Application For Residence Permit (Blue Card)

Having now been here for 3 months it was time to apply for my residence permit. This required a visit to a local police station on the island. I chose to go to the station in Zakynthos town & my friend Debbie very kindly took me in on the back of her moped & accompanied me to the station. Debbie had already been through this procedure for herself earlier in the year & had prepared me as to what documents I needed (4 copies of my passport & 8 !!!!! passport size photos) She also knew which police officer was the one to see because he was the 'nice one' & spoke good English.

On arrival we made our way to the appropriate office where the opening hours posted on a sign on the door indicated they were open for business. However the door was firmly shut & a couple of knocks brought no response. There were several people sat on the chairs in the corridor & they indicated that no-one was available but it seemed they had decided to wait, which we assumed meant maybe someone would be back later. So time to go & get a coffee in town.

After a coffee & a chat we headed back to the police station & the little group of people who had been sitting on the chairs had gone.
This could either mean they had given up & gone home or they had been dealt with & then left. I hoped for the latter. Debbie then spotted the 'nice' officer & he recognised her too & so we were led into his office. I handed over my documents & my signature was requested on numerous copies of official documents, one being a declaration that I had the means to support myself. So lets hope the money lasts until I get a job next season if I stay.

So I just have to call back now on Friday to collect my 'blue card' which will hopefully !! be ready & waiting for me.