I want to work in Greece and live in Greece

Let's ignore reality for a moment (Greece has the highest unemployment rate in Europe) and assume you want to live/work in Greece.

In brief:

• If you are a EU citizen (EU member state) you have no problems, and can live and work in Greece freely.
• If you are a non-EU citizen of Greek ancestry (Greek-American, Canadian-Greek) then you are allowed to get Greek citizenship through your ancestry.
• If you are a non-EU citizen with other EU-country ancestry, than again you can, through ancestry citizenship in another EU country, get the right to work/live in Greece.
• What if you are a non-EU citizen and have no EU-country ancestry? Now you are in the Work and Residency Permit area. These types of permits are easier if you are the spouse (or child under 21) of a Greek or EU citizen. The permits, generally, are:
• Investor/business permit
• Residency permit for retirement upon proof of overseas support
• Student or University assignment
• Executives of large companies, transfer to Greece branch.

PLEASE NOTE: Do not confuse VISAS and work/residence permits. VISAS (ex. Schengen) allow you to temporarily enter Greece and then leave. US citizens do not need VISAS, but to live and work in Greece you need the above.