Temporary protection: Greece
🛰️ Varta monitors 8 official sources for this country — checked daily.
Legal basis: EU Temporary Protection Directive 2001/55/EC + joint ministerial decisions (ΚΥΑ) of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum; the current decision extends protection from 04.03.2026 until 04.03.2027 • status valid until 04/03/2027 • already extended until 04/03/2028
Steps
- 1
Obtain the entry certificate at the border
On entry, ask the border authorities for a certificate confirming your entry date. Biometric passport holders enter visa-free for 90 days; non-biometric passports require a transit visa; without travel documents — only via the Promahonas crossing (tel. +30 23230 41079).
📍 Border crossing point⏰ At the moment of entry💳 Free - 2
Submit the application online
The application is filed exclusively online at asylum.migration.gov.gr: OTP login via e-mail, personal data (up to 4 family members), document details, housing, choice of office for the appointment. The procedure is free and includes certified interpreter assistance.
▸ More details›
The appointment confirmation arrives by e-mail. For technical issues — tp-support@migration.gov.gr.📍 Online: asylum.migration.gov.gr/temporary-protection/⏰ As soon as possible after arrival (ideally within the 90-day visa-free stay)💳 Free - 3
Attend the appointment at the Regional Asylum Office
At the appointment biometrics are taken and the permit is issued. Offices: Athens (2 P. Kanellopoulou Ave.), Alimos (6 Dodekanissou St., IOM building), Thessaloniki (5 Pontou St., Kalochori), Patras (92 Kapodistriou St.), Heraklion (Crete) and Rhodes.
📍 The chosen Regional Asylum Office⏰ On the date in your confirmation💳 Free - 4
Receive the temporary protection permit
Temporary protection permits issued since 24.03.2022 are legal residence titles and simultaneously serve as work permits in Greece.
📍 Regional Asylum Office💳 Free - 5
Renewal: automatic until 04.03.2027
By ministerial decision protection is extended from 04.03.2026 until 04.03.2027. Renewal is AUTOMATIC — no card replacement needed, but carry a copy of the Official Journal with the current decision. Those planning to travel or leave Greece can renew in person at the relevant asylum office from 16.02.2026.
📍 Automatic / asylum office (for travellers)⏰ Not needed (valid until 04.03.2027)💳 Free - 6
School, hospital, work
Enrol children in school via the Ministry of Education. Access to public hospitals and medical centres is free, initially even without a social security number. The permit grants the right to work without a separate authorisation.
📍 Local school / public hospitals⏰ As soon as possible after receiving the permit💳 Free
Documents
Foreign passport or other identity document
requiredDocument details are entered in the online application; the original is presented at the regional office appointment.
Entry-date certificate from the border authorities
if availableThe Ministry asks you to obtain it on entry and submit it upon request while your application is processed.
E-mail address (to log in to the portal)
requiredA one-time password (OTP) for login and the appointment confirmation are sent to it.
Children’s birth certificates
if availableUp to 4 family members can be included in one application; for new family members e-mail tp-support@migration.gov.gr.
Proof of residence in Ukraine before 24.02.2022
if availablePassport stamps, certificates, residence documents — may be requested to confirm eligibility.
Ukrainian Embassies and Consulates
Map
Document samples and how to fill them
Enter a working e-mail — the login code and appointment confirmation are sent to it. Keep using the same address.
First and last name in LATIN letters exactly as in the passport; date of birth; nationality. Add all family members at once.
Passport (or other document) type and number without spaces, as printed.
Enter your actual address or accommodation centre and details of your support network (relatives, acquaintances).
Choose one of the 6 offices (Athens, Alimos, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion, Rhodes) — the nearest to where you live. Confirmation arrives by e-mail.
❌ Name does not match the Latin transliteration in the passport ❌ Not all family members added (new members — only via tp-support@migration.gov.gr) ❌ E-mail entered that you cannot access (the login code goes there) ❌ Office chosen far from where you actually live
Check the spelling matches your passport (Latin letters).
Verify the date is correct — it may be checked when your application is processed.
Must match the passport or document you crossed the border with.
Keep the original and make a photo/copy — the Ministry may request it while processing your application.
❌ Certificate not requested at entry (it is not issued later at the border) ❌ An error in the entry date not corrected immediately ❌ Certificate lost — no copy made
Benefits
HELIOS+ — rental subsidy and integration courses (IOM)
Temporary protection holders; places are limited. Includes 6-month courses: Greek language, cultural orientation, job readiness.
How to apply: Via the IOM Greece HELIOS+ programme (greece.iom.int)
Free access to public healthcare
Persons displaced from Ukraine; initially even without a social security number.
How to apply: Go directly to public hospitals; info — Ministry of Health line 10306 (option 4)
State accommodation
Temporary protection holders and applicants without housing.
How to apply: Accommodation platform: migration.gov.gr/accomodation-ukraine/
Right to work
All holders of a valid temporary protection permit.
