What Is the Greece Golden Visa?
The Greece Golden Visa is one of the most prestigious residency-by-investment programs in Europe, offering freedom of living, traveling, and investing under a single framework. Non-EU investors can obtain a 5-year renewable residence permit through a real estate investment starting from €250,000.
With no minimum stay requirement, the program has been preferred by tens of thousands of investors worldwide. It grants visa-free travel within the Schengen Area, residency rights for the entire family, and access to Greece’s high quality of life, transforming your investment into a secure and sustainable future opportunity.
Benefits of the Greece Golden Visa
- Visa-Free Travel Across the Schengen Area
The Greece Golden Visa allows you to travel freely throughout the Schengen Zone without the need for an additional visa.
- Residency Rights Without Mandatory Continuous Stay
The Greece Golden Visa enables you and your family to live in Greece without any limitation on duration of stay. There is no minimum residence requirement. The right to reside in Greece also provides access to public healthcare and education services, making it an attractive option for long-term family planning.
- Residence Permit Covering Family Members
The Greece Golden Visa opens the doors of Europe not only for you, but also for your family. Under the program, your spouse and children under the age of 21 are entitled to residence permits without any additional conditions. Unlike many other countries, the Greece Golden Visa also covers extended family members. Both your own parents and your spouse’s parents can be included in the application and benefit from all Golden Visa privileges.
- Low Investment Threshold in a Promising Real Estate Market
Greece offers one of the lowest investment thresholds among Golden Visa programs worldwide. With a real estate investment of just €250,000, you can secure residency rights in Europe.
- Foreign-Currency Rental Income Through Our Developed Real Estate Projects
Through the real estate projects we develop in Greece’s prime tourism regions, you can benefit from high-yield, foreign-currency-based rental income without the need to reside in Greece.
These projects allow investors to participate in the lucrative tourism rental market, combining residency benefits with strong financial returns.
Greece Golden Visa Statistics
Between 2014 and 2021, a total of 9,610 main applicants obtained the Greece Golden Visa. As of 2023, more than 31,000 Greece Golden Visas have been granted in total, including main applicants and their dependent family members. These applications have contributed over €2.6 billion in global capital inflows to Greece, making the program one of the most successful residency-by-investment schemes in Europe.
Top Nationalities Applying for the Greece Golden Visa
- China: 7,186 applications
- Türkiye: 912 applications
- Russia: 756 applications
- Lebanon: 592 applications
- Egypt: 419 applicants
- Iran: 194 applications
- Iraq: 135 applications
- Ukraine: 112 applications
- United States: 103 applicants
- Jordan: 86 applications
- Other nationalities: 807 applications
Top Nationalities Applying in the Halkidiki Region
- China: 7,186 applications
- Türkiye: 912 applications
- Russia: 756 applications
- Lebanon: 592 applications
- Egypt: 419 applicants
- Iran: 194 applications
- Iraq: 135 applications
- Ukraine: 112 applications
- United States: 103 applicants
- Jordan: 86 applications
- Other nationalities: 807 applications
Greece Golden Visa Eligibility Criteria
Applicants who wish to apply for the Greece Golden Visa must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a non-EU / non-EEA citizen
- Complete one of the eligible investment options defined under the Greek Golden Visa Program
- Be at least 18 years of age
Greece Golden Visa Investment Options
There are several investment routes available to qualify for the Greece Golden Visa, including real estate and financial instruments.
- Real Estate Investment:
Purchase of real estate with a minimum value of €250,000, or €400,000 / €800,000 in designated regions, in accordance with current regulations. - Investment Fund:
Investment of at least €400,000 in an investment fund registered in Greece. - Government Bonds:
Purchase of Greek government bonds with a minimum value of €400,000.
Required Documents for the Greece Golden Visa Application
For Main Applicants:
- Passport Copy: Original valid passport and photocopies of all pages.
- Biometric Photographs: Two (2) biometric photographs taken within the last six months, compliant with official standards.
- Power of Attorney: A duly notarized power of attorney authorizing representation for the application process in Greece.
For Family Members:
- Certified Copy of the Family Register: If the application includes parents (mother and/or father), a wet-signed certified population registry record of the relevant parent(s) must be submitted.
