Understanding Your Legal Status
Clear definitions to help you identify your current residence and work status within the EU.
Knowing your legal status helps us understand your rights, access to services, and eligibility for specific training or employment opportunities.
Legal Status Definition
Asylum Seeker: A person who has applied for international protection (asylum) in a country (e.g. in an EU Member State) and is awaiting a decision on that request.
Recognized Refugee: A third-country national or stateless person whose application for international protection has been accepted under the Refugee Convention or EU Qualification Directive, and who is granted the status of refugee.
Migrant: A general term for a person who moves from their country of origin to another country (temporarily or permanently), for reasons such as work, family, study, or better living conditions; not necessarily due to persecution.
Greek Citizen: A person holding Greek nationality under Greek national law (i.e. a citizen of Greece).
EU Citizen: A person who holds the nationality of one of the Member States of the European Union and thus enjoys rights of free movement and residence under EU law.
Family Member of an EU Citizen: A person who is a spouse, partner, child, or other relative recognised by EU law, whose residence rights derive from their connection to an EU citizen under the Free Movement Directive (2004/38/EC).
Long-Term Resident (EU): A third-country national legally residing in an EU Member State for at least 5 years under certain conditions (stable and regular residence, means of support, etc.), and who is granted a status giving them certain rights similar to those of EU citizens.
Family Member of Greek Citizen: A person who is an immediate relative (such as spouse, child, etc.) of someone with Greek citizenship, whose residency rights may derive from that family relationship under Greek national / EU law.
Third-Country National (Residence Permit Holder): A person who is not a national of an EU Member State (i.e. from a non-EU country) but holds a valid residence permit in an EU country (e.g. Greece).
Family Reunification Applicant: A third-country national who is applying to join (or rejoin) a family member who legally resides in an EU Member State, under rules laid down in the EU Family Reunification Directive (2003/86/EC) and national laws.
Here you can find short explanations for each category used in our registration forms.