The Greece Golden Visa is one of the most attractive residency investment programs in Europe, it was established in 2014 and amended recently in 2024, and it offers non-Eu citizens the opportunity to secure permanent residency in Greece by making approved investments.
This program allows investors and their families to enjoy the benefits of living in Greece and traveling freely across the Schengen Area, plus an easy application process.
Greece Golden Visa Program
The Greece Golden Visa program was introduced to encourage foreign investment in Greece and boost its economy, and according to the law, non-EU citizens who invest the required amount in Greek real estate can apply for the Greece Golden Visa.
The value varies based on the location of the property.
Investment Options for Golden Visa of Greece
To obtain this Golden Visa, investors must invest as follows:
Option 1: Converting Commercial to Residential Properties
One of the most attractive options under the new regulations is converting commercial properties into residential ones. Investors can buy a commercial property valued at €250,000 that will be converted into a residential space, regardless of location or size. In most cases, this conversion is done by the developer with no additional work on the investor’s end.
Option 2: Investing in Properties Worth €800,000
For high-budget investors, an option is to invest in properties with a minimum area of 120 square meters located in prime locations, such as the Attica region, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, Santorini, and large islands with over 3,100 inhabitants. Although the minimum investment is €800,000, the return on investment can be substantial.
Option 3: Investing in Properties Worth €400,000
In other parts of Greece, investors can obtain the Golden Visa by investing €400,000 in a property with a minimum area of 120 square meters.
Benefits of Greece Golden Visa by Investment
The Greece Golden Visa offers a wide range of benefits for investors and their families, some of the key advantages include:
- The Golden Visa of Greece allows investors and their families to live in Greece without any limitations or restrictions on their stay.
- Investors are not required to pay taxes in Greece on their worldwide income if they did not relocate to Greece.
- One of the standout features of this Golden Visa is the ability to travel freely to any of the 29 countries in the Schengen Area without additional visas.
- Children up to 21 years can be included in the application, allowing the whole family to benefit from the residency permit.
- Holders of the Greece Golden Visa have the chance to apply for citizenship after 7 years of holding the visa; provided that fulfillment of all the other citizenship requirements.
- Greece permits dual citizenship, allowing investors to retain their original nationality while enjoying the benefits of Greek citizenship
- Unlike some other European countries, Greece does not impose language requirements on investors.
- There is also no minimum stay requirement to maintain the Golden Visa.
How to apply for Greece Golden visa
You can apply for this Greece Visa via the following steps:
- Select a property inside Greece to purchase.
- Transfer the full investment amount to Greece to complete the property purchase.
- Prepare all necessary documents for the application.
- Submit the application to the Ministry of Interior in Greece.
- The Ministry will conduct due diligence and a full assessment of the application before granting pre-approval.
- The applicants must visit Greece to provide biometric data as part of the application process.
- Once the application is approved, you will receive your golden visa.
In conclusion; Greece Golden Visa offers an excellent opportunity for international investors to gain European residency through real estate investment, and with the ability to reside in Greece, travel freely across the Schengen Area, and include family members in the application; it remains one of the most attractive residency-by-investment programs available in Europe.