The Greece Golden Visa is a residence-by-investment program that allows non-EU citizens to obtain a five-year residence permit in Greece in exchange for an investment of at least €250,000 in real estate. The program is open to all nationalities, and there is no minimum stay requirement.
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Quick application processOne of the fastest turnarounds with residence permits granted in 30-60 days.
Access to healthcare & educationGreece has a universal healthcare system & a well-regarded education system.
Entire family are eligibleInclusion of spouse, children, parents, and grandparents.
Obtain Greek citizenshipAfter seven years of continuous residence, holders of a Greece Golden Visa may be eligible to apply for citizenship.
No minimum stay requirementsYou have the right to reside in the country for as long or as little as you like.
Visa free travel Greece is a member of the Schengen Area, holders of a Greece Golden Visa can travel visa-free to 27 Schengen countries.
No restrictionsUnlike similar programmes there are no restrictions on property type or location.
Live and work in GreeceGreece is a beautiful country with a rich history & culture. Holders of a Greece Golden Visa can live and work in Greece indefinitely.
The Greece Golden Visa programme was launched in 2013 and is one of the most popular in the world with over 10,000 applications to-date. Applicants to the programme will be granted residency in just a few months, following a real estate investment of at least €250,000.
A Greek residency permit will enable the holder to live, work and study in Greece, should they wish to, although this is not a requirement of the Golden Visa programme. As Greece is part of the Schengen Zone, Greek residents can travel visa-free to the rest of the EU Schengen Zone, with the ability to spend up to 90 days every 180 days in other Schengen states.
One of the most cost-effective routes to obtaining the Greek Golden Visa is through investment in property.
In September 2022 the Greek Prime Minister announced that the minimum investment amount of €250,000 would be increased to €500,000 in certain municipalities, to assist Greek nationals facing increasing costs of real estate.
The original deadline for the investment requirement change was set for April 30th, 2023, but was later extended until July 31st, 2023. With the deadline fast approaching it is likely that any new applicants would be looking at a minimum investment of €500,000 in those regions and €250,000 elsewhere in Greece.
In order for a property investment to qualify for the programme, it must:
The Greek Golden Visa is one of the most highly prized in Europe and has been running since 2013. It is without doubt one of the most flexible and affordable of all the EU schemes allowing investors and their families residency in just 2 short months.
In this guide you can find out how and why you should invest in the programme, the process, and how long it takes to obtain residency in Greece for you and your family.
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On average, obtaining a residence permit takes 2-3 months. A residence permit can be issued on the basis of starting a business, investing in local companies or buying real estate. Greece requires a small list of documents and offers attractive conditions.
It is not possible to obtain citizenship through investment in Greece without a period of residency. Investment in real estate can obtain a golden visa, a permanent residency permit, and the right to live full time in Greece. Following seven years of residency, Greek citizenship can be applied for, providing the applicant can speak fluent Greek. For a residency permit there is no minimum stay requirement.
There is no minimum stay requirement for a residency permit, the permit lasts for five years, after which it can be renewed assuming the investment is retained. Those wishing to apply for Greek citizenship will need to reside in Greece for at least 183 days per year for a period of seven years.
Yes, however you must have invested at least the minimum investment amount in Greek real estate. So, for example, a purchase of €750,000 with a €250,000 mortgage will qualify for the golden visa application.
The Greek permanent residency permit is issued for a period of five years. Beyond that the investor can then extend for a further five years provided they retain their investment and meet the following criteria.
The Prime Minister of Greece, Kyriakos Mitsotakis, has announced an increase in the minimum investment for the Greek Golden Visa program from €250,000 to €500,000 in specific municipalities in Athens, Thessaloniki, Mykonos, and Santorini. For properties outside of these areas, the minimum investment is €250,000.
Investors who have already paid a 10% deposit on a property before July 31st, 2023, will be able to complete the transaction and still apply under the old €250,000 scheme. Additionally, investors are now allowed to sign a Power of Attorney in their country, without visiting Greece, provided it is certified or authorized by a competent Greek Consulate.
Investors in areas with a threshold of €500,000 will only be able to invest in one property, while those in areas with a threshold of 250,000 EUR will still have the option to invest in multiple properties.
Holborn Assets are an award-winning wealth management and financial services business established in 1998. With offices globally, Holborn are well-positioned to help you with your citizenship and residency application.
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