Application Process and Timeline for the Greek Golden Visa
By consulting with InvestGC’s expert team, you can define a clear roadmap tailored to your profile and identify the most suitable investment options for your Greece Golden Visa application.
Granting Power of Attorney: To proceed with the completing the title deed transfer of the investment property, carrying out all related legal procedures, and subsequently submitting and managing the Greece Golden Visa application, it is required to grant a Power of Attorney to our Greek attorney with over twenty (20) years of professional experience, executed before a notary public in Türkiye. The Power of Attorney is issued in Turkish and, following Apostille certification, sworn translation, and notarization, is rendered legally valid and enforceable for use abroad.
Application Preparation: Once the Power of Attorney is granted, our legal team will assist you with:
a) Completing your investment in full compliance with Greece Golden Visa regulations,
b) Preparing your complete application file, including all legal and supporting documents.
Submission of the Application: Following the completion of the title deed transfer, the Golden Visa application is submitted by our Greek lawyer under the authority granted through the Power of Attorney.
Collection of Biometric Data: After the online application is submitted, a temporary residence certificate (White Paper) is issued. With this White Paper, the main applicant and all accompanying family members are required to travel to Greece once to provide fingerprints and other biometric data.
Our legal team will guide and support you throughout this process.
Issuance of the Greece Golden Visa Residence Permit Card: Approximately 2 to 3 months after the biometric data appointment, the Greece Golden Visa residence permit cards are issued.
Once ready, our lawyer in Greece collects the cards on your behalf and delivers them to any location of your choice.
Greece Golden Visa vs. Other Golden Visa Programs
The Greece Golden Visa stands out as one of the most advantageous residency-by-investment programs in Europe. With its low minimum investment threshold, efficient application process, and extensive family inclusion, the Greece Golden Visa offers maximum benefits with long-term security compared to other Golden Visa programs.
| Greece | Portugal | Spain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Investment Amount | €250,000 | ✖ | €500,000 | €350,000 |
| Government Fees (First 5 Years) | €2,500 | €61,784 | €68,000 | €37,500 |
| Property Purchase Tax | 3% | 6% – 8.15% | 7% – 11% | 5% |
| Visa-Free Travel in Schengen Area | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Property Type/Location | Any | Low-Density Areas Only | Any | Residential Only |
| Right to Rent Out Property | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Criminal Record Required | ✖ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Greece | Portugal | Spain | Malta | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Processing Time | 2 Months | 3 Months | 2 Months | 3 Months |
| Proof of Fixed Income | ✖ | ✖ | ✔ | €500,000 Capital Requirement |
| Initial Residency Period | 5 Years | 1 Year | 1 Year | 5 Years |
| Minimum Stay Requirement | ✖ | 7 Days per Year | Once per Year | ✖ |
| Renewal | Every 5 Years | Every 2 Years | Every 2 Years | Every 5 Years |
| Spouse Eligibility | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Children Eligibility | Up to Age 21, Renewal up to 24 | Up to Age 18 & Up to 25 if Financially Dependent | Up to Age 18, and Over 18 if Financially Dependent | Up to Age 18, and Over 18 if Financially Dependent |
| Parents and In-Laws | ✔ | 66+ & Proof of Dependency | Proof of Dependency | Proof of Dependency |
| Years to Citizenship | 7 | 5 | 10 | No Citizenship Rights |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Program Scope and Path to Citizenship
Yes, it is possible to obtain a residence permit in Greece through real estate investment. However, applicants must meet the minimum property investment threshold, which varies depending on the region where the property is located.
Yes. Golden Visa holders who have physically resided in Greece for at least seven (7) years may apply for Greek citizenship. The naturalization process includes requirements such as Greek language proficiency, knowledge of Greek culture, and successful completion of integration examinations.
Investment Amounts and Asset Types
The minimum investment amount for the Greece Golden Visa is €250,000. Investment thresholds may vary depending on the location and type of investment.
Eligible investment options include:
- Real Estate Investment: Purchase of a single property with a minimum value of €250,000, or €400,000 / €800,000 in designated regions.
- Investment Fund: Investment of at least €400,000 in a Greece-registered investment fund.
- Government Bonds: Purchase of Greek government bonds with a minimum value of €400,000.
