Golden Visa Greece — Overview of Benefits & Investment Principles
Golden Visa Greece: Summary Overview
Greece offers one of the most attractive Golden Visa programmes in Europe — combining relatively low investment thresholds, transparent costs and obligations, low taxation and visa-free access to the Schengen Zone with an upcoming market. Investors benefit from a secure property market, stable legal protections under EU law, and the opportunity to enjoy life across the Greek mainland and its world-renowned islands. With no minimum stay requirement and the potential path to long-term residence or citizenship, Greece stands out as a flexible, lifestyle-rich investment destination.
- ✅ Visa-free travel across the Schengen Zone
- ✅ Investment from €250,000
- ✅ Fast-rising property market
- ✅ Spouse, Children & Parents included
- ✅ Renewable every 5 years
- ✅ 0 day stay requirement
- ✅ Property ownership in cities or the Greek islands
- ✅ No hidden costs for application or renewal
- ✅ Low taxation for property acquisition & possession — same as nationals
- ✅ No additional financial prerequisites post investment
- ✅ May apply for citizenship after 7 years
- ✅ Investment & Application can be concluded remotely with a power of attorney (biometrics excluded)
- ✅ The weather, the sea, quality of life — Greece itself
Information provided on the Golden Visa Greece Programme has been meticulously updated to reflect the critical changes introduced by the new Immigration Code (Law 5038/2023), which entered fully into force on 1 January 2025, and the subsequent amendments by Law 5187/2025 of 21 March 2025 and related Ministerial Decisions. Property acquisition procedures and tax considerations - relevant to all investors - are detailed separately in the Guide for Real Estate Investors in Greece.
Golden Visa Greece: Programme Purpose and Key Benefits
The Greek Golden Visa remains the only property-based, EU residence-by-investment programme of strategic scale. With other popular schemes (notably Spain as of March 2025 and Portugal in 2023) either repealed or restricted, and alternatives burdened by high-cost donations, complex conditions, or limited mobility rights, Greece offers the sole clear pathway combining:
- ⚫︎ Tangible Investment
- With real estate investments starting from €250,000 and escalating to €400,000 and €800,000 - depending on the investment - on a fast growing market. The entire process, including securing the investment - most frequently by property acquisition - and applying for a Golden Visa, can be concluded via a power of attorney issued to us. The entire property acquisition process is detailed under the Property Law sections, relevant for both Golden Visa and non-Golden Visa investors.
- ⚫︎ Schengen Area Access
- Visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Zone.
- ⚫︎ Three Generations Family Inclusion
- Investors can include their spouse, unmarried dependant children up to 21 years old, and the dependant parents of both the investor and their spouse. When children reach 21, they can apply for an independent residence permit valid for three years (extendable until age 24), provided they remain unmarried. Legal partnerships are now recognised on equal footing with marriage for spousal inclusion, including same-sex partnerships.
- ⚫︎ No Minimum Stay Requirement
- Investors are not required to reside in Greece in order to maintain their residence permit. In practice, they only need to visit Greece once per five years to submit biometrics in person for renewal - simply because this cannot be yet achieved remotely.
- ⚫︎ No additional hidden costs
- The Greek Golden Visa programme is exceptionally straightforward. Applicants need only pay the application and processing fees, with no indirect obligations such as mandatory donations or endorsements.
- ⚫︎ Low taxation - Same rights & obligations as Greek/EU nationals
- National and International owners get the exact same treatment under Greek Law. They have the same rights and same obligations, paying the same low taxes. Only a minor differentiation is introduced - whereby non-EU nationals need to secure a permit from the Ministry of Defence for property on borders and certain islands. Few restrictions apply, with reference to the Golden Visa Programme in particular and not with your nationality, with regards to maintaining ownership and its utilisation.
- ⚫︎ No additional financial prerequisites
- The Greek Golden Visa programme does not require the investor to demonstrate ongoing financial means, income levels, or economic activity once the qualifying investment has been completed. There are no obligations to maintain a minimum bank balance, prove passive income, or show financial sustainability beyond the asset itself. The only condition for maintaining the residence permit is continued ownership and compliance of the original investment.
