The lawyer Mrs Kasatkina-Kouskou Svetlana provides legal assistance to third country citizens as far as it concerns the granting of a residence permit to the partner of an EU citizen or a Greek citizen, with a stable relationship dully attested.
There is new legislation, concerning a big portion of foreign citizens who live together (without marriage) with a Greek citizen or a citizen of the European Union in general and there are also some recent changes in Greek legislation concerning this issue. Partnership is now a reality for many foreigners who come from Central Europe. Others are partners of Greek citizens and others are partners of EU citizens that live in Greece. Essentially the actual cohabitation with an EU citizen gives the right to third country citizens to obtain a residence permit in Greece without marriage.
Under the legislation, the aim of this provision is to create a legal framework for the regulation of such partnership in reference to the distribution of rights and obligations of individuals.
Additionally law allows the application for residence permit accompanied by the necessary documents, proving the cohabitation with an EU citizen.
So,
a) The residence permit is issued to third country nationals who are partners of EU citizens in Greece, under the condition that there is evidence that proves that their relationship is stable and that it is granted for their reunion.
b) In the case that the third country national doesn’t have a valid residence permit, according to the regulation 539/2001 has to take a pass (Schengen visa) whose granting is free under the simplified procedure.
c) The above third country nationals have the right to stay in Greece up to three months without any conditions or formalities if their passport/visa is valid.
The above third country nationals who intend to stay in Greece for more than three months must apply to the Department of the migration policy of the Ministry of Interior affairs of Greece within the time of validity of their residence ( during the visa) under the following conditions:
•Must have a valid passport
•Have an agreement of civil partnership with an EU citizen
•Have a written proof of joint residence with a Greek citizen, or citizen of any other country in the EU.
•The stability of relations with the E.U. citizen in Greece must be proved
•Have documents that confirm the full medical insurance for the coverage of their health care.
To demonstrate the stability of the relationship it is needed:
•The contract of the agreement, the existence of a child or even an adopted child.
•The common set of legal, social and financial obligations.
The residence permit is granted for one year, renewable for two years, subject to the above paragraphs. To the holders of a residence permit is only granted the right to labor, while spouses of Greeks have the right to do business with a 5-year card.
The partner of a citizen of the Union has the right to continue to reside in Greece, under the condition that he has live in the country for at least three years before the death or departure of EU citizens from the country, and has the right to renew the residence permit in accordance with the law on immigration.
