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Information for Ukrainian refugees in Greece

Permits valid until 4 March 2027; EU protection until 4 March 2028, Greek extension pending

Information checked in October–November 2026.

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Important to know

Since 24 Aug 2026 new applicants must prove a legal exit from Ukraine or bring a military-status document certified by the Ukrainian Embassy or Consulate; holders of a valid Greek permit are not affected. Permits run to 4 March 2027 and there is no Greek decision for 2028 yet. Until 4 March 2027 you can apply online for any residence permit under the Migration Code without a visa (temporary protection then ends). A new card is issued only if you are travelling abroad (show a ticket; not for trips by private car) at offices in Attica, Thessaloniki, Western Greece, Crete and Rhodes. No cash allowances. Ministry of Migration: information in Ukrainian

Status and documents

How long protection lasts
Temporary protection residence permit, extended automatically to 4 March 2027 by a 2026 ministerial decision. The card is not reissued, so keep a copy of the decision for banks and offices. The EU has extended protection to 4 March 2028, but Greece has not issued its own decision yet; in past years it did so in January–February.
Documents
Passport or other travel document (biometric or not) or other ID; marriage and birth certificates for family members; the entry-date certificate from the border police if you have one. Since 24 Aug 2026 every new applicant: proof of legal exit from Ukraine (exit stamp or Border Guard certificate) or, failing that, a document on military status certified by the Ukrainian Embassy in Athens or the Consulate in Thessaloniki. Documents not in Greek need an official translation.
Where and how to apply
Pre-register online on the Asylum Service platform (you need a Greek mobile number) and book an appointment, then register in person at a Regional Asylum Office: Attica (Athens), Alimos, Thessaloniki, Patras or Heraklion (Crete). Interpreting is free. People without travel documents must enter Greece at the Promachonas crossing (from Bulgaria).
Processing time
The appointment follows the online pre-registration; the permit card with your tax (AFM) and social security (AMKA) numbers is issued within about 90 days. Public health care is available before that with a passport or the police entry note.
When protection ends
Ends on 4 March 2027 unless Greece extends it, or earlier by EU decision. Registering for protection in another EU country automatically cancels the Greek status; you can also renounce it in person by appointment (from abroad, via a Greek consulate). Switching to another residence permit ends temporary protection.
Men aged 18–60
Since 24 Aug 2026 asylum offices check everyone with Ukrainian military obligations at full registration: proof of legal exit (the exit stamp or a certificate of lawful border crossing from the State Border Guard Service, requested by e-mail) or, failing that, a document on exemption or fulfilled obligations certified by the Ukrainian Embassy in Athens or the Consulate General in Thessaloniki. Holders of a valid Greek permit are not checked; a permit from another EU country does not exempt you.
Trips to Ukraine
Yes: trips to Ukraine do not end Greek temporary protection, which ends only if you register for protection in another EU country or renounce it. Cards are not reissued (permits are extended by decision to 4 Mar 2027), but before a trip you can get a new card by showing a ticket at offices in Attica, Thessaloniki, Western Greece, Crete and Rhodes (not for trips by private car). If you live in a Ministry reception facility, get the manager's permission for the absence, or your place may be considered abandoned.
Children without parents
Children arriving without parents are sent by the National Mechanism for unaccompanied minors to emergency accommodation, and then a guardian is arranged; contact the Special Secretariat for the Protection of Unaccompanied Minors: +30 213 212 8888, WhatsApp/Viber +30 694 277 3030, sg.vp.tracing@migration.gov.gr. A relative in Greece should meet the child at the entry point (e.g. Promachonas) with the parents' consent to entrust custody and proof of kinship; the authorities assess the situation before handing over the child.

