Greece Golden Visa
The Greece Golden Visa program offers a direct path to residency in Europe. It is a popular choice for non-EU citizens seeking new opportunities.
Why Choose the Greece Golden Visa?
Getting a Greek residency offers a lot of good things. You can live in Greece and travel freely through the Schengen Area, opening doors to 29 European nations. You don’t have to live in Greece all the time to keep your visa, which means you can stick to your usual routine. Greece itself offers a great way of life; it’s full of history and beautiful sights. Day-to-day costs are often less than in other European spots. You’ll enjoy nice weather, amazing food, and good healthcare and schools too.
Having a Golden Visa doesn’t automatically make you a Greek tax resident. If you stay under 183 days a year, you only pay taxes on money made in Greece, like rent. But Greece does have special tax deals for those who choose to become residents for tax purposes. This includes a flat €100,000 yearly tax on foreign income for richer individuals, or a 7% flat tax for foreign retirees on their income from abroad, both lasting up to 15 years.
Including Your Family
You can include your family in your residency application. This makes it a great option for families. Eligible family members include:
- Your spouse or partner.
- Unmarried children under 21. If they are studying and financially dependent, this can extend to age 24.
- Parents of both the main applicant and their spouse.
The cost of including family members generally involves extra application fees. These are usually around €150 to €250 per adult family member. There are also health insurance costs for each applicant.
Investment Requirements and Options
Relocating to Greece requires a qualifying investment. The most common option is real estate. Investment amounts vary based on location:
- €250,000: For properties in areas undergoing commercial-to-residential conversion or restoration of historical buildings. This is also the amount for 10-year timeshare or lease agreements for hotel or tourist residences in certain areas.
- €400,000: For properties in less common parts of Greece. This property must also be at least 120 square meters in size.
- €800,000: For property purchases in high-demand areas like Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and islands with over 3,100 residents.
Aside from buying property, the Greece Golden Visa offers other investment paths. For example, you can set up a fixed deposit of at least €500,000 in a Greek bank. Or, consider purchasing Greek government bonds – these need to be worth at least €500,000 and mature in three years or more. Investing in Greek companies is another route; you could put at least €800,000 into their shares or bonds, or even into Greek government bonds traded on their regulated markets. There’s also the option of a mutual fund, where investing at least €350,000 gets placed into Greek stocks, company bonds, or government bonds.
You must keep your investment to maintain your Golden Visa.
Permanent Residency and Citizenship
You get a five-year residency permit with the Greece Golden Visa. You can renew this permit every five years as long as you keep your investment. You do not need to live in Greece to renew it. After five years with the Golden Visa, you can apply for permanent residency in Greece. To seek Greek citizenship, you generally need seven years of living in Greece, plus passing a Greek language and culture test. Greece does allow dual citizenship.
Required Documents for Application
To apply for the Greece residency, you will need several documents.
- A valid passport.
- Proof of your investment (e.g., property purchase contract).
- Proof of health insurance coverage in Greece.
- A clean criminal record from your home country.
- Proof of funds to cover your investment.
- Application forms and recent passport photos.
All documents not in Greek must be translated by a Greek attorney or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Translation Service.
The Greece Golden Visa remains a top choice for residency in Europe through investment. Typically, the approval process moves quickly, often wrapping up in about three to six months. While you can apply remotely, you and your family must visit Greece for biometrics. Your Golden Visa property can be rented out for long-term income, but short-term rentals are restricted under new rules. Investors are subject to taxes in Greece, including property tax and a capital gains tax if they sell their property.
Why Partner With VIP Nomads
VIP Nomads simplifies your Greece Golden Visa journey. We offer full support, from helping you choose the right investment and finding suitable properties to handling all legal checks and document preparation. We make sure your application is submitted correctly and help you with biometrics and other needed meetings. With VIP Nomads, you get skilled help at each stage. This makes getting your Greek residency simple and easy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum investment required for the Greece Golden Visa?
Minimum real estate investments start from €250,000 for certain projects like historic building conversions, €400,000 in most regions, and €800,000 in high‑demand areas such as Athens, Thessaloniki, Santorini and Mykonos.
What types of investments qualify for the Greece Golden Visa besides real estate?
Besides real estate, you can invest in units of regulated investment funds, Greek government bonds, corporate shares, or make bank term deposits with minimum thresholds set by program rules.
Can rental income be earned from property used for the Golden Visa?
Yes. You can rent out your qualifying property after purchase and collect rental income.
Does the Greece Golden Visa lead to citizenship?
After extended legal residence under the Golden Visa and meeting additional requirements like language and residency tests, you may be eligible for Greek citizenship later.
Can my family get residency with the Greece Golden Visa investment?
Yes. Your spouse, dependent children, and in many cases parents can also receive residence permits under the same Golden Visa investment.