanying person.
b) Proof of sufficient financial resources in the name of the accompanying person to cover their living expenses for the duration of their spouse’s or accompanying person’s stay in Greece, as specified above.
It is possible for the required financial resources for both individuals to be evidenced by either the third-country national receiving the medically assisted reproduction services or her spouse/accompanying person.
c) Comprehensive health insurance covering all risks covered for Greek nationals.
It is noted that an insurance policy issued in the country of origin of the third-country national may be submitted, provided that it expressly covers the individual in Greece. Alternatively, private health insurance may be submitted, in accordance with the coverage requirements stipulated in Joint Ministerial Decision No. 133692/2024 (Government Gazette, Series II, No. 2724).
d) The general supporting documents required for the issuance of visas, where an application for a national entry visa is submitted.
e) A certified copy of the passport or other travel document recognised by Greece, bearing the required national entry visa of category I.4 (VISA D).
f) A consular fee for the national entry visa amounting to one hundred and eighty euros (€180), and an administrative fee of one hundred and fifty euros (€150) (electronic fee code 2107) for the residence permit.
Article 163(4)(c) expressly excludes access to any form of employment and the possibility of recourse to the country’s social security or welfare system. A change in the purpose of residence is not permitted.
Upon completion of the therapeutic programme, the patient and their accompanying person(s) are required to leave Greece, in any event before the expiry of the residence permit.
For the renewal of the residence permit, it is necessary to demonstrate that the applicant has resided in Greece for a minimum period of six (6) months during the validity period of the previous residence permit.
* Our law firm has extensive experience in all aspects of Immigration Law and residence permit matters, including the issuance and renewal of residence permits, employment invitations for third-country nationals, regularisation of undocumented migrants, acquisition of Greek citizenship, removal of deportation orders, appeals against the detention of foreign nationals, and related matters. For further legal advice or to instruct our law firm to handle your case, you may contact us by telephone at +30 2313 079293 or by email at info@siopi-law.gr. Please note that, pursuant to the Greek Code of Lawyers, the provision of legal advice without the corresponding remuneration is prohibited (Article 57 of Law 4194/2013)*
Dafni I. Siopi
Attorney-at-Law, LL.M.
Thessaloniki Office:
52 Tsimiski Street, Thessaloniki, Greece
Tel.: +30 2313 079293, +30 6977 568673
Email: info@siopi-law.gr, dsiopi@siopi-law.gr
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134 Solonos Street, Athens, Greece
Tel.: +30 211 0035843, +30 6977 568673