New extension of residence permits, blue certificates and asylum seeker cards

With article 156 of Law 4764/2020 which was published in the Government Gazette on 23.12.2020, a new extension is given to residence permits, residence permit application certificates (blue certificates) and international protection applicant cards (tri-fold cards). This new extension follows the decisions of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum taken as part of the preventive measures against the spread of the coronavirus (Covid-19).

Specifically:

• The residence permits and blue certificates that expired between January 1, 2020 and July 31, 2020, are extended until March 31, 2021.
• The residence permits and blue certificates that expired or will expire between August 1, 2020 and March 31, 2021, are extended for 8 months from the expiration date that is mentioned on each residence permit or certificate respectively.
• The international protection applicant cards (tri-fold cards) are extended until March 31, 2021, regardless of their expiration date.

Attention:

*This extension does not apply to residence permits and blue certificates that have already been renewed.

**Those who have an expired residence permit or blue card can issue a special certificate proving the extension of their residence permit, after registering in the online services of the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum: https://applications.migration.gov.gr/metanasteusi/. This certificate can be used in the transactions of citizens where and when needed or required. For detailed instructions on how to issue the certificate you can check here.

The lack of planning and organization of the extensions so far has caused problems in their administrative implementation and has created serious obstacles for holders of residence permits, blue certificates and international protection cards in their interactions with public services and private entities. Therefore, another extension is not a solution to all these issues, especially in the way the previous ones have been implemented so far. On the contrary, what is urgent now, is the new appointment system to work properly through the electronic platform (e-appointment), as well as for the services to complete in time the renewals of those residence permits expired in 2020.

Support was provided by HumanRights360 / Foundation Open Society Institute / Open Society Foundations