The Greece Golden Visa Programme offers eligible non-EU nationals the opportunity to obtain a five-year renewable residence permit through a qualifying investment in Greece.
As one of Europe’s most established residence by investment programmes, Greece combines a strategic location, a high quality of life, a favourable Mediterranean climate and access to a Member State of the European Union. With a range of qualifying investment options, the programme has become an attractive choice for internationally mobile individuals and families seeking long-term residence in Europe.
Successful applicants are granted renewable residence, subject to continued compliance with the programme requirements, while eligible family members may also be included under the same application.
Why Choose the Greece Golden Visa Programme?
Introduced in 2013, the Greece Golden Visa Programme is one of Europe’s longest-established residence by investment programmes, offering eligible non-EU nationals a renewable residence permit through a qualifying investment.
Greece combines a strategic location, a high quality of life, a favourable Mediterranean climate and a rich cultural heritage with the advantages of residing in a Member State of the European Union and the Schengen Area. Its well-developed infrastructure, internationally recognised healthcare and education systems, and diverse real estate market continue to make Greece an attractive destination for international investors and families.
One of the programme’s key advantages is that it does not require applicants to reside in Greece in order to renew their residence permit, provided the programme’s requirements continue to be met. In addition, residence in a Schengen Member State provides eligible permit holders with the ability to travel within the Schengen Area in accordance with the applicable Schengen rules, making the programme particularly attractive for internationally mobile individuals and families.
Benefits of the Greece Golden Visa Programme
The Greece Golden Visa Programme offers renewable residence in a Member State of the European Union and the Schengen Area, together with flexibility for investors and their eligible family members.
Key benefits include:
- A five-year renewable residence permit for the Main Applicant and eligible family members.
- Residence in a Member State of both the European Union and the Schengen Area.
- Travel within the Schengen Area in accordance with the applicable Schengen rules.
- No minimum physical residence requirement to maintain and renew the residence permit, provided the programme requirements continue to be met.
- Multiple qualifying investment options, including real estate and other approved investment routes.
- The opportunity to include eligible family members under the same application.
- Access to Greece’s healthcare, education, lifestyle and quality of life, subject to the applicable regulations.
- The possibility of long-term rental income from qualifying real estate, subject to Greek law and programme restrictions.
Investment Requirements
To qualify for the Greece Golden Visa Programme, applicants must make a qualifying investment in accordance with the applicable programme requirements.
Real Estate Investment
Depending on the type and location of the property, the minimum qualifying investment is:
- EUR 800,000 – Purchase of one property with a minimum area of 120 m² located in the Region of Attica, the Regional Unit of Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, or on islands with a population exceeding 3,100 inhabitants.
- EUR 400,000 – Purchase of one property with a minimum area of 120 m² located in all other regions of Greece.
- EUR 250,000 – Purchase of a commercial property that is converted into residential use, or the restoration of a listed (preserved) building, subject to the applicable programme requirements.
Other Investment Options
In addition to real estate, the Greece Golden Visa Programme also offers qualifying investment routes through selected financial and business investments, subject to the applicable legislation and investment thresholds.
As these alternative investment options are subject to specific eligibility criteria and regulatory requirements, applicants should seek professional advice to determine the most suitable investment route.
Eligibility Requirements and Eligible Family Members
To qualify for the Greece Golden Visa Programme, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:
- Be a non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss national.
- Make a qualifying investment under one of the approved investment categories.
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Hold valid health insurance covering medical care in Greece.
- Maintain the qualifying investment throughout the validity of the residence permit.
- Comply with all applicable programme requirements under Greek immigration legislation.
Eligible Family Members
The Main Applicant may include the following eligible family members under the same application:
- Spouse.
- Unmarried children under the age of 21.
- Unmarried children who were included in the original application may renew their residence permits until the age of 24, provided they continue to satisfy the applicable legal requirements.
- Parents of the Main Applicant.
- Parents of the spouse.
Application Process
The Greece Golden Visa Programme follows a straightforward application process:
- Initial Consultation: Assess your eligibility and determine the most suitable investment option.
