Residency by Investment in Greece
- Flexible and affordable
- Fast application process
- Route to EU citizenship
Minimum Investment Amount
€250,000
Processing Time
2 months
Key Residency Benefit
Route to Greek citizenship
Why is Greece a popular investment location?
Located on the Balkan Peninsula, Greece is often described as the ‘birthplace of democracy’.
From its ancient philosophers, the invention of the Olympic Games and awe-inspiring temples, the country boasts a rich history and culture. Greece is also home to picturesque scenery across its 2,000 islands, making it one of the most popular tourist destinations globally.
Greece was also the 10th member to join the European Union (EU) and was one of the founding members of the United Nations.
About the Greece Residency by Investment programme
Since its launch in 2013, the Greek Golden Visa has become one of the most highly prized in Europe.
The Greek Golden Visa is a residency by investment programme aimed at non-EU citizens. The programme grants a five-year residence permit in exchange for a minimum investment of €250,000 in Greek real estate.
It is, without doubt, the most flexible and affordable of all the EU schemes allowing investors and their families residency in just 2 short months. Greek Golden Visa holders can also apply for citizenship after residing in Greece for over seven years.
What are the Benefits of the Greek Golden Visa?
Cost-effective and quick process
Path to EU citizenship after seven years
Visa-free travel in Schengen Area
No minimum stay requirements
Access to free public healthcare and education
Favourable tax benefits
How to obtain the Greek Golden Visa
Property investment
- EUR 250,000: Specialised real estate investment allocated towards the conversion of commercial properties into residential use or the restoration of listed buildings, regardless of location or size
- EUR 400,000: For the purchase of properties in Greece, the investment must be made in a single property with a minimum size of 120 sqm
- EUR 800,000: For the purchase of properties in Athens, Thessaloniki, and islands with more than 3,100 inhabitants
Financial investment
Invest in various types of financial investments with a minimum value of €400,000. Investment options include:
- Term deposits in a Greek bank with standing orders for automatic renewal
- Greek government bonds
- Corporate bonds
- Equity investments
- Various types of funds, such as mutual funds
- Investments in publicly traded financial instruments
Specific requirements vary for each of these investment options.
Key Benefit of the Greek Golden Visa
It is possible to apply for Greek citizenship after living in the country for at least a 7-year period with 183 days of physical residency per year. To secure citizenship, applicants must also pass a Greek language proficiency test.
Greek citizenship is an EU citizenship, meaning applicants can access additional benefits. These include the ability to live, work and study anywhere in the EU. Greek passport holders are also granted visa-free travel to over 180 countries.
For those who hold Greek citizenship, their unmarried children under the age of 18 are also granted citizenship.
Frequently asked questions
Processing times for the Greece Golden Visa application can vary on a case-by-case basis. On average, Golden Visas are received within two months of submitting the application.
It is possible to apply to become a Greek citizen through naturalisation. This means the applicant must maintain continuous residence in Greece for at least seven years with 183 days of physical residency per year.
Applicants are also required to pass a Greek language proficiency test.
Family members can be included in the application. The principal investor can include:
- Spouse
- Children and spouse’s children under the age of 21* provided they are not married
- Parents and parents-in-law
*When the children turn 21, a 3-year independent residence permit can be applied for and is issued until the age of 24. Children over 21 years old can also receive a Golden Visa provided that the value of the acquired real estate is at least an additional €250.000 for each child over 21 years old.
The Greece Golden Visa is open to all non-EU citizens who invest in Greece as per the Golden Visa Law requirements.
Greece Application Process
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Preparation:
Sign a Power of Attorney (POA) and collect all documents and information for submission.
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Investment completion:
Depending on your investment route, either complete your property purchase or make your financial investment.
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Application is submitted:
Submit your application and receive your temporary residency permit until your Greece Golden Visa is issued.
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Biometric visit:
Visit Greece to submit your biometric data.
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Greece Golden Visa is issued:
Once your residence permit is approved, your Greece Golden Visa will be issued.
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Preparation:Sign a Power of Attorney (POA) and collect all documents and information for submission.
-
Investment completion:Depending on your investment route, either complete your property purchase or make your financial investment.
-
Application is submitted:Submit your application and receive your temporary residency permit until your Greece Golden Visa is issued.
-
Biometric visit:Visit Greece to submit your biometric data.
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Greece Golden Visa is issued:Once your residence permit is approved, your Greece Golden Visa will be issued.
Which programme is right for you?
| Citizenship or Residency Programme? | Citizenship or Residency Programme?Residency | ||
| Minimum Investment Amount | Minimum Investment Amount€250,000 | ||
| Minimum Stay Requirement | Minimum Stay RequirementN/A | ||
| Initial Permit Duration | Initial Permit Duration5 years | ||
| Time to Residence | Time to Residence1-2 months | ||
| Time to Citizenship | Time to Citizenship7 years | ||
| Family Inclusion? | Family Inclusion?Spouse, children under 21 and parents | ||
| Right to Work? | Right to Work?No | ||
| Type of Document Received | Type of Document Received?Residency permit, leading to passport | ||
| No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport? | No. of Visa-Free Countries with Passport?186 | ||