How to apply: No separate application; employment on general terms
Wise — transfers without hidden fees
A multi-currency account and transfers between Ukraine and Europe at the real exchange rate. Handy for receiving salary and sending money to family.
Open a Wise accountThe price for you does not change; the commission supports our free guides.
Where to apply
Regional Asylum Office of Attica
Registration office in Alimos (IOM building)
Regional Asylum Office of Thessaloniki
Contacts
What happens after protection ends
Temporary protection in Greece runs until 04.03.2027. The permit is a legal residence title with work rights, so keep records of employment and income: after the regime ends, switching to permits under the Greek migration code (work, study) or applying for international protection (asylum) — a separate individual procedure — may be possible. Follow EU decisions on the period after March 2027.
What happens when protection ends
These are options for the future — you will need to choose ONE, and not now.
These routes are available outside temporary protection — work, study, family, business, etc.
The description below is a general scheme, similar across countries. Check exact requirements, fees and timelines via the official link in each card — they differ by country and change over time.
💼 Work-based residence — Greece
Those with a valid employment contract in this country.
Passport; employment contract; proof of residence. Authority: Regional Asylum Office of Attica.
- Foreign passport
- Employment contract
- Proof of residence
- Health insurance (optional)
Regional Asylum Office of Attica
The employer or the applicant files; the immigration authority decides.
Before the current status or permit expires.
- Collect the card/decision
- Register address and social number
Renewable together with the contract.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🎓 Study — Greece
Enrolment at an accredited institution.
Acceptance letter; proof of funds; housing; insurance.
- Foreign passport
- Acceptance letter
- Proof of funds
- Health insurance (optional)
Regional Asylum Office of Attica
Apply via the institution or the immigration authority.
Before the semester starts.
- Register at the institution and locally
Yearly with continued studies.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
👨👩👧👦 Family reunification — Greece
Spouse, children or relatives of a resident or citizen.
Marriage/birth certificates; housing; sponsor income.
- Foreign passport
- Marriage/birth certificate
- Sponsor income proof
- Proof of residence
Regional Asylum Office of Attica
The sponsor or family files; documents need apostille and translation.
Before the current status expires.
- Collect the family member card
Renewable; a path to permanent residence.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏢 Self-employment/business — Greece
Company or self-employment registration; business plan or contracts.
Registration documents; tax number; funds; housing.
- Foreign passport
- Company/self-employment registration
- Business plan or contracts (optional)
- Proof of residence
Regional Asylum Office of Attica
Register the business, then apply for residence as an entrepreneur.
Before the current status expires.
- Tax registration and bank account
Tied to the company activity.
Usually switchable from temporary protection without leaving.
🏠 Permanent residence — Greece
Usually after 5 years of continuous legal residence.
Stable income; housing; integration/language per national rules.
- Foreign passport
- Income proof
- Proof of residence
- Language/integration certificate (optional)
Regional Asylum Office of Attica
Apply once the required residence period is met.
After the required residence period is met.
- Obtain permanent resident status
Permanent status; card replaced periodically.
Temporary protection time often counts towards the period (per national rules).
Opportunities: housing, jobs, grants
6 verified programmes: housing support, job portals, business grants, free courses — with direct official links and verification dates. Available with Varta.
Forms & samples (PDF)
FAQ
Do I need to do anything to extend protection until 2027?
No. The extension from 04.03.2026 until 04.03.2027 is automatic — the initial card does not need replacing. Carry a copy of the Official Journal with the current ministerial decision as proof of validity. If you plan to travel or leave Greece — from 16.02.2026 you can renew the permit in person at the relevant asylum office.
I have a non-biometric passport. What should I do?
With a non-biometric passport you need a transit visa to enter Greece (90-day stay). Without travel documents, entry is only possible via the Promahonas crossing (tel. +30 23230 41079). For the temporary protection application itself any identity document is accepted; for a new passport contact the Embassy of Ukraine in Athens.
Can I work in Greece?
Yes. Temporary protection permits issued since 24.03.2022 double as work permits — no separate application is needed. For employment support there are integration programmes (IOM’s HELIOS+: Greek courses, job readiness, certifications).
Can I visit Ukraine and return to Greece?
The Greek authorities publish no explicit rules on short trips to Ukraine. If you plan to leave, use the in-person permit renewal option (from 16.02.2026) and, before travelling, check the consequences with the Ministry of Migration (tp-support@migration.gov.gr, +30 213 212 8400) so you do not lose your status or right of return.
How do I apply without a computer or a Greek number?
An e-mail address is enough to access the portal — a one-time code is sent to it. You can apply from a phone. The procedure is free and includes certified interpreter assistance. For technical problems write to tp-support@migration.gov.gr.
- migration.gov.gr — Інформація для переміщених осіб з України ✓
- asylum.migration.gov.gr — портал подачі на тимчасовий захист ✓
- UNHCR Help Greece — Displaced people from Ukraine
- IOM Greece — HELIOS+ (інтеграційна підтримка)
This information is for reference only and is not legal advice.