Greece Abolishes Rule Extending Residence Permit Deadlines

In a move signaling a major shift in migration policy, Greece's Minister of Migration and Asylum, Makis Voridis, announced the repeal of a rule that would have extended application deadlines for residence permits. The decision reflects the government's strategy to enforce stricter immigration regulations and improve oversight of residence procedures.

No More Extra Time for Residence Applications

As of March 2025, foreigners in Greece will no longer benefit from automatic deadline extensions for renewing residence permits. The Ministry confirmed that the extension clause, previously submitted under the former Public Order Ministry, has been withdrawn.

“We are removing it because I want to consider whether an extension is even necessary. If granted, it must be part of a stricter anti-illegal migration framework,”
— Makis Voridis, Minister of Migration and Asylum

The cancellation of the rule means all third-country nationals residing in Greece must strictly follow existing deadlines for renewals and extensions.

Spike in Pending Residence Permit Applications

Greece is facing a serious administrative backlog in immigration processing. According to the Ministry of Migration and Asylum, there were 273,900 pending residence permit applications as of September 2024 — a 12% increase from the previous year. Roughly one-third (90,140 applications) were filed in 2023 alone.

This surge has caused delays, especially for non-EU nationals applying for work permits, family reunification, student visas, or through Greece’s popular Golden Visa and Digital Nomad schemes.

Residence Permit Renewal Rules

All renewals must be submitted at least 30 days before the current permit expires via the Ministry’s digital platform. Delays without justification may result in a €100 fine, though exemptions exist for cases with valid documentation.

The Ministry urges all foreign residents to comply with the deadlines to avoid disruptions in legal status, fines, or risk of deportation.

What This Means for Investors and Digital Nomads

While the government tightens procedures for regular migration flows, the Golden Visa program continues to thrive. In 2024, Greece registered a record 9,289 Golden Visa applications, reinforcing its position as one of Europe’s most attractive destinations for property-based residency【source: GTP News】.

Digital nomads, who can apply for a special visa allowing long-term residence while working remotely, are also advised to keep close track of deadlines and maintain documentation in order.

Why Greece Is Making This Move

The repeal is part of a broader policy agenda focused on managing illegal migration and restoring order in Greece’s immigration system. According to Ekathimerini, the ministry intends to link any future flexibility in deadlines to a “more restrictive” legal environment to prevent abuse.

The European Commission has previously urged Greece to modernize its migration services and improve administrative efficiency — a goal the new minister appears keen to achieve.

Greece is entering a new era of stricter compliance in residence and migration policy. Foreign residents, investors, and digital workers must now operate within tighter legal frameworks — no more grace periods.