The required minimum investment amount must be made in a single property. For example, in regions such as Halkidiki, an applicant may qualify by purchasing one property valued at €400,000. However, purchasing two properties with a combined value of €400,000 or more (e.g., €250,000 + €150,000) does not meet the eligibility requirements.
Application Process and Mandatory Steps
The application is submitted through an official application to the Greek Immigration Authority after the investment has been completed. Applicants must also provide biometric data as part of the process. The overall procedure typically takes between 2 and 6 months, depending on individual circumstances.
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a non-EU / non-EEA citizen
- Complete one of the eligible investment options in Greece
- Be 18 years of age or older
Applicants are required to travel to Greece at least once to provide biometric data (fingerprints). All other stages of the application process can be completed remotely through a lawyer, by granting a Power of Attorney.
Family Members, Partners, and Marital Status
Yes, all eligible family members may obtain residence permits under the same application file. However, dependent family members cannot apply before the main applicant. Family members may submit their applications at a later stage; however, their residence permits will expire on the same date as the main applicant’s residence permit.
Together with the main applicant, the following individuals may obtain a residence permit:
- Spouse
- Children under the age of 21
- Parents of the main applicant and parents of the spouse
Yes. Unmarried partners must sign a cohabitation or partnership agreement before a Greek notary public. Upon execution of this agreement and completion of the real estate investment, an application for the Greece Golden Visa may be submitted.
Yes. Once the marriage is officially registered, the spouse may be included in the Greece Golden Visa program. The spouse can apply as a dependent applicant under the main applicant’s valid residence permit.
Travel, Employment, and Residency Requirements
Yes. The residence permit grants visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Area.
No. The Greece Golden Visa residence permit does not grant the right to work in Greece. Therefore, holders are not permitted to enter the Greek labor market as employees or self-employed individuals. However, Golden Visa holders may establish a company in Greece and act as shareholders or board members. For day-to-day management, a local director or manager must be appointed.
No. The Greece Golden Visa program does not impose any minimum residence or annual stay requirement on investors.
Property Use: Rental and Hotel Operations
Yes. Investors who own real estate in Greece are entitled to rent out their properties.
Under Greek regulations, certain restrictions apply to short-term rentals for properties acquired under the Golden Visa program. These restrictions apply specifically to short-term rentals conducted under the sharing economy model and advertised through digital platforms (such as daily or weekly rentals).
Yes. A property acquired through a Golden Visa investment may be legally operated as a hotel, provided it holds the appropriate tourism license in accordance with Greek law.
Co-Investment and Purchases Through Legal Entities
Yes. Multiple investors may jointly own the same property; however, each investor’s individual share must independently meet the minimum investment threshold applicable to the region (e.g. €250,000 or €400,000).
For example, in a region where the minimum threshold is €250,000, if two investors purchase a property together, each investor’s ownership share must be at least €250,000 in order to qualify for the Greece Golden Visa.
purchasing property through my company?
No. Investments made through companies registered outside Greece or the European Union (such as the UAE) are not eligible for the Greece Golden Visa.
Under Greek Golden Visa legislation, residence permits may be granted to the individuals who purchase real estate with a minimum value of €250,000, or the companies registered in Greece or another EU Member State, provided that the applicant is the 100% shareholder, and the company acquires real estate worth at least €250,000.
Investments made through a company registered in the UAE do not qualify for the Greece Golden Visa.
Health Insurance and Education Rights
Children of Greece Golden Visa holders are entitled to access public schools and universities in Greece. In addition, they may benefit from educational opportunities across European Union countries, facilitating access to international education pathways.
Golden Visa holders may access private healthcare services in Greece. However, there are no automatic healthcare discounts across the European Union; healthcare benefits depend on the country and the scope of the insurance coverage. For this reason, obtaining private health insurance in Greece is strongly recommended.
Yes. All applicants, including the main applicant and accompanying family members, must hold valid health insurance coverage in Greece in order to apply for the Golden Visa. However, property insurance is not mandatory. That said, insuring the investment property is highly recommended to protect against potential risks.
No specific medical requirements apply. Applicants are not required to submit medical reports as part of the application process. Nevertheless, after obtaining the residence permit, applicants must maintain valid health insurance in order to access healthcare services in Greece.
Cancellation of the Greece Golden Visa
If a Golden Visa holder’s criminal record is adversely affected during the validity period of the residence permit, this may result in the revocation of the residence permit.