- ⚫︎ Permit Duration
- Valid for five years, renewable indefinitely so long as the investment remains compliant.
- ⚫︎ Eligibility for Greek Citizenship
- After seven years, investors may be eligible to apply for Greek citizenship, subject to meeting Greek language proficiency, integration criteria, and other legal requirements.
This framework - clean, transparent, and strategically positioned within the EU - has contributed to the programme's continued appeal among international investors.
Learn more about Greece’s quality of life, comparative advantages over other Golden Visa programmes, and detailed information on low property transfer tax and annual property tax in the Why Invest in Greek Real Estate – In Numbers guide.
Golden Visa Greece: General Eligibility Criteria for Investors & Core Investment Principles
The updated legal framework offers multiple pathways for obtaining a Greek Golden Visa. Although the guide details all available investment options, practical experience shows that real estate investments have the better Return on Investment (ROI) and tend to offer the most straightforward route for international investors. To qualify for the Greek Golden Visa, the applicant must meet certain criteria and minimum investment thresholds which vary significantly from €250,000 to €800,000, based on the type of investment and, particularly for real estate, the geographical location.
- ⚫︎ Real Estate Investments
- ◍ Property Purchase: This remains the programme's most lucrative qualifying investment, offering tangible assets, long-term stability, and potential rental income.
- ◍ Ten-Year Lease Option: Investors can also qualify by entering into ten-year lease or timeshare agreements for eligible properties.
- ⚫︎ Financial Investments
- This category includes various structured financial instruments and market-related opportunities.
- ⚫︎ Business & Corporate Investments
- This pathway covers investments involving the establishment or operational involvement in local business ventures.
- ⚫︎ Qualifying Investment
- The investment must satisfy the required threshold and conditions set by the legal framework.
- ⚫︎ Non-EU Citizenship
- The applicant must be a citizen of a non-EU country.
- ⚫︎ Legal Capacity for Investment
- The investor must possess full legal capacity. Minors may qualify if their investment is managed by a legal guardian in accordance with Greek law.
- ⚫︎ Legitimate Source of Funds
- Proof must be provided that the funds originate from a legitimate source. All transactions must be executed through traceable banking channels in compliance with Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Know Your Customer (KYC) regulations.
- ⚫︎ Health Requirements
- Applicants must secure a private health insurance policy with the necessary coverage for Greece.
Golden Visa Greece: Programme Overview FAQ
What is the Greek Golden Visa program
The Greek Golden Visa is a residence-by-investment program that allows eligible individuals and their families to secure five-year renewable residence permits through qualifying real estate investments. The program provides visa-free travel throughout the Schengen Zone and offers one of the most attractive investment pathways in Europe.
Who is eligible for the Greek Golden Visa
Non-EU nationals who make qualifying investments in Greek real estate are eligible for the Golden Visa. The program includes the investor's spouse, unmarried dependent children up to age 21, and parents of both spouses. There are no nationality restrictions, and the investment can be completed remotely via power of attorney.
What are the main benefits of the Greek Golden Visa program?
Key benefits include visa-free travel across the Schengen Zone, no minimum stay requirement, renewable five-year permits, family inclusion across three generations, same taxation rights as EU nationals, investment in a fast-growing property market, and potential eligibility for Greek citizenship after seven years.
How long does the Golden Visa process typically take?
The process involves investment acquisition - usually by way of property, application preparation, document submission, and biometric data capture. While timelines can vary depending on investment type, property selection and documentation preparation, the entire process from investment to permit issuance typically takes several months. A temporary residence certificate is issued upon application submission.
What happens after I receive my Golden Visa?
After receiving your Golden Visa, you can travel freely within the Schengen Zone, maintain the property investment, and enjoy residence rights in Greece. The permit is renewable every five years as long as the investment is maintained. After seven years of residence, you may be eligible to apply for Greek citizenship, subject to additional requirements.