Family Reunification (Type O.1)

The Type O.1 Residence Permit is the primary legal pathway for non-EU/EEA/Swiss citizens (third-country nationals) living in Greece to bring their immediate family members to join them. This pathway is designed for long-term residents who have already established a stable life in Greece and wish to exercise their right to family unity.

Under the New Migration Code (Law 5038/2023) and subsequent updates in 2025, this permit strictly applies to the family of "Sponsors" who are also third-country nationals. If you are joining a Greek citizen or an EU national, you fall under different categories (Type O.3 or EU family member rights) which have more lenient requirements. The Type O.1 pathway is rigorous, requiring the sponsor to prove they can financially support their family without relying on the Greek social welfare system.

The Greek immigration system underwent a massive overhaul with the New Migration Code (Law 5038/2023), which became fully operational on March 31, 2024. The specific "Type O.1" coding was further refined by Law 5187/2025.

The most significant change is the mandatory digitalization of the process. Almost all interactions with the Ministry of Migration and Asylum are now conducted through an electronic portal. While this has reduced physical paperwork, it has made the accuracy of digital uploads critical; any discrepancy in the digital file can lead to immediate rejection.

Once the residence permit is granted, family members are entitled to several key rights in Greece:

• Work Rights: Family members have full access to the Greek labor market. They may work as employees or engage in self-employed professional activities under the same conditions as the Sponsor.
• Access to Education: Minor children have an absolute right to enroll in the Greek public school system and access higher education.
• Travel Rights: Holders of the O.1 permit (and the initial "Blue Receipt" or Beveosi) can travel within the Schengen Area for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.
• Path to Independence: After five years of legal residence, family members who have reached adulthood or in the event of the Sponsor's death may apply for an Independent Residence Permit (Type O.2).
• Healthcare: Access to the national healthcare system provided they are covered by the Sponsor's social security or their own private insurance.