Temporary Protection in Greece for Ukrainians: How to Register

You’ve just landed in Athens, someone hands you a leaflet saying “register online within 90 days,” and you’re staring at a government website that’s half in Greek with buttons that don’t always work. Sound familiar? Over 25,000 Ukrainians have already gone through this process in Greece, and most will tell you the same thing: it would’ve been so much easier if someone had explained it upfront. Here’s that explanation.

Who’s eligible for temporary protection in Greece¶

Temporary protection (Προσωρινή Προστασία) is a special status the EU introduced for Ukrainians after February 24, 2022. Greece grants it under EU Directive 2001/55, and it’s similar in scope to temporary protection in Belgium or Czech Republic - same core rights, but with Greek procedural quirks.

Three groups qualify:

• Ukrainian citizens who lived in Ukraine before February 24, 2022
• Stateless persons and third-country nationals who had international protection or equivalent status in Ukraine
• Family members of the above - spouses, minor children, dependent relatives who lived together in Ukraine before the full-scale invasion

The status is valid until March 4, 2027. Greece’s Minister for Migration and Asylum, Athanasios Plevris, signed the extension on January 9, 2026.

Online registration step by step¶

You can only apply for temporary protection through the online platform of the Ministry of Migration and Asylum. No walk-ins for the first stage - you register online first, then show up in person.

Step 1: Online pre-registration¶

Go to the pre-registration platform on the Ministry of Migration and Asylum website (migration.gov.gr). It’s available in Greek, English, and Ukrainian. Fill in your personal details: name, date of birth, citizenship, contact info. If you’re registering a family - add all members.

A practical tip: the site can lag, especially during peak hours. If something isn’t loading - try a different browser or come back later. Ukrainians in Facebook groups recommend filling it out on a desktop, not a phone.

Step 2: Get your appointment date¶

After you complete the online form, the system assigns you a date and time at one of five Regional Asylum Offices (RAO):

Confirmation arrives by email. Save that message - you’ll need it at your appointment.

Step 3: In-person visit¶

Show up on your assigned day with all your documents (list below). Here’s what happens:

• They verify your documents and cross-check with your online application
• Biometric data collection (photo and fingerprints)
• You receive your temporary protection residence permit
• AFM (tax number) and AMKA (social security number) are automatically assigned

From online submission to getting your card - it usually takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how busy the office is. Athens offices tend to have longer waits; Patras or Crete are typically faster.

90 days - that’s how long you have after entering Greece. Don’t wait until the last week: if your appointment gets scheduled two weeks after you register, and you registered on day 89 - you might miss the deadline.

What documents you need¶

The list is shorter than what you’d need for Germany or France, but it’s still worth preparing in advance.

Required documents¶

• Passport - biometric or regular international passport. Your primary ID document
• Online registration number - the one you got after completing the form
• Documents proving family ties - marriage certificates, children’s birth certificates (if registering as a family)

No passport?¶

Don’t have an international passport? Bring your internal Ukrainian passport or any ID document. If you entered Greece without documents, you’ll have received a Police Note - that works for temporary protection registration too.

Kids without their own documents? Show a birth certificate or marriage certificate. If you don’t have even those - submit a solemn declaration stating the number of children, their names, gender, and dates of birth. The Asylum Service accepts this.

Do you need translations for registration?¶

For the temporary protection application itself, translation is usually not required. The Asylum Service accepts Ukrainian originals. But for everything that comes after - school enrollment, employment, healthcare - you’ll need translations. More on that below.

What you get: residence permit, AMKA, and AFM¶

After successful registration, you receive a temporary protection residence permit (Άδεια Διαμονής Προσωρινής Προστασίας). It already includes two numbers you’ll need for practically everything in Greece:

AFM (ΑΦΜ) - tax identification number (Αριθμός Φορολογικού Μητρώου). Without it, you can’t legally work, open a bank account, or sign a rental agreement. It’s issued automatically during registration - no separate trip to the tax office needed.

