Moving to Corfu

European Union citizens have the right to travel freely throughout the 15-nation bloc. They may even decide to live and work in any member state. Here's how they can set up home in Greece. Compared to the gruelling bureaucratic paper chase facing non-EU foreigners in Greece, the application procedure for EU citizens seeking residence papers is child's play. Citizens of the 14 other current member states - Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom - have the right to live and work in this country. An estimated 65,000 EU citizens live in Greece, according to public order ministry statistics. Authorities say some five to 10 are issued residence permits in Athens daily. Free movement within the union is a cornerstone of EU citizenship. The aim is to guarantee all EU citizens the right to move freely between member states for a number of purposes, particularly employment. Existing legislation gives EU citizens moving from one member state to another the right to take up employment and the right to be joined by their families. Only 1.5 percent of all the union's citizens live in a member state other than their own.

Those eligible to seek residence include students, pensioners, workers and people married to Greeks as well as those who can financially support themselves during their stay here. A residence permit is not required by law for those who wish to stay in Greece up to three months. The application procedure for the residence permit is relatively trouble-free. The health certificate requirement has been scrapped. The processing fee is a mere 23 cents - equal to the amount paid by Greeks to be issued an ID card. The permit is issued on the spot and takes about 20 minutes. The residence permit also serves as a work permit. You must file within three months of one's stay in Greece. Applications for residence permits are submitted to the Aliens' Bureau at police headquarters in Athens (99 Antigonis St, Kolonos). Those who do not live in Athens may submit their applications to the immigration department at their local police station. EU citizens will soon be able to file applications at their nearest Citizens' Service Centre (KEP), claim public order ministry officials.

Application requirements for pensioners or those in Greece for work purposes

• A valid passport or identification card
• Three passport-size photographs
• A statutory declaration (ypefthyni dilosi) signed by the applicant, stating they can financially support themselves. Or a document proving they are receiving a pension. Or a work contract. Or proof they are self-employed in Greece.

Application requirements for students

• A valid passport or ID
• Three passport-size photographs
• A document verifying the applicant is enrolled at a school recognised by the Greek state

Application requirements for family members of EU citizens residing in Greece

• A valid passport or ID
• A certificate issued by authorities in the applicant's home country stating their relation to the EU citizen already in Greece
• Three passport-size photographs

Residence permit

• EU citizens who wish to stay in Greece for more than three months are required to apply for a registration certificate (veveosi eggrafis) at their local aliens bureau. The registration certificate does not have to be renewed. Registration requires EU citizens to submit the following documents: a valid identity card or passport; confirmation of engagement from the applicant's employer or a certificate of employment or proof that they are self-employed. Those who are not active in the labour market will only need to submit proof of medical insurance and that they have sufficient monetary resources for themselves and their family.

Special cases

• EU citizens who work in Greece do not need a residence permit if they travel to their home in another member state either on a daily basis or at least once a week.
• EU citizens may stay in Greece legally for as long as they wish without a residence permit. There is really no way for authorities to check as there are no passport controls. But, they are required to hold a residence permit in order to work, study or collect a pension here.
• Authorities may reject an application if they deem the applicant poses a threat to public health or public order. This decision can be appealed.

For further information ring police headquarters in Athens on 210-510-2833 or contact your local police station (ask for the "tmima allodapon")

European Union citizens who reside in Greece and are over the age of 18 may vote and stand in municipal elections. All they have to do is register at their local municipality and have their names included on the electoral roll. EU Directive 94/80/EC grants citizens of any EU member state the right to vote and stand as a candidate in local elections in the member state in which they reside. The same conditions that apply to nationals of the country also apply to EU citizens. This directive was passed into Greek law in 1996. Non-Greek EU citizens were first granted the right to vote in Greece's municipal elections by a 1997 presidential decree. The decree, however, did not establish their right to be elected as mayors or heads of municipal councils, as EU law requires. They were also denied the right to vote in municipal elections unless they had lived in Greece for at least two years. In 1998, the European Commission accused Greece of discriminating against non-Greek EU nationals. Greece was forced to revise the legislation. According to a tally conducted by the interior ministry last year, some 1,500 non-Greek EU citizens are registered on the country's roll for local government elections. The next local elections will be held in October 2006. For more information about EU citizens' right to vote and stand in municipal elections ring the interior ministry's election office (2 Evangelistrias St, Mitropoleos Square) on 210-322-3736 or 210-323-4758.

If you need advice about living, working or retiring in Greece? Assistance and problem-solving services are just a phone call away. All one has to do is dial 00-800-6789-10-11 for answers to any questions about rights and obligations of EU citizens. This toll-free Citizens' Signpost Service is part of the EU's Europe Direct programme. Several hundred queries are answered daily across the union. Questions are answered within three working days or less by an EU law expert. Answers include explanations of EU legislation and advice on where one can turn to for further information and assistance. Help is offered in any of the 11 official languages of the European Union.

This link will take you to the website of the Greek Embassy in London.