Travel, pets and language

How to get there
No common border. Bus: direct coaches from Ukrainian cities (e.g. daily from Khmelnytskyi) to Thessaloniki and Athens via Romania and Bulgaria. Plane: from Poland or Romania to Athens or Thessaloniki. Car: via Romania and Bulgaria. No flights from Ukraine — Ukrainian airspace is closed to civil aviation.
Pets
Standard EU rules (a pet usually enters the EU in Romania or Poland): microchip, rabies vaccination, then a rabies antibody test at least 30 days later and a 3-month wait from the blood sample; EU health certificate from an official vet ≤10 days before arrival.
Driving licence
Yes: temporary protection holders drive on a Ukrainian licence for as long as protection lasts, with no international licence or certified translation (EU Regulation 2022/1280); carry your residence permit with it. There is no clear official guidance on exchanging it for a Greek licence: ask the transport and communications directorate of your region.
Languages
Greek; English is widely spoken in Athens, Thessaloniki and tourist areas. Free Greek: 6-month integration courses of the HELIOS+ programme (IOM) for temporary protection holders. Children get reception classes at school and Greek and homework support (ages 4–17).

Work, healthcare and education

Right to work
Yes: the permit is also a work permit for employment and self-employment and carries your tax (AFM) and social security (AMKA) numbers. Register with the public employment service DYPA; HELIOS+ (IOM) offers job counselling and contacts with employers.
Jobs in demand
Tourism and hospitality — cooks, receptionists, bartenders and waiters, housekeeping (at least 90,000 unfilled jobs in 2026); construction — welders, plumbers, machine operators, labourers; seasonal farm work; drivers.
Healthcare
Yes: Ukrainians who fled the war use public hospitals, health centres and medicines free of charge as uninsured members of a vulnerable group (Ministry of Health circular, 2022), even before the permit is issued. Expect language barriers and waiting times. If you work, you are insured through EFKA.
Kindergarten
Public kindergarten (nipiagogeio) is free and compulsory for the two years before school (from age 4). Younger children: municipal nurseries (fees vary by municipality, places are limited) or private ones.
School
Yes, public schools are free on the same terms as for Greek children; school is compulsory until 15. Pupils who don't speak Greek attend reception classes. University admission only through the annual national exam.

Benefits

Housing support
No rent allowance. Short stay in the Sintiki (Serres) centre while documents are processed; longer-term places in Ministry centres on request (online form), though few Ukrainians live there. HELIOS+ (IOM) helps you rent a flat in your own name and contributes to rent and move-in costs for a limited time (about 390 Ukrainian households in March 2026).
One-time payment
None. In-kind humanitarian aid at the Schisto centre in Perama (Attica); outside Attica, write to ukraine@migration.gov.gr.
Monthly allowance for adults
None. The Ministry gives food and basic help only to people living in its accommodation centres.
Monthly allowance for children
In practice none: the state child benefit (A21, OPEKA; €28–70 a month for the first child) requires at least 5 years of permanent residence proven by tax returns and a refugee, subsidiary protection or permanent residence permit; temporary protection is not on the list.

Cost of living

Average rent
Approx., 1-bedroom flat per month: Athens €665 in the centre / €575 outside; Thessaloniki €560 / €460; Heraklion €595 / €460 (Numbeo, Nov 2026); utilities extra.
Groceries per person per month
Approx. €300–320 per person per month for food (Numbeo minimum budget, Nov 2026: Athens ~€297, Thessaloniki ~€318).
Kindergarten fees
Private full-day kindergarten approx. €425–510 a month (Numbeo, Nov 2026: Thessaloniki ~€425, Athens ~€510).
Private school fees
Public school free. International primary schools approx. €10,400 a year in Thessaloniki and €13,700 in Athens (Numbeo, Nov 2026).
Health insurance cost
Usually not needed: public care is free under temporary protection. If you work, EFKA contributions are deducted from your salary. Private policy prices: —.
Documents, consulates, legal helpThe same in every country: e-Consul, Diia, free legal aid, a psychologist.

All information is for reference only. Rules and benefits change often, so some of it may be out of date. Always check with official sources before making a decision.

If you spot an inaccuracy, please write to us at howtohelpuacom@gmail.com.