If you have been convicted for more than one year with a final decision, it can be a problem.
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Can any criminal prosecution while a Greek Golden Visa holder hurt my chances for renewal?
I have a drunk driving conviction on my record while living in Greece under my property Golden Visa. I am wondering if this conviction – I did not injure anyone or damage property – will affect my chances for renewal. Does the government examine my history here? What happens if more serious crimes occur?
Answers
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For renewal you will need a clear criminal record. I assume that your conviction is under suspension of a sentence for a three-year period, so it is not going to hurt your chances. For more serious crimes try not to push your luck!
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In accordance with the Greek legislation, a third-country national who has been convicted for a criminal offense punishable by deprivation of liberty for at least one year is considered to be dangerous to public security. In this case, the application for a renewal of a resident permit is rejected.
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It is examined whether the owner of a property is dangerous to the public order and security of the country.
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Please be aware that for the renewal, no criminal record among the documentation is needed, so at this stage and, according to ongoing law, you will not need to present such documentation.
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Penalties imposed for road traffic offenses (misdemeanors) are not taken into account for the issue or renewal of a resident permit. In any case, generally for the initial or a renewal of a permanent resident permit, a clear criminal record is taken into consideration. Provided that your conviction is under suspension of a sentence for a three-year period, it could not be a problem. Offenses that would deprive one of a resident permit (at initial or renewal status) are: assassination by intent, forgery, espionage, arson by intent, embezzlement, treason to the state, the care of a criminal who is being prosecuted for serious offenses, pedophilia, prostitution or the trafficking of pornographic digital material of minors and other very serious crimes, human trafficking, and transportation of illegal immigrants.
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In principle, any country which provides visa for its residents is strict when it comes to law violation(s) and a visa renewal will be subject to one's good status as a resident in the country. Having said that, a violation such as the one you describe in your email is not considered a major legal violation in Greece and as long as the accident has not involved injury of third parties or damage to property, then you were lucky to get off with a penalty. Residents are required to comply with the laws and regulations of Greece (as any citizen would).
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Since you are not referring the exact sentence imposed by the court, please be advised that as long as this sentence does not exceed the one-year limit, it is not expected that you will face any kind of problem whatsoever.
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