- Obtain a Greek Tax Identification Number (AFM): Obtain a Greek Tax Identification Number (AFM), which is generally required to complete the qualifying investment and related administrative procedures.
- Investment and Document Preparation: Complete the qualifying investment and prepare the required supporting documentation.
- Application Submission: Submit the application and supporting documents to the competent Greek authorities.
- Government Assessment: The competent authorities review the application and verify that all programme requirements have been satisfied.
- Biometric Data Collection: Provide biometric data in accordance with the applicable procedures, where required.
- Approval and Issuance of the Residence Permit: Upon approval, the applicant and eligible family members are issued a five-year renewable residence permit in accordance with the applicable legislation.
Required Documents
The documents required for a Greece Golden Visa application may vary depending on the applicant’s personal circumstances and the selected investment option. The competent Greek authorities may request additional documents where necessary.
Applicants are generally required to provide the following:
- Completed application form.
- Valid passport(s).
- Passport-sized photographs.
- Proof of the qualifying investment.
- Proof of payment of the applicable government fees.
- Valid health insurance covering medical care in Greece.
- Clean criminal record certificate(s), where required.
- Marriage certificate, birth certificate(s) and other civil status documents, where applicable.
- Greek Tax Identification Number (AFM), where applicable.
- Any additional documents requested by the competent Greek authorities.
Documents issued outside Greece may need to be legalised or apostilled and accompanied by a certified translation into Greek, where applicable.
Processing Time and Application Stages
The Greece Golden Visa Programme is generally processed within approximately 4 to 6 months, provided that a complete application and all required supporting documents have been submitted.
The estimated application timeline is as follows:
- Month 1: Application submission.
- Months 2–5: Government assessment and verification of the application.
- Approximately Months 4–6: Approval of the application and issuance of the five-year renewable residence permit.
Rights Granted Under the Programme
Successful applicants under the Greece Golden Visa Programme are granted a five-year renewable residence permit, subject to continued compliance with the programme requirements.
The programme provides the following rights:
- The right to reside in Greece for the duration of the residence permit.
- Renewable residence for eligible family members included in the application.
- Travel within the Schengen Area in accordance with the applicable Schengen rules.
- The right to own and maintain the qualifying investment in accordance with the programme requirements.
- Access to healthcare, education and other public services in Greece, subject to the applicable laws and regulations.
- The right to generate income from the qualifying investment, where permitted by the applicable legislation.
Tax Considerations
Obtaining a residence permit under the Greece Golden Visa Programme does not automatically make an individual a tax resident of Greece.
Whether an individual becomes a Greek tax resident depends on their personal circumstances and the applicable provisions of Greek tax legislation, including the duration of their physical presence in Greece and other relevant tax residency criteria.
Greece offers a range of tax regimes and incentives that may be available to qualifying individuals under certain conditions. Eligibility for these regimes is assessed separately from immigration status and is subject to the applicable tax legislation.
Permanent Residence and Citizenship
The Greece Golden Visa Programme grants a five-year renewable residence permit and does not confer Greek citizenship.
Individuals who establish lawful residence in Greece and satisfy the applicable requirements under Greek nationality law may become eligible to apply for Greek citizenship through naturalisation. Eligibility is governed by separate legislation and assessed independently by the competent authorities under the laws in force at the time of application.
Approval of a citizenship application is subject to the applicable legal requirements and cannot be guaranteed.
How Cross Border Freedom Can Assist
Applying for residence through investment requires careful planning, accurate documentation and compliance with the programme’s legal and procedural requirements.
At Cross Border Freedom, we provide personalised guidance throughout every stage of the application process. Our services include an initial eligibility assessment, investment planning, document preparation, application coordination and ongoing support until the successful completion of the process.
With years of experience in global mobility and investment migration, we are committed to delivering a professional, transparent and client-focused service tailored to the unique objectives of each individual and family.
