Greece

Residence program

Overview

The Greek Golden Visa program is a residence by investment program that requires a minimum investment of €250,000. Granted typically in less than 4 months, this program allows for visa-free access to the Schengen Area and the right to reside indefinitely in Greece.

  Minimum investment of €250,000
  No residence requirement
  Entire family
  Citizenship after 7 years

Who’s eligible ?

Any third-country national can apply, provided they have adequate health insurance, is at least 18 years old, hold a clean criminal record, and is of good character.

Investment options

REAL
ESTATE

Fulfill one of the following investment options :

Invest at least €250,000 in a property in Piraeus and Western Suburbs of Athens and a minimum investment of €500,000 in North, Central and South Sectors of Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini.

Enter a 10-year lease agreement, whether for hotel accommodation or furnished tourist residences in tourist resorts.

10-year time-sharing agreement for hotel accommodation.

GREEK GOVERNMENT
BOND

Invest a minimum of €400,000 in Greek government bonds.

VENTURE
CAPITAL FUND

Make a capital contribution of at least €400,000 in bonds or shares of a venture capital fund, private equity fund, or mutual fund based in Greece.

SECURITIES OR BANK
DEPOSIT IN GREECE

Make a capital contribution of €400,000 in securities or a bank deposit in Greece.

SHARES OR
CORPORATE BONDS

Invest €800,000 in shares, corporate bonds, or Greek Treasury bonds listed in trading facilities operating in Greece.

Benefits

  • Dependents include :

    • Spouse
    • Children under 21
    • Parents of the investor and spouse

  • EU and Schengen Area membership

  • Right to reside indefinitely in Greece

  • High standard of education and high-quality healthcare and children have access to free education

  • Fast processing, typically within 6 months

  • Free travel within the Schengen Area 90 out of every 180 days

  • No physical residence requirement

  • Right to establish a business

  • No language requirement

  • Can apply for Greek citizenship after 7 years, subject to meeting current residence and language requirements

  • No wealth tax

  • Low property tax

  • No education or management/ business experience required

  • The Golden Visa Program is valid for 5 years and can be renewed

Process

Apply for a Schengen visa for Greece (Type C or Type D).

Visit Greece and select a property and sign a Power of Attorney.

Complete the property purchase.

Book a submission date in Greece for the application.

The lawyer submits the application documents and obtains a temporary residence permit for the applicant, which is valid for 1 year.

The applicant must visit Greece to submit biometric data before the permit is issued (which can be done at the same time as the submission).

The Greek residence permit is typically approved within 2 months.

Family members have the option to visit Greece at a later date to submit biometric data and collect their permits.

Renewable every 5 years, providing the investment is still held.