December 8th, on the occasion of intense negotiations between the UK and the European Union, the Greek Ministry of Immigration and Asylum announced on December 7 that British citizens and members of their families, who are permanent or non-permanent residents of Greece, regardless of nationality, will continue to enjoy the established Greece after December 31.
La right of abode or special residence permit.
According to reports, as early as January this year, the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs submitted a British civil rights bill on living in Greece to the Greek Parliament to deal with the impact of Brexit.
The bill regulates the right of residence and other rights of British citizens in Greece, which can protect British citizens no matter when the UK eventually leave the EU.
The bill includes: recognizing the right of abode in Greece for British citizens and their family members before Brexit; establishing mutual recognition between British and Greek citizens in social security and health care; recognizing the use of British driver’s licenses in Greece and allowing them to be converted into Greek drivers’ licenses; and recognizing that British-registered tourism enterprises in the Conditions and bylaws of Greek operation; more personnel in the Greek Customs and Taxation Department to provide services for British passengers and British goods; Provision for British citizens to work in Greece, as well as their professional qualifications and academic certificate certification; and upgrade related electronic services.
Accordingly, although EU member states need to reissue residence documents to British citizens living there in principle after Brexit, the Greek government chooses to directly confirm the right of British citizens to abode in Greece without requalification.
This means that any British citizen who has legal residence in Greece for more than five years or has obtained a Greek residence permit before December 31 this year can continue to retain the right to reside in Greece after the official Brexit.
However, if a British citizen and his family member apply for a new residence certificate after January 1, 2021, the necessary supporting documents must be required.