How Cross Border Freedom Can Assist
Applying for residence through investment requires careful planning, accurate documentation and compliance with the programme’s legal and procedural requirements.
At Cross Border Freedom, we provide personalised guidance throughout every stage of the application process. Our services include an initial eligibility assessment, investment planning, document preparation, application coordination and ongoing support until the successful completion of the process.
With years of experience in global mobility and investment migration, we are committed to delivering a professional, transparent and client-focused service tailored to the unique objectives of each individual and family.
Simply holding a Greece Golden Visa, maintaining the qualifying investment or renewing the residence permit does not, by itself, qualify an individual for Greek citizenship.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is the Greece Golden Visa Programme still available?
Yes. The Greece Golden Visa Programme remains available to eligible non-EU, non-EEA and non-Swiss nationals who satisfy the applicable investment, financial and due diligence requirements.
What is the minimum investment required for the Greece Golden Visa?
The minimum qualifying investment depends on the type and location of the investment. For qualifying real estate investments, the minimum investment is EUR 250,000, EUR 400,000 or EUR 800,000, depending on the applicable investment category.
Who can be included in one application?
- The Main Applicant may include:
- A spouse.
- Unmarried children under the age of 21.
- Unmarried children who were included in the original application may renew their residence permits until the age of 24, provided they continue to satisfy the applicable legal requirements.
- Parents of the Main Applicant.
- Parents of the spouse.
Do I have to live in Greece to maintain my Greece Golden Visa?
No. There is no minimum physical residence requirement to maintain or renew the Greece Golden Visa. However, applicants must continue to satisfy the programme’s ongoing requirements, including maintaining the qualifying investment.
Can I travel within the Schengen Area with a Greece Golden Visa?
Yes. Holders of a valid Greece Golden Visa may travel within the Schengen Area for short stays in accordance with the applicable Schengen rules.
Can I work in Greece with a Greece Golden Visa?
No. The Greece Golden Visa does not grant the right to take up employment as an employee in Greece. However, investors may hold shares in Greek companies and receive income from their investments, subject to the applicable legislation.
Can I rent out my qualifying property?
Yes, long-term rental may be possible, provided the use of the property complies with Greek law and the Golden Visa requirements. However, properties used for the Greece Golden Visa cannot be leased on a short-term basis through tourist accommodation or sharing-economy platforms, and subletting is restricted under the current framework.
Can I sell my qualifying investment?
Yes. However, if you wish to continue renewing your Greece Golden Visa, you must continue to satisfy the programme’s investment requirements. Selling the qualifying investment without maintaining eligibility under the programme may result in the residence permit not being renewed or being revoked, depending on the applicable legal provisions.
How often do I need to renew my Greece Golden Visa?
The residence permit is valid for five years and may be renewed for further five-year periods, provided the programme requirements continue to be satisfied.
Is an interview required?
An interview is not generally required under the Greece Golden Visa Programme. However, the competent authorities may request additional information or require an interview where considered necessary.
Will I automatically become a Greek tax resident?
No. Obtaining a Greece Golden Visa does not automatically make an individual a Greek tax resident. Tax residency is determined separately under Greek tax legislation and depends on the individual’s personal circumstances.
Can the Greece Golden Visa lead to Greek citizenship?
The Greece Golden Visa grants a five-year renewable residence permit and does not confer Greek citizenship.
However, individuals who genuinely establish lawful residence in Greece may become eligible to apply for Greek citizenship through naturalisation, provided they satisfy the applicable requirements under Greek nationality law. These include, among other requirements, the prescribed period of lawful residence, sufficient integration into Greek society, the required level of Greek language proficiency, good character and the conditions set out in the legislation in force at the time of application.
How long does the Greece Golden Visa application process take?
The Greece Golden Visa Programme is generally processed within approximately 4 to 6 months, provided that a complete application and all required supporting documents have been submitted.
Why choose Cross Border Freedom?
Cross Border Freedom provides personalised guidance throughout every stage of the Greece Golden Visa application process, from eligibility assessment and investment planning to document preparation, application coordination and post-approval support.