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A.4-65 — Permit for resident aged over 65 with deep ties

GreeceHumanitarian protection

Explore the five recorded questions, answers and sources for this pathway.

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What exactly is this: asylum, temporary protection, humanitarian admission, resettlement or another protection mechanism?

A national humanitarian residence permit of type A.4 under the Greek Migration Code (category A, humanitarian and exceptional reasons); it is not asylum or international protection.

See recorded sources

Which population, circumstances or geographic group does the mechanism cover?

Third-country nationals aged 65 or over who live permanently in Greece and hold a valid permit that cannot be renewed under the Code, provided that: (i) they have not secured a Greek pension right for lack of insurance days, (ii) their life ties have developed exclusively in Greece for at least the last 20 years, and (iii) they present private insurance meeting the ministerial decision under art. 176(10).

See recorded sources
  • https://migration.gov.gr/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/%CE%A6%CE%95%CE%9A%CE%9117_6.2.2025.pdf
    αε) σε πολίτες τρίτων χωρών, οι οποίοι έχουν συμπληρώσει το εξηκοστό πέμπτο έτος της ηλικίας τους, διαμένουν μόνιμα στην Ελλάδα και κατέχουν άδεια διαμονής σε ισχύ που δεν δύναται να ανανεωθεί για έναν από τους λόγους του παρόντος Κώδικα, χορηγείται άδεια διαμονής, εφόσον: i) δεν έχουν κατοχυρώσει δικαίωμα συνταξιοδότησης από φορέα κοινωνικής ασφάλισης της Ελλάδας λόγω μη συμπλήρωσης των απαιτούμενων ημερών ασφάλισης, ii) ο κύκλος των βιοτικών τους σχέσεων έχει αναπτυχθεί τουλάχιστον κατά τα τελευταία είκοσι (20) έτη αποκλειστικά στην Ελλάδα και iii) προσκομίζουν ιδιωτική ασφάλιση, η οποία πληροί τις προϋποθέσεις της υπουργικής απόφασης που εκδίδεται κατ’ εξουσιοδότηση της παρ. 10 του άρθρου 176.

Where can protection be requested, and is this a direct application, border/in-country request, referral or other process?

In-country route: granted to third-country nationals who are in Greece. A passport (even expired) is required, unless objective inability to obtain one is established after a reasoned request and a Migration Committee opinion. The official source does not state the office or platform where the application is filed.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Quoted from the original 2023 Migration Code (Law 5038/2023, FEK A 81); Law 5275/2026 amends art. 134 only in paras 1 and 4; other intermediate amendments not checked.
  • The filing office/platform is not stated in the captured text.

What happens after the request: registration, family handling, major support and rights where officially stated?

The permit is valid for 3 years and renewable for the same period, except where the applicant has adult children lawfully resident in Greece and lives near them (a different duration rule then applies). A.4 permits give no access to the labour market; no application fee is charged. The official source does not state registration, family handling or support measures for this permit.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • Quoted from the original 2023 Migration Code (Law 5038/2023, FEK A 81); Law 5275/2026 amends art. 134 only in paras 1 and 4; other intermediate amendments not checked. (fee provision)
  • No statement on family handling or support services for this permit.

Which competent authority, UN body or official assistance channel should the person use?

The permit is granted by decision of the Secretary of the competent Decentralised Administration.

See recorded sources
Limits of the record
  • No official fraud/scam warning or dedicated assistance channel found in the captured sources.

These are the answers currently recorded in the catalogue. A missing or partial answer is not an eligibility decision.

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