Getting a Residency Permit in Crete…
This Residency Information Page is from the Completely Crete Making a Living in Crete Starting a Business Section. Apparently, and despite being members of the EU, British passport holders wishing to stay in Crete (ie Greece) for more than three months, need to obtain a Residence Permit.
Although we had been in Crete since May 2005 (don't tell anyone!), we wanted to buy a car so we were obliged to get the Permit. This is our experience... We were not at all sure where the police station was, as we were new to the area, having moved recently to the west of the Island. Also, crime is virtually non-existent here in Crete so we had had no need to seek it out in the past. We did find the police station in the village and entered into a room with an open plan office. A television was showing Greek daytime TV with hints and tips on cooking, fashion and the latest music. Several Greek orthodox icons adorned the walls. We thought we’d entered the wrong building as there were no uniformed police officers to be seen. Instead three young men, dressed in jeans, T-shirts and trainers were chatting, drinking café frappes and glancing at the TV. We wondered where the police officers were and were just about to ask the young men. They WERE the police officers! After entering our details onto a computer, much stamping of paperwork, signing of forms, and handing over 4 euros, we were now official residents of Crete and we had the papers to prove it. Although the process was simple to us, we have heard of people who have had other experiences. For example, It is best not to imply that you have moved to Crete permanently while having no means of supporting yourself. With this approach then like us, you'll not be asked to produce any proof of income.
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To get a residency permit you will have to visit your local police station with passports, 2 photocopies of the passports, and 4 passport-sized photographs.