AMKA (ΑΜΚΑ) - social security number (Αριθμός Μητρώου Κοινωνικής Ασφάλισης). Gives you access to hospital and pharmacy care, pension rights, and insurance benefits. Also issued automatically with your permit.

If AFM wasn’t assigned during registration for some reason - book an appointment at the tax office (ΔΟΥ), bring a copy of your permit and proof of address (rental agreement or utility bill). AMKA not activated? Visit the nearest EFKA office.

Your rights with temporary protection in Greece¶

Temporary protection isn’t just a piece of paper. It’s a full legal status with specific rights under Greek law.

Work¶

Full right to employment without a separate work permit. Your labor and insurance rights are the same as Greek citizens’. For legal employment you need AFM, AMKA, and AMA (national insurance number) - the first two come with registration, AMA is processed through your employer.

Healthcare¶

Access to the public healthcare system with your AMKA. Hospital and pharmacy care on the same terms as insured Greek residents. Emergency care is available regardless of documentation status.

Education¶

Children have the right to free education in public schools on the same terms as Greek children. For enrollment, you’ll need translated school documents - details in the article about certified translation in Greece.

Housing¶

No place to stay? Submit a request through the Ministry’s platform: migration.gov.gr/accomodation-ukraine/. Spots are available in existing accommodation structures. You can also search for rentals independently - with your permit and AFM, you’re legally able to sign lease agreements.

Freedom of movement¶

With your temporary protection permit, you can travel across the Schengen area - up to 90 days per country. But the permit is not a travel document. You need a valid Ukrainian passport to leave Greece.

Extension to 2027 and travel¶

Temporary protection permits that were set to expire between March 2023 and March 2026 have been automatically extended to March 4, 2027. No action required - you don’t need to visit any office or update your documents.

One exception: travel. If your permit still shows an old expiry date (say, March 2024 or 2025), border control might have questions. Since February 16, 2026, there’s a simplified renewal process:

Visit one of the Asylum Service offices in Attica, Thessaloniki, Western Greece, Crete, or Rhodes. Bring your permit and travel tickets (printed or digital). No appointment needed - just show up on working days during office hours. They’ll update the date on the spot.

Contact for questions: phone +30 213 162 9600, email [email protected].

When you need document translation¶

Translation isn’t required for the temporary protection application itself. But after that - you’ll need it for almost everything.

In Greece, certified translation can be done by three types of professionals: translators from the MFA registry, Greek lawyers with language knowledge, and graduates of the Ionian University translation program. Prices range from 15 to 25 euros per page plus 24% VAT.

The key rule for Ukrainian documents: the apostille goes on before translation, not after. You can only get it in Ukraine - consulates abroad don’t issue apostilles. More details on the process and pricing in the article about certified translation in Greece.

If you need documents translated before your trip - ChatsControl can help with the translation, and you can get it certified through an authorized translator once you’re in Greece.

FAQ¶

How do I apply for temporary protection in Greece online?¶

Through the pre-registration platform on the Ministry of Migration and Asylum website (migration.gov.gr). Fill in your details, get an appointment date at one of five regional offices (Athens, Thessaloniki, Patras, Heraklion). Show up with your documents - you’ll receive your permit on site. Hotline: +30 213 162 9600, email: [email protected].

What documents do I need for temporary protection in Greece?¶

Minimum: passport (or other ID document), online registration number, documents proving family ties (if applying as a family). Translation isn’t usually required for the application - the Asylum Service accepts Ukrainian originals.

When does temporary protection in Greece expire?¶

It’s been extended to March 4, 2027. The extension is automatic - no applications or document updates needed. The decision was signed by Greece’s Minister for Migration on January 9, 2026.

Can I work in Greece with temporary protection?¶

Yes, you have full employment rights without a separate work permit. Your labor and insurance rights are identical to Greek citizens’. AFM and AMKA are issued automatically during registration.

Do I need translated documents for temporary protection in Greece?¶

For the application itself - no. For subsequent procedures (school, work, healthcare) - yes, you’ll need certified translation into Greek by an authorized translator. Ukrainian documents also need an apostille